WindsurfingUK issue 14 March 2020 | Page 3

ED’S NOTE 3 WIND SURFING uk TEZ PLAVENIEKS FEBRUARY 2020 RIP DANNY SEALES: 1973-2020 I never met Danny Seales. I do know him as one of those riders you always heard about; a ripper, a legend and cheeky, friendly chappy. Hailing from Shoreham, learning his windsurfing craft with the likes of Nik Baker Danny made the move to Fuerte where he quickly stamped his signature all over Cotillo – one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world. Having taken up kiting, and quickly proving himself as a top rider in that discipline, Danny established himself on the island as one of the best. (He was a pretty good surfer too by all accounts). I learned about Danny’s recent passing via Corky Kirkham’s FB stream. It’s hard for everyone to accept Danny has now moved on. Not least because he was only in his 40s and leaves a daughter, India, behind. Danny will be remembered with great fondness, leaving a legacy of top quality watermanship in his wake. His life may have been cut short but from all I know he lived it to the full. We should all do the same. Rest in peace Danny Seales. The best time I know I say this a lot but there’s definitely an air of positivity and drive surrounding windsurfing at the moment. Just look at the evidence. New brands popping up with big name team riders (AV Boards recently signed Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Jacopo Testa) whilst Exocet/XO partnered with Julien Quentel and both brands got involved with the PWA (again for the latter). And talking about big signings and the PWA, Naish made a world tour support come back whilst nabbing Campello and Sniady. Then there’s the Windsurfer LT class which is going from strength. Our very own UK crew were getting onboard last year (see Any Stuart-William’s Euros report) and word on the grapevine is Twitter: @tezwoz Instagram: @tez_plavenieks_ sup_wind Photos: Source unknown there’s going to be a bunch of WLT grass roots races held in 2020. That’s great news for ‘everyman windsurfing’ and all comers who just want to get afloat in whatever conditions and enjoy the social aspect with a bit of light racing and banter afterwards. And don’t forget new innovations from the likes of Mistral who should be landing soon with a new rig concept (see cover shot) and inflatable windsurf board technology. At ground level, from my own perspective, there’ve been good days through winter which have attracted large numbers. In previous years kiters outnumbered windies but of late it’s been more or less equal. I’d rather not get into a measuring contest, as both sports are great, but it’s nice to see. And what of the recently announced iFoil for the Olympics? Well, by and large it seems to have been received well. Sure, there’ll be those not into the idea. But it’s a positive step forwards and a way to inject a bit of excitement in to a stale genre. By all accounts it’s doing a good job of (globally) enticing younger sailors into the fold as well. Although that can be attributed to foiling in general. Then there’s these wingy things. Now some of you mightn’t be bothered about them either. But, they’re sure doing a good job of dangling carrots to those previously not into windy sports. Purists may pfft at them, and some may not even call it windsurfing. It isn’t. It’s a derivative but part of the same family. And that’s positive for my money whilst also making it applicable to coverage in this very mag. Here’s to a brand new season on the water! And a brand new season of Windsurfing UK magazine. Enjoy…season of Windsurfing UK magazine. Enjoy… uk WIND SURFING