The Tushingham Superlight CDS: the first differential stiffness windsurfing mast of the modern era. It is has an extra 20% ‘sideways stiffness’ so the mast bends less sideways.
What does this mean on the water? The sail is working more efficiently and will retain more power to see you through the lulls and give you an extra ‘squirt’ in the gusts. Result: you go faster!!
This 100% carbon fibre mast can be used with existing sails as long as the IMCS number is compatible and comes between 400 – 580cm lengths.
Into speed? Then get your pennies out!
Diary Dates: UKWA Freewave 2005
You DON’T have to be a superstar to enter so if you clicked 'Not good enough' in our recent poll then think again.
WAVE: If you can ride the waves (top turn, bottom turn) and do a table top or a loop then you will be fine in the MEN’S fleet. Women just need to have a solid jump and be able to ‘snake’ up and down the wave.
FREESTYLE: If you can vulcan and do plenty of carving tricks you blend in fine even in the MEN’s Pro fleet! For women think heli tacks, 360’s and duck gybes.
Come on! It’s plenty of fun and you get to sail in some awesome locations.
UK Wave Champs (Pros & Amateurs)
Two events to count towards overall ranking:
Rhosneigr (port tack): 5-8 May
Bigbury (starboard tack): 10-13 Sept
UK Freestyle Champs (Pros & Amateurs):
Sandbanks, Poole: 15-18 Sept
Triple Crown (Pros & Amateurs):
3 disciplines at one event: Waves, Freestyle, Super X in Tiree, Scotland (both tacks possible!): 15-22 Oct.
Come and join us!
The Sultan of Shoreham makes his long awaited return to windsurfing!!
In the late Autumn of 2003, UKWA free wave competitor and south coast wave sailor Mark Warren was involved in a serious motorcycle accident.
A collision with an on coming car left Mark with injuries including 2 broken arms, a broken foot, a fractured skull and a broken femur. The break in the femur required a metal rod to be inserted inside his bone which left Mark pretty immobile for 12 months.
Well the good news is that thanks to modern medicine and a lot of hard work in physio, Mark is finally back windsurfing. His first sail in a two and a half year break was on an 8.3m North Daytona and a 161L Mistral explosion at the F2 Speed Challenge at Weymouth courtesy of 604 who have remained his sponsor despite his absence from the sport. Mark ensures us that he will be back on his wave kit as soon as conditions allow and that he intends to defend his title as "The Sultan of Shoreham" when the UKWA freewave event returns to those shores later this year!
Irish Windsurfing Festival: 29th April - 2nd May
Where: Belmullet, County Mayo For who: Everybody!!
Free windsurfing and wave sailing clinics all based from the Irish Watersports Centre (U.I.S.C.E). Contact Mandy or Laiose to book your 3 night’s full board for 120 euros. Tel. 097 82111 or email eolas@uisce.com
May is a great month at this windsurfing mecca as it means no crowds (on or of the water), great weather and being the first to sample their massive range of brand new Fanatic, Starboard and Tabou kit. They have also switched to Gaastra with over 350 sails and brand new 55% carbon masts and booms.
Deals: 8-15 May £299, 15-22 May £325
Don't forget: Kids Club at Club Vass
With specialist performance kids’ kit and dedicated instructors. They also have full crèche facilities for the younger ones.
Win a Starboard scholarship for a week’s instruction on Bonaire (Women only!)
When: July 17-25 Where: Diva Women’s Windsurf Week, Bonaire
Three scholarships are up for grabs to join Petra Kanz, Beth Powell Winkler and group co-coordinator Ann Phelan on a windsurf trip to the Carribean Island of Bonaire. The week includes a 3 day clinic for all levels on the latest Starboard kit including the NEW Diva Carve Board. Plus Yoga classes, spa massage and sunset power walks (!) to keep you in shape and looking good.
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Did you invent the move yourself? Yes. I was actually trying to learn the Spock 720 the way Tonky (Frans) does them. One time I was about to get around on my first spock and noticed
already that I was not going to get even close to the second slide. As an act of frustration I pushed the board into the water and whilst flipping the sail the board just popped out of the water!!!
How long did it take to learn?
I can still not control them on choppy water. But on perfectly flat water, with enough wind & speed they work quite ok. I hope I will be able to show some nice ones in Bonaire as they are probably going to be quite high scoring.
What’s next?
At the moment there are no new moves in the pipeline and even if there
were I would probably not tell you!
For sure there will be a lot of combinations of the Spock 900 now, maybe a diablo on the second one…..(he’s lost us now)
The Superstars come out to play for the first round of PWA Super X in Leucate.
Super X continues and now all the superstars want a go! Josh Angulo has been frantically practising his spocks, loops and duck gybes on those rare flat water days in Maui. Micah Buzianis is another legend who fancies a go. Kevin Pritchard has been training hard and says he has his spocks almost sorted. But of course his brother, Matt, will be determined to hold onto his 2004 World Title. The event starts 19th April. Full report next issue.
PHOTO of Leucate by Vincent Duchemin
Are you a betting man? Boardseeker Super X Tips for 2005 ?
Name: Matt Pritchard Team: Gaastra, Tabou Sail No: US 10
Hardly surprising that an ex-freestyle world champion and top ex-racer got the number one spot in 2004. An
aptitude for racing and tactics combined with a reputation of consistency will see him top 3 or better this year.
Name: Antoine Albeau Team: Neil Pryde,AHD Sail No: F 192
Antoine definitely had to work hard in the lighter conditions where his weight hindered him. But his
racing experience (2004 world champion) and freestyle experience (2001 world champion) combine to make him hard to beat. We call Champion for 2005!
Name: Robbie Swift Team: Neil Pryde, JP Sail No: K89
Robbie was a contender for the overall title right up to the last event. Having
to compete in freestyle and keep his weight down could affect his overall speed however his super competitive nature should keep him up there. Top 5 we reckon.
Name: Cyril Moussilmani Team: Simmer, Fanatic Sail No: F 71
Perhaps not so many will have heard of this French man but he was one of the few that
specifically trained for Super X last season. Consequently he led for the first few events last year and that was without the Fanatic Hawk, their specific Super X board. Top 3 finisher.
Name: Nik Baker Team: North, Mistral Sail No: K66
If Nik had not been off with an injury for a year, then he would have been the perfect candidate to be world
champion last season. His recent winter training has also been scrapped this year because of a shoulder injury sustained at the Indoor Event in London. If he can get training in time and up to speed then we predict a top 5 finish.
Name: John Skye Team: Arrows, F2 Sail No: K 57
Skye Boy is sailing better than ever now and also has a much quicker board from F2 to compete on. He won
some races last year so he can beat the world’s best. He’s just got to do it a few more times to guarantee a top 5 finish. Definitely a top 10 finisher.
Name: Kevin Pritchard Team: Maui Sails, Starboard Sail No: US 3
He only did one event last year. His speed was phenomenal, his spocks were awful!
This winter he has been training hard on that pesky move. Top 10 finisher for sure.
Josh is taking Super X seriously and says he wouldn’t do it unless he feels he is within World
Title Contention. With a prototype Angulo board and hours of flat water practise in Maui not to forget his background in Slalom, Josh could well be the best bet of the season.
Poll results
Thank you to everyone who voted in our online poll last month. We asked the question:
What is the main reason that you don't compete at windsurfing events?
Your answers were:
I do
102
I don’t have time
38
I don’t want to travel
13
I’m not competitive
47
It’s too expensive
36
I’m not good enough
218
I could be persuaded
44
Other
34
My formula debut - in at the deep end!
As a new look at competition this month we find out from Paul Simmons how his first Formula competition went.
Win [342K]
Mac [347K]
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