Beach Telegraph

Full House Friday

Some quality viewing is on-the-cards for British and Irish TV license payers.

An exciting new online store and resource website for European windsurfers and watersports freaks has just been launched by Irish wave addict Pearse Geaney.

Check out BigSurf.ie for more details.

Here's some effects of big surf...

Siiiiick...

Windsurfing's father-figure and co-inventor Jim Drake's gonna celebrate his 80th Birthday at the Defi Wind.

The PWA feature a new Brazilian Freestyle talent - João Henrique Barros Ferreira

Finian Maynard talks about his latest Slalom racing beasts. (Here's some more pre-season tune-up talk from Starboard.)

Remember, Epic Session's weekend-long webcast from Ho'okipa starts today. (Maui-time.)

GP tells me the Starboard team is in town so the level of action might well get stepped-up as rival teams go all-out to get the most insane action in-the-can for their marketing materials.

There's a link on WSJ to video footage of Allison Shreeve's Bass Straight Challenge attempt.

WSJ also have a French language interview with Julien Taboulet on his 'Full House' switch to Naish. (Tip - use Google translate to read in preferred language.)

I'm looking for good topics for a new Poll or two so if you've got any good ideas or can think of issues you'd like to see peoples' opinion on please leave a comment below, (No sign-in required) or mail me. Thanks.

I'm going a wave huntin' this weekend and early next week so probably gonna be offline for a while.

Remember the webcasts are on and to trawl through all the good sites on the Links Page for content. Have a great weekend!

Meaty Mothers' Day

Only Timo Mullen could persuade his Mom to fly over from Ireland to England to see him on Mothers' Day, then miss the return flight home and drive overnight to Scotland to take shots of him windsurfing World-Class reefbreak Thurso instead.

Here's Timo's side of the story. "I couldn't get anyone to do the 14 hour drive with me so I drafted in  my Mum and Dad who were over visiting from Ireland...

Only problem was that Sunday was Mothers' Day, which meant missing my wife's first ever Mothers' Day as well as dragging my mum all the way in a van to the cold cold north of Scotland.

Anyway 'we' scored some amazing conditions, 3.7m logo high point break on the first day, then two sessions the next day both side shore, 4.2m  on a pretty hollow and shallow break in front of a Nuclear Power station!

I was using my Evo 70 and a Kode 80. It's one hell of a drive but well worth it for the conditions!"

Well the family that plays together stays together I guess? Thanks Mrs Mullen. You're a gem. And a pretty hot shooter too.

Wind reports on Google Maps - well done Windfinder. (Also check out and/or add a listing to the biz directory.)

German star Michiel Bouwmeester's opening a new Pro Center in Sardinia.

Not very windsurfing related but very important news.

Kauli goes SUPing at home.

GP's knackered. But not too tired to post you shots of gusty, windy Maui.

A link to some nice Galician conditions on Continent Seven's homepage.

Video of Alice Arutkin in South Africa and pics of Boujmaa Guillol who's currently in Marseille on U-Ride.

A front loop gurantee.

Here's a Press Release from JP Australia:

JP / HARRY NASS WINDSURFING CAMP IN DAHAB
20.-27 August 2009
with Micah Buzianis US34 and Robby Swift K89

powered by JP Australia and
Harry Nass Surf and Action Center, Dahab/Egypt

After the successful events in 2007 and 2008 this one is going to be even bigger a better.

Many windsurfers would like to become faster, some have considered to compete in a Slalom event – just for fun - but were not sure if they are actually good enough to do so? Or they simply want to get their jibes finally to perfection? If you are one of those guys - this camp will be excellent for you.

Micah Buzianis, US34, top PWA Slalom Racer from Maui Hawaii, Robby Swift top PWA Wave rider and Slalom Racer and head coach Dirk Muschenich, former winner of the German Windsurf Cup and now professional windsurf coach plus Harry Nass and his team will tune your speed and jibing to perfection.

Don’t worry this camp is not aiming at semi professionals – while they are still welcome – but  at people who simply love windsurfing, enjoy speed, want to get faster, improve their jibing and maybe get a bit involved in racing. Or some might simply join because they enjoy sailing with  a group of people.

In groups of maximum 10 people you will find out about how to
- trim and fine tune your equipment
- get faster (GPS)
- improve your jibing and bring it to perfection
- jibe around a buoy in the middle of a racing fleet
- do Lemans beach starts
- do boat starts
- get your body ready for slalom and speed (Gym, Nutrition)
- win races

As you can see jibing is a very important point. Jibing is the one thing which decides between enjoying windsurfing or hating it and most races are won by the best jiber in the fleet.

To achieve this you and your coaches will use the latest equipment
- start boat
- video analyses
- GPS devices to check your speed

At the end of the camp we will have a Slalom competition. The winner will get a brand new JP Slalom board.

If you are concerned that this sounds all too serious - don’t worry, there will be plenty of fun. We really want to emphasis that you don’t need to be a top-level windsurfer to enter this camp. If your main goal is to become a confident jiber and get that bit faster so that you can upset your friends a bit by overtaking them – you will enjoy this as well as everybody who wants to start racing and get ready for it or those who already race and want to get better. There will be various training groups with various levels and goals for the week.

The EUR 190,- package price include:
- one week camp with Micah, Robby, Dirk, and Harry’s team
- a JP/Harry Nass Windsurfing Camp Lycra
- participation in the final race
- price giving party

You can bring your own equipment or rent the latest JP and NP stuff from Harry Nass.

Goiter, Goyta or Goita?

PWA Judge Thijs van de Meer wrote back on the Levi Siver 'Is it an Air Taka or a Goiter?' issue.

Thijs says it's a Goiter because "In the picture [above] you can see the mastfoot is clearly higher than the top of the mast.

To me, that's where an Air Taka turns into a Goiter.

Goiters are being done a lot flatter these days, it looks less radical, but the guys are sticking them more consistently this way.

A tough trade off. Compliments to Levi for staying in the wave in these offshore conditions. Too bad he lost it at the end." Thanks Thijs for that insight. If you disagree why not vote in the Poll to the right?

By the way. Eagle-eyed readers might have noticed the various spellings of Goiter in circulation.

Irish Pro Oisin Van Gelderen did some research and found that a Goiter, as opposed to a Goyta or Goita, is related to an overdose of action in the Adrenal glands!

From memory I think that's why the move was named that back in the 90s. So who invented it? Was it Mark Angulo? Any answers, medical or windsurfing related are appreciated in the Comments section below. Thanks.

Here's a revolutionary new way of choosing a sail from Boardseeker.

I had a great response to yesterday's 'arty Blogs' post, and received a lot of links such as Frank from River-Rippers.net's recomendation. 

Yann Sorlut sums-up the AFF event in Almanarre, France.

Take a deep breath and hoooooooooold.

Even The King goes on the Rocks from time-to-time.

GP get's his readers to take some of the strain and posts other people's videos for a day. Good idea.

More new perspectives from Dani Miguel.

Err how glad am I that never bought any Quiksilver stock? Thanks to [Twitter] @Ian Votteri for the alert!

Fast Cows

The Fuerte Wave Classic organizers were very impressed with Boardseeker's footage of the event. So will you be.

Earlier today I posted a link to some wavesailing action in Tasmania.

Alastair McCleod who made and featured in the clip sent this link for anyone else interested in the windsurfing conditions and scene in Tasmania. Thanks Alastair for the info.

A summary and pics of the Cabo Verde event from French rider Yann Sorlut.

Details of a 'fun' World Title for Bjorn Dunkerbeck at the C7 Blog.

I got this Press Release and the shot above and below from www.MooCustom.co.uk about some Speedsailing action in England.

(Pics by Steve Thorp.)

Moo Custom on top

Moo Custom, Britain’s sexiest custom board builders have teamed up with Britain’s fastest, Farrel O’Shea.

Farrel has put much effort into the speed situation over the last few years and is keen to push forward to the next level.

One of the best parts of custom board building is the ability to listen to the customer’s requirements and Farrel knows what he wants from a board down to the last half millimetre.

At West Kirby on Sunday after a wind drought over the winter and on the day before the lake is due to close for wall repairs the conditions almost delivered.

It was a bit 'parky', not quite enough wind and from a slightly too square angle but a good days speed sailing was had by all.

Farrel scored the top speed of the day with a 45.29 knot max, using his new Moo Custom and Simmer SC Race 6.3 in 25knots of wind gusting to 30knots.

Surely a very pleasing indication of speeds to come! >>END

Here's a shot of the board he used.

Finally, if you didn't see the video or vote on the Goyta/Air Taka Poll to the right, please check it out and register your opinion! Thanks.

The Down-Low

Ready? Let's go. WSJ have left the office and are livecasting (French language) from the French AFF Windsurfing Tour in Almanarre /Hyeres today.

The conditions are set to be so awesome that they're planning to run waves at this famous location known mainly for slalom.

Andre Paskowski sent around his pre-release trailers for the upcoming free movie 'Samba' You can view those at many sites but WSJ also have all the links you need,

John Skye's winter roundup video offering.

The Guys at the UK's roaming wave comp series WaveJam have uploaded all the pics from WaveJam 5. There's more action in the gallerioes section too.

Some news from Diony Guadagnino's visit to Chile and Argentina.

First asymmetrical boards and now asymmetrical fins...

A new-look website from Reptile masts.

Top ladies PWA Freestyler Laure Treboux's announced two camps - 'Elevate' in Dahab, Egypt in May, and a Girls camp in Rhodes, Greece, in June.

Elsewhere Tatiana Howard's confirmed the Butterfly Effect Maui will go down on April 11th.

Those PWA ladies sure have been busy - Nayra Alonso tells you about her trip to Morocco.

Nothing's going down yet at the Furteventura Wave Classic, but keep an eye on the event website during the day for updates as the forecast is good.

Lunchtime Links

Boardseeker posted a link to Witchcraft Sailboards CNC shaping demo.

WSJ morphed a sequence of Ricardo Campello's back loop off-the-lip at the PWA Cabo Verde World Cup.

While you're there check out the Lorch Asymmetric board.

Simmer Sails have some news updates on Andreas Olandersson and Jonas Ceballos.

Pietro Porcella is fuming that his Sardinian flaghas been 'liberated' from the Cabo Verde event site. 'MC Porc' had arranged by special permission with the consulate of Cabo Verde to fly it alongside the Italian flag.

Anyone got any clues who might be responsible? And do you believe Per Tilmekty is a real person?

Here's a Quick Interview with Per:

Beach Telegraph:Is it true that you are not a real person, or even a pro windsurfer or industry figure hiding behind a false name, but actually a rare Artic Troll who is deprived of winter-time daylight and spends all day every day on windsurfing forums to get your freak on?

Per Tilmekty: Yes it is!

Beach Telegraph: Thanks for the interview!

Good. I'm glad we've got that settled.

Frothing

Loads going down today so here we go with a 4th posting for all you foaming-at-the-mouth wind-news-hungry freaks. If it 'aint on here it 'aint happened yet...or I'm asleep.

Bart wrote in and suggested we have a look at his great new insight-into-Maui-life Blog from Kanaha Kai Surf Shop.

It's already rammed-full of video and pics so my bet is we're going to be seeing a lot more from the KK gang.

North posted this video of their UK rider Graham Woods training in Cape Town.

There's tonnes of Cabo Verde Super session clips posted around the web, but here's a couple 'o good 'uns from WIND mag.

Angulo posted video of his heat against Kevin Pritchard during the PWA Cabo Verde World Cup.

Boardseeker have some deals from windsurfing Travel Co. Club Sportif posted to destinations such as Tobago and Mauritius travelling from Europe.

Please leave any links to anything else hot in the Comments section below so I can get some frickin' rest. Thanks.

Spring is in the Air

Timo Mullen scored some great conditions at home with his brother Finn in the North West of Ireland. See the end of the post for more pics.

Thanks to Timo and his brother Tam who took the shots.

U-Ride have a couple of new video links up including footage of Victor Fernandez training in Cape Town.

The Boardseeker February Podcast is available to download now or to view on their homepage player.

Watch out for Pirates...

There's some good news on SurferToday for those thinking of a Spring Break or visiting Guincho for the PWA World Cup about TAP airlines and surfboards.

French speakers and lovers of the famous Gruissan spot, please pledge your allegiance to this campaign. Thanks.

Windsurf Journal have a great Go Pro video on their player of World Slalom Champ Antoine Albeau drag racing with fellow PWA Slalom racer Cedric Bordes.

Remember - don't forget to check Pin up of the Day each time you visit WSJ. It's great for swimwear fashion ideas ladies...

  Windsurf Italia's March edition is out now featuring John Skye on the front cover.

Surferworld.it report that top wave sailor Anne-Marie Reichmann has joined the Starboard SUP team.

Does this mean she's going to be competing on Starboard on the PWA Tour too instead of Naish?

MadWindsurfing have some shots of waves on Curacao in the Dutch Antilles.

Here's some more of those shots from Ireland.

Here's a sequence of Finn.

 

 

...and the rest           

Outta Here

OK so I've seen a forecast for wind and waves and have decided to hit the road for a few days while the PWA have the spotlight in Cabo Verde with their live ticker updates, daily summaries, up-to-the-minute elimination ladders and photo galleries.

There's a couple of Bloggers covering the event too like  Spirit of Ponta Preta, Pietro Porcella (Italian language) and Andre Paskowski - plus don't forget the official event website.

The forecast says it's gonna be pumping there this weekend and early/midweek again. Hopefully it's gonna go off where I'm headed too...

Elsewhere, www.EpicSessions.tv are streaming live from Ho'okipa, Maui! You can live chat the camera and ask for specific zooming-in et cetera. It's in 'Beta' so please be patient. 

Please be sure to send a big thank you to David Troup for bringing you this service.

Quite a few sites are running the Pre Cabo Verde PR sent out by Fanatic. You can see that release and the pics at Boardseeker and www.Surferworld.it

SailLoft invite you to visit their newly-launched website.

If you're hungry for more news and content then please look at the list on the Links page - and feel free to add more suggested links in the Comments sections.  Thanks.

Enjoy the contest and I'll be back in action as soon as the wind and waves back off. I'll also announce the winners of the Fanatic T-Shirt competiton then too...so please keep sending your answers and I'll pick the winner when I'm back.

Quiet Before the Storm

Chris Pressler got some pics of Bjorn Dunkerbeck on his new wave sails in Fuerteventura.

WIND TV have a nice little flick of young PWA Carribean wavesailing star Camille Juban and Oliv' Lafleur in action at home in Guadaloupe. (French language.)

It's the 'quiet before the storm' elsewhere with most sites running the PWA's Cabo Verde Event Preview. 

During the event I'll try and pick the best of the bunch of all the bloggers and sites covering the competition for you.

I really hope all the good non 'time sensitive' stories don't leak onto the web and that there's some quality tales and images saved and developed for print magazines.

More Road Trip mishaps - this time for Nayra Alonso.

Now, you know my rules about not mentioning K*^tesurfing on these pages? Well here's another exception due to a local byelaw ruling in the U.K as posted by Boardseeker. (Tip: Click on image to enlarge.)

Don't forget the chance to win another Fanatic T-Shirt competition is still open...

Tales from the Road

A hairy 24 hours in Cabo Verde for PWA wavesailor Dario Ojeda.

With that in mind, should you plan trips thouroughly ahead or Roll the Dice?

The Moussilmani twins though have been enjoying life at home in the South of France...

While big bro Cyril enjoyed his first ventures on his new Starboards in Western Australia...and joining in boss Svein Rasmussen's SUP madness on the way home in Bangkok. (French language - or use Google translate.)

But, Starboard team mate Boujmaa Guillol got battered with a 5 thousand US excess baggage bill (French) leaving the WA photoshoot. Ouch.

The UK announce their 2009 GPS Speed Ladder and posted the final 2008 top speeds.

U-Ride have a link to a wavesailing video from Gran Canaria.

The PWA report on Alex Mussolini's new deal with Tabou boards. Hopefully their Cabo Verde Event Preview will go online today or tomorrow too with the first pictures of the warming-up.

Here's Skyeboy's on-location report of what's happened, or not happened, so far.

OK back to the 'The Hustle Project' where I help you score great stuff from the industry. Once again there's another Fanatic T-Shirt to be won for a person who correctly answers:

How many PWA Events were won by Fanatic Riders in 2008?

Rules: 1. No pros or sponsored riders or dealers are allowed to answer. We will know who you are! 2. I'll think up more rules as I go along.

Please leave your answer in the Comments section below AND mail me at hotgossip@beachtelegraph.com stating why you want the shirt and like the brand for when I choose the winners. Thanks.

I Just can't Get Enough

Check out Mad Maarten's Windsurfing Wallpaper collection.

A little present from WIND mag and the Traversa family.

It's not quite Windguru but...(Thanks to Hugo for the link.)

SimmerStyle are showing video from Cape Town, plus an interview with Cyril Moussilmani and some Maui snaps from Kai Katchdourian.

Boardseeker are also showing a movie of the Big Bay Classic wavesailing event.

Windsurfing Magazine have their latest board test videos online.

I can't get enough of this Air Funnel. While you're at Continent Seven why not read their interview with Peter Volwater?

Carbon Art shaper James Dinnis won the New Zealand Slalom nationals.

Next year the organizer's want to attract racers from all over the planet to join the fun in their beautiful country.

You can read a more detailed summary of this year's event at Surfer Today.

Time to visit Dr. Schmock.

www.MauiWindcam.com has tons of fans, but if you're not one yet you can become a groupie and tell your friends about it at Facebook.

German PWA Freestyler and filmaker Andre Paskowski's entered the Blogosphere.

No news yet from Normen Günzlein, but I'll post something as soon as Normen or perhaps his sponsors are in contact.

Shut Down

***EDIT*** The link apearing here earlier to a story regarding the alleged retirement of PWA Freestyle sailor Normen Gunzlein has been removed at Normen Günzlein's personal request.

Günzlein stated that the Q&A interview with him that  appeared on windsurfersmag.de was factually incorrect and has demanded that it also be removed. 

In the meantime I have asked that Normen clarify the situation directly for you himself on these pages as soon as possible.

Here's some hope for the next generation  - according to WIND magazine (French language) Camille Juban has finally earned entry to the PWA Cabo Verde World Cup.

Get bidding people - it's for charity.

Island life.

More Go Pro action from GP.

Manu'i day from The Black Local.

Totally Twisted...

A week or two ago I forgot to mention this UMI Pictures video of Victor Fernandez in Brazil on Boardseeker. Watch out for more from UMI in the coming weeks.

Windsurf Journal have an exclusive interview with Karin Jaggi. Here's the Google translated page.

Fresh from the water at the Farmers' Market.