DVD Review - Robbie Swift – K89
 Robbie
introduces us to his explosive video with a number
of confusing and brain contorting manoeuvres ranging
from monstrous back loops that we all recognise at
Hookipa to the board spinning, sail flicking, skatey
slidey tricks that should not be taken too seriously.
Watch out for the huge shuv it spocks, shaka’s
and contorted flaka variations in the first chapter
before moving onto the next chapters: filmed at Pozo
and Fuerteventura.
Here we witness the form that got Robbie through
so many heats at the PWA World Cups in 2003, demonstrating
exactly why he is one of the world’s best as
he revels in the balistic conditions.
This video will inspire wannabe freestylers and leave
those content with the more normal aspects of windsurfing
in awe. The music during the Canarian section may be
mellow, the action is anything but.
To prove that he is not just a world class freestyler
our hero takes us to his winter home, Maui, to demonstrate
that he is pretty handy in the waves too. The music
in this section is probably not as suited as the original
tune used, Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes,
but was probably a fair bit easier to get the rights
too it. The soundtrack is good none the less. From
Hookipa Robbie moves up the road to mast and a half
high Lanes, where the young Swift carves up some powerful
wave with apparent ease.
Half way through the DVD, I find myself wondering
if there is a move that he cannot do. The Bonaire section
certainly slows things down a little, but the moves
still happen quicker than you can say Switch Stance
Clew First Flaka Diablo Pirouette. We also get to see
some of the action from his freestyle compatriots including
Ricardo Campbello, dancing across the smooth turquoise
water making it all look stupidly simple, inspiring
or just plain rude, I will let you decide. It is a
100% action video, perhaps not a classic when compared
to the original Polakow video or Robbie Naish RIP,
but there is still plenty of time for Robbie to become
a legend and it is great to see such a talented British
windsurfer in action. The DVD is definitely something
you can impress your friends with, although I strongly
recommend that you do not let them watch you windsurf
afterwards, unless of course you are Ricardo Campbello
or Kauli Seadi et al.
BONUS SECTION
Since David Swift, Robby’s younger brother,
did a load of the editing and production, it is only
right that we see some of Dave in peak form with some
slick aerial freestyle routines and smooth waves to
sell your soul for. This brings the DVD to an inspiring
conclusion.
DVD Review - Peter Hart : Serious About Waves 1
 In
complete contrast to the Robbie Swift DVD, Serious
About Waves is all about technique. With the help of
Nik Baker, Chris Audsley, Daidia Ruana Moreno amongst
others, Peter uses his usual entertaining style, wit
and excellent instructional ability to coach the viewer
into the finer aspects of wave sailing. The video covers
everything from getting out through the white water,
flare gybing a wave board, smacking a lip, assessing
the conditions and reading a wave.
This is a good video for people who are looking to
move onto a waveboard for the very first time or someone
moving on from coastal mush to proper reef or beach
break conditions. From Ireland to Pozo to Hookipa there
are a lot of tips and advice that will make the first
daunting steps easier. Peter also demonstrates first
hand what not to do at Hookipa, how to recover from
a nasty looking situation and how to set your gear
up properly. The video is fairly lengthy and broken
down into manageable sections that can be used easily
for reference.
Whilst the DVD has excellent instructional value,
we would have liked to see some more varied action
shots rather than the same ones used over and over
again, to inspire as well as break down the moves.
If you are an intermediate to advanced windsurfer
going on your first ever wavesailing trip away from
your home break, then this is must have video to let
you know what to expect. With advice from Nik Baker
and Scott Sanchez, there are tips that even aspiring
Pro’s could take good notice of! Oh and for those
closet Peter Hart fans amongst you, it’s another
to add to your secret collection.
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