ED’S NOTE 3
WIND
SURFING
uk
TEZ PLAVENIEKS
DECEMBER 2019
GOOD VIBES
Is it me or is
windsurfing
enjoying another
mini renaissance?
Maybe you think
the editor of a
windsurfing mag
would suggest
something like this.
But you can’t argue
against the
numbers of
attendees at
recent comps, such as the Tiree Wave Classic, the
Cornwall Wave Classic (particularly the masters
division), the UK Freestyle Champs as well as
sailors from the UK making sojourns across to
European events (see Any Stuart-William’s Hoorn
write up in this issue). Couple this with beaches
being rammed on any given forecast, even when
it’s been sluicing down, and as a sport windsurfing
looks healthy.
There’s an abundance of quality kit currently available,
some of which ends up being (more) affordable on the
second hand market. And let’s be honest, a new
purchase is great incentive to get afloat. Inspiration is
also everywhere you look. Social media streams,
websites, magazines and other media are so readily
available it certainly helps prod sailors with sticks to
entice them onto the brine.
Possibly the inclusion of surfing in the Olympics and
the recent announcement that foil will replace RS:X in
2024 is also playing a part? Everyone wants to be part
of the ‘scene’. Maybe.
I’ve also witnessed first hand rider skill levels
increasing. There’s a lot more ‘performance’
happening, and I don’t mean just jumps and loops.
Twitter:
@tezwoz
Instagram:
@tez_plavenieks_sup_wind
Photos:
James Jagger
Everything from gybes to wave rides seems to have
gone through the roof. It’s nice to see.
So how to keep this enthusiasm through winter? That’s
a toughie and depends so much on Mother Nature’s
moods. If we get a mild, windy one then possibly the
above will continue. If it’s Baltic and hard to score
sessions then the wheels fall off. Enthusiasm for
scoring sessions certainly wanes if air temps plummet.
A good quality wetsuit, will of course, help you combat
the elements. Also, picking and choosing your sessions
wisely will help. Middle of the day riding, for instance,
will be much warmer than heading out first thing.
Drying your rubber well will also pay dividends. Nobody
wants to step into a frost crusted wetty! No matter how
good conditions look…
Winter can be a tough time of year in the UK if you’re
salt water obsessed. Keep the faith though and who
knows, maybe you’ll enjoy a decent season. If not,
then fear not as before you know it the clocks will
change again and the sniff of spring will be in the air.
Thanks for all your support of WSUK this year. Have a
good ‘un and we’ll back in print form come NY 2020.
Enjoy your windsurfing!
uk
WIND
SURFING