WINDuk
SURFING
ED’S NOTE3
HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH TIME
TO SPARE?
It goes without saying
that holidays of any kind,
let alone windsurfing
trips, are a little tricky.
You still can if you’re in a
position to do so. But with
an ever changing travel
picture, with potentially
ALL locations next in line
for the quarantine list, it’s
a bit like Russian roulette.
TEZ PLAVENIEKS
SEPTEMBER 2020
Twitter:
@tezwoz
Instagram:
@tez_plavenieks_
sup_wind
Photo:
Tez Plavenieks
For my family it’s a no go.
There’s simply zero option of
travelling abroad. (Even
domestic sojourns are off the
list in the short term). If you
follow any of my social media
feeds or have read previous
ed’s notes in this magazine
(or our sister publication
SUPM) you’ll know why. Fortunately, my home spot has been
pretty good of late. Wind, well, breeze at least, plus plenty of
sunshine and warmth. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s been
better than good. It’s been like being abroad.
20 odd knots, blue skies and lots of opportunity to not only
get a personal (boardshorts) session in but also my kids and
wife. Summer can be lovely on the south coast – especially if
you benefit from a micro climate where many days see better
weather than forecast. This isn’t to sound smug it’s just a
fact. OK, we’re a bit lacking of down the line wave sailing
days, if that’s your bag, but for everything else this summer
Momma Nature’s been kind.
You’d think it as well from the amount of people out sailing at
any given opportunity. Again, the unprecedented times we’re
living in means windsurfers have had extra hours on their
hands to make use of blowy days. As such, it’s been rammed
on the water during optimum periods. And from what I’ve
heard industry side there’s been a healthy amount of
equipment sales too. If you’re aware then stand up paddle
boarding has seen a huge second growth spurt this year. But
all watersports have, to a slightly lesser degree. Of late I’ve
also noticed an upwards surge of uptake with windfoiling and
wing foiling. It’s amazing what a bit of extra time does allow
for as far as watersports go…
As we all know windsurfing
and similar disciplines are
time consumers. Most
riders don’t live next to the
beach so all in it’s usually
a day affair scoring a
session. But as already
said time is something
there’s been more supply
of for many these last few months. How will this transfer to
autumn and winter? Only time (that word again) will tell.
For now, as I write, I’m happy to see that breeze is continuing
to puff and the weather radar looks promising for more spells
of sunshine. I’ll keep enjoying 2020’s windsurfing staycation
with my family. I hope you’re managing to get out too. Make
the most of it if you can because we just don’t know what’ll
happen in a few weeks’ time…
Enjoy this issue of Windsurfing UK and let us know if you’d
like to see something specific.
Nick Kingston: WSUK/SUPM photo contributor and friend.
Thanks for all the good times. Rest in peace brother.
uk
WIND SURFING