Magical Majanicho .v. Sweaty Sotavento
It started pretty strangely with some rare north shore conditions: Majanicho is one of the best windsurfing waves in the Canaries but normally it only works a few times during the winter and never in the summer. This year was the exception. Whilst the world’s best freestylers' were sweating it out in Sotavento with absolutely no wind, in the north the weird weather produced strong easterly winds and with it some classic wavesailing. The first day was solid logo high in the sets and cross offshore for a 5.0 sail. It didn’t last too long, but it was a golden morning. Next day however the wind stayed around all day, and although the waves were a little smaller it was a great day. So many bottom turns that in the end my arms couldn’t take it any more. Meanwhile in the south the entire PWA crew had three of the hottest (+40˙C), windless days ever!
Traditionally after the end of the Sotavento World Cup we always head north for a few (more) days of North shore sailing. For me it’s one of my favourite places in the world; really relaxed, a good variety of sailing and lots of good friends. This year we stayed with Nicole and Stefan Etienne. They have an amazing life out in Fuerte sailing and surfing everyday plus both of them always seem to be in the middle of some project or another. Stefan recently built a surf board out of bits of tree. Literally the whole board is made from wood, cut into strips, stuck together, then with a layer of glass to make it waterproof. I don’t know how it works on the water but it looks great on the wall!
Stefan Etienne's recent project
Jem & Tatsy
After a few days of chilling we (myself & Nayra) headed back to GC and the conditions just switched on giving almost two weeks of great sailing; waves over head high and wind a least 4.5m everyday. Jem Hall and his friend Tatsy were coming to stay and after almost two weeks of non stop sic sailing it looked like it would switch off when they arrived as the forecast was shocking. However the great summer hadn’t quite finished and they were treated to a perfect week. It started mellow but each day got better and better until the last two days were as good as it gets (again). Jem and Tatsy were stoked!
School Time
Whilst all this was going on I spent every morning at school trying to improve my Spanish. I certainly learnt a lot, but it now seems that I learnt so much I am almost more confused than I was in the first place, although I am sure it will all sink in eventually. The great thing is that I can now understand a lot better which makes life so much nicer in the Canaries. It’s the most frustrating thing to want to communicate with people and not be able to. I am still miles away from really understanding, but at least now I have a certificate!
The Movie
Anyway with so much good sailing we actually got around to spending a moment on the beach filming. Normally when its good nobody wants to film, but this time we were happy for a little break and actually managed to get some good action. We still obviously missed all the best days though! Anyway check out the video, I hope you enjoy it.
Now it’s pretty busy for the next two months with the PWA Tour heading to Brazil, Germany, Tiree and then hopefully Maui too. Let’s hope the windy summer turns into a windy autumn!
John
