Sportif have launched their all new website for 2013 to mark their 30th year anniversary. With in depth guides to over 50 of the top windsurfing holiday destinations around the world, you can find out all about local conditions, kit available at the centres, options for rental and instruction, other things to do and great photos. The offers page gives a choice of latest deals with descriptions of the sailing spot and conditions  as well as types of accommodation available. To make it super easy you can search for a holiday by date, level of ability or extras such as clinics, multisport, family or luxury spa hotels. You’ll also find details the Sportif Windsurf clinics with top professional windsurf coaches Jem Hall, Simon Bornhoft and Peter Hart plus new multi activity weeks including mountain biking

Plus to celebrate the New Year, if you sign up to their Facebook page here they’ll give you £50 OFF per person on your next board hire.  You’ll have to hurry though it’s only valid until 31st January.

For details call Sportif on 01273 844919 or see www.sportif.travel

Rewarded

Gollito Rewarded

Gollito may have missed out on the World Title in 2011, but he was back with a vengeance  in 2012. Gollito performed at every event, in every heat to take the World Title with an impressive three wins out of three.

As the champion was crowned the movie by Andre Paskowski documenting the life of Gollito was also released. Rewarded is a true labour of love from the multi talented Paskowski who continues to inspire many with his moving videos. Is this the movie and moment of the year for you?

Philip Koster

World Wave Champs Crowned

Philip Koster and Iballa Moreno were crowned World Wave Champions in 2012; Koster taking his second title at age just 19 and in awe inspiring fashion, whilst Iballa Moreno sailed better than she ever has before to beat her sister Daida in many tense finals.

David vs Goliath

Koster had been unbeaten for more heats that anyone could count, but on one light wind day in Klitmoller he was finally beaten in the double elimination super final by Thomas Traversa of France. In his first PWA event win Traversa scored solidly, whereas Koster couldn’t get a second high ride, this secured the event win for Traversa taking down the man some thought couldn’t be beaten.

Bernd Roediger

Rise of the New School

On the other side of the pond the AWT held a great tour, culminating in an epic event at Ho’okipa. Throughout the series Camille Juban had been the one to watch, he took the overall title, but it was the final of the pro men in Ho’okipa that through up a few surprises. Kevin Pritchard made it through to the final, bucking the trend and using a single fin, but he was beaten in the double elimination final by 16 year old Bernd Roediger. Could the young Hawaiian challenge Koster for the title if event locations were a little more varied?

Josh Angulo and Bjorn Dunkerbeck, collision!

Angulo vs Bjorn – The Take Down!

Every slalom heat on the PWA tour is a battle, with most of the top racers being fairly big, powerful guys who are not going to back down at a gybe mark. Whilst this makes racing very hard, it definitely adds some excitement for spectators. One of the most unbelievable moments in 2012 came from Josh Angulo, who when he was pushed tight at the first buoy by Dunkerbeck seemed to sail straight into him, slicing his sail in two from leech to luff! The image below shows a little but anyone who saw the incident live will remember just how spectacular it was!

Dorian van Rijsselberghe

London (well, Weymouth) 2012

The Olympic racing may not be every windsurfers cup of tea, but in 2012 the RS:X class provided a true spectacle of our sport in Weymouth. Dorian van Rijsselberghe did not just win gold, the 24 year old out performed the whole fleet with an unbelievable amount of bullets giving him the gold with one race to go. Though he couldn’t be caught Nick Dempsey was hot on his tail and took a silver medal to add to his bronze from Athens. In the women’s fleet Marina Alabau stormed to victory in the stronger winds of Weymouth. All in all we think the windsurfing at the Olympics was absolutely outstanding, do you agree?

Olympics Reborn! 

After the despair of earlier in the year as windsurfing was voted out of the Olympics in a shock decision, the sport gathered together like never before to push for windsurfing to be reinstated. After a few long and hard months of lobbying, tough decisions and lots of work from many another vote was taken and in a twist of fate windsurfing took the Olympic spot back from windsurfing.

Antoine Albeau

World Speed Records

Antoine Albeau, one very small canal, one even smaller board and a lot of wind lead to the world speed record being absolutely smashed at the end of the year. Albeau was joined by a couple of others to take the record well over, but it was the big Frenchman that finally pushed it all the way to 52.05knots. For the women Zara Davis also pushed the world record to incredible new speeds.

Now have your vote and use the comments below to let us know your opinions!

Did you tick other? What windsurfing moment made your year that we haven’t mentioned? There are many more windsurfing stars and events that we wanted to add to our shortlist, but unfortunately there just wasn’t room; what do you think should have made it? Drop us a comment below to tell us what your top windsurfing moment of 2012 was.

In the end it was Adam Sims from the UK who took the award with a pro-active performance as both a competitor and an event organiser.

We caught up with Hanna Poschinger, EFPT Press Officer and Tour Manager for a few words about the competition and the final winner:

“We had a fantastic time this year on the tour, there was a lot of support from the industry, the event organisers and the competitors themselves. The idea behind this competition was to help highlight the supporting industry brands of the EFPT and to promote the sailors and the tour through the public vote. We had a number of important characters from all over Europe within the draw, which saw almost 1,200 LIKES and 250 SHARES. Our final winner really deserved it due to his consistent and great overall result (8th place) but also for being a huge driving force as one of the organisers of the final EFPT stop in Weymouth, England. This was also a first for the UK and we hope to return there at the end of this year. Congratulations to all the nominees and competitors on this years European Freestyle Pro Tour.”

An interview and more is promised on efpt.net soon.

Further to this Rick Jendrusch became the EFPT Rookie of the Year after showing some impressive sailing throughout 2012. However, many will remember his come back at the King of the Wind event in the UK where he charged his way past many high profile freestylers to finish 4th. His level continues to improve fast and we look forward to seeing him back in action on the EFPT and PWA next year.

Jendrusch flying high at the EFPT stop in France

The EFPT competitors and crowds gather

Tonky Frans makes a guest appearance in France and wows the crowds with this spectacular pushloop off the smallest wave!

Photos – Raffi Cherbedjian

We are going to leave it that for the last video, and the last news post comes from some UK action, Adam Sims has been scoring it at his homespot in Camber by the looks of it, although know pictures/video yet… Check the latest update on www.adamsims.com.

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Well here it is ladies and gents, our last news post before the brief Christmas break. So where do we start… well how about a bit of home ground action, yes the UK and much of Europe’s West coast will come alive this next week as big fronts and decent swells rip across the Atlantic to provide an almost Autumnal week ahead. Exciting times for many as they weigh up the prospect of family against windsurf time, the question is what will you choose, let us know in the comments below…

With the big day just around the corner, let’s fire up a couple clips that have cropped up over the weekend. The first is of the perfect freestyle spot that is Camocim, a number of clips have come out of there lately but this one really focuses on the locals and their outstanding abilities! Introducing Hugo de Souza (15), Josè Santos (17) and Jamilson (19) as well as a cheeky flash of the PWA freestyler Edvan de Souza.

Up next is the other place that has been hitting our screens a lot over the last few weeks, Chile. It looks like Robby Swift has been joined by all the boys at some point or another as another edit comes out from Clive Boden who pieced together this one that features Ricardo Campello, Robby Swift and more. Watch them catching endless lines at Matanzas.

Totally addicted to windsurfing? Well this guy is, and this is part 2.

Up next is just a short clip but it comes from a talented young UK windsurfer, Nic Hibdige. Spending his wintery weeks in Bonaire, he literally just released this super clean shaka late last night. It looks like the Caribbean islands are no let down then. Certainly one to keep an eye on Nic also has a blog which will soon become a website, watch this space.

That’s about it this morning but head back later for the final wrap of the day.

This year has been filled with many incredible windsurfing movies; Rewarded by Andre Paskowski is without a doubt one of the stand out freestyle movies, but now Flo Jung, a team of editors and riders have released a stand out wavesailing movie too. After two years of hard work Boardseeker catches up with the riders of Don’t Let Go to find out more about the making of the movie. 

Robby Swift in Chile. Image credit Pablo Berrios.

Robby Swift – The Injury Curse

Instead of “Don’t Let Go”, the name of the movie would rather be: “Should have let go!” The crew of the film has been plagued with injuries trying to go big to go for the movie, right from the start when Flo had the idea to make this project, he injured his ankle in Cabo Verde. Then Flo got better and Boujma almost killed himself trying a triple forward in Maui.

In the summer we had a good run in the Canaries injury free on the PWA. I then went to Chile and broke my foot really badly and had to have an operation. I was able to go to Klitmoller to commentate on the event, even though I was on crutches still and there, Flo broke his knee doing a massive back loop.

We split up after Sylt; I went back to Maui to do my rehab, Flo did his in Germany. Finally in April we were all sailing together again and had a few good days of filming when Boujmaa broke his foot, the same injury as mine. Finally everyone was back on track and we managed to finish our last part in Peru all together.

My favourite locations were Maui and Chile. We had a sick swell in Chile this year at Punta De Lobos which was amazing and Maui had one of the windiest winters for a very long time, so we got in a LOT of sailing.

It’s very different from any other windsurfing movie I have seen so far. It is more emotional and more personal than any other video I have seen so I really like that about it.

My wife Heidy was one of the main filmers, Manuel Grafenauer was the main editor and Leon Jamaer also helped edit the final parts. Flo was the driving force behind the movie. He has been working really hard, over the past 6 months especially!

Boujmaa Guilloul. Image credit John Carter.

Boujmaa Guilloul - Gold Sessions

It is the first windsurfing movie I’ve been seriously involved in, we all dream about the perfect one, the one that will mark the history of windsurfing, action, lifestyle, editing, music and emotions, elements that make difference between all. Once you get the perfect set up, then you can make un unforgettable DVD, that you  will watch over and over again.

It has been really hard for us, to find funds and to realise our visions on film. We are working with a tight budget to get around and film together.

We had the idea of it back at Cape Verde contest in November, where Flo started filming, then we saw each other in Maui again, talking more seriously about it, and there it went; we filmed a couple sets and we continued trough the PWA tour.

I think we captured already some “gold sessions” and I am especially looking forward to see the Morocco part finalised.

You can expect different styles of windsurfers with very different motivations and backgrounds.

I loved pretty much everywhere we filmed, all the spots were good fun windsurfing, all different, but I always love my place, which is my personal favourite spot.

Camille Juban in Maui. Image credit Jimmie Hepp.

Camille Juban – A True Documentation

It began when Flo told me about the idea of making a film expressing the message to others to follow their dreams and “don’t let go”.

We don’t want to show another windsurf movie just with good action and  perfect conditions, it’s more about a true documentation of windsurfers and their life as a pro, travelling around the world to follow their dreams with all ups and downs; I hope you enjoy it.

Flo Jung pulling a goiter. Image credit Jimmie Hepp.

Check out the Facebook page for the latest updates: www.facebook.com/DLGWindsurf or visit the Don’t Let Go website for more and to purchase www.dontletgo-movie.com.

Manu at work. Image credit Maxime Houyvet.

The last of the news today comes from the MTB scene. The Athertons are highly famous in the world of mountain biking and alongside their sponsors Red Bull, they’ve teamed up to produce this little masterpiece.

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Today we open with a bit of quality. We have followed the progress for the Ghosts of Speed Movie from the beginning and now their official trailer is out and the full video has hit the shelves in a number of stores. So if you like what you see then head on over to www.gosmovie.com to find out how you can get your hands on it, or you can hold fire until the 15th January when there will be a digital download copy online.

Neilpryde have been making headlines with their racing series and now with their 2012 tours wrapped up they have released this final report from the events and the support of the tours from Jaguar. What’s more they are looking forwards to an even stronger tour in 2013, so watch this space.

Over on the PWA World Tour many riders are still awaiting the much anticipated 2013 tour calendar, in the meantime the press officer remains busy as he realeses this nice interview with one of the top Fanatic wave sailors – Leon Jamaer.

Up next, these aerial freestyle moves are reaching insane new levels lately. Many were wondering about the progression after many new moves were invented in the last couple of years, well put those thoughts aside as it looks like air and style is in the house. After posting the air Kabikuchi from Jacopa Testa yesterday, UK freestyler Max Rowe threw this out there!!! Hugo De Souza is making quite a name for himself as he launches in to breathtaking moves which even the likes of Gollito struggle to perform. However, the struggle is really on Hugo as he desperately seeks the sponsorship needed to attend some of the PWA events next year. Here you can help towards making this dream become a reality by donating on a webpage created for him by the Swiss freestyler, Loick Spicher. Just to help convince a little further, a recent video of Hugo in action.

For those who are a fan of the popular Wapala mag, the latest issue has now been released with a round up of water-sports action that took place in November. Check it out.

To wrap up the morning update, we couldn’t wait until this afternoon to show this, so we are switching things around for today. Surfing also just hit a new level, double aerial moves, why not!

For that little extra something we head over to the Billabong Pipe Masters, the final stop of the Vans Triple Crown tour and the location where Joel Parkinson became the new Surfing ASP World Champion, just pipping Kelly Slater to the post.

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Kicking off this morning we have the one and only Jem Hall who has been in touch about some last minute coaching clinics, perhaps a great Christmas present idea…

Also spotted on C7 was this!!! A move that has been spreading across social media like lightning, Jacopa Testa performs the best freestyle windsurfing move we’ve seen in a long time, a full on air Kabikuchi!

Finally, the inaugural RS:One World Championship in Boracay, Philippines wrapped up on Saturday following five thrilling days of action. Three world champions were decided on the final day. The 2012 Olympic Gold medalist, Marina Alabau from Spain won the women’s division, Philippines’ Geylord Coveta took the men’s and Chun Ting Lee from Hong Kong won the Espoir men’s title. For the final report click here.

The second video comes from the world of SUP. There is one or two windsurfing shots in there as well but the SUP action is pretty awesome, big waves, radical turns and a bit of trickery sums it up nicely.

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Good morning all, according to the Mayan Calendar this could be our last week of windsurfing news, so lets make it the best yet. Actually we are not so convinced by all this Mayan malarkey but if you so wish please feel free to leave your comments about it below.

Swiftly moving on then and looking ahead to the 2016 Olympics we have a video of hope from the Bic Techno 293 scene. Many of the stars from tomorrow will pass through the 293 class in their campaign to race for their country so it seems only to appropriate to post this video after the recent reinstatement of windsurfing in the Olympic Games.

From a re-birth to a saddening loss. It was a little under a year ago that the french wave sailor Vincent Mellouet was taken from his family and friends in a tragic windsurfing accident on the south coast of France. In that time many memorials have taken place and now his long term girlfriend Blandine Fort has produced this clip to remember his last trip to Fuerteventura. Sail, My Love… is a moving tribute and a reminder that we should always keep safe on the water.

Moving to the safety of flat water. Well perhaps not so safe after you see this video. Speed sailing has been hot news lately due to the records that have been broken and re-broken during the Namibia speed event. In this next video we catch up with Antonine Albeau as he talks about what it is like to blast down a narrow trench at 52 knots!

The final video for the early update today comes from the Carro in the south of France. A few videos of late from there which can only mean that conditions have been firing. For those who are a fan of the point of view angle then this chest mount gives a great onboard perspective.

That’s all for the early update, apologies for the slight technical issues which resulted in the belated news today but join us later for a few more snippets.

Antoine Albeau

Name: Antoine Albeau

Sail number:F192

Date of birth: 17/06/72

Born in: La Rochelle

Currently living: ile de Ré, France

Sponosors: RRD, NeilPryde, Quiksilver, Ford Autovital, Sosh Orange

Discipines: All

Top results: 20 x World champ, World Speed Record 49.09kts

Nicknames: Tonio

Describe your style on the water: Free but very technical

Favourite spot: Maui, Caledonia, Guadeloupe, ile de Ré

Current favourite board and sail: Right now it will be my 4.8 and my little RRD custom 40cm for the speed !!

Best memory from 2012: My come back for the 1st place in Turkey and Sylt!!

What do you think helped you win the title? My concentration and focus on the race all year long.

How did you celebrate? Lots of champagne!

What are your plans for the winter? A big party again at the boat show on the 9th Dec; you are all welcome!!!

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Strengths I think are my competitiveness and concentration on events, and weaknesses….ask all the others.

What skills would you like to have from another competitor? Hummmmm I don’t know, I think I am not too bad as I got the win !!!

All images: PWA / John Carter.

Getting the most our of your gear is incredibly important; John Skye shares his tips on trimming your outhaul to get just the right amount of power.

Photo: Dave White

Check out the previous technique videos on Boardseeker:

• The taka with Phil Horrocks
• 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

Photo: Dave White/ BWA