MORGAN NOIREAUX won the ALOHA CLASSIC 2015 for a record second year in a row. Morgan commented that ‘ It seems I spent a lot of time turning, might have to try a few more moves next time, haha. ” – with turns like these, we say keep on turning !!
Yes don’t panic but it’s nearly ding dong merrily on high time and Santa needs some help in filling your quiver bag otherwise you’re going to end up with more socks and Terry’s chocolate oranges than your local Debenhams. All we windsurfers really want for Christmas is some wind, and I don’t mean from Nan’s brussel sprouts, but anything else in our splendid seasonal guide would be good too…along with a nice force 5/6!
1.Aquapac TrailProof™ Waist Pack
New from waterproof bag specialist Aquapac is the Waist Pack – the perfect gift for windsurfers say Aquapac. ‘’The Waist Pack is, as the name suggests, ideal for keeping valuables such as phones, wallets, keys, medicines etc safe and secure around your waist so you can have fun in and around water, worry-free. The all-welded construction means no sewing holes so no leaks.’’ Available in two vibrant colours – green and blue.
“Clothing for those that do…” is Procella’s motto, offering a rich alternative to high street fashion. “Unique designs for those who have a love of watersports. The perfect present to add to your Christmas list, or stocking filler for a fellow waterbaby. Our products are made from 100% premium combed organic cotton, printed/embroidered in England using water based inks. Orders are beautifully hand packed in a recycled brown paper bag”.
A collection of high quality awe-inspiring images from the best windsurfing photographer in the world, John Carter, all shot on location at the world’s best windsurfing locations. The 2016 Windsurf Calendar – give your wall a treat or the perfect gift for the windsurfer in your life.
Calendar Specifics: Size: A3 (297mm x 420mm). Locations: Cornwall & IOW – UK, Maui – USA, Margaret River – Australia, Essourira – Morocco, Tarifa – Spain and West Coast of Ireland.
The legendary Windsurfing book, Tricktionary, has a new 2016 edition coming! “With 150 pages more and completely reworked, the new Tricktionary 3 will be strongly connected to the latest in online coaching, the TrickGenius platform. The best gift for a windsurfer? Pre-order a Tricktionary 3, add some free TrickGenius access on a cool gift card and to give away the real deal, get a Tricktionary DVD Box along with it!” For pricing, see their website.
Subscribe to the world’s number one windsurf magazine for the best features, test reports and technique articles all delivered to your door ten times a year. Digital version also available for tablet, mobile and desktop users. This may sound biased, that’s because it is, but we think this is one of the best presents you can buy a windsurfer, non-windsurfer or friend of a windsurfer or non-windsurfer! For pricing options, look up our link below.
Those Italian stallions, RRD, tell us they have been busy knitting Santa a new jumpsuit and carbon fibre sled with quad fins. Meanwhile back in the real world of RRD research and christmas present development, RRD have the perfect gift, the EQ3, a high-end windsurf specific harness built for power and comfort. Pre-shaped moulded EVA, fibre glass battens inside, spreader protector, key pocket, quick release closure, spreader downhaul, neoprene edges and grip print.
ION Neo Shelter jackets are a gift to guarantee a cosy Christmas on the beach. As used by the riders and crew in the Red Bull Storm Chase, they come with an ergonomic shaped hood with elasticated draw-cord adjuster, diagonally slanted front zip for a centred harness hole position, two comfy hand pockets for warmth with a Key Loop for key storage, elasticated drawstring on the hem and velcro closures for wrist adjustment.
Mystic are back for this winter with an all new line up of jackets. The Outdoor Jacket is a water resistant puffa style with a slim athletic fit, perfect for winter wind protection. With an adjustable hood and bottom, the jacket will suit every body shape, and with the Black or Winter Blue colourway you will be looking fresh whilst keeping warm! Get ready for the warmest winter ever!
Flymount have just announced the launch of their 4th generation camera mount, due for release this winter. The new version is stronger, and weighs even less than before (143g). The weight saving is down to a new Nylon part that copes better with grit and sand. There’s some serious beefing up around the hinge area too, and a stronger bond between the jaws and the urethane liners. British made to last a lifetime.
Here’s a great present and it can even get down the chimney as it’s available as an inflatable! Consisting of an 11’6’’x30” Zen (the all-round inflatable WindSUP with Rail Edge technology for a new inflatable planing sensation), a WindSUP Compact 5.5 rig with 4 piece mast and 3 piece boom, 3 piece Enduro Tiki-Tech paddle and high aspect pump. Easily assembled and disassembled in seconds and fits into a car or Santa’s sack.
(Prices include delivery anywhere globally 10 times a year.)
The Far Shores issue – Antoine Albeau’s New Caledonia adventure to the Isle of Pines, Mauritius – the ultimate windsurfing playground, Jono Dunnett’s Round Britain windsurf circumnavigation, Pe’ahi power – Niño Jaws action, Alohagram – Aloha Classic commentary by John Skye, 105L crossover boards and 5.7 sails tested, Peter Hart’s crossover board tips and technique, Jem Hall – one-handed manoeuvres instruction, Freestyle World Champion Dieter Van-Der-Eyken interviewed, World travel guide.
BIG JUICY READS
ISLE OF PINES
Known as the closest island to Paradise, Antoine Albeau and friends headed to this little known tropical outpost to find out just how close to paradise they could venture.
EYE OPENER
John Carter reports from Le Morne, Mauritius, on an epic swell and an even more epic venue, offering windsurfing for all levels and all disciplines, the ultimate windsurfing playground.
ALOHAGRAM
The Aloha Classic decided the PWA wave titles in dramatic style. We breakdown some of the key players’ performances with John Carter’s JPEGs given John Skye’s expert commentary treatment.
WINNING FORMULA
Belgian sailor Dieter Van Der Eyken won the PWA freestyle crown with a calculated approach to winning, John Carter caught up with him to learn more about his winning formula.
JONO’S JOURNEY
41 year old Jono Dunnett become the first person to windsurf around Britain without an on-water support team. 98 days later, he completed his inspiring circumnavigation. This is his story.
PE’AHI POWER
On the eve of the Aloha Classic, the first big swell of the season lit up Maui’s most famous big wave – Pe’ahi – aka Jaws. JC captures the raw power and beauty and the riders tell their salty tales.
WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE
Our guide to some of the windsurfing hotspots around the world. If you’re in need of a solar powered recharge, then read on for our shortcuts.
GEAR SHED
105 LITRE CROSSOVER BOARDS
The test team review the latest boards built for versatility.
FANATIC Freewave 106,
RRD Freestyle Wave V3 106,
STARBOARD Kode Freewave 103,
TABOU 3S 106,
JP FSW 102,
QUATRO Tetra 109,
GOYA One 105
5.7 CROSSOVER SAILS
The sails whose job it is to do it all, the team test 2016’s all-rounders.
NORTH Volt 5.9,
SEVERNE Gator 6.0,
TUSHINGHAM Bolt 6.0,
RRD Move 5.7,
EZZY Elite 5.7,
GA Cross 6.0,
NEIL PRYDE Fusion HD 6.0,
P7 Spy 5.9
TEKKERS
PETER HART TECHNIQUE
The Joy of Crossing over – Peter Hart tells you how to tweak technique and set-up to exploit the full range of possibilities from your Freestyle Wave board.
MOVE ON UP WITH JEM HALL
Letting go – Jem Hall teaches the technique and benefits of one handed manoeuvres.
BOARDSHORTS
LATEST & GREATEST
Our first 2016 issue kicks off with a new look at the new news and releases for a new year..in case you didn’t get the idea, it’s kinda all about the new!
SITTIN’ ON THE DUNNY
EDITORIAL
The Far Shores. The editor pays tribute to the far shores and the sailors who reach for them, at home or abroad.
AFFAIRS OF THE HART
Peter Hart remembers the first man of windsurfing photography, Alistair Black.
The Ezzy Legacy continues to evolve. For 2016, David gives the new Legacy a more controllable feel across a wider wind spectrum. The new Legacy is also stronger. High density Spectra X Film is now used on the tack panel as well as the use of a combination of RBS epoxy battens and traditional battens.
The mantra of the Legacy is the same. The Legacy Series is designed to offer a more economically priced option for sailors that demand the reputable Ezzy quality. The Legacy Sails deliver sublime performance and durability but we trim the costs by eliminating some of the extra bells and whistles.
The smaller Legacy’s are designed for wave and bump&jump. The larger sizes are built for freeride blasting.
At the heart of it, the Legacy is ready to go to battle for anyone…from the PWA circuit (Graham’s sail of choice for light wind competition) to recreational enthusiasts.
Here are the Legacy key features summarized:
1) C648 Foot cloth for the tack.
2) Downhaul dart indicators
3) Sewn-in tack pulley.
4) Improved batten construction.
5) Mast pad is now included and attached to the sail.
6) All new color combinations.
7) New fresh cosmetic look.
8) All sails include a longer removable head webbing.
9) Foot batten and the batten above the boom covered with Dacron
Caños de Meca is a small, unspoiled community on the windswept but stunning Costa de la Luz coast in Cadiz Province, Andalucía, Spain. Reader Martin Bayryamov from Bulgaria tells us of his trip there and why it was well worth it.
Words : Martin Bayryamov
Photos : Martin Bayryamov
After we spent the summer in Portugal, it was time to go. Again on the road, chasing the endless summer again. We were going to Fuerteventura for the winter, but before we take the ferry we decided to spend a few weeks in Andalucia.
There is no journey which can be boring, especially when you have surfing and windsurfing gear in your van, and plenty of time… We drove through sunny Algarve in Portugal, where I had the chance to catch some nice waves, to be honest I even don’t remember the names of those places. We passed by Odeceixe and Aljezur, but the name of the spots is not anymore in my head. Let’s keep it as a secret.
It took us a week before we arrive in Zahorra, a little hippie village next to Los canos de meca and Trafalgar lighthouse, where the British navy managed to sink 22 French-Spanish battle ships, without any loss. That happened in the good old times when arguments were solved by just killing the opponent…easy and safe method. If you are the stronger one, I guess.
I had studied the forecast already the whole summer and to be honest I didn’t have any expectations for wind. For the whole summer I saw on windguru maybe 5 days in total with more than 20 knots wind. But I was assuming that something must be going on with the east wind blowing from the Mediterranean.
The first week we had some surf. We noticed that El Palmar beach, which is the most popular spot for surfing is actually the worst place to go surfing with packed line ups, schools, beginners, locals and etc….unless you go a bit north of the tower where eventually you may find a break with not more than 4-5 guys. Of course the swells are not really consistent in October-November. I had my fishing rod in the van for days with no wind and waves. In the days with no wind and waves, there is no fish too…well, not on my hooks. My landlord told me that in the 70-80’s fishing with dynamite was popular in the area. The explosions destroyed the reefs on the ocean bed, which chased the fish away, and most likely the ecosystem didn’t recover fully yet.
We had a few windsurf sessions on 105 ltrs and 5.3 when in the bay of Los Canos, where all the kite boarders go. Then Levante arrived wearing his shiny armour. And I noticed that I am not ready to meet him. We drove around midday to the reef in Los Canos, few guys were already out, sailing on 3.4 and 3.7 My smallest sail was 4.2 and I rigged it up very slow. Fully overpowered, big wind swell…I sailed for half hour when I came back in. My sail was obviously too big for the conditions out there. Another guy on 3.7 came on the beach to change to smaller…I am not really used to that strong wind.
The reef is few hundred meters south of the lighthouse, where the sand beach finishes and the block of flats start. Then in high tide you can enter just next to the wall of the flats, but in the low tide the rocks are not very friendly. Better walk another 50 meters with your equipment further to the south (there are stairs from the beach to the flats) where you can enter in the water easier. After this carnage I was already thinking if I should drive to Tarifa to buy a smaller sail…Luckily next day was a bit less windy. Still some guys choose to rig their 3.7, but my 4.2 was ok and I really had good fun. Good steep ramps to jump on the port tack and waves to ride coming back in. The wind was blowing 2 days before it disappeared. A small swell from the west arrived and the next days I was surfing Conil and El Palmar.
After 5 days the Levante was on again. Two days in a row I sailed with my 4.2 and 82 ltrs quad board. It was somehow doable and I really had fun, but if I would have had a smaller it would have been better. The 3rd day the levante was less, but still I could sail on 5.3 and big board. The Levante was gone again for a couple of days, which I used to go surfing. We left Zahora on Saturday 14th of November, to take the ferry to Fuerteventura. We took off early in the morning, and the Levante was already howling. The weather forecast was giving 35 knots wind for the next 3 days. Right now we are in Fuerteventura, busy with our windsurf camps. I know the island already as we lived here for a few years. I expect very good waves with side shore winds through the winter, good surf and windsurf. The place we left two weeks ago has not always wind and waves. I believe if I would go in the summer I will find crowds on the beaches, full restaurants, many Madrilenos (a native or inhabitant of Madrid. ) looking for cooler air and I probably wouldn’t like it as much as I did when I was there. We really enjoyed those empty beaches, we felt the spirit of the small villages around the coast like hippy Pueblo de Zahora, quiet Los canos de meca, and the typical Spanish town of Barbate and the white colored Vejer de la Frontera, which looks like nothing changed the last 300 years with its tiny steep, paved streets, walking on the same cobbles that the Moors were walking on many centuries ago…hard to explain it all in words but definitely it was a very worthwhile trip!
I am 35 years old originally coming from Bulgaria. I grow up on the beach and my brother pulled me onto a windsurf board aged 9. Few years later I joined the local windsurf club where I competed on the Olympic class boards which were Mistral One design. As the club didn’t have enough money I needed to use (until 95) the old Lechner board, which was the Olympic class till 92 I believe. Black sea is not very windy in the summer, and sailing on 7.4 m2 and huge racing board was ok.
I spend around 10 years working in office in the logistic area. Until March 2011 when I went to Tarifa to join a vdws windsurf instructor course and in May I moved to Fuerteventura. Over there I started a job in one of the local windsurf schools. I wanted to experience riding ocean waves and the north shore of Fuerte was the best choice for me. In the summer the waves are not so often, so I bought as well freestyle board for the flat days.
Ian Ross sent us this sick video of the Cornwall comp – ”The 2015 CORNWALL WAVE CLASSIC was a great one for the Pro Fleet. Here is the round up video from the Friday action created by the amazing team at Red Handed TV. Action from the British Wavesailing Associations best wavesailors at the best location in England. The Windsurfing action in Cornwall over the weekend was awesome with some of the best wave riding conditions for a long time. Sailors in the Pro fleet were, Andy King, Steve King, Ben Proffit, Adam Lewis, Mike Archer, Lecky Gayda, Steve Thorpe, Ross Williams, Jamie Hancock, Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers, Phil Horrocks, Dave Horrocks, Timo Mullen, Sparky, James Coxy, Alfie Hart. Thanks to Sponsors :- RB SAILS, PLUS PRINT, NoLimitz Masts, Red Handed TV, PuraVida Boardriders. Thanks for the PHOTOGRAPHY From Joe Cockle at JNP Event Photography. Thanks For the support from CORNWALL COUNCIL and DUCHY OF CORNWALL. Thanks to Jim Brookes Dowsett and Duncan for the rescue cover. Also thanks to all the judges, helpers and Volunteers:- Nicky Cotterill, Dale Pearce, Paul Monnington, Ian Ross, Nigel Teacy, Geoff Hautman, Justin Dennington, Mikey Archer, Heather. Also, Thank you to Mark Hosegood for running a competition clinic. Also, A Big Pat on the back to Arthur Sadler for a great job on the new competition lights system.”
Shaun Cook has made quite a splash in his first season of racing in the BSA. The co-owner of F-Hot fins was pushed into his first ever slalom event at Harwich this year by Dave White and currently leads the amateur rankings using RRD freerace equipment. Amped and hungry for more competition we caught up with Shaun to learn more about his new found passion and talent for racing and experiences as a first timer on the BSA slalom circuit.
Words & Photos Dave White
WS – How long have you been windsurfing and where did you learn? SC – I have been windsurfing since I was 12 years old and was taught by my dad Steve Cook and of course Whitey. They taught themselves to windsurf back in the day so sent me to Alton Water to learn the basics; that’s all it took to get hooked. The next day I beach-started and was water-starting by the end of the week. After that I was one of the crew; good job as at a tender age of twelve I needed a lift to the beach. Those days seem like an eternity ago now, though it’s been a fantastic twenty two years on the water!
WS – What sort of gear have you mostly been riding? SC – That’s changed over the years, firstly it was F2 / Arrows, then Gaastra / Tabou and now it’s all RRD. Guess you can see a pattern emerging, Whitey’s always had a van full of kit and he was never using what I needed due to our difference in size, pretty handy really! Up until a few weeks ago the biggest board I’d been on was a 100l and that was just to pose in front of the camera, which is exactly how I ended up on a Firemove 112 and X-Tra 6.5!
WS – What made you switch over to slalom? SC – Not too sure really, I’d taken up kitesurfing for the light wind days just to be on the water, at least that’s how it started out. The last few years I’ve only windsurfed when it was too windy for kitesurfing. Big kit felt clumsy and slow to me, so I was surprised when I tried the 6.5, it was like being bitten by the windsurfing bug all over again. Guess it was just good timing as the BSA were coming to Harwich and Whitey gave me a push into entering. I didn’t think it was for me but with my arm well and truly twisted I went and couldn’t believe how much fun it was.
WS – How easy is it to rock up and join a BSA racing event? SC – Making the decision to go racing was harder than the realities of signing up. Simply turn up and ask for Brian; he’s easy to spot, he’s the one with the wig on. Strangely that helps as you suddenly realize it is not that serious.You enter your details onto the form, pay a little cash and hay presto, you’re not only in but you’ve got windsurf insurance.
There’s three options, well two actually, the Pro fleet naturally took itself out of the equation, Master Blaster or Am’s Slalom. I was opting for the former but that twist in my arm was still there making the decisions (blooming Whitey!), so off I went to the riders briefing. There we had a quick introduction for the day’s event and newcomers were offered an explanation to the starting procedure and it was reassuring that I wasn’t alone; there were a few other first timers also going through the ropes.
“ Having a start and finish line just heightens the enjoyment of windsurfing, racing is a great laugh both on and off the water ”
WS – What sails, boards and masts did you need? SC – I guess not everyone entering their first ever event will have a personal caddy and a trailer full to the brim with everything from wave to race kit. Yes, it was a role reversal, Whitey was my caddy for the weekend and like every good caddy he was pointing out the best options for the day; right where’s my X-Fire. Apparently not, he pulled out a Firemove and said, ‘sail what you know, not what you can’. That didn’t make sense at first but getting round the course in comfort gained me more places than speed would have done. Outside of your normal windsurfing kit, you’ll need a start watch; nothing complicated but anything that’ll do a three-minute countdown.
WS – How much did it cost? SC – I entered the Amateur fleet, and it cost about £55 to enter. As I was a new member I think I will earn a 20% discount off my next event. I also joined the UKWA which gives you insurance for the year; this set me back about £45 but I think it is well worth it to be covered.
WS – What is the atmosphere like between the racers in your fleet? SC – The atmosphere amongst the amateurs was awesome, even though I was a newbie everyone seemed to be friendly and were willing to help each other out (well until they get on the water
that is anyway!).
WS – What did you learn from your first two events on and off the race course? SC – Listen to the flag briefing, I was so fixed on the starting sequence I didn’t recognize the abandoned flag as the boat raced past me. The wind had dropped to below racing conditions but I was so amped I continued to cross the line in first place but then to find everyone was waiting at the start for the wind and myself to arrive. To date my most frustrating mistake was at Worthing; this time I really was out in front but mixed up the finishing marks. Simply put, it doesn’t matter how far ahead you are, if you don’t cross the finishing line you just haven’t finished. So learn about flags, race sequences and the rules, there aren’t too many and everything you need to know is online; it’ll take a little heat out of your first competition. Once you’ve signed up, check the heat order and which heats you’ll be in, if you can identify a seasoned regular in your heat, keep an eye on what he’s up to.Though the most important tip of all is, go and
enjoy yourself!
WS – Do the pros help out with any advice or race tips for you? SC – It’s probably a question I can’t answer fairly, I’ve not only got Whitey but most of the Pro’s use F-Hot fins which I run with my father Steve. And yes, I know it might seem odd that we make some of the best fins in the world and I haven’t used them, but as Dad says, you don’t see the designers driving the Formula1 cars. That said, I’d still say yes, the beach is just a mix of Pro’s, Am’s and Masterblasters, everyone mixes in and the spirit and atmosphere is pretty relaxed.
WS – Are you hoping to move up to the pro fleet? SC – I will see how I fair in the Amateur fleet this season, but Whitey’s already saying we’re doing the Pro’s next year, and yes, I think that means the both of us! Actually it’s more than that, but I better not give his plans away, let’s just say I think there will be quite a few of us going for it next year.
WS – Would you recommend any other wannabe racers to come join in some of the other races? SC – I would highly recommend any windsurfers that fancy a race to join in, actually, even if you just like blasting with your mates you’re already half way there. Having a start and finish line just heightens the enjoyment of windsurfing, racing is a great laugh both on and off the water and it really helps brush
up your skills as a sailor.
We followed Markus as he attended in the Aloha Classic at Hookipa. This is a pure action clip showing Markus sessions both during the contest and freesailing.
Via MacG Productions
Filmed by: Mikael Linder, Kevin Pritchard, Calle Nyberg and Markus Rydberg
Music: Stitches by Shan Mendes – SeeB Remix
Edit: Markus Rydberg
Markus is sponsored by Simmer Style, Surfers Varberg, Dr. Martens, Ezy and Björn Borg
Diony checks in with this video filmed during his trip to Maui, October-November 2015 for the Aloha Classic and training, check out his innovative air chacho off the lip and grubby off the lip, some sweet rides and a monster forward!
WARNING THIS MUST SEE VIDEO CONTAINS SICK WINDSURFING AND KITESURFING AND SUP AND SURFING!
Maui’s finest watermen including Kai Lenny, Jesse Richman, Robby Naish, the Porcella brothers, take on Jaws with all their know how. Windsurf, kite surf, tow in and SUP. Some classic rides from Robby Naish, a monster wipeout from another Naish rider, insane SUP barrel from Kai Lenny and some crazy kitesurfing barrels and one monster of a lip smack – this video is definitely worth hitting on repeat
Waterstarts are key to windsurfing progress and a huge part of windsurfing for intermediates to advanced sailors alike – from learning this gateway move to getting up in 7 knots of wind in a wave break. They are an extension of our stance and our beach starts so great skills in these really can ignite our waterstarts. Many of the skills and actions required for waterstarts will also help you nail your footstraps and vice versa so it is worth attempting both these skills in a similar time frame to get the cross over technique dialled in; so recap by reading last month’s piece on footstraps if required.
Words Jem Hall // Photo Dave White & Nick Jones
(This feature originally appeared in the September 2015 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!)
Be in the sweet spot, bend and extend and then come up slow, stay low and finish looking upwind.
Photo Dave White
Extraordinary actions will produce extraordinary results, so from here on in,ensure when beach starting you exaggerate your key actions and control your board’s tail to not drift downwind as you beach start. Following on, in your stance, keep the rig away, get low and look where you wish to go. This piece will give you the tips to conquer and improve your waterstarts and also highlight the all-important 3 stages: rig recovery, board positioning and up and away. I will also suggest some key waterstart techniques advanced riders should have in their armoury.
Drills to help your skills
As you well know I like to keep you working hard, improving, being challenged and ready you for victory in your skill acquisition, so let’s look at some skills I recommend for light wind sessions. These will not only help you learn to waterstart but they will also improve your waterstarts and water fitness:
• Kneeling down and sailing along both ways.
• Leg Drags both ways. Drop your front leg in the water and bend and extend, more on this later.
• Leg drag beach starts both ways. Genius move for steering and downforce (mast foot pressure).
• Carry sail efficiently to and from water. We must embrace working with the wind from the moment we are rigged up!
• Flip the sail effectively and efficiently all the time. Again, we work with the wind.
Main tips and mantras:
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind and focus on; they can apply to both the deep-water beach start and the waterstart:
• Know the exact wind direction and your position relative to it. This aids all areas of your waterstarting.
• Relax when clearing the rig and getting it up and away out of the water. The rig will clear and you will get up, even if you don’t manage it straight away.
• T.C.U.P. Think clearly under pressure.
• Lift the rig up and across to clear it and again work with the wind.
• Look upwind when waiting. To keep control, assess your position and see gusts to help you get up in lighter airs.
• Kick with the front leg in the water to propel you up and only place it on the board late so it acts as a daggerboard in order to stop you drifting.
• Bend and extend; bend your back leg to pull the board in and extend your arms to catch the wind AND pull down on the boom.
• Come up slow and stay low, you can actually plane out of a waterstart from this low position.
• Look upwind to spill wind after coming up, and avoid catapaults and reset for getting planing / moving.
• Little and often or less is more. When learning this challenging and physical move hit it for no more than 20 minutes in chest depth water both ways. If it is not working in deep water then get on and uphaul after a few minutes.
The 3 stages of the waterstart: Let’s look at some tips to help ignite your waterstarts.
“ Determination will beat skill every time ” Jamie Hawkins (UK Windsurf legend)
Rig recovery: This is how you get the rig out of the water, both for deep water and when out of your depth. Please note there are so many ways to clear it and too much to cover in depth here so for a more comprehensive guide check my DVD Beginner to Winner, and my top 100 Vimeo tips. With all your hard work in the earlier drills you are now ready to get the rig out of the water so here we go.
Tips:
• Again, check and know the wind direction.
• Use the wind and your body in the most efficient way possible as it is technique and working with the wind, and not strength that clears the rig from the water.
• With the mast across the wind this is perhaps the most common and easiest position to learn the rig recovery. Ensure you swim backwards to clear water from the rig and that you are at a right angle to the wind.
• With 2 hands on the mast, above the boom, keep swimming and pull the mast across and over your head, like your bed sheet on a cold night.
• You can also swim sideways towards the wind and with one hand (the back hand) on the mast throw the rig forward into your other hand. This is like throwing a javelin and uses stronger muscle groups in your body.
• With the rig downwind of the board you can clear it over the back of the board and so for this ensure you are upwind of the tail, and that you have your front hand on the mast and back hand on the tail as you pull the mast across and over you.
• With the tip of the sail pointing into the wind swim to the head and then lift and shake the rig to clear it with the front hand as you swim backwards. You can then work down the mast to be ready to get your hands on the boom.
• It is important to note that after clearing the rig the back hand goes on the boom first as you look upwind and then move your body into a position upwind of the tail of the board from where you can steer and then position it.
Board positioning
Now that you are a rig recovery master let’s put you into the ‘sweet spot’ to enable you to position the board correctly for getting up and away. The ‘sweet spot’ is upwind and towards the tail of the board where you can steer effectively, control the sail’s power and spot gusts. The position and steering technique is the same as for the beachstart.
Tips:
• Remember back hand on to the boom first
• Place front hand near front harness line for effective steering and power control
• Keep looking upwind
• Keep away from the tail of the board
• Your shoulders and hips should be parallel to the boom
• For lighter winds the ‘sweet spot’ is more across the wind
• For stronger winds the ‘sweet spot’ is more into the wind. Rig gazing and heading downwind whilst waiting results in catapaults.
Up and Away
Many of the skills and actions to get you up and away on to the board you will already have from brilliant beach starts and from all your hard work on drills previously highlighted. You will need to co-ordinate many actions at the same time so speed and explosion is very important.
Tips:
• From your sweet spot get your back foot on the board with your heel down/ toes up and positioned just upwind of the centre line between your footstraps.
• Control your position and sail power with subtle steering and raising or lowering the rig.
• Your front leg should be straight down in the water, as a daggerboard and to kick and propel you up!
• Spot the wind and ensure you are across the wind or slightly upwind.
• When ready to explode up and away, your back legs BEND as your arms EXTEND, after an initial twist (sheeting in) of the rig.
• Your head should move forwards and in as you focus on ‘eating the mast foot’ which will only be possible with heaps of Bend and Extend.
• Really pull back heel to your arse as you initially throw the rig up and then pull down on the boom (into the mastfoot) when the rig is fully upright. Kneel and leg drag drills ready you for this!
• As you come up slow, stay low and then look upwind to spill the wind. Hoorah to you and keep at it and look to keep improving all areas of the waterstart. Mine are still getting better!
“ Up and away, bend and extend and pull down on boom, eat that mast foot! ’’
Advanced Waterstarts Many of my wavesailors and advanced sailors still need plenty of tips to get better rig recoveries and actually get out of the water.
The advanced waterstarts you need are:
• Flipped; when the board flips in the waves or after a tack then keep the rig flying and use your feet to flip the board as you come up.
• Light wind; either place the front hand on the mast to get the rig more up right and powerful or the full power one hand on the mast and one on the foot for super light airs. Note: I can do this much better as my core is now stronger!
• Clew first; a crucial waterstart for all levels.
RRD boards, wetsuits, softwear, Ezzy sails and Pro Sport Sunblock sponsor Jem Hall. Get him live and direct on one of his highly acclaimed coaching holidays, check out his site www.jemhall.com for details. You can also follow him on twitter / Facebook and Instagram.
Words Florian Jung // Photos Pierre Bouras/Liquideye
Imagine a world without the ocean? We, as surfers, wouldn’t have waves to ride – that’s for sure, but apart from that there wouldn’t be any life on this planet. I have been spending countless hours in the ocean. It’s a place of joy, rejuvenation and excitement. Being a professional windsurfer this element means a lot to me and has become kind of my second home. I have seen a lot of surf spots around the world and some of them remind me of a trash dump. During a recent surf trip to Bali I had probably the most intense experience with polluted water. We had perfect waves that day but the water was dark brown with all kinds of trash in it.
After that session I felt sick and decided to do something about it. As surfers we use the ocean for our pleasure but in the end, it concerns all of us. We are depending on the ocean’s biodiversity. There are more than 5 trillion plastic particles floating around the sea, enough to cover every metre of coastline. In order to get people’s attention to be active you have to show more than just problems.
The idea to realize a surf expedition across the Atlantic Ocean slowly developed. The combination of dynamic surf images, educational contents and scientific background information could inspire young people to learn more about the consequences of plastic pollution in order to avoid it. I found sponsors that wanted to be part of this mission and teamed up with people that shared the same ideology. The final crew consisted of a marine biologist, an environmental expert, a skipper, a photographer, a filmer and fellow pros Boujma Guilloul and Camille Juban. We decided to sail from the Caribbean towards Europe to show the whole variety of the Atlantic Ocean. On each destination, we planned different environmental projects like beach clean ups with kids, interviews with local environmental experts and water quality tests to show our experiences in weekly web episodes or daily reports.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH This journey was more than just discovering new surf spots – we wanted to have an impact to really change things for the better. Our point of focus was the so called “Atlantic Garbage Patch”, an area of hundreds of miles in the North Atlantic, where marine debris tends to accumulate as it is bounded by oceanic currents. Trash that we throw in the ocean will sooner or later end up in one of these “Garbage patches”. Because of chemical composition of plastic, it will be there for up to 450 years. Small animals accidently eat these micro plastic particles. These smaller animals are eaten by bigger animals, which we then eat. Being at the end of this chain means that we consume the largest concentration of toxins. Moreover, millions of animals die from these micro particles, disturbing the balance of the ecosystem.
This pollution happens too fast for nature to adapt but too slow for us humans to notice. The biggest threat is that we cannot picture the destruction, but the consequences are accumulating, just like the little pieces of plastic in our diet. To visualize the problem, we applied a scientific method called plankton trawling. A special net tied up behind the catamaran revealed a very concerning truth. In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of miles away from land, we took samples and all of them were full of tiny plastic particles.
LET’S THROW OFF THE BOW LINES! After four intensive months of preparation we finally started the aqua power expedition at the end of March in Guadeloupe. A 50 ft. catamaran owned by a Norwegian captain was the perfect vessel for this kind of adventure. Equipped with a lot of boards, sails, diving equipment and provisions for the weeks ahead, we set sail to discover the island.
To be honest, I felt a bit worried if everything would work out. My sailing experience was quite limited as I have never been on a boat for more than 3 days. I felt like an average hiker trying to climb Mount Everest.
Guadeloupe showed great surf potential and we had a few really good days on spots called le Moule and St. Anne, where local boy Camille Juban showed us why Guadeloupe is one of the most consistent places to windsurf in the Caribbean. Most of the waves are located on outside reefs with powerful sections to play around. Besides windsurfing and surfing we organized a beach clean up with local kids on a remote island in front of this paradise island. After a week in Guadeloupe, we sailed on a three day passage to the Virgin Islands and set up a watch schedule, where each crew member had certain responsibilities to take care of navigation, cooking or cleaning the boat. 3 hours on watch, 6 hours off.
The Virgin Islands are probably one of the most beautiful places you can imagine. Crystal clear waters, daily trade winds around 20 knots and a diverse underwater world full of life. The only thing that was missing was waves. After a week of improving our freestyle skills in lagoons, snorkeling and recording interviews about coral reefs, we continued our journey with a course to the Dominican Republic.
Shortly after our departure I woke up from a screaming noise. The fire alarm was on, big flames came out of the oven and smoke covered the whole cabin. After some hectic moments, the turkey, that almost ended our journey, was soon after safely stored in our stomachs.
Just in time, we reached the shores of the Dominican Republic with a big swell and finally found the long desired waves. On a reef break close to the surf village of Cabarete we scored a powerful right hander that delivered perfect conditions to surf and windsurf for the following days. We anchored the boat just next to it and enjoyed the best waves of the whole trip till one evening a furious mafia boss with a big gun was blaming us for using his beach without permission. Hereupon we decided it was time to leave in order to get rid of this crazy guy. The following 800 sea miles to Bermuda seemed to be loaded with surprises. No wind at all, rain squalls with strong winds up to 50 kts., thunderstorms followed by no wind at all.
After a solid week of sailing through the deep blue sea, we arrive in St. George, where the harbour master welcomed us with a few shots of rum. It was time to connect with the cyber world, updating facebook pages, organizing provisions, and preparing the boat for the upcoming weeks on the open ocean. In between we had a swim with humpback whales to capture these amazing creatures in one of our web episodes.
It was also time to say goodbye. Boujma, Camille and our experienced French camera crew had to leave the vessel for the annual photo shoots in Maui.
On a good forecast we decided to leave Bermuda and head towards the east. Everything went according to schedule. We collected plankton samples in the most effected areas of the “Atlantic Garbage Patch” and shared the data with our associated environmental partner organizations.
1000 sea miles away from the next coast, we came into our first big storm where I learned a lesson from Mother Nature. While battling against the waves I accidently went too far downwind and got the wind from the other side. The catamaran suddenly did a 180-degree spin; the mainsail suddenly swung around and broke on a few spots. Even though we could manage to fix the sail, the damage series continued. A few hours later the headsails enrolled and ripped into several pieces, the engine stopped working and all of us were seasick and tired. With one sail left we made it to the Azores within 15 days and got welcomed by a perfect clean north swell that provided powerful waves. It felt really good to finally surf waves with a tiny board instead of a 22 ton catamaran.
We learned more about the effects of climate change while doing an interview with a local scientist, restocked our water and food supplies and finally continued our journey towards Europe. Followed by loads of dolphins we had to sail against the winds, which can be really frustrating. The catamaran was jumping up and down and being in bed felt like a boxing fight. Somehow we managed to reach Tarifa after another week on the big blue sea. Exhausted from the lack of sleep and happy at the same time we had a few days in the windsurf capital of Europe.
5290 sea miles later, the 72 day long adventure finally ended in Marseille. Journalists, sponsors and friends welcomed us “back on land” with a little surprise party.
Looking back I am really grateful for this experience. I am going to miss the constant battle with the elements, to see nothing but the vast horizon and being able to observe the marine life in their natural environment. It made me realize how small we are. There is so much more we don’t know about the ocean and it is hard to understand that we leave our traces thousands of miles away from any civilization. I hope this journey and the upcoming documentary will translate scientific findings and facts into a language especially young people will understand. It is a global problem where every one of us has a certain responsibility to act. We have to throw old habits over board and reduce plastic waste in our daily life or at least find a way for a better waste management so it doesn’t end up in our oceans. In the end we all sit in one boat that is called “earth” and surrounded by water.
I get sick of all the kids doing the cool new tricks. My new saying is spin it to win it, so here you go with my guide to the air taka and tips to get you in the spin.
Words KEVIN PRITCHARD // Photos JIMMIE HEPP
(This feature originally appeared in the September 2015 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!)
Required
In order to do an air taka it is pretty important that you know how to read the wave and how to do an aerial off the lip. The best sized waves are head high, not too powerful, but also not too mushy. Side shore winds, 5.0 or 4.7 and an 85 litre board are the ticket. I have been using the thruster set up to keep the fin sizes small and easier for spinning around on. Also this move is easily done in flat water as a flaka, so if you practice on flat water and can make them easily, then you are already ahead of the game
Technique
The hardest part of the whole move is hitting it at the right time. Too early and you go straight out the back, too late, well you know what happens with too late. I try to set it up where I have one nice turn off the main peak then work my way down to the end bowl and punch out a nice spin off the section coming towards you.
Photo 1
As you can see I am hitting the wave very late. It is a section that has a little bit of a left hand beak coming towards me as I hit it right at the same time. I am pushing with my head and body looking forward and around, twisting and pushing the sail into and through the wind as hard as possible.
Do’s
Wait for the wave. Go into it really late and let the wave come to you a bit. Make sure to hit it late and with speed. You also want to make a pretty shallow bottom turn so you don’t lose your speed.
Don’ts
Don’t go for a long drawn out bottom turn. Don’t go uncommitted.
Photos 2-4
This is all about the rotation. You are spinning looking around with your head twisting and pulling and pushing with all your might. I had a hard time to keep my board with me, so I really worked on moving my feet and spinning the board with me and following where I am looking. I am also trying to bounce off the whitewater and have it push me back into the wave
Do’s
Make sure you keep your momentum spinning. Keep your head twisted and your shoulders and waist pushing through the rotation of the move
Don’ts
Don’t slow your momentum down. Don’t leave your feet behind. I have a hard time with keeping my feet spinning around so keep working on this.
Photos 4-6
Start to spot your landing. Keep your momentum spinning and keep using every muscle in your body to not land out the back of the wave. By this time you are usually in or out; but it still doesn’t hurt to keep believing in your rotation and the direction that you are going to nail this move and come out planing.
On this particular one it felt like I accelerated out of it and kept my speed by getting flung off the lip and back into the front part of the wave.
Do’s
Believe! Believe you are going to make it. It might sound a little hippy but I have seen people give up before they have failed the trick. I believe I am going to make it so much that I just walk around so cocky that I believe I am the greatest air taka man that ever walked the earth…. clearly I am not but anyhow, you get my point! – believe you are going to make the move.
Don’ts
Don’t let go until you have or haven’t made it. It is such a tricky spinning rotation that you want to keep your gear where you know it is safe and that is in your hands!
I hope this will inspire you to try the move. I am still learning, believing and spinning and you can too! Enjoy.
” A quick clip from a few autumn sessions here in the UK. Massive thanks to Lucy Campbell for filming! It wasn’t easy standing in cold puddles and gale force winds! Enjoy! ” Via Adam Lewis
If you want to go fast, there are few better men to follow in the wake of than Bjorn Dunkerbeck. So when the leader of the pack laid down a speed challenge, John Skye was keen to compete. In our exclusive diary, John tells all about his bid for glory down the speed strip, while Speedster in Chief – Dunky – gives an insight into his event.
Words John Skye //Photos John Carter
My quest for speed started around 3 years ago when we introduced the first Firewing to the RRD sails collection. Originally I bought the GPS unit to help with testing, but it quickly became clear that in the gusty conditions we have over here, it didn’t give conclusive test results. However the speed seed was planted and together with the GPS-Results program and GPS-Speedsurfing.com I started logging results and getting competitive with myself to go faster.
In 2014 Bjorn was already on my case to enter his event, but unfortunately my travel plans meant it was impossible. However for 2015, the event was in the diary nice and early and there was no way I was going to miss it. Not only did it look like a great fun event, but it also would provide the perfect testing ground for the sails. I had numerous proto types to try and with the free format of the event and hour-long heats, it would allow me to experiment and learn. Having never done any sort of speed contest before it was pretty hard to set a goal, but I was desperate to get over 40 kts, even if it was just a peak speed. Twice I had hit high 39’s, with the last effort peaking frustratingly close at 39.95 kts, but with the mirror flat waters of Fuerte, surely that would give me the edge to cross the all-important barrier.
Day 1 – Originally I had hoped to head over early and test the conditions and gear combinations, but in my first ever parental compromise I made the decision to stay for my daughter’s end of year party and mini-graduation from nursery school. This meant the only option was an overnight ferry, arriving on the morning of the contest at 6am. Furthermore I made the huge mistake of choosing a yoga mat on the floor rather than a comfy cabin; and paid the price with one of the worst night sleeps I can remember (and that is saying something with a 3 month old crying baby in the house!!)
Arriving at the event site the wind was light, which thankfully gave me a couple of hours to at least relax a bit before the contest kicked off. The wind finally kicked in after lunchtime and I hit the water straight away to test the different gear combinations. With light winds for a 7.8 I had 3 board possibilities and after trying the X-fire 105, 90 and 80, I found very little difference, so opted for the middle one. Then a quick test of various fin sizes with a 32/30/28, I again opted for the middle one with my trusty 30cm RS-3 F-Hot proving to be the most comfortable.
Round 1 was the Canaries Championship and I hit the water with the 7.8 Firewing, 90 X-Fire and 30 RS-3. The race director had set a number of buoys in the water to help to order things, with 2 buoys marking an entry gate, a no overtaking zone up to the next buoy, and finally just before the start of the course, a zone where only 1 rider can enter at the same time. Unfortunately in this 1st round the buoys were in completely the wrong place. It meant that to enter the course correctly you almost needed a formula board! I stuck to the rules but as a consequence I never entered the course with any speed, struggling to get over 32 kts. Following the Canary round, we went straight into Round 1 of the European championships. This time the course was much better, and following a couple of good runs on the bigger gear (7.8/90), I changed down to a 7.0 on the 50cm speed board. Speeds turned out to be more or less the same, with the 10 second average slightly higher than the morning and a best speed of over 34 kts.
Having taken part in just about every format of windsurf competition, GPS speed was a new and very different experience. Unlike waves or freestyle which are subjective, speed events are very clear with who beat who, with the best 2x 250m runs counting over each hour long round. The only problem is that you have no idea how you are doing compared to the others. You have your machine on your arm and can check it every run, but you have no idea if you are 2 kts quicker or 2 kts slower than the rest of the competition. That makes for a really interesting moment when at the end of the session everyone is checking with everyone else “what speeds did you get?” to try to gauge your success. At the end of the day, you hand in your SD card and wait to find out if you are fast or slow!
Day 2 –I arrived in the morning desperate to know how it had gone, only to see my name missing from all the results. The guys told me there was a problem, that they had lost my card. There was only one other possibility, and sure enough when we checked my machine, they had forgotten to take it out the day before. So after checking the data, I jumped up to 6th in the euros and 2nd in the Canaries. Very happy for the first day. Bjorn was in a league of his own, with speeds over 2kts quicker than the next. Bjorn is one of, if not the fastest sailor in the world, and in these lighter, more slalom orientated conditions, that advantage seemed to be multiplied.
With no wind I spent the morning chatting and picking people’s brains, particularly Pete and Zara Davis. I have known them since I first started windsurfing on Brogborough lake at 13 years old, and they were incredibly open and helpful. To be honest everyone at the event was the same. Being new to this world it was fascinating talking about which board/sail/fin combos people used, both for the previous day, and for the real speed days at places like West Kirby/la Franchie or even Luderitz.
Also I spent some time studying my tracks on the computer and this turned out to be very useful. It was pretty clear I was always losing speed in the middle of the course. There is a gust at the beginning and a gust at the end, with a lull in the middle. The best speeds I had were always when I could keep a good speed through the middle. I also noted that actually all my best runs were a little out to sea. I had spent the previous sessions trying to get as close to the beach as possible, onto the flattest water, but actually the wind and times were better 20m out. Armed with this info I opted to put a bit of weight on my shoulders to help carry me through this lull and not worry so much about getting close to the beach. Plus having seen the consistent speeds of Roberto Hoffman I also opted for an asymmetric fin in my speed board.
Finally the wind came in very late. They started Round 2 of the Canaries leg and the first 10 minutes was really windy. I set 2 pretty good speeds of over 32kts on the 7.8/90 combo, and then came running in to the beach to grab the speed board. That turned out to be a total disaster. Firstly in the rush to rig, I hadn’t closed the clip properly on one side of my boom, so as I entered the course and sheeted in, the boom shortened and I had to abort the run. After sorting that out I made 2 more runs, but it quickly became clear that the asymmetric fin I had was too small in these conditions.
So back to the beach and running around to change fins. Had a much better feeling with the 28 RS-3, but by then the wind had dropped considerably. So back to the beach and again more running around to grab my 80 and try it on the 7.8. Eventually they closed the round early due to light winds, but I finished absolutely punished. Running around on the beach with 3kg on your back really takes it out of you. End result eventually turned out to be 2nd place on the day, and second overall for canaries. More importantly I was getting a better idea of what kit was working and more crucially, what wasn’t.
“ Speed is also a discipline where you can mix professionals with amateurs on the same course ” Bjorn Dunkerbeck
Day 3 – With strange Calima weather, the wind was all over the place. Picking up for a few minutes, before swinging around to the other direction and leaving people swimming back to shore. Eventually the racing was called off and I went out for a few runs to get some photos. I grabbed my 90 X-Fire and 7.0 and ended up with my best speeds so far. I made a note to give that a try next time.
Day 4 – Still some very strange wind, but finally it kicked in late in the afternoon with very similar conditions to the other days. Zara had made a comment about small sails being quicker on the tight course, and after yesterday’s good runs in the evening I opted for the 7.0/90/30. This turned out to be a killer combo. Plus with a small wave running through the course I could use this to get an extra knot out of the board, especially helping to get through the lull in the middle. I did try the speed board again towards the end, but it was clearly not as effective.
At the end of the session and following the usual “How fast did you go?” conversations, it was clear that I had had a very good session. Keen to be able to check the data, I ran to the van to download the card before handing it in. In my haste however I pulled the card out before turning off the machine, resulting in a very worrying loud beeping noise! That meant that the all important file from the afternoon session was missing! My heart almost stopped and I searched and searched to see if I had made a mistake. At that point I honestly thought I had wiped the whole session and was pretty devastated. With my face white with worry I found Zara who reassured me me the data was recoverable. Sure enough the wonderful guys at GPS-Speedsurfing found the data and later that evening confirmed I had finished the round in 2nd place behind Bjorn, and was sitting 3rd place overall. I already had had a beer night planned with JC, and after that result there was even more reason to celebrate.
Day 5 – Arriving at the beach, the results were on display to confirm my position. Suddenly my perspective of the event changed massively. I had arrived to test and learn, but now I was within touching distance of the podium. Conditions were the same again, so I made sure the 7.8 and 7.0 were rigged and ready 5 minutes before the start. The wind was looking light with people struggling to get down the course with power. I opted for the 7.8, but the wind picked up very quickly. I had a couple of good speeds with the 7.8, but I was getting pulled around too much and changed to the 7.0. The speeds were OK, but I never found the flow of the previous day. I couldn’t get a clean run, people kept getting in the way and in the slightly stronger winds, I couldn’t quite stay locked down. Maybe it was the after effect of the JC beers, but coming off the water it was clear that there had been a couple of really quick runs from the other guys. When the evening results were posted I had finished 4th, with an average speed of 35.4kts but having seen how close it was to 2nd I was a bit gutted. The 2 guys ahead of me had both had 1 killer run each, but their second best run was actually slower than both of mine, meaning I was only 0.35kts too slow on the average of the 2 runs, which is nothing. I was still lying 3rd overall though, but that result would turn out to be crucial!
Day 6– More of the same on Day 6, with light and gusty winds on the course. This time I made the correct decision and started on the magic 7.0/90/30 combo first, clocking a few 35kt+ times on the 10secs average. After 20 minutes though I couldn’t seem to go faster and lacking power I came in for the 7.8.
Interestingly despite having more power through the course, the speeds were very similar, proving to me what Zara had said about the smaller sails. At the end of the day I finished 2nd again, with an average speed of 35.0 kts, which consolidated my 3rd place and actually brought me level in points with second. The tie break goes to whoever has the fastest speed of the week, so with his one killer run the day before of 36.2kts, Dylan De Jong had the edge. Still however there was one day to go and literally everything to play for.
Day 7 – Unfortunately that turned out to be all the weather gods had planned for us. Day 7 looked really good at first and we even started a round, but after just 10 minutes the wind switched off and left us swimming back to shore. At 2pm the Race director called it off and put an end to this fantastic event. I had to settle for 3rd, with Dylan De Jong in 2nd and Bjorn miles ahead in 1st.
That afternoon in a bid to get over 40kts I set off with Jim Crossley down the coast and gave it my all despite the horrifically choppy conditions. Turned out to be a fruitless mission as I failed to get even the best time of the week despite being maxed on a 6.2. Jim hit 39.9 on his slalom board which had it been 0.1kt quicker would have been devastating!
In conclusion the event was a huge success. The GPS format lends itself perfectly to this type of Pro-Am event. Everyone is battling with themselves more than against others and therefore there is competition for everyone, for the 50kt+ club as well as those just trying to get past 30kts. We were extremely unlucky with the conditions. Fuerteventura normally produces an excess of wind, but this week the venturi effect failed to deliver. It meant conditions were more towards speed slalom rather than all out speed. I have a feeling the results would have been very different had we had 6.2/5.7 weather everyday. The final results showed Bjorn with the top run of 37.8kts. However the day after the event finished it was a solid 30kts and people were hitting over 40kts with ease. Still it is the same conditions for everyone and in the end speed is simply about going as fast as possible whatever the wind. So for me I left the event 2nd in the Canaries Championship and 3rd in the European Championship. I went home very happy with the performance of the Firewing sail and having learnt a huge amount over the week. Unfortunately I got nowhere near the 40kt peak I was looking for with a max of only 38.5 kts, so the dates will be back in the diary for next year and hopefully a bit more wind!
Bjorn Dunkerbeck
I have always liked speed windsurfing. My first contest was in 1987 here in Fuerteventura; my father and my sister competed in their first one also in 1986. I had many records both on the 500 metre course and the nautical mile. Always I have believed that speed windsurfing is something anyone can do at any age. What we have done with this event is really prove that the young ones have fun and the older guys can stay involved forever. My son is ten, my father is seventy, that is sixty years of age span and there are lots of guys in-between. I think everyone has had a great time here. We have this awesome R2 Hotel where most of us are staying, so it is a great social scene in the evenings. Coming with the family is no problem at all as the speed beach is also very close and within walking distance.
Speed is also a discipline where you can mix professionals with amateurs on the same course; it is basically only speed and long distance where you can do that. Wave sailing, freestyle and slalom are all too complicated to mix too many different levels together. That is the main reason why I am pushing so much to establish this event and more events like this going forward, because I think it is good for windsurfing and it is a lot of fun. We are working on getting more GPS sailing out there. There is a motivation to see how fast you are going in different conditions, different sail sizes and different water textures. With GPS you can tune yourself and you are motivated for good days so you can improve your speed from previous sessions. The devices are so good that they are very close to video timing, so we don’t need that in Fuerteventura, it takes a lot of budget and a lot more manpower. I see a lot of potential to get lots of windsurfers interested in this and on the GPS page they have over 2500 people posting their times on it. Interest is growing tremendously and I am pretty sure it will get a lot bigger!
Watch Fanatic riders Klaas Voget and Victor Fernandez ripping in legendary One Eye, Mauritius on a day to remember! and check out our Jan/Feb 2016 issue for the full story !
Klaas Voget: “The main channel was closing out and we were not sure if a boat could even make it to the outside to shoot from. This session in One Eye will stick with me forever. Being so close to the huge barrels and coming in on one of these massive and fast moving lines is such an intense rush!”
John Carter (photographer): “At 2.30pm myself and Manu Grafenauer (movie producer) were in the boat both feeling kind of anxious at what we are about to let ourselves in for. Manu had even brought fins with him in case the boat would flip which was not exactly reassuring! The thrill of being out in those waves and watching those huge barrels charge down the reef was awesome.”
The frigid and snowy gales off the shore of Lake Superior are the last place you’d expect to find windsurfing… but three of the world’s best packed their bags to take on this unexplored frontier. After weeks of watching the weather forecast and waiting for the ideal storm, PWA stars Levi Siver, Philip Köster, and Marcillio Browne went off the windsurfing grid to conquer some of the gnarliest waves the Great Lakes have to offer.
Shaun Cook has made quite a splash in his first season of racing in the BSA. The co-owner of F-Hot fins was pushed into his first ever slalom event at Harwich this year by Dave White and currently leads the amateur rankings using RRD freerace equipment. Amped and hungry for more competition we caught up with Shaun to learn more about his new found passion and talent for racing and experiences as a first timer on the BSA slalom circuit.
Words & Photos Dave White
WS – How long have you been windsurfing and where did you learn? SC – I have been windsurfing since I was 12 years old and was taught by my dad Steve Cook and of course Whitey. They taught themselves to windsurf back in the day so sent me to Alton Water to learn the basics; that’s all it took to get hooked. The next day I beach-started and was water-starting by the end of the week. After that I was one of the crew; good job as at a tender age of twelve I needed a lift to the beach. Those days seem like an eternity ago now, though it’s been a fantastic twenty two years on the water!
WS – What sort of gear have you mostly been riding? SC – That’s changed over the years, firstly it was F2 / Arrows, then Gaastra / Tabou and now it’s all RRD. Guess you can see a pattern emerging, Whitey’s always had a van full of kit and he was never using what I needed due to our difference in size, pretty handy really! Up until a few weeks ago the biggest board I’d been on was a 100l and that was just to pose in front of the camera, which is exactly how I ended up on a Firemove 112 and X-Tra 6.5!
WS – What made you switch over to slalom? SC – Not too sure really, I’d taken up kitesurfing for the light wind days just to be on the water, at least that’s how it started out. The last few years I’ve only windsurfed when it was too windy for kitesurfing. Big kit felt clumsy and slow to me, so I was surprised when I tried the 6.5, it was like being bitten by the windsurfing bug all over again. Guess it was just good timing as the BSA were coming to Harwich and Whitey gave me a push into entering. I didn’t think it was for me but with my arm well and truly twisted I went and couldn’t believe how much fun it was.
WS – How easy is it to rock up and join a BSA racing event? SC – Making the decision to go racing was harder than the realities of signing up. Simply turn up and ask for Brian; he’s easy to spot, he’s the one with the wig on. Strangely that helps as you suddenly realize it is not that serious.You enter your details onto the form, pay a little cash and hay presto, you’re not only in but you’ve got windsurf insurance.
There’s three options, well two actually, the Pro fleet naturally took itself out of the equation, Master Blaster or Am’s Slalom. I was opting for the former but that twist in my arm was still there making the decisions (blooming Whitey!), so off I went to the riders briefing. There we had a quick introduction for the day’s event and newcomers were offered an explanation to the starting procedure and it was reassuring that I wasn’t alone; there were a few other first timers also going through the ropes.
“ Having a start and finish line just heightens the enjoyment of windsurfing, racing is a great laugh both on and off the water ”
WS – What sails, boards and masts did you need? SC – I guess not everyone entering their first ever event will have a personal caddy and a trailer full to the brim with everything from wave to race kit. Yes, it was a role reversal, Whitey was my caddy for the weekend and like every good caddy he was pointing out the best options for the day; right where’s my X-Fire. Apparently not, he pulled out a Firemove and said, ‘sail what you know, not what you can’. That didn’t make sense at first but getting round the course in comfort gained me more places than speed would have done. Outside of your normal windsurfing kit, you’ll need a start watch; nothing complicated but anything that’ll do a three-minute countdown.
WS – How much did it cost? SC – I entered the Amateur fleet, and it cost about £55 to enter. As I was a new member I think I will earn a 20% discount off my next event. I also joined the UKWA which gives you insurance for the year; this set me back about £45 but I think it is well worth it to be covered.
WS – What is the atmosphere like between the racers in your fleet? SC – The atmosphere amongst the amateurs was awesome, even though I was a newbie everyone seemed to be friendly and were willing to help each other out (well until they get on the water
that is anyway!).
WS – What did you learn from your first two events on and off the race course? SC – Listen to the flag briefing, I was so fixed on the starting sequence I didn’t recognize the abandoned flag as the boat raced past me. The wind had dropped to below racing conditions but I was so amped I continued to cross the line in first place but then to find everyone was waiting at the start for the wind and myself to arrive. To date my most frustrating mistake was at Worthing; this time I really was out in front but mixed up the finishing marks. Simply put, it doesn’t matter how far ahead you are, if you don’t cross the finishing line you just haven’t finished. So learn about flags, race sequences and the rules, there aren’t too many and everything you need to know is online; it’ll take a little heat out of your first competition. Once you’ve signed up, check the heat order and which heats you’ll be in, if you can identify a seasoned regular in your heat, keep an eye on what he’s up to.Though the most important tip of all is, go and
enjoy yourself!
WS – Do the pros help out with any advice or race tips for you? SC – It’s probably a question I can’t answer fairly, I’ve not only got Whitey but most of the Pro’s use F-Hot fins which I run with my father Steve. And yes, I know it might seem odd that we make some of the best fins in the world and I haven’t used them, but as Dad says, you don’t see the designers driving the Formula1 cars. That said, I’d still say yes, the beach is just a mix of Pro’s, Am’s and Masterblasters, everyone mixes in and the spirit and atmosphere is pretty relaxed.
WS – Are you hoping to move up to the pro fleet? SC – I will see how I fair in the Amateur fleet this season, but Whitey’s already saying we’re doing the Pro’s next year, and yes, I think that means the both of us! Actually it’s more than that, but I better not give his plans away, let’s just say I think there will be quite a few of us going for it next year.
WS – Would you recommend any other wannabe racers to come join in some of the other races? SC – I would highly recommend any windsurfers that fancy a race to join in, actually, even if you just like blasting with your mates you’re already half way there. Having a start and finish line just heightens the enjoyment of windsurfing, racing is a great laugh both on and off the water and it really helps brush
up your skills as a sailor.
We followed Markus as he attended in the Aloha Classic at Hookipa. This is a pure action clip showing Markus sessions both during the contest and freesailing.
Via MacG Productions
Filmed by: Mikael Linder, Kevin Pritchard, Calle Nyberg and Markus Rydberg
Music: Stitches by Shan Mendes – SeeB Remix
Edit: Markus Rydberg
Markus is sponsored by Simmer Style, Surfers Varberg, Dr. Martens, Ezy and Björn Borg
