Beach Telegraph

Spewing

Looks like I got it wrong earlier about the 'Surfer of the Year' awards from the Dusseldorf 'Boot' Boat Show. Bernd Flessner did win but 'only' the German National Award. (Check MadWindsurf for a visitor's report on the show itself).

The International Award went to Bjorn Dunkerbeck (pictured above). Bjorn has also just been voted onto the Speedsailing Hall of Fame

Here's a shot of BF and BD receiving their awards, as voted for at Surf Magazine (German), and making their acceptance speeches. Many thanks to Thorsten Niehaus from Windcraft Sports for the information and snaps.

ContinentSeven also have a link to a video of Bjorn on his new Code Red sails. Make sure you check all the other videos there from Jaeger Stone, Boujmaa Guillol and Mikey Clancey too .

 WSJ have a link to a gallery of Yannick Anton taking some bombs at Spewpits, Fuerteventura. Let's hope that The Fuerteventura Wave Classic comes up with the goods.

Boardseeker report that former Production Board World Speed record holder Dave White is hosting some Speed Clinics at Club Vass, Greece.

Matt Pritchard has announced dates for his Baja Wave Clinics too. Check Surferworld.it for more info. In the meantime, The Human Catapult is in Baja right now soaking up the atmosphere for himself.

Apparently the 'Downwind Dash' debacle may nearly be over. Prizegiving is tomorrow night in Cape Town and we'll have to see if the 'winner' , Ross Williams - the first to cross the finish line, is in fact the winner. I'm sure he and many others are spewing at this major league mix-up.

Please leave any links to other news in the Comments Section below. Thanks.

Up to Speed

It's been a super busy weekend and so there's lot's to catch up on. Let's keep it on a 'need-to-know' basis.

Juicy Maui Kona Wind Action

First the videos...

Maui Windsurfing Blog part 2 and part 3

Maui Ultra Fins also sent in their version. Thanks guys.

Check out this sweet movie Kai Lenny made of himself and others sailing at Lanes.

'Frippe' from Sweden also made a Lanes movie and posted it at his Blog. Thanks to Christian Hallgren for the heads-up.

I love the way everyone went for Motley Crue, Black Sabbath and  real retro sounds in their clips this time.

Now the pics...

KP is lost for words.

GP's part 2 coverage.

The Black Local (French).

Here's some snaps from 'Cornish Lanes' in the south west of the UK. Thanks to Chris for sending those in.

Road Trip

Paskowski (pictured top of page) and crew's video is now available below. (Or at YouTube). Check out the trick in the final frames...

Best of the Rest.

And now for the rest of the news...

Weather forecasting site Big Salty are hosting a Photofest. Click on over and enter or vote!

Mikey Clancey and the Irish crew made a good call to avoid the West Coast and the Storm Force 11 wind and 13 meter waves. The East Coast still threw up some gnarly conditions. Here's Mikey.

'Team The Bunch' sent in some snaps from their vacation in St. Lucia.Thanks guys. Looks like a fun place. (Dutch)

Waterturtle reviewed a film I've been meaning to get a copy of - 'Surfwise'. Surfer's Path also wrote a feature on this interesting tale.

Surferworld interviewed Peter Volwater.

RRD signed Flo Jung and Starboard signed another 'Mouss', this time it's one of Cyril Moussilmani's twin brothers Benoit Moussilmani. No news of Sylvain signing any new deals as yet.

WindsurfJournal also got the scoop on Alex Mussolini signing for Vandalsails and Tabou boards.

Boards magazine say you can now get Windguru on the iPhone.

Here's a report on the Youth Formula Worlds in Peru.

The PWA found out more about the Race Against the Machine. (As first reported here).

These guys enjoyed a tow-in sesh at Acid Drop in Fuerteventura. (Link courtesy of Swell.be).

Josh Angulo's been a busy boy...

Sounds like the DownWind Dash in Cape Town was a bit of a mess. Apparently Ross Williams won though.

More later. In the meantime, please leave any hot links in the comments section below. Thanks.

To Surf and to Serve

I'm trying to compile a list of links for Charities and lobbying groups involved in the Windsurfing, Surfing and Beach Sports sectors.

I've always been impressed with the work of Surf Aid, the varous Surfrider Chapters worldwide, and of course the UK's Surfers Against Sewage.

Overall we ignore and under-estimate the contribution these organizations make to our on-water and in-water experiences, and in the the case of SurfAid, what we should be giving back to the local comunities we take from with our wave-hungry visits around the globe. (See their website for details on their vital 'Malaria Sucks'  malaria prevention and assistance. Forget the Credit Crunch. Please donate today).

I used to work for Gaastra who sponsored Surfrider and SAS. Gaastra printed the logos showing their support on the sail bags. What do you think? Maybe we should pressure more brands to fund these hard-working associations some more?

The PWA have set an example by displaying a strong list of Environmental groups in their Links Pages.

So if you know of any worthy voluntary or campaigning groups that the industry should know about, then please let me know or leave a link in the Comments section below. Thanks.

One more piece of news. Technique Guru Jem Hall's 'Performance Boost' clinics are filling-up, so if you're in need of a pep talk or two then you'd better consider signing-up for visit to say Baja with Jem ASAP. (Subject to all clients and Jem making donations to Surfrider et cetera of course...I'll be checking the shots for sail stickers to prove they've raised some funds.)