Report by Simon Hurrey
New moves are now very difficult to invent as most of the possible variations have been tried and eliminated or are already part of the freestyle world. Having said that, there are a few exciting new moves being executed by the world’s best. Double moves are all the fashion with the most impressive being a ‘jumped double’ move rather than the very common sliding double of 2006. Lastly, the most technically difficult moves have been well practiced and are now done with one hand, showing total control throughout the manoeuvre.
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| This guy needs no introduction. The talented El Yaque local was crowned 2006 PWA Freestyle World champion and deservedly so. He showcased his new move, the Burner, at the PWA Fuerteventura event and then went on to win it with some of the best sailing ever seen. Over the winter months he has taken a giant leap forward in his ability, with nearly all who sail with him saying he is “untouchable.” |
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2006 saw Andre take the European Freestyle Pro Tour title. He trains hard in Margarita every winter and it shows. Not an innovator of new tricks but he learns super fast and makes everything look smooth, easy and light. Exceptional in competition, it’s rare to see him fall. |
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The 2005 IFCA World Freestyle Champion continues to impress. One of the best freestylers in the world, he can do some very technical tricks. In 2006 he was unlucky with injury, which meant he did not challenge Andre for the European title but still managed to place 4th in one of the PWA double eliminations in Fuerteventura, knocking out Ricardo Campello in the process. |
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Second in the British Freestyle Championships in 2006, Simon can be seen in Dahab and Vassiliki pushing his own level and having fun. Not the best competition sailor yet, but stands out in any freesailing environment. |
The EFPT Tour has already started with two events in Tarifa & Podersdorf, Austria. Go to EFPT Events for the full list. The PWA Freestyle Tour doesn’t start until July in Lanzarote. For full details go to PWA Events.
Photos courtesy of EFPT, D.Wong, S.Crowther & Neil Pryde. |
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The most impressive variation of this trick is where the front hand is taken off the boom well before the board has left the water. Only a handful of people can do this move consistently.
Few can do this move off a wave, let alone on flat water. Gollito has an incredible amount of style in his one-handed tricks and many will remember the photos from the PWA event in Fuerteventura. He is also landing burners this way so expect to see some incredible footage this season.
Still an elusive move for many, the normal chacho (where the stance is not switched) is hard enough. Here Gollito does it with one hand all the way around - safe and fast.
Although a slide into the second rotation, this one is powerful and fast. The second rotation is one without leaving the water and this type of extra 360 can be added to any switch move to make it a 900 degree manoeuvre. Shakas and flakas also use this extra slide to become 720’s.
You may remember this from the article last year where Remko de Weerd landed this move well before it’s time. Now a few more sailors can do this move consistently so expect them to be seen in competition this season.
Last year’s article featured Normen Guenzlein sliding into the second rotation. Now we see a jump to make it a full flaka rather than a slide. This type of shaka flaka will be a part of many of the top sailors’ routines.
Double jumping moves are hard, especially in choppy water. Gollito not only adds a second jumping rotation but it is a Burner - his own invention that very few can land. Enjoy!
The shuv-it spock is still a difficult trick in the freestyle world. Gollito has taken it a step further and performed the whole rotation in the air. A near impossible feat, especially as the wave he uses is 6 inches high!
