Online Windsurfing Magazine News, Humour and Action

Editor's Ramble

The spring is upon us and soon we will be out every weekend under sunny skies sailing in warm winds. Ummm....anyway, back to reality:

	You're going to love this! NEW this month, the Boardseeker JUMP OFF where you decide who wins! Enter your vote and win the Champions Sail!
	GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS! Check out our exclusive interview with Nayra Alonso, the hottest chick on the PWA Tour & of course Boardseeker Babes continues...
	BOYS, BOYS, BOYS! Make their day & head to the Problem Page where you can vote for your hunk in our NEW Online Poll.
	Ever heard of the Conka Tack? Well, it's not that hard and it sure looks cool. Head straight to Technique for your first lesson.

Click the subscribe button to ensure you get the NEXT issue coming out mid-April.

Louise Emery.

Wipeout-of-the-month

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Well, if there ever was an excuse to include audio within our wipeout-of-the-month this has to be it as the Editor practices her French whilst ducking for her life during a filming expedition in Cape Town.

Download Wipeout Video:

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If you have any spectacular wipe-outs caught on camera that are worthy of public viewing please let us know about them: wipeouts@boardseeker.com

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New Olympic Board:
Cost & Availability

Although unconfirmed, it looks likely that the first RS:X boards and rigs will probably arrive in the UK in March but numbers will be very small and will be allocated to riders chosen by the RYA (Royal Yachting Association).

The price is estimated to be around £2400 - £2500 including VAT for the complete board and rig. That’s approximately 3500 Euro OR 4700 dollars.
There is already a waiting list for this board so anyone wanting one should email sarahR@ultrasporteu.com

It is not anticipated that 'spare capacity' for this board will be available until late June 2005, but all efforts are being made to ensure that the board is available as quickly as possible.

For more info on the board, go to www.ultrasporteu.com and click on the link to Neil Pryde Windsurfing.

FIRST UK Oxbow Store!

Head to Tunbridge Wells to visit the FIRST EVER Oxbow Shop.

Having recently been voted “Best Surf Brand” in Men’s Fitness and “Best Technical Outdoor Brand” in Maxim, they must be doing something right! They also sponsor UK Superstar Robby Swift. Boardseeker readers will know all about him as he keeps us up to date with his world wide travels & conquests in his monthly column. What you may not know is that Robby, when home, lives very near Tunbridge Wells so if you’re lucky (girls) you may get to see him shopping at his favourite shop!

Oxbow, along with Robby, is 20 years old this year so expect lots of exciting offers in store (to do with the clothes, not Robby!)

Oxbow will open its doors on Thursday 24th March at 7 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Could you be a Windsurf Club Manager?

Would you like to organise windsurfing & kitesurfing lessons, beach safety, kit hire and social events all from West Wittering Windsurfing Club right on the beach?
Are you a fully qualified windsurfing instructor with up to date qualifications and have experience working in UK centres or abroad?
Can you work between March and October 2005?

If yes to all three, then you better give Simon Bassett a call on 0774 775 8883 or 01243 512552 or you can email him at simonb2xs@aol.com

World Exclusive Interviews!

Bjorn Dunkerbeck moves to North Sails!

The full story and interviews with Raoul Joa, Jimmy Diaz and Bjorn Dunkerbeck.

Making the Change

UK Olympic medalist Nick Dempsey has just had his first sample of Formula racing at the 2005 Calema Mid-winters in Florida. We caught up with him to see what he thought of Formula and to check how he is getting on with the transition from long board to hybrid.

Why are you doing Formula?
The reason for sailing Formula is simply because I have no experience at sailing that sort of board. The RS:X sails very much like a Formula board so I am using it to bridge the gap from Mistral to RS:X. Also the tactics are very different, less tacking and staying in wind is so much more important than on a Mistral.

How much training have you done so far?
Not too much. I have picked my days to go sailing but due to the lack of wind, have lost a bit of time. If the wind is OK for training I will always try to sail between 4 and 5 hours.

Are you trying to put weight on?
My main aim at the moment is to put on weight. I have been training hard in the gym. I was 68kg in Athens, I'm now 76kg.

How was your speed against the Formula superstars e.g. Antoine Albeau etc?
It was my first ever Formula event so I was looking forward to the new challenge. I was surprised at how well I was going. Not quite the speed of the top guys but I wouldn't expect to be anywhere near them yet.

What are your plans and goals for this year?
This year my aim is to get up to weight and learn as much as I can. I am a long way behind the Formula guys so I am looking at putting in some serious hours on the water.

What, in your opinion, are the main differences between racing Formula and Mistral?
On Mistral the speed differences were so small. On the Formula there is quite a bit of difference even at the top level. The lack of pumping on the Formula makes it very equipment dependent.

What is the hardest thing you have found so far about Formula?
Spending money, it costs so much!

Are you enjoying Formula more than Mistral?
It's not the fact that I enjoy it more. It's just a change and when you do the same thing every day the change is nice. I do miss the racing on the Mistral. Formula is just not as close or as tactical.

What have you heard so far about the RS:X?
The sail is very powerful and the sailor weight is expected to be around 80kg. The first boards are likely to arrive in late May so I’ve been told.

Reef Competition


Andreanna is playing hide & seek with her best friend. She has to look away while Annie runs away and hides. Can you help find Annie in this magazine? If you do, you could win a a pair of Mick Fanning Reef Flip flops with contoured footbed, 360 degree heel airbag AND a built in bottle opener!		The NEW REEF Fanning Flip Flop with bottle opener!