Beach Telegraph

Rockin' Rollin' Riding

New and improved NOAA forecast buoys for Hawaii.

Manuel Klövekorn freestylin' in France.

A [Google Translated] interview of Keith Teboul and his views on Quad fins by U-Ride.

KP's amped about his water housings.

Named after Mauritius' funnest reef break, Manawa Surf Shop in Firenze, Italy is finally open!

The new rolling and roaming format for the Irish Speedsailing Association has proved to be successful from the start.

This past weekend, reigning record-holder John Kenny took the lead after Round 1 in 22-28 knot conditions in Belmullet.

Here are some nice alternative Maui lifestyle and Hot Sails shoot snaps from Mystery Bob.

Planche Mag issue 319 is out tomorrow.

Sweet perspectives.

News of a new newsletter for German windsurfers looking for travel deals.

Information on Camp One Surf Camps for Danish windsurfers looking to improve their skills.

How cool would it be if we could get some of these NeilPryde threads into The Hustle Project for you guys?

If anyone at Pryde Group, or any other brands, wants to offer up some prizes to readers for a fun quiz then please mail me for details. Thanks.

So that brings me to today's question to win another Spartan Rash Vest from the generous, quality British wetsuit brand   - who are also offering a Wetsuit to the winner of the 'Grand Finale'  quiz this Friday.

Please answer this question and say why you want a Spartan Rash Vest so much.

Q2 What is the neoprene thickness of the XTR convertible?

Please leave your answers in the Comments section below and mail your answers to me. Thanks.

Congratulations to Stoofer who won yesterday's prize by corrrectly answering that Spartan have been making wetsuits since 1958.

Stoofer said ' I'd like a Spartan Rashie because, like wetting yourself in public, everybody can see it, but only you can feel the inner warmth.' Nice. I hope he only means peeing in his wetsuit in public?

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!

Over the Falls

(Timo Mullen - Ho'okipa April 1st)

Congratulations to Taty Frans for his record-breaking crossing.

A new iPhone surf check app from Oakley.

News of a new inland comp called 'Bavarian StyleKing' in Germany, which is set to attract big names as well as talented locals on the landlocked scene.

EFPT and PWA rider Ruben Petrisie is already booked-in

Couple of good (French language) April Fool's gags from WIND magazine we missed yesterday...including Dunkerbeck's switch to Kiteboarding and the new PWA Masters Tour.

Guru coach Jem Hall sent in some good news from the Bring Back the Swansea-Cork Ferry campaign which many of you readers have supported.

Jem says it's looking good for trips to County Kerry for travelling to one if his wavesailing clinics in October!

A Whale of a time on Maui.

Speaking of Maui there's a treat for you guys in store this weekend from David of the Epic Sessions Blog.

David says "Keith Teboul, Jake Miller, Pascal Bronnimann, Levi Siver and I are joining forces for a team webcast - though I think Levi is still in Europe judging a snowboarding comp. Still, its gonna be sick!

We should be webcasting all days - Friday/Sat/Sunday."

A bit more April foolery from Timo Mullen (pictured top) who sent in these pics from Hawaii.

"First day on Maui, just getting into sailing starboard tack again, Ho’okipa was good size, logo/mast high but loads of east in the swell so not exactly epic, anyway I get worked on this one wave, swam for my gear and sail back out, then I see my arm has a gaping open cut!

The new fins I had been trying were pretty sharp and I guess I must have hit them when I went over the falls.

(Nice Gash)

The Lifeguards patched me up before heading to Maui Memorial hospital for some stitches. 

(Matt's Cutty)

I'm staying at UK PWA slalom sailor Matt Wemms' house while in Maui so you can imagine how surprised I was to see Matt turn up at the hospital one hour after me with a pretty deep cut on his chin, somehow he had got washed on the rocks and slipped and hit his face on a lump of coral! 

(Matt's Cut)

Fortunately the Dr who stitched us both up was Dr Ben Massenburg winner of his age group at the Da Kine Maui  Slalom series so we were in good hands and hopefully with his help we can both get back in the water ASAP!! 

(Dr Ben)

Other casualties that day were Micah Buzianis, who I heard hurt his [previously injured] leg wavesailing at Ho’okipa."

Many thanks to Timo, Matt and their photographic assistants.

Here's some more windy windy Maui GoPro footage from Kanaha Kai.

Old and New

A new website from UK Freestyler Tom Parsons.

Bad luck and a good effort regardless by Allison Shreeve on her Bass Straight Crossing.

Speaking of mammoth crossings, it'll be 25-yrs this Fall since Aristocrat and pioneering legend of Windsurfing  - Baron Arnaud de Rosnay  - disappeared. He may be gone but he'll never be forgotten.

Thumbnails of 2010 gear and Ho'okipa action.

Some good 'ol Super 8 [surfing] film for a grainy retro feel.

Video lessons with Bill.

A new event added to the the EFPT Schedule.

Crazy CapeTown on U-Ride.

A Point 7 demo event in Sardinia. (German)

Another JP Australia Young Guns' Camp  organized by the PRO CENTER Christof Kirschner in Prasonisi, Rhodos, Greece has has been announced.

Guest stars will be 3x Wave World Champion Kauli Seadi BRA-253 and Andy Chambers K-540 from the JP team.

Here's the official Press Release:

YOUNG GUN CAMP

Prasonisi – 6-13th August 2009

Starting 6th August a one week freestyle and wave training for youngsters will be held at the Pro Center Christof Kirschner. A maximum of 40 participants will be coached by the world’s best riders and professional coaches in the disciplines freestyle and wave.

Kids from many nations will share their passion for the sport and improve their skills in an amazing way!

A professional video team will accompany the youngsters and record hour by hour. With all their experience they will cut the daily video immediately. Only a few hours after the training the video will be ready and presented to the kids on a wide screen. We’ll also put it straight on the internet.

So all friends, parents and relatives have the opportunity to follow the camp on a daily basis.

This year's big surprise: the world cup heroes Kauli Seadi and Andy Chambers will join the other coaches and show some sick action on the water!

Like last year Steve Chismar will be head coach. Steve has been working as an editor and tester for the German Surf Magazin for more than 10 years. He started windsurfing at the age of 12. Steve managed a windsurf school on Corsica for 2 years, thereafter he worked as a head-instructor for Naish Hawaii on Oahu and as a centre manager for MichelBouwmeester for 12 years. His motto: Windsurfers for peace!

We are also very happy to have the coaches Manuel Vogel and Jonas Holzhausen with us again!

Manuel is windsurf instructor at the University of Kiel in Germany. He speaks English and French and is a licensed VDWS surf instructor. Manuel has been testing for the German Surf Magazin since 2004 and is a true walking freestyle – move library.

Jonas is an educator at the Russee youth centre in Kiel. His focus is on experiential education and he arranges organized activities for young people. In addition he is a licensed VDWS surf instructor and teaches windsurfing at the University of Kiel. Since 2004 he has been part of the test team of the Surf Magazin and like Manuel he is a real freestyle pro.

 For further details check out our website

www.prasonisi.com

e-mail: [email protected]

phone : +43-316 318606

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.

Backwash

Yikes. Bit of a news backlog over the weekend. Here we go in no particular order. Oh Yeah. The shot's from the Campello Wind Center on Margarita, Venezuela. More shots and news below.

Firstly, remember this is the last day of the 'Air Taka or Goiter' Poll to the right. Here's the clip before you vote. Thanks.

GP hit da harbor and sailed a light Maui Kona wind too.

Kev Pritchard confirmed that with such sketchy Konas it all didn't quite go to plan.

Tatiana Howard clicked-off a couple of snaps of that surf for you too.

Watersports Photographer Dani Miguel's on-fire and has re-discovered FUN. Check out his other [Spanish language] great photo Blog too.

My head's swelling from the fact that my Blog's read by Celebs. Check out Josh Angulo's comment and official confirmation on the 'Goiter issue'.

Speaking of the innovative older Angulo brother, check out Makani's 'Mutant' video.

Snaps of Starboard 2010 Protos getting a good once-over in Vietnam.

Jimbo got caught in a spin with some sharks.

U-Ride - you rule! Check out the link to two movies from Ezzy and JP under the link 'Hawaiin Party'!

Surferworld pubished news on Taka Kamaguchi signing with Naish and an interview with 2008 PWA Wavesailing World Champion Kauli Seadi.

There are a few last places available for a Peter Hart clinic in Cabo Verde.

Yeeaaaah niiiiice one! (Quicktime player.)

Jeroen posted some pics of the new 'Big Boyz' Hot Sails low-end sail - the 'Firepower'. Thanks Jeroen.

More snaps of the 'Secret Spot' as featured on GP's Blog recently. This time it's got Starboard 'ProKids' Rider Zane Schweitzer's take.

An interview with Jimmy Diaz (English) on Turkish language website Ruzgarvmi. Thanks to Berky for the link.

I got this Press release from the newly opened Campello Wind Center in Venezuela. Their website is under construction but there are contact details at the end.

Thanks to CWC for sending the news and some snaps. Here it is:

Press Release

RICARDO CAMPELLO OPENS “CAMPELLO WIND CENTER” IN EL YAQUE, MARGARITA 

As promised the “Campello Wind Center” is now open! Everything is set up in El Yaque to start welcoming new guests. It’s been a lot of work but I’m satisfied with the results. All is focused to give the best service and most enjoyable experience for windsurfing and kitesurfing.                       

The center is equipped with the latest JP Neilpryde kit, from beginner until freestyle/wave boards and a variety of sails that will satisfy clients demands. We offer daily instruction for complete beginners to advanced and also I will be organizing clinics throughout the year. Where clients will receive pro training from myself and other pro windsurfers. 

El Yaque is windy most of the time but if you fancy taking a day off we have a number of options. These include kayaking, mountain biking, surfing, trekking, horse riding, island tours, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, go-karting and trips to the beautiful island of Coche and Cubagua. We also  host ”WINDSURFING NIGHT SUPER SESSION” at Ipanema Beach Bar, where you can see all the pros in action at night while enjoying a BBQ and live bands as well as all kind of international food. Once a week we’ll also have a competition with all the guests and prizes!

We can arrange accommodation within El Yaque to suit all needs, check the list below. 

Windsurf Paradise

El Yaque Paradise

Coche Paradise

Atti Hotel

Casa Rita

Casa Viento

El Yaque Beach

California Hotel

Jump n´ jibe
 

So if you fancy a windsurfing/kitesurfing holyday I invite you to come to El Yaque, a great beach on the north of Margarita Island in the Caribbean. This is the right place to come and we are the right team to satisfy your requirements and much more! 

The Campello Wind Center website is under construction but feel free to contact us through email for any further information or reservation.

[email protected]       0058 2954167747 office

Ricardo Campello
x3 Fresstyle Worldchampion

Crikey if you've got this far you'd agree that's enough for now. It's St. Patricks Day tomorrow which is a Public Holiday here in Ireland, so I might not be online :) Thanks for reading.

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.

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...

Need to Know

Keeping you up-to-speed and on-the-pace...

Irish Pro Oisin Van Gelderen sent this scenic shot of a 5 deg Celsius session on Wednesday in Brandon Bay, Ireland, during an 8.6 meter swell and 30 knots of wind. Thanks Oisin. Brrr.

The Maui crew get a break from the old routine. (I bet those shots are flipped from port tack...)

News and pics from the Fuerte Wave Classic.

A Total Wind reader has also posted some nice shots from the contest in their forum too. Here and here.

PWA Slalom Champion Antoine Albeau's re-launched his website.

News, pics and audio [French language] interviews from the AFF event in Almanarre, France.

You can follow more live throughout the day also at Windsurf Journal.

A [German language] interview of filmmaker and PWA Freestyler Andre Paskowski.

The new RRD 11 SUP.

Mad Maarten suggests some no-wind reading material.

A video of a hot Danish lady showing off in Bonaire.

More old-skool windsurfing action video.

Have a nice day.

Funk Soul Brothers

Please support the Frans brothers on a Bonaire to Curacao  crossing for a good cause.

The Pritchard Brothers work hard on their legs.

Lost in Maui

Two events to keep tabs on live - Fuerteventura Wave Classic (little bit 'o action yesterday) and AFF French Cup in Almanarre (French language).

News from the Micronesia Windsurfing Cup.

Meet Elvis.

RRD introduce PWA wavesailor Francisco Fonseca.

Couple more Quick Interviews...

Goofing around in Galicia.

Twin fins, Quad fins, asymmetric fins...no fins.

A mellow Kona MiniTanker GoPro clip on U-Ride - link on frontpage named  Penhors Inside.

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.

Hot Content

First-up is a nice shot sent in by George from the Live2Sail Blog. Thanks George.

Here's a really short interview with PWA Wave Tour leader Josh Angulo on Maui.ee.

A Chilean adventure on video with Fabrice Beaux.

Some boom-Cam action from Seatex Boards on Windsurfmag.it.

After scraing some seals, GP is being cruel to Oceanic mammal life. Again. This time he's taken on a Sea Lion.

Don't you just love these vintage magazines. I love the smell and feel of these old issues crammed with great stories and less ads than in many you see today. (Even with the recession.) Check out the great surf books there too.

Speaking of Surf books, PWA and legendary surf scene photographer Alex Williams has launched a new book of some classic  shots of British Surfing in the 70s in a new publication titled 'Atlantic Surfers'. (You can preview the first 15 pages online.)

The March issue of Boards is out and I've got two articles published.

(That's Canadian PWA Freestyle rider Phil Soltysiak on the cover by the way.)

First up I've a review of the career of Scott McKercher followed by an investigation into the new Freestyle Classix format.

If you've read these I'd love some feedback on either the articles or the subject. Thanks.

WIND Mag issue 333 is also out now and it's a monster test issue. Check out the huge list of gear they've tried out.

Any other new issues of magazines out? Please leave the details in the Comment section below. Thanks.

U-Ride have a link to some video of Slalom racing action in The Gorge.

With the Fuerteventura Wave Classic a few days away, WSJ have posted a link to video of Spew Pits cranking on the island from last week to whet your appetite.

UK Windsurf and SUP pro John Hibbard wrote in; 'The main right peak at this beach is rammed with Surfers everyday and is a  100% No Go Zone for SUPers. 

The left in between the main break and the rivermouth is empty but it's hard to catch - not on my Starboard 8' 5" though!'

And finally. The Hustle Project. We've got a winner of the Fanatic T-Shirt contest.

So congratulations to Rudie from Holland correctly answered that Fanatic won 4 World Cup events in 2008 - World freestyle champ Gollito won Podersdorf and Lanzarote and world number 2 wavesailor Victor Fernandez won in Pozo and Sylt.

Rudie said 'I really like Fanatic because one of their boards got me back in to windsurfing big time!! And they are not through with me because I still want the freewave 86 ltr!'

Rudie - I'll be in contact about the details. Let's see what the rest of the industry can come up with for you guys? I guess you'll shout loudly about what you got from them at the beach  hey? Power to the people! Lets get you some stash.

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 [email protected] stating why you want the shirt and like the brand for when I choose the winners. Thanks.

Sunrise to Sunset

GP gets up early and enjoys Pro-less Ho'okipa. I'm glad he liked yesterday's weather link too...

Windsurf Journal put Kauli And Victor Head-to-Head.

Freestyle film wizard Andre Paskowski announces another new release due March 9th - including 5 new moves from Gollito.

An interview with Josh Angulo at Maui.ee

Some good fun had in Asia with Chris Pressler and the Starboard crew.

Various pics from a heavy session at the 'Isle of Cows' in France including Thomas Traversa, Thierry Belbe'och and Erwan Jauffroy at U-Ride and WIND. (And in another post at WIND.)

Gollito went racing.

Hot Sails have signed a new Speed Sailor.

I see the Starboard Futura Charity Auction has crossed the 2 Thousand bucks mark. I don't know what the charity or cause is? I'll ask them. I wonder if it's something environmental like Surfrider as mentioned in our Poll?

An event to mark something important for Italian readers.

Someone lucky's off to Maui.

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.

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 [email protected] 

Quadimoso

Here's some news from Kauli Seadi in Cabo Verde.

And here's what Josh Angulo says about Kauli and those much talked about Quatro/JP Quad-Fin boards. "Kauli showed up early in Cabo Verde. His hunger to win here again is evident and his sailing is looking up to the task.

Just  as most people are striving to try and mimic his unique style by riding similiar twin fins, Kauli has been sailing here on a  little Quad.

He's shown some clear moments of brilliance on it and looks as though, when he gets them in the groove, that he's got great drive to propel him to where he wants to be on the wave.

All in all , I'd say Kauli is definitely on the extreme edge of R&D, and here in Cabo Verde he will be the main challenger for the title."

Windsurf Journal (French language) have a great story on a great achievement by a great man. (Google translated version here.)

Some nice pics of Chile on the Ezzy Blog.

Nayra Alonso's still in WA on the Starboard shoot. Is McKercher letting one rip in that underwater shot?

Phew. It's hot in here.

Gulp. These'll cool you down.

Hee's some information on the 2009 Raceboard and Mistral One-design World Championships.

Please check back in for more later - and who knows? Maybe I'll announce the first winner of the Fanatic T-Shirt quiz?