3
WIND
SURFING
uk
TEZ PLAVENIEKS
OCTOBER 2016
‘Windsurfing? It’s that has-been sport, right?
Where everyone just falls off all the time!’
ED’S NOTE
It’s a familiar comment
and one which should
have gone out of fashion
years ago. The fact is,
however, that far too
many of Joe Public see
windsurfing this way. It’s
not hard to understand.
Many of us only rubber up
to do battle with Mother
Nature when it’s blowing
never been as diverse.
old boots and/or chucking
Sure, the UK is a tricky
it down – not the best
place to be a windsurfer;
kind of weather for
but when you score it’s so
showcasing windsurfing to
fulfilling. These new ways
the masses. And yet,
of sailing could be the
even when you’re only
Credit: Dave White (www.davewhite.photography)
injection we need to draw
blasting back and forth,
riders back into the fold and encourage new recruits.
the dynamism of windsurfing is tangible. But the
Which
is where we come in…
masses never see this. And then there are those of us
already indoctrinated…
As if you needed convincing, we’re still as stoked on
Welcome friends,
we’re so glad you
could attend –
Windsurfing UK #1
lands!
Fickle mind sets about what types of conditions we
prefer, the locations we’d be comfortable riding in and
the type of sailing we want to do. Which, as we all
know, can make life frustrating with the UK’s
changeable climate. Sailors come and go, skills are
pushed by the committed, while responsibilities and
commitments within daily life take over for others,
causing riders to fall off the wagon – it’s a pastime you
have to be involved with to appreciate fully, maybe,
isn’t it? (Who’s tried to explain the concept of
windsurfing to non-sailors?).
Windsurfing is going through a bit of a change at the
moment. Inflatable SUP technology is gunning for us,
while foils continue their unwavering advance. And
then there are developments such as the Arrows
Inflatables iRig (see our review here –
standuppaddlemag.co.uk/2016/07/26/windsup-sailaway-sail-away-arrows-irig-m-inflatable-windsurf-rigreview/), which make those first forays the most
accessible they’ve ever been. Add to the colourful
melee all the usual ways to sail, and windsurfing’s
windsurfing as we ever were. There aren’t many sports
around that give the diversity and plethora of ways to
indulge. Wave sailing, speed sailing, freestyle, formula,
freeride, windSUP and so on – what other sport offers
such a wide variety across all conditions? So yes, we
decided to put out a new windsurfing magazine. One
that focuses on all these new aspects but also serves
to big up our UK water brethren and the people that
are involved in making windsurfing as awesome as it is
in this green and pleasant land. Pros, yes, but also
grass roots riders. Women, kids, dogs and ducks –
they’re all worthy of inclusion here.
Hopefully you’ll see that we’re trying to do something a
bit different with Windsurfing UK. And, as always, if you
have any ideas for articles or fancy getting involved
then feel free to give us a holla – the door’s always
open. For now though it’s time to enjoy autumn and
winter. Maybe we’ll see you out there amongst it. Enjoy
the very first issue of Windsurfing UK, stay tuned to the
website for even more UK windsurfing flavour and, to
quote an old cliché: enjoy the ride!
uk
WIND
SURFING