Beach Telegraph

Howdy Partners

Fred Debuire. At home...and in Maui.

Maui Ultra Fins, who are now official partners with Mistral, are pretty proud of their riders' results at Sylt last week. Not a bad team effort...

Waste no-wind no wave time and send your buddies windsurfing action gifts on Facebook...

Got this Press Release from Angulo Travel:

Current World Champion as your instructor?

Experience Cape Verde with personal coaching from Josh Angulo this Winter!

Josh Angulo, who has just clinched the 2009 PWA wave title, is running a series of wavesailing clinics this winter on his home island of Sal, Cape Verde.

There is no person on the planet who is better qualified to be your instructor and guide in Cape Verde. Josh needs no introduction. He is one of the names engrained into the history of our sport through his tremendous talent and passion. Josh has made Sal his home for years and has an intimate knowledge of the island and its secrets. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to train with the best at the best winter wavesailing spot in the world.

A clinic will give you 6 days of group, individual and video coaching with Josh for 5 hours per day.

Josh and his team will take you, your kit and your lunch to the best locations on the island daily according to conditions and the requirements of the group.

The skills covered will depend on individual requirements and level.  Since you will be learning from the best, the following could be covered:

§    Improved bottom & top turns

§    Giving your riding more style

§    Aerials and advanced wave moves – ever wondered how Josh makes one-handed aerials look so easy?

§    Floating your jumps

§    Forwards, Back loops and Push Loops. 

If the wind doesn’t blow, Sal offers some of the best spots for surfing and SUP in the world.  We will take you to wherever the surf is and provide the best surf tuition available.

Emile Kott, Board Magazine tester and advanced instructor will act as Josh’s backup, providing safety cover and making sure no move goes un-filmed!

Every day will start with an optional yoga warm up session and end with an evening stretch, run by Jen, our yoga instructor.

Price

§    6 nights at the Sab Sab Hotel, Sal

§    Breakfast and dinner at the Sab Sab Hotel (including BBQs)

§    Daily packed lunch from the Angulo Centre

§    Tuition with Josh

§    Equipment rental: Angulo boards, surfboards and SUP, Maui Sails rigged on 75% carbon skinny masts

€1195

OR

§    6 nights at Sab Sab Hotel, Sal

§    Breakfast and dinner at the Sab Sab Hotel (including BBQs)

§    Daily packed lunch from the Angulo Centre

§    Tuition with Josh

§    Kit storage at the Angulo Centre

§    Angulo SUP/surfboard rental

€995

Dates

Clinic 1: 8th-13th December 2009

Clinic 2: 12th-17th January 2010

Clinic 3: 26th-31st January 2010

Clinic 4: 2nd-7th March 2010

For further information or to book, please email jen@angulotravel.com

Pic JC/PWA

Show us a Sign

The “DWC – German Windsurfcup” tour has scored a lucrative sponsorship deal with Aussie brand Roadsign.

This is great to hear during a time of cut budgets. (Click here for details in German.)

Steve Gibson's spent 14 years living and teaching windsurfing in Fuerteventura and is available for tailor-made video clinics.

Check out his page for details and great technique sections.

Josh Angulo's Center Manager's get some water time at Ponta Preta.

A nice Chile movie from Continent Seven.

C7 also report that the Podersdorf Slalom event entry list was over-subscribed and has been raised from 64-man to a mammoth 80-man fleet.

There are still 5 or so wild cards available via long-distance race qualification.

Boujmaa Guiloll's 'Bouj Adventures' center in Morocco is open for the 2009 season.

Yoli de Brendt says there are also still places available on the Fanatic 'Windsurf Labor Wave Special' camps in Morocco.

Taty Frans' pre-season Slalom preparation is off on the right track.

The Four Dimension movie team posted an interview with 'Brawzinho' on their Blog.

Nice shot from Vandal.

PWA wavesailor Phil Horrocks has signed with Plasma.

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.

Sunshine and Sailing

U-Ride link to a video of wavesailing at Marrawah in Tasmania.

C7 look at the making of 'Samba'.

At last. The sun's back out in Maui...

The ISWC say 'No!' to handheld GPS speedsailing record claims.

WindsurfJournal.com had this link displayed to a Chilean lady with some, err,  impressive looking windsurfing potential. She certainly likes riding back-to-sail anyway...

Another fun looking event in New Zealand. Looks the NZ crew are going all-out to get together and healthily promote the sport down there.

Some nice watershot perspectives from Ponta Preta.

An interview for our Italian readers of fun lovin' Freestyler Filipo Buratti.

If you didn't see the video yesterday of the Goyta/Air Taka then please check it out and vote on the Poll to the right. Thanks.

More later!

Goyta or Air Taka?

PWA Judge Thijs van de Meer thought it'd be a good idea if we ran a Poll asking if this move from Levi Siver at the recent Cabo Verde PWA World Cup was an Air Taka or a Goyta?

Levi Siver - Air Taka or Goyta? from CaboVerdeWorldCup.com on Vimeo.

In my mind it's pretty clear what it is.

OK then. I'll be straight up and say I think it's a Goyta - but who am I to argue with my big Dutch friend?

In fairness Thijs hasn't told me what he thinks it is yet - I just can't see why it's up for debate?

What do you think? I've put a Poll on the right of this page for you to put your opinion.

By the way - if you've got a Blog or website please feel free to export any of the polls to your own site so we can get a wider sample of opinions. Thanks.

PS. If you're not a Dutch speaker, check out Thijs' Blog for some good 'extra' snips and snaps from the PWA scene.

Hot or Not?

Some thoughts on Twin Fins from Ola Helenius.

Congratulations to Stephane Etiene's winning team involving Boujmaa Guillol and Robin Goffinet for winning the Fuerteventura Wave Classic, and to Thomas Traversa for taking the vote on 'Best Rider of the Contest'.

 Photos, videos and write-ups all at the event website.

New Zealand Freestylers get an event to showcase their skills at.

A guide to Front Loops for Dummies.

More success for MauiSails racing.

Grey & gloomy Maui footage. But hey - it's still Hawaii!

Some new talent on the Ezzy Sails team. Looks like some nice sessions been going down on Sardinia...

Following a successful and popular feature at Boards magazine it's time to take the test and see if you're a 'Claimer or a Flamer?'

A guide to another potential Cabo Verde Goldmine. (German Language.)

Watch out for a new mini-poll later...

Short 'n Sweet

Runnin' late today so it's a high-speed roundup for now.

Angulo sent this video 'In the Gap' for your enjoyment.

Another Cabo Verde flick, this time from Robby Swift, available at the JP Australia website.

Cloudy Maui.

What is it with all the angry Sharks this year? Maybe they're finding the water too dirty?

Perhaps with that in mind former PWA racing Champ Allison Shreeve is making a mammoth crossing in aid of the 'Coast Care' charity.

Steve Bodner's also being a Friend of the Water.

And if you're a Face-booker you can help Robert Masters of Maui's  Stableroad by joining his I Care About Water group - please help him reach 1000 members by tonight! Thanks. (There's also a Stable Road Facebook Group...)

A snap of a 5-fin RRD Prototype.

Don't forget the Fuerte Wave Classic comp's on still and to view their galleries.

Good work and well done for the Beach Clean guys.

Irish Red Bull Rider Oisin Van Gelderen sent these shots from the Irish Intervarsities Windsurfing Comp this past weekend on Achill Island.

Oisin said " I was there to judge the student wave Expression Session, and I used a unique new technique called 'judging from the water'. 

We went sailing all day and mid push loops I kept one eye on what everyone else was doing !"

I bet those stranded-in-a-tower PWA judges wish they could do that too...

Thanks once again to Oisin for the heads-up and shots.

Have a nice day. Hopefully more later...

Cutting Lines

Another video of wavesailing in Chile with Fanatic Team Riders Klaas Voget and 08 PWA Tour runner-up Victor Fernandez.

Doh! Hope that mends soon Matt.

Here's a movie made in South Africa by Czech PWA rider Tom Malina.

Tom said "Sorry about the interviews in Czech language but that was part of the deal with the sponsors."

The PWA's negotiated a special offer on insurance for pro windsurfers. You can find out more via info(at)pwaworldtour.com or see more at www.sportsinsurance.com

Coaching guru Jem Hall's posted a trailer to his soon-to-be-released 'Winner to Wavesailor' DVD. (See list on right-hand side of page.)

Have a look at this vintage footage from Ho'okipa of Dave Ezzy and many other 'back in the day'. Classic.

I thought it was interesting in this interview that Kauli Sead doesn't think that the judges are 'ready' for the sailing style his Quad fins might lead to.

What do you think about the surfing style vs. traditional windsurfing style? Is a surfing line for surfing and windsurfing a different turning approach?

Why should windsurfing always copy surfing? Maybe surfers should take a more aggressive line by watching Angulo or Polakow on a wave at Ponta Preta? Please leave any comments below. Thanks.

Also, if you haven't voted in the new PWA World Tour Webcast Poll I'd be grateful for your views.

Kicking Off

Let's push-start the what's hopefully going to be a big-action week online and on the water.

The Fuerteventura Wave Classic holding period has begun. The teams have been announced and so far the conditions look good for Tuesday onwards, and even better for the weekend.

Check out the event website for updates and interviews et cetera.

Here's some updates on event dates from the PWA:

The planned Indoor in Madrid will now not take place in April. The event is now expected to take place towards the end of 2009.
 
The Austria Slalom World Cup will now run from the 5th May until the 10th.
 
The Korean Slalom World Cup will take place from the 16th May until the 22nd.
 
The proposed Guincho Wave World Cup is now provisionally scheduled for the 16th to 21st June.

WSJ interview a super-philosophical Francisco Goya after his comeback appearance at The PWA Cabo Verde World Cup. Here's the Google Translated page.

Simmer report that their PWA Slalom star Ben Van Der Steen is in Chile filming a documentary.

Shark!

Jellyfish!

GP Cammaro needs a day off but he stuck a little Go Pro video of sideshore Kanaha online for you.

Tatiana Howard scored Honolua Bay with just a couple of mates.

Boards posted news of 2009 Pro Clinics with European windsurfing tour operator Club Sportif.

CaboVerdeWorldCup.com  posted a video interview with runner-up Kauli Seadi.

It's windsurfing movie night on Friday in Wellington, New Zealand.

Ola left an interesting comment and link after reading about Kelly Slater's event-winning 'self-shaped' board in a post here last week.

Can you imagine what would happen if we left GP alone with the shaping software?

More later. Please leave any links to good stuff in the Comments section below - no sign-in required. Thanks.

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.

Bonaire Beats

Another windsurfing MC. This time Bonaire PWA Freestyler Ruben Petrisie is laying down tracks and has dedicated a tune to top lady competitor Sarah-Quita Offringa from the neighbouring island of Aruba.

You can  listen to Ruben's music at his MySpace page.

Here's a great new [Spanish language] website for Chilean windsurfers and visitors to Chile.

Speaking of windsurfing in Chile, Tine Slabe has some nice pics of his time there so far at the RRD Insider Blog.

Tatiana Howard's been filming for Conde Nast Video magazine.

If 9 World Titles aren't enough, now Kelly Slater's pushing for a 10th on boards he's shaped himself.

Imagine Seadi or Fernandez sweating over some blocks of foam? Angulo and McKercher have board-building skills though I guess.

U-Ride have clips of Angulo vs. Pritchard and Angulo vs. Seadi on their front page, as well as PWA wavesailor Klaas Voget's latest movie from Cape Town.

WSJ check out AHD's new Concept Wave multi-fin board line. (Google translated page link.)

Planche Magazine's March special test issue is on newsstands now.

I'm out on a training course all day but please check out the Links Page for more or leave any hot URLs in the Comments section below. Thanks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Winter Rocks.

Maybe I should've put these boards inside before it snowed and froze over? I guess it's that cold in the cargo hold of a plane right?

Good news. The waves on Maui will be a little less crowded around photoshoot time this Spring.

The Bad news. Starboard and Severne won't be there to gather images of their new equipment. It's OK. There's more good news. WIND mag report that the two brands have more or less already completed their shoot in Western Australia and plan another in Bonaire.

WooHoo. (Hope there's more of the same from the 14th onwards...)

Spanish PWA rider Rafael Cervero wants you to check out his Freestyle video. Thanks Rafa.

Isn't she a beauty? And not a Quad-fin in sight.

I agree. Winter Rocks. Apart from when you gotta dust snow off your gear.

More clinics in the sun  -this time with Boards magazine's Simon Bornhoft.

Someone else warming-up for Ponta Preta.

If you can't stop thinking about Cabo Verde then here's some more to fuel your addiction.

We've got another T-Shirt winner too. Congratulations Rob Hennessy who correctly answered that Fanatic's shaper Seb Wenzel has been using CAD since 2004.

Rob said "I'm a student so I've run out of clean Ts and I can't be bothered to do my laundry".

Great reason Rob - you've got yourself another days wear. I'll be in contact about the details.

Wide World

Surferworld announce the Vassiliki Watersports Festival in Lefkas, Greece.

Former racing World Champ Micah Buzianis has relaunched his website for 2009.

Windsurf Journal report that Campello's ditching Freestyle for 2009...

Boards Magazine have deals on travel for their subscribers.

Hatteras looks like it's been fun...again. I wanna get lost there!

Here's some more Wide-Angle action from the Go-Pro camera courtesy of Epic Sessions.

The injured John Skye took a tour of the RRD HQ in Italy.

Tatiana Howard's giving something back again.

There's going to be loads of people down in Cabo Verde reporting on the PWA event next week - -starting with Francisco Porcella's Dad Pietro. Looks like he already spotted some Pirates.

And we have a winner of the Fanatic T-Shirt competition. Congratulations Peter from Hungary who knew without doubt that the longest running name of a board model in the current range is the...VIPER. I'll be in contact about the details.

Peter also predictably said he's  "a Fanatic too" but he reckons he can prove it with a catalogue from 1989. Fanatic HQ have confirmed this fact.

Thanks to everyone who entered and sent in great answers and reasons why they wanted to win.It's amazing how many of you are broke and need clothes or are "emotionally attached" to your Fanatics.

So I guess we should run with the next question to give the rest of you addicts another chance?

OK. Question 2 for a Fanatic T-Shirt:

When did Fantic's shaper Sebastian Wenzel start working with CAD?

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 stating why you want the shirt and like the brand for when I choose the winners, AND mail me at hotgossip@beachtelegraph.com 

How Deep?

Deepfried.tv went deep. Real deep.

Happy Birthday Naish.

Be afraid. He's back.

Bill loves the smell of fresh print in the morning.

Another great 'on-forecast' competition format in the UK. This time for Freestyle.

Severne officially announced their signing of Karin Jaggi today. Isn't that amazing that she's got 27 world titles? How many sportspeople could say that?

Apparently Bjorn Dunkerbeck is the most successful sportsperson ever in terms of world titles. He has won 35... so far...and like Jaggi also sails for Switzerland and Severne sails.

WIND magazine are like a dog with a bone with the PWA right now. First there was the Defi Wind date clash with the PWA Korea World Cup, and now they're outraged that Albeau (French language) can't get into the Cabo Verde event.

It's tough, but a lot of riders, including some who did well at Ponta Preta last season, can't even get into this 32-man limited entry event. I guess that proves how high the standard is.

Are you Bored?

Gregg Dunnet from Ocean Source scored on a site visit to Morocco.

Tatiana Howard needs to concentrate more in class.

It's not quite over for the Legend of board repairs.

Epic Sessions feature video from the Gorge Freestyle Frenzy. Thanks to Clyde for the link.

Mooooooo...

Simon Alexander debates a tough environmental dilemma involving the River Severn Bore. And I wonder what the flipsides are for this project too?

Alex Mussolini picked up his new sails for Cabo Verde.

Some nice advanced SUP, surf and tow-in action on video from Atlantic PaddleSurf/Paddle Surf Hawaii.

Windy today so please leave any links we should know about in the Comments section underneath. (No sign-in required.) Thanks.