Thursday 10^th Jan

The first day of the Lancelin Ocean Classic saw some spectacular windsurfing conditions ideal for the Waves competition with winds up to 25kmph and waves up to 11 foot high.  Windsurfers were in great spirits as they got ready for their heats.

This year there are 4 heats, Masters, Women, Open and Elite the pairs dual to be the champion of the waves.  The competition is judged by the ways in which the riders ride the waves and the quality of the jumps.  A late comer to join in the event was the legendary Peter Volwater which was set to spice things up a little.

During the 4 heats we saw some huge forward loops, back loops and push loops as well as some spectacular wave riding and the event really got exciting when Adam Lewis from the UK did an amazing 2 double forward loops which wowed the judges.

Ben Severne beat Peter Volwater in a spectacular dual to meet Ben Proffitt in the final of the elite competition but Judges are being tight lipped about the winners of the rounds until Saturdays presentations

If you missed it then there is also a great feature on our front page with the guys behind Don’t Let Go.

Lastly, we’ve got this from O’neill, nice!

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Cape Town is the choice of many over the winter and there are a number of options when it comes to clinics, so if you are concerned about heading there for the first time, these guys can be just as good a guide to the location as they are at coaching. However, it is the pros that are catching our attention at the moment. In particular, Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers who has posted a little gallery on facebook, looks like the usual logo high sunset action mixed in with a bit of freestyle on the popular lake.

A slightly different start to the norm for videos. This one is short, very short indeed but for those getting in to windsurfing it’s cool to see people just ripping and having a good time, so enjoy this no move short edit, perhaps even let us know your thoughts on it in the comments below…

Other pro sailors that have ventured south include the likes of Adam Lewis and Phil Horrocks, both of which can also be seen in this great little feature on our front page explaining in minor detail about the backloop.

More on the video front and Keith Teboul is relly one of the most influential figures in what board shapes reach our feet each year. With a strong focus on surfing and a huge talent in windsurfing he combines the two and shows us what some of his board shapes are all about with this nice little clip produced by team rider Levi Siver.

From waves to flat water and this next clip can only be the distinctive style that is Mattia Pedrani. The Italian freestyler mixes up the latest aerial combos with his own invented moves, perhaps that is really pure freestyle…

Back to waves and a mark our words this is a name to remember. Loick Lesauvage in action at his homespot in France, it’s been a while since we have seen such great talent at such a young age, just 12 years old and truly ripping.

Just to wrap up we posted a bit of formlua news from Latvia yesterday, well if that got you thinking that it looks like a bit of fun then check out these great formula racing tips from Steve Sylvester.

Next up in the ‘Wave Tips’ series from Boardseeker, two men known for boosting some of the biggest backies talk you through the technique for this stylish jump…

Check the rest of the Boardseeker Wave Tips series and more here in the wave technique section.

The Boardseeker wave tips series continues as we bring you the ultimate guidance for spinning round a taka, from Adam Lewis and Phil Horrocks.

One of the easier wave moves the taka is an upwind 360 on the wave, preferably after smacking the lip! So have a watch and give it a go…

Photo: Dave White

Check out the previous technique videos on Boardseeker:

• Catching waves with James Cox
• Wave tips top turn with Jamie Hancock
• Push loop with Jamie and John
• Wave Tips with Ben Proffitt
• On shore bottom turn with Phil Horrocks
• Getting out in waves with John Skye
• Forward loops