Jo Wipprecht has produced a beautifully shot video featuring the lifestyle of Sal, Cape Verde mixed with some windsurfing – if you want a chilled out vibe rather than heavy action than check it out – here’s what Jo had to say
”In february 2014 I took the great opportunity to escape from europe and spend two months sailing in Cape Verde, West Africa. Over one decade, Sal has become my favorite windsurf destination due to the relaxed lifestyle and some of the most challenging and versatile wave sailing spots on earth. Here is a short glimpse into the surfing life of the island. I appreciate and I am thankful for the great support from my friends and local windsurfers who helped me to realise this little project..”
JP proudly announces that Amado Vrieswijk joined the JP team. 18 year old Amado is considered to be one of the biggest, young talents in Freestyle.Many see him as the future freestyle world champion. He also had some very promising attendances in PWA Slalom competitions. Amado made his decision after test riding several JP boards and this is what Amado Vrieswijk had to say:
"I was able to test the Freestyle board in The Netherlands and on Bonaire. In the beginning the winds were light but I was already amazed how the board was sailing: It really planes very quickly, the speed of the board is fast, and the positioning of the footstraps is different to my previous boards -which were closer together- which I already consider as a big plus.
I really like the stability and the fast rotation of the Freestyle 92."
The youngster from Bonaire already had an impressing career so far: He won the PROKIDS event on his home island every year from 2006 to 2010 in his age class, just like he became IFCA World Champion 2007 (Turkey), 2008 (Italy), 2009 (Bonaire) and 2010 (France). In 2011 Amado started to participate on the PWA World Tour. In 2014 after finishing 3rd in Bonaire, 4th in Fuerteventura and 5th on Sylt he was able to take 4th Overall.
This is what Martin Brandner (JP Brand Manager) had to say: "Amado is a super talented and focused freestyle rider. His great results speak for his professionalism. He is also interested in other aspects of the sport and enjoys Slalom racing. With his very positive and ever smiling attitude he will fit great with our team."
Of course NB-20 will be involved in the development of new Freestyle boards. Being lighter than Steven Van Broeckhoven he will ride smaller boards. JP shaper Werner Gnigler is already working on future production boards with Amado. With Steven Van Broeckhoven B-71 (who gave Amado a very warm welcome to the JP team when they met at the last 2014 EFPT event) and Amado Vrieswijk NB-20 JP now has two top contenders to win the PWA Freestyle Tour! 2015 will be an interesting year!
http://jp-australia.com/2015/
Riccardo Marca is an up and coming freestyle windsurfer, 18 years old. He was born in Riccione but in 2014 decided to move to Sant’Antioco, a little island in the south of Sardinia. Here he trains for windsurfing every day and when there isn’t wind hits the gym. He’s also studying at High school, in Sant’Antioco. We caught up with Riccardo for his spot guide to Sardinia.
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT PORTO PAGLIA, SURF SPOT IN WEST SIDE OF SARDINIA.
”Hi, i’m Riccardo Marca, i’m 18 and i’m born in Riccione. I moved to Sant’Antioco (a little island in the south of Sardinia) last year only for windsurfing. Here i study and at the same time i can train. In this article I’ll talk about the best and most famous spots in Sardinia.
In Sant’Antioco I surf in SA BARRA, the spot is close to the city and it’s perfect for freestyling. I sail most of the time in Sa Barra also because it’s easy to reach for me on my scooter. Sa Barra is a kind of lagoon and this is good because the water is not so deep and also when it’s windy the water is flat, so it’s always good for freestyling. Sa Barra work with north-west most of the time, but especially in summer time can be good also with south-east.
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT PORTO PINO, PHOTO BY MICHELE TAGLIAFICO
In Sant’Antioco there are also other spots good for freestyle but some also for wave. “SALINE” and “SPIAGGIA GRANDE” beaches are close to Calasetta (a small city of Sant’Antioco). In Saline beach the wind cames from the sea and in the middle of the bay you can find some small waves, around 1/1,5 metres. In spaggia grande beach the wind is side-on. You go outside with the right food in the front. Also here you can find some waves. Both spots works mostly with north-west wind.On the right of spiaggia grande bay you can find a really nice spot for wave riding called MARESCIALLO. It’s not easy to find the right condition, with wind and waves, but when you’re lucky is one of the best spot in Sardinia for wave riding. In maresciallo you surf with north-west too, but to be sure that it’s also wavy the wind must blow from south in the night and turn from north-west during the morning.
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT PORTO PINO, PHOTO BY MICHELE TAGLIAFICO
PHOTO – MARESCIALLO, THE WAVE SPOT CLOSE TO SPIAGGIA GRANDE ON SANT’ANTIOCO ISLAND.
PORTO PINO is another really nice spot, but this one is outside of Sant’Antioco island. It’s not so far from Sant’Antioco, about 30 minutes by car. In this spot you can surf in summer time when the wind blows from south-east, it’s really good because the wind increases a lot thanks to the thermic effect of the sun and the warm temperatures. Porto Pino works also (in the winter time) when the wind blows from north-west. In this case you can find really nice waves for jumping and wave riding.
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT PORTO PINO, PHOTO BY MICHELE TAGLIAFICO
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT PORTO PINO, PHOTO BY MICHELE TAGLIAFICO
Another really nice spot for wave and freestyle is FUNTANA MEIGA. Funtana is close to Oristano, in the middle of Sardinia, on the west side. Also here the north-west is the main and the best wind. If the wind is light (and specially during the summer) you can find flat water or small waves good for freestyling, but in the winter or with a good forecast Funtana is one of the best spot for wave riders beginner and advanced.
It is really easy to start wave surfing in Funtana, because is really easy to go in, it isn’t dangerous and the wave is really easy to ride.
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT SA BARRA
In the north of Sardinia there are many spots, for wave and for freestyling, but i’ve been only in some for freestyling, so i’ll tell you about them. In the last years the italian championship was located in COLUCCIA beach. Coluccia is close to Palau and it’s a pretty beach, typical of Sardinia. The main wind is west. This spot is really good for freestyling, because of the flat water.
PHOTO – RICCARDO AT SA BARRA
In the same bay of Coluccia, you can find PORTO POLLO, a really famous spot in Sardinia for the big windsurf centre -http://www.portopollo.it/en/ . Also in Porto Pollo the main wind direction is west. In summer time there are a lot of tourist and many of them are there for windsurfing, so watch out!
The last one that i’ve seen in the north of Sardnia is MURTA MARIA beach, close to Olbia, 1 hour by car. Here during the summer you can find the best conditions when the wind blows from east or south-east. Thanks to the flat water it’s a good freestyle spot also when the wind blows from west.”
For more information about Riccardo Marca, check out the links below
Three years ago, World Tour all-rounder Kevin Pritchard made the shock announcement that he was quitting the P.W.A. circus and joining up with Ezzy sails, all set to embark on a whole new venture.
After two decades at the top echelon of the sport, with numerous World Titles under his belt, ‘The Pritch’ was still highly ranked and could easily have carried on raking in the dollars in both racing and wavesailing disciplines. Far from hanging up his harness, the move over to Ezzy has unleashed a new lease of life for the Maui based all-rounder and this new direction has allowed him to focus on his passions: wave sailing and camera work.
We sent ‘JC’ over to meet’ KP’ to find out if life has been kind to him after his big game-changing move?
(This feature originally appeared in the August2014 issue of Windsurf Magazine. To read more features like this first, Print and Digital subscriptions are available. Prices include delivery globally for 10 x issues a year!)
NEW DIRECTION
Kevin and his brother Matt Pritchard have been two of the biggest names in professional windsurfing over the past 20 years. The multi-talented Californian kids burst onto the World Tour back in the 90s, both sweeping up titles in waves, racing, freestyle, Super-X and even the Overall Title back in 2000. After dragging equipment all over the word for nearly two decades, Matt was first to quit the tour back in 2009, opting to try out the business side of the sport as well as teaching in Maui and on the mainland U.S.A. For Kevin, the younger of the two, the decision to leave the tour was one of the toughest of his life. Thankfully he’s been around long enough to have been one of the bigger bread winners on the tour and 20 years at the top were enough to buy him a stunning house in Haiku, Maui, giving him something to fall back on if the move didn’t work out.
KP “It was definitely a huge decision to quit the tour. I was so entrenched in that situation of competing year in, year out. That was all I knew – life on the P.W.A.! Making that decision took a lot of thought. My brother Matt went through the same process. I saw what he was up to and the changes in his life. I’m not quite sure why I chose to quit. It wasn’t a hard-and-fast call. Ezzy don’t even make race sails, so once I’d made the choice there was no going back to that side of the tour, at least in the short term. I didn’t have a problem with Gaastra or anything, they were supporting me well and I had the option to continue. I just started talking with Ezzy and everything seemed to click into place. I guess I was a little bit burned out on the tour. I’d been competing so long in the same places and sometimes racing in really crappy conditions. I guess I decided I’d had enough. 20 years of doing that was a long time, a big part of my life, but it paid the bills. I can’t believe Dunkerbeck and Albeau. They’ve been doing it 10 years longer than I have. I don’t know how they do it. It’s pretty awesome that they still have that drive to travel to all those events.
I STILL FEEL THE URGE TO GO OUT THERE AND SAIL EVERY DAY
“Once I’d made the decision I felt both good and bad. It was obviously a period of uncertainty. It was scary, like ‘Oh boy, here I go’ I was heading into the unknown of what I’ve not done before. At the same time it felt like the right decision, so I rolled with it. These last three years have been amazing for me. I was scared to jump, but once I did, I couldn’t have asked for a better few years. It’s been just a breath of fresh air. Working with Ezzy is cool and my board sponsor, Starboard, are also still supporting me.
I’ve been doing exactly what I want to do. I’ve been getting into the filming, taking photos and doing trips. I’ve been testing sails and helping Ezzy with their promotion via the video and pictures. I’ve been going to places I want to go. It feels like I’ve used all those years on tour to get to this spot right now. There’s no pressure on me. David Ezzy isn’t bothered if I do contests. He just wants me to promote the brand and believe in their equipment. I’ve been doing the A.W.T., which is a totally different vibe. They’re fun, cruiser events, but I still obviously want to win – but if you don’t it’s not the end of the world”.
I TRAINED FOR ALL THOSE YEARS … AND NOW I’M PUTTING A SIMILAR EFFORT INTO ANOTHER PASSION
DRIVE
The first year after quitting the tour was a difficult time as Kevin adapted from a dedicated P.W.A. tour sailor into his new role as an ambassador for Ezzy. Three years down the line, Kevin’s turned over a new leaf and, far from taking his foot off the gas, he’s been raising his game on the wave sailing frontier and is more motivated than ever to sail to the highest level.
KP “My drive now is just to sail my very best. I guess the first year I was off the tour I lost a certain amount of motivation. I wasn’t training so much and was just having fun and testing. I even started drinking beers – I had a Facebook page called ‘Photos for Beer’. I was starting to go off the rails a little. I was going for it, having a nice holiday. Just recently I’ve been off the beer. I got tired of it. I got into a rhythm of drinking every night and it wasn’t doing anything for me really. I had a good time, but still, I needed to sort myself out. I had a beer to celebrate Brawzinho’s [wavesailing World Title] win and Levi’s [Aloha Classic] victory, but these days I try not to go there. I just keep it for the special occasions. My motivation now is really strong to go out there and be the best that I can. That’s enough for me. Even though I’m not training for a World Title or anything like that, I still feel the urge to go out there and sail every day. I still work on my boards and try to get shapes where I can hit the lip harder and go faster down the line. My sails are how I want them to feel. I feel like I’m sailing pretty well right now.”
BEHIND THE LENS
There’s no doubting that Pritchard has a natural flair for filming and photography. Producing movie clips and filming on land and in the water are all tools he now uses to raise the brand awareness for Ezzy, as well as earning a few bucks here and there as demand for his talents grow.
KP: “The more you film the more you learn. I have a passion for it and it’s something that interests me for sure. I like filming and trying to be creative. It’s easier if you go to an interesting venue and the conditions are smoking. New places obviously give me fresh opportunities to put together something really fun rather than shooting the same old angles on Maui. I trained for all those years at windsurfing and now I’m putting a similar effort into another passion. I always want to do my best and make my clips improve. At the end of the day, I’m just a windsurfer that has a video camera. I don’t really feel like a pro. I’ve worked with lots of photographers and cameramen over the years and have seen how those guys have done it. One of the biggest lessons for video is not to be lazy. You have to move around and get the different angles and cutaway shots, even if it costs missing the odd move. I hate just sitting in one spot. It’s all those little details that really add up. My friend Johannes Neumann is the editing guru, but I try my hand as well. For the Aloha Classic I did the filming editing and competed – the days were pretty busy let’s say that. That was kind of tough, a little bit too much. It was a busy week, but that’s how I like to be. Another thing about filming, especially windsurfing, is that it helps your level. After sitting on the beach filming all day for the finals, which were an amazing level, I went out the next day and nailed a 360 on my first wave. Second wave was a Taka and third wave a Backside 360 and a nice hit. I was watching what Levi especially was doing through the Slow Motion from my camera. I could see every little technical detail in the way he was sailing. It goes into your mind, and then you learn from it. Usually my first moves are always my best, because I’m not thinking about my sailing, I’m just fresh out there with what I’ve filmed in my mind. I’ve been filming a lot with Graham Ezzy and he is incredible at all those new school tricks. I get to see it when I’m filming, watch it again when I’m editing and that’s one thing that really helps me progress. I’m still trying a lot of those new school tricks and it feels kind of good. I might not be doing the tour, but I still like my sailing is at a decent level and the filming definitely helps”.
IT’S NICE TO BE ABLE TO REPAY A LITTLE BIT TO THE SPORT THAT’S GIVEN ME SO MUCH
THE ALOHA
Pritchard was amongst the pack of ex world wave champions that fancied a shot at competing in the Aloha Classic. Far from resting on his laurels and being happy just to take part, ‘KP’ was hungry to cause a few upsets and go all the way against the new generation on tour.
KP “I think it [The Aloha Classic] was a positive thing. I personally don’t like it because all these guys come over and take all the waves. You’ve got guys like Mussolini, Koester and Traversa in town, all hungry for a slice of the pie. These guys normally wouldn’t be here. Seeing what everybody was doing was pretty exciting to watch, all those Takas off the lip and freestyle tricks on the wave. I liked seeing Levi win. In my books he’s been the dominant rider at Ho’okipa for the last 10 years. Every time there’s been a contest, for some reason he’s not won in the past. So he did it at last, which was pretty cool. He deserves it. I’ve always said if there were three events in Brawzinho’s hometown, he would have been World Champion in my opinion. It was fun to see the World Tour get mixed up. I like Philip [Koester] a lot also and the jumping side of windsurfing can be exciting too. We get bored of just seeing bottom turn, off the lip, all the time here in Maui. But it’s good to have the full variety on tour with Maui thrown in. Hopefully that inspires Philip to come here and train. Or at least go to Cape Verde or somewhere to make him a better overall package.
“I was disappointed with myself and some of the conditions. I was in the last heat of the second day with my brother, Mussolini and Brawzinho. For me the conditions weren’t epic, it’d just started to go funky. I know I can compete with those guys so I was a little disappointed to say the least. Maybe I wouldn’t have won the event, but I was hoping to make the final four. I’m still totally fine, it wouldn’t really change my life at all if I won it or if I came 10th”.
AMBITIONS
Back in the 2000 Kevin Pritchard managed to break Bjoern Dunkerbeck’s relentless stronghold on the overall title. With numerous wave and racing overall P.W.A. victories under his belt, Kevin’s pretty much ticked all the boxes as far as competition sailing goes. Even so, he’s still as motivated as ever to promote the sport and keep on living the life as a sailing professional.
KP: “Right now I’m super happy with what I’m doing and happy to just keep on trucking! I couldn’t ask for anything else. It’s fun for me to promote the sport a little bit through video. I don’t know if it does or not, but I feel like I’m contributing something back at least. Hopefully the movies help showcase the sport. It’s nice to be able to repay a little bit to the sport that’s given me so much. I appreciate that side a little bit. Windsurfing has given me everything. I was fortunate enough to be around when the money was a lot better. Now it’s nice to try and promote it further. I’m not earning so much from it these days, I’m earning a lot less, but I guess I can say I have a better lifestyle? Over the years I wasn’t the biggest spender! Every cent I could save I did, plus I bought a nice house on Maui. I guess I was a cheapskate, tight ass, whatever you want to call it. I’m not living like a king, but I’m happy. I can go down to the beach and sail every day I want to. Plus I can also go on some of these trips where some ne pays for me to film and then I go out there and ride as well. It keeps the dream alive. Sure I’ve got to be a little bit more careful of what I’m spending, but to me it’s worth it. The pressure that I put on myself back in the day was pretty incredible. I really gave it everything when I was on tour. It’s nice to not have that anymore”.
Jaeger ripping at home in Western Australia – double forwards, his trademark waveriding and huge back loops – rumours are Jaeger may have a new board sponsor for 2015 – watch this space
THE LOW-DOWN
The Manta line is massive with eight sizes from small speed-specialist, high-wind shapes to light-wind weapons. The Manta shares a stable with the freerace Speedster (See upcoming test in June issue on the 108L 69), the Thunder – a fast freeride board designed to be sailed under less, or average power compared to full-on race gear – and the sporty freeride Rocket.
BRAND CLAIM ‘We moved some of volume from the nose to the footstrap area (to have more power under the feet) and also increase the overall volume number to get better acceleration and be sure that the Manta 71 can carry a 8,6 sail easily. We also totally changed the V configuration by moving from a deep accelerating V to a low constant V open in the nose. With straightening the side rocker line in between the front strap and mast track this gives much better acceleration and better top speed. It also helps to carry a bigger sail. The new tail with double outline behind back foot straps (like 2014 Manta 85 and 81) allow to have the foot more parallel and more power for low end. We also reduced the stance here to get a more lively board.’ (Sic.)
PERFORMANCE
Last time we tested the Manta it really felt like a forgiving and friendly freerace or fast freeride board (a really fast one!), so we were looking forward to jumping on the new one given the super tough conditions in Tenerife. But, water state aside, the latest incarnation feels like a totally different animal. With an insane level of acceleration (yes, fin dependent of course), the Manta has you instantly up to top speed and the adrenaline pumping, flying ‘nervously’ over all the chop and swell like no other. (We used 38 – 42-cm. fins on this model.) As usual we enjoyed the Tabou deck pads and generally the ride is quite even-footed and not too energy sapping at all. This board needs to be paired with drafty, powerful sails that keep the nose under control as, with all the volume behind the mast foot, it needs pinning down big time – but boy is it worth it! This is one incredibly exciting shape to sail on, fully wound, flying over savagely rough water while you enjoy the ‘red mist’! Around the corners we found it a little more challenging and technical to gybe, although generally this 71 seemed to favour a naturally tighter arc. Although we didn’t get much in the way of low-end conditions, we reckon this board’s best at the bottom end of it’s wind range because, as it stands, you need some serious balls to open up the insane top speed near the higher limits!
THE VERDICT
How fast dare you go? Can you handle the acceleration? A genuine ‘flyer’, the Manta 71 is some piece of work for those who enjoy scaring the bejaysus out of themselves in tough-going conditions. Naturally it’d be sensational in the flat, but if this board doesn’t get your heart beating and give you an afterglow similar to the buzz of riding big waves, then you’re probably not even alive.
Scott McKercher lays down some of the most solid turns and airs in the business, making the heavy sections of WA look like child’s play here’s a taste of summer from down under fresh off the laptop showing his trademark full power style !
RRD Rider Sylvain Demercastel tells the tale of a good day with an unhappy ending –
”BAD LUCK / GOOD LUCK
Sometimes you have to deal with it. Sometimes this is the price to pay.
We’ve ben talking a lot about this secret outside reef in French Britany. A good place that works only a couple of times per year at the most. A place where you need a jetski. A photographer. A lot of patience to get there in lightwinds.
So when the conditions are on, with a blue sky and a 10 to 15 knots side offshore wind : You go. Even if you know you’ve been missing too much sleep in the last weeks.
Then the right wave comes.
Then the right timing occures.
Then you know the aerial is in the box.
Then you make a little mistake. Your backfoot slips away. You make an « epic split » and crush Your front knee. You hear the noise that says « serious trouble ».
You’re happy your friend is in the jetski. Happy you don’t have to swim and destroy your knee even more.
And now, you’re watching this picture on your computer…Knowing the way back to the ocean will be a long and painfull journey.
No pain / No gain
I’ll ride again this secret spot. With more wisdom and better preparation.
OVERVIEW The Italian ‘Black team’ brand’s iconic dark sails have grown in popularity in recent seasons, but they’ve also grown in stature, securing second place on the 2013 slalom racing overall rankings. Named after owner Andrea Cucchi, the ‘AC-1’ flagship sail sits above an exciting 3-cam (AC-K) and the fun-to-sail AC-X no-cam freerace sail (as tested in the April 2014 issue).
BRAND POSITIONING ‘We put a lot of much passion and time into this winner, and yes, we did win the PWA in Korea and many other international events. The great thing that made us most proud, was the fact that each single person who had the 2013 AC-1 has improved their results. With the new changes it will be more friendly for a general use and developed all his details. Those who will try it first time will be breathless, and those who will go on this upgrade will enjoy the new rotation, and batten work done to the structure.’ (Sic.)
PERFORMANCE Approaching any Point-7 sail always has you feeling both a little scared and excited about what’s about to happen! And the feeling is amplified tenfold when you launch their deep-drafted, scary-looking, podium-placing race sail. Leaving the beach though you think ‘this is quite easy actually’ and then dare to crank up the throttle and see how you get on. Seems fine, let’s get into 6th gear. Hmm. Still okay – and we’re absolutely flying! Why? Downforce! The AC-1 pushes the deck down, eliminating any unwanted nose-lift from lively boards and absolutely charges through – or rather over – chop and swell. (In fact you might even want your mast track further back than normal!) Yes, it’s unbelievably powerful. In fact it’s mega, turbo powerful. The acceleration is insane. But the force pins down the hull and leaves you in a nice, high position of control over the thumping V12 at the end of your arms. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all easy though. The AC-1 is still super physical to sail. Yes, the low-end is amazing, but it’s challenging to gybe and even more technical to access the unquestioned performance it contains. If you can kill the backhand, which might involve some quite serious adjustments to your body position/habits/technique approaching gybes – and make it around corners – then you’ll feel instant acceleration out of turns and messed-up air. Deep downwind you’ll need some fitness to cope with any extended periods of time at full tilt, but the good news is that reaching and upwind are much more relaxing affairs.
THE VERDICT The ultimate tractor! The AC-1 delivers the ultimate in acceleration and power – with welcome downforce to pin down the latest slalom boards. However, gybing is a challenge and muscles are almost mandatory. So, what will it be? Something easy to sail that gets you around the course – or the ultimate beast that will demand some work and technique to maximise the proven potential?
100s of competitions on all continents, 1000s of participants around the world. Lot of fun, new adventures, new places, new friends. Another successful year for BIC Techno 293 One design class !
AT A GLANCE
Sotavento is one of the most famous venues in the world for a windsurfing holiday because of its unique wind conditions and annual World Cup events.
SEASON All Year Round. Best time April – October WHO IS IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 5/5 Intermediates: 5/5 Advanced: 5/5 Freestyle: 5/5 Wave: 2/5 LOCAL CENTRES Rene Egli Centre info@rene-egli.com www.rene-egli.com MORE INFO Home to worlds biggest centre, Rene-Egli which hosts the World Cup Event every year in July/August.
ABOUT THE CENTRE Completely newly built in April 2014 and located close to the first-class hotel Meliã Gorriones. The beach of Sotavento is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Starboard, NeilPryde and JP kit is available with 450 current 2014 boards and 1000 sails to choose from. Whether freestyle, slalom, speed or comfortable freeriding, we have the right setup on the beach. The integrated beach bar serves delicious snacks and cool drinks and has a free wireless hotspot. Fresh-water showers, toilets, reserved sun loungers and a professional service offer pure relaxation and a completely carefree vacation.
HOW TO GET THERE A 4 hour flight from mainland Europe to the airport close to the islands capital, Puerto del Rosario.
WHERE TO STAY The 4 star Hotel Melia Gorriones invites its guests to unheard garden and pool scenery and offers first class spa areas for relaxing. Two excellent restaurants will meet all your wishes and the in-house pub is the perfect place to end the day. The windsurf centre is only 200 yards walking distance away.
RIDING ON OFFER Whether freestyle, slalom, speed or comfortable freeriding, we have the right setup on the beach. With specific local conditions, the prevailing north-east trade wind receives a doubles acceleration effect making the wind substantially stronger and the perfect freestyle, speed and slalom spot. During the different seasons there are different winds, flat water and waves up to 2m with the right conditions.
LARS PETERSEN COLD HAWAII VIDEO
The always stoked Lars Petersen checks in with a fresh video from Denmark capturing at home in fun surf just before Christmas. Speaking about the video Lars said ”I have made this one from one of the tons and tons of good days we been having in Cold Hawaii over the winter and fall. It’s shot with a Panasonic GH4 and Canon 400mm lens. Huge thanks to the boys for helping out with the shooting and editing!”
”With the 2014 line up for WOTY the winner was a very tough one to predict. With such a formidable line up of nominees, from all disciplines in UK windsurfing, including.
Ben Proffitt for Wave
James Dinsmore for Slalom
Jim Crossley for Speed
Emma Wilson for Racing
Max Rowe for Freestyle
The voting was definitely very close with the lead changing 3 times over the eight weeks of voting. But in the end a very popular winner Ben Proffitt came out on top. He will be handed the trophy by last years winner FarrelOshea and join a long line of previous winners including Nick Dempsey, Bryony Shaw, Zara Davis and Izzy Hamilton to name but a few
What Ben had to say when he found out.
“Awesome news thanks …to be honest if I’d lost to Emma Wilson I really wouldn’t have been upset as she had a great achievement this year winning the worlds!
But I’msuper happy to win,for me I won the biggest thing I could have won this year and something I’d dreamed of as a kid growing up. Standing on the top of the podium in the Indoor really was special and something that doesn’t happen very often.
So winning the UK windsurfer of the year award really is the icing on the cake for a great year for me.
Thanks to everyone that voted for me and that have supported me all year, you’ve all helped heaps. Also a massive thanks to my Sponsors Simmer Style, Oshea, Doppstadt and funsport for all the help over the years and last but not least my parents who got me into this amazing sport and drove me around in the early days. I’m not really sure where I would be today with out all your help, thanks. Fingers crossed for a bigger and better 2015! …Or more of the same would be good to!”
All the nominees agreed it was a great honor to have been nominated for the award in their respective disciplines and appreciated the support the public gave in voting for them. ”
WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN WAVE FINS TO TWEAK YOUR TURNS BUT BEFORE WE PROJECT FIN FIRST INTO OUR GUIDE, WE CAUGHT UP WITH RRD’S DESIGN GURU JOHN SKYE FOR SOME TOP TIPS.
What fin set up do you recommend for UK conditions? At the moment I get on best with a quad/twin set up. If the conditions are very light, or with small mushy waves, I will put blockers in the front fins and use the board as a twin. It makes the board much more free in the water and allows it to pivot more, which in mushy waves means you can be more active. My 92 is always set up like this as I only really use it in really light winds. For the smaller boards 83/75, there are normally better waves, so I mostly use them as quad. This gives more grip and more drive through the turns. You can’t pivot so well, but you can carve harder and faster. In extreme cases with very small waves I will put MFC 300 back fins in and take away the front ones and use them as twins. This was my set up in Pozo this year and it worked well for me. Rules for fin placement? I have my magic set up which is the leading edges of a quad at 33cm and 46cm from the tail. That gives about a 4 finger gap between the fins which is quite a lot, but I generally like to set up my gear to be quite stiff and drivey. How many fins do you travel with to an event? Most events I take my 3 wave cults (75/83/92). The 92 I use 17cm MFC FG. The 83 I use MFC 300 fronts and 250 backs. The 75 I use 250 in the front and back. So I take what I need, plus a couple of spares, around 14 total.
DRAKE NATURAL WAVE
Drake use G10 to provide more strength and a quicker flex response than conventional polyester. This allows for the Natural Wave’s unique design concept: its thin foil and very fine swept-back tip generates more grip and responsiveness with less drag to deliver a sharper, faster ride that feels more alive. Suitable for: waveboards and crossover boards.
The Flow fins are CNC milled in G10 to precisely replicate the outline and foil that we set out to achieve. This method is more costly but allows us to manipulate the design more than traditional Polyester fins. Compared to our E-wave, the Flow has less surface area through a narrower chord in both the base and tip. This provides a faster outline for use in heavier and faster waves. The narrow tip also allows for a clean bottom turn through a moderate amount of flex, while letting the board slash its way through the top turn.
The Stubby is the all-rounder from K4Fins. Stiffer then the Flexy range the stubby offers great early planing, slashy turns and super control. The template of the fin was designed to perform in those less than perfect conditions. Carving the wave has never been easier with K4’s exclusive optoflex material, working with the rider to get the absolute most out of your board. With the stubby you can nip the board around and push through to Takas with ease. As well as its wave riding attributes, the stubby provides grip, drive and speed, powering you through the white water allowing you to smack every ramp you want. A pair of Stubbies are available from authorised dealers.
Revolutionary design for a very fast and agile ride. The cut-out near the tip gives you the extra looseness you need for cutbacks. Philip Köster’s single fin choice when sailing onshore Sylt (22 cm). The X-Twin is the twinser version of the X-Wave. A new benchmark for wave fins was set with this design. It gives the fin unbelievable looseness when waveriding and makes the cutback an unforgettable experience. Best suited: All waves, on and side shore
RRP: X-Twin / X-Twin-S: £58.00 / fin
RRP: X-Wave / X-Weed: from £87.00
The AR is an all-round model for any conditions. Wave side shore, on-shore, off-shore; it’s the fin that does it all, having a wave shape for the smaller sizes and going to more of a freewave shape for the bigger sizes. Speed and early planning are great characteristics of this fin developed and tested on Maui by some of the world’s best windsurfers.
Adventures Looking for ‘Real’ Windsurfing in Poland
After attending a light-wind EFPT contest at Max Matissek’s home spot in Austria, the two of us looked for a new windsurfing adventure. With Max’s sponsor Chiemsee trusting us with their VW van, a road trip was on the cards. Without any wasted time, we sped on the German Autobahn’s making our way to Poland’s Baltic Coast, where NE wind was forecast all week.
Poland will be in the spotlight of the windsurfing world this month, hosting the first PWA indoor event in 10 years. With everybody anticipating the action on a 90 x 30 m. pool lined with fans, perhaps it’s worth shedding some light on what Poland’s 700 km. of coastline offers in terms of ‘real’ windsurfing. After all, the country’s windsurfing population must have somewhere to park, rig and sail?
Story Philip Soltysiak // Photos Max Matissek & Philip Soltysiak
(This feature originally appeared in the September2014 issue of Windsurf Magazine. To read more features like this first, Print and Digital subscriptions are available. Prices include delivery globally for 10 x issues a year!)
I woke up early and checked the conditions around 6 a.m. The wind was already filling in and the surf was already pumping. To score epic, un-crowded Lanes you really have to get super lucky. Days like Christmas day or the morning after the Super Bowl would fall into this category – and that’s if there are smokin’ conditions on those days. Well, for some strange reason this particular day was one of those days. A perfect lineup with not a soul on the water. I started to immediately freak out calling Robby Swift and screaming at him to get down here immediately. I’d decided to book a helicopter as well, which made me even more stressful,
SMOOTH ROADS Comparing our forecast to a map of Poland, we decided to start at the Western border of Poland, not far from Germany, near the town of Miedzyzdroje. With only 4 days of wind predicted, we would quickly wind our way along the coast, with our last sailing spots planned in picturesque Tricity (or ‘Trojmiasto’ in Polish), Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot.
We didn’t expect much quality from the roads in Poland, but our first impressions were a pleasant surprise; crossing the border from Germany to Poland, it felt like we ‘d escaped the bumpy German highway not living up to its name, onto a wide, smooth, 4-lane ‘Polish Autobahn’. We made good time moving in on a small town named Wolin, where the swaying trees kept us on the edge of our seats and glued to our map to find our first sailing destination. Exploring new windsurfing territory can be like a two-edged sword. There’s potential to find some amazing places where you’ve never sailed before, but precious windy time can be wasted searching for the right launch. We drove through Wolin following signs for ‘plaza’ – meaning beach in Polish – and minutes later we were within view of the water, but through some farmers fields, without any obvious beach access. Our search lead us on a bumpy track requiring the car’s 4 x 4 features and some difficult navigating, frustratingly leaving us with nothing but wasted time and dying wind. We finally found an unopened campground, which we ran inside only to watch the last of the gusts ripple the water. A fruitless start to the trip followed by a quick check at the week’s deteriorating forecast, really sunk our spirits.
DON’T GIVE UP HOPE Feeling low, we check-in to Hotel Marina for the night in the coastal town of Miedzyzdroje, just 30 minutes away. We enjoyed a fish soup on the busy promenade leading to the pier – the center of town – and the main attraction on the beach. Watching the senior tourists wander the pier in the quiet and overcast weather weighted our eyelids and dragged us to a late afternoon nap. We woke up from a deep sleep around dinner time and, after exchanging some cash for the Polish currency, Zloty, we noticed flags teasingly begin to flap. We quickly ditched dinner plans for a quick look at the sea, which not only looked incredible with a few dark clouds pushed apart by piercing rays of sun, but also windy enough to grab at our gear and run through the wide-eyed seniors for a late afternoon windsurf by the Miedzyzdroje Pier, or ‘Molo’ in Polish. Landing a few tricks right next to the Molo turned some heads eating ‘Gofry’ and ‘Lody’ (waffles and ice cream) the most popular snacks on this Baltic Coast. There was nobody else on the water and, even with the sun going down, the temperature at around 13C was warm enough to make it a pleasure to windsurf. With our spirits lifted we wrapped up the first day with some polish delicacies; herring tartar in sour cream and Tyskie, one of Poland’s well-known beers.
MERMAID BOOBS The following day began early with 200 km. of driving to meet up with Polish slalom racer Maciek Rutkowski in Slupsk and to sail a couple spots near his home Ustka and Rowy. The winding, narrow piece of pavement that took us there had us regretting ever combining the words ‘Polish’ and ‘Autobahn’. Arriving in Ustka we quickly noticed why the town has won awards as the best summer place in the country. The cozy narrow streets that house a population of 17,000 charmingly led us to a small waterfront park. The temperature was only around 15 degrees, but the sun heated up the land enough to help accelerate the onshore breeze. Checking out what sail size to rig we wore winter jackets and were shocked to see a few elderly men soaking up the sun topless.
The wind was side onshore from the right, and the windsurfing was between the launch off the beach and the cement pier protecting the port. There were a few small waves for some loops and an air spock from Max with the town in the background. A mermaid on the pier, a symbol on the town’s coat of arms on the pier watched over us sailing. We later discovered the size of the Mermaids breasts was recently the subject of great debate among the town’s councillors.
We took a lunch break and moved on and see what the town Rowy had to offer. The lower sun in the afternoon really accentuated the industrial look of this spot, so Maciek and I rigged up and went out for a late afternoon sail. With the lower sun, the sea breeze began to die off, so we decided to leave our local guide behind and catch the sunset in the fishing town of Leba, where we filled up on fried local fish filet and big polish dumplings named ‘pierogi’.
SHITI BEACH We continued following the forecast, which was calling for the NE flow to be stronger further East, so an early departure from Leba left us having breakfast and checking out a spot in Wladyslawowo, just at the entrance to the peninsula named Hel. We were patient until 11 in the morning, but with no sign of the wind increasing we were on edge. Luckily, Karol, a Polish freestyler from Troj Miasto, came to find us and saved the day. He quickly ushered us off to a spot on Puck Bay, the body of water separated by Hel from the Baltic. We parked on a dirt parking lot near the side of the road, just as the wind started building.
Though the launch was named Shiti Beach, it still looked like freestyle heaven. Walking in over a few rocks we ended on a sandy, waist-deep bottom with warm water and steady wind from the left. Reeds lined the shore upwind of us and created a few little nooks perfect for some tricks in flat water. After the morning session on Puck bay we drove in the direction of Trojmiasto. On the way, Karol guided us to what looked like a more popular windsurfing and kitesurfing spot called Rewa. It was a beach on Puck bay, with a big sand spit protruding out into the water. You can sail on either side and we decided to sail on the West side with wind chop and a small blue fishing boat anchored around 50 m. offshore. The water conditions were similar to lake sailing, with deep water offshore and small chop. After sailing at Rewa we continued into more urbanised areas in Trojmiasto, until we reached downtown Sopot. We found some parking near the city’s long beach and prepared to sail on Gdansk Bay. We rigged directly in front of the city’s most famous techno music night club, Atelier, located in the ‘Park Polnotsny’, which lines the city’s beach. The wind was side onshore from the left making for some nice conditions between the waves for throwing a few tricks. On the way out we sailed straight at the longest wooden pier in Europe, at 511 m. of length.
LOST IN HEL Following our session in Sopot we went driving looking for an evening session about 20 minutes from Sopot, but as sometimes happens, we got ourselves lost on some dirt roads once again. We did come across many yellow canola fields, some fisherman enjoying the evening catch, families out for an evening walk in the forest giving us weird looks – and a couple potential spots, which unfortunately at that moment were not windy enough to sail. We slept in a small guesthouse in Chalupy for 80 Zloty for a room and made our way to the end of the Hel peninsula the following morning. Without much wind in the morning, we walked around the Museum of Costal Defence, learning about the military significance of Hel and it’s importance in the Second World War. The wind wasn’t strong enough on the Baltic side of the peninsula, so we drove to the Puck Bay side for some early afternoon sailing, which once again seemed to have the strongest wind. We followed the coast further south to catch the last puffs of the NE flow before the wind was forecast to totally shut off. Ending up in Gdansk, near a yacht club and sailing spot called Stogi, we walked out onto the beach to sail what looked like would be our last session – and just as we rigged the wind shifted, and died.
Though that was the end of our windsurfing on the trip, a visit to Poland is not complete without visiting a couple of Poland’s historic cities, Gdansk being one of them. After a night of testing some of Poland’s most famous Vodkas – Zubrowka, Zoladkowa and Wyburowa – we walked along the Motlawa river and visited some of the town’s famous attractions, including St. Mary’s Church and Long Lane, between the Golden and Green Gates. We snacked on smoked cheese with cranberries, a specialty offered on every street corner, before making our way to Poland’s capital city Warsaw.
QUEEN OF POP The following afternoon we drove to Warsaw, where we met Doda, Poland’s most famous pop star. Doda and her manager are windsurfing fans – making their way to Fuerteventura every year for the PWA contest – and told us that this year they’re already looking forward to the PWA indoor event. They mentioned that the host stadium named ‘Narodowy’, or National Stadium, can seat up to 60,000 spectators. Interestingly, a closable roof malfunction saw the stadium flood not so long ago and that’s how the idea to host a windsurfing event indoors there came about. The next morning we drove down to take a look at the stadium. It’s a massive modern football stadium and it’s hard to believe that it will be transformed into a windsurfing arena. In front of the stadium we imagined our next windsurfing trip to Poland, here in the middle of the country’s biggest city. And then, we’ll probably be one of the few riders in the stadium who have already really windsurfed Poland. PS
THE LOW-DOWN
Along with several national titles, the Starboard team filled five of the 2013 top-10 PWA placings using the iSonic making it a real force to be reckoned with on the slalom scene. The iSonic leads their racing program that consists of the Futura freerace collection, the Formula and Formula Experience models plus the iSonic speed range. Although the 117 as tested here is within the volume range of this test group, with a width of 80 cm., it’s effectively a size up in terms of the range of use of this selection, with most of the rivals showing widths of around the 68 – 70 cm. mark. We therefore should probably have requested the 107 or 110 to level the playing field – but read on and see what happened…
BRAND CLAIM ‘The iSonics are Starboard’s slalom boards. They are fast racing machines designed for the highest top speeds, the highest average speeds, the quickest accelerations with powerful overtaking abilities throughout a wide wind range. The range itself is designed around the PWA’s three board format: a perfect quiver covering all conditions can be achieved by selecting one board most suitable from each of the iSonic’s three size-categories.’
PERFORMANCE
We were a bit nervous taking an 80-centimetre-wide board out in El Médano’s rough and tough waters on 7.8s in wind pushing 30 knots. But, lo and behold, what we instantly found was a hull that’s super settled and smooth underfoot. Out of gybes and in the lulls we enjoyed the impressive acceleration and security the width delivers. The stance is beautifully refined and has you nicely up on your toes and light on the feet. In the turns we were blown away by how easy this shape is to gybe, as looking at the size of it you’d naturally be excused for assuming it’d be super technical to sail, but this is far from the case. Speed-wise this model absolutely purrs. Everything felt so sophisticated and polished and ‘just right’ for all of our riders large and small. (Straps ‘one from front one from back’.) We felt great confidence to really attack the nasty cross chop amongst the rolling swell and current and really let fly. In top gear, with a nice, deep-bellied sail that we think matches this board best, this 117 really hydrofoils impressively and delivers superb lateral rail-to rail stability as you effortlessly skim over a million potential catapult-inducing bumps in comfort. It’s also worth noting that this feedback was gained not only from an exceptionally testing water state, but also largely being seriously over-finned, on paper at least, as well. What a board. Highly recommended.
THE VERDICT
Insane wind range and incredible control, the Starboard iSonic 117 lends amazing confidence in a smooth and secure package that’s also very easy to turn. Top-notch low-end acceleration and an agile sailing position make this without doubt the easiest of the hard-core boards to ride.
REACTIVE WATERSPORTS WINDSURFING SAFETY, HINTS AND TIPS
REACTIVE WATERSPORTS WINDSURFING SAFETY, HINTS AND TIPS
Much respected South West Sailor Dave Ewer is a regular on big days at Bigbury and the top of the podium in the BWA Cornwall events. Coupled with his ownership of Reactive Watersports he is a mass of hard earned information and recently held an evening in his shop to share his knowledge including a very interesting piece on broken mast recovery at the end of the video. As one person commented ‘One all windsurfers should watch !’
Zara has made the move to RRD boards for 2015 teaming up with her old pal and fellow speed star Dave (Whitey) White the new agent for RRD in the UK.
Whiteys opinion on Zara Joining the RRD team “ Very pleased to have Zara on board, we have worked together before for many years with White Boarders. She will be a great asset to RRD and I know she always gives 100% “
Zara’s decision was a very hard one, moving away from her very successful 5 yearpartnership with Mistral. She produced for Mistral the women’s world speed record in Luderitz in 2012 and four European speed titles, so the decision was not taken lightly.
But, Zara in 2014 took on a new challenge in Slalom, as well as Speed. Doing very well in the UK BSA national championships. Her ambition is to get better at slalom and ultimately take part in PWA events. RRD are and very successful in Slalom to say the least with the likes of AntoineAlbeau leading the way internationally.In the UK, Zara will line up with the UK RRD team including Whitey, Mike George, Jack Trollop and Leigh Kingaby.
Antoine Albeau on hearing the news “Super happy that Zara join RRD team. The fastest woman on a windsurf and the fastest man this is great. I am sure Zara will improve a lot now. She needed some real speed and slalom development to go even fast and better. So now she goes on RRD boards. She will get all the work that we do with Aurelio the RRD shaper and she will get real fast speed board and slalom boards.
Welcome Zara !!!
A2”
Last word goes to Zara “ Very excited about joining the RRD family, the slalom boards are super quick and easy to gybe so hope to do well on them. The combination of my Simmer Style sails and RDD boards will be amazing”.
Look out for Zara in 2015 on her new boards at all UK BSA slalom events and the European Speed Championships in Fuerteventura.
Zara is sponsored by RRD, Simmer, Spartan wetsuits, Sonntag fins, AL360 booms and Walnut Grove Clinic.
