ED’S NOTE 3
WIND
SURFING
uk
TAKE A FRESH LOOK –
alternative ways to enjoy your
windsurfing this season
There’s more than one
way to skin a cat – so the
old saying goes. Sure,
you have standard
windsurfing disciplines –
wave sailing, slalom,
course racing (race
board), formula, freestyle
and freeride – but these
days there’s so much
more available and ways
to get your fix. Time and
again we hear how people
have left the sport, finding
equipment too
cumbersome or planing conditions never lining up as often
as liked. Yet, with the advent of foils, windSUP, inflatable
performance boards and compact rigs there’s never been
easier ways to access windsurfing and all its benefits –
wherever you’re based. As Arnaud de Rosnay once said
(Google him if you’re not familiar): “All you need is water and
a little wind.”
I acknowledge for some it’ll always be high winds and waves
that really get the juices flowing. But most of us appreciate
this type of scenario is usually fewer and farther between
during summer in the UK. And in many cases travelling will
be required. Sometimes, as much as you yearn for
something, the harder it is to come by.
When I was younger I would regularly feel frustration creep in
due to the lack of full power wind. My backyard can be as fun
as anywhere (IMO) when the stars align. But we do get
extended periods of drought. Finding other interests – such
as SUP – have helped alleviate the strain between 20+ knot
sessions. Trips to warm and breezy climes also help. The
biggest thing, however, is to embrace the lighter blow side of
the sport and these new concepts we have available that
make this possible.
Learning to foil (see AHD article last issue – and stay tuned
for foiling part two) has helped me look at certain conditions
in a different way while getting to test the new crop of hard
rail, performance blow up windy boards has added another
dimension. And I’m perfectly fine with floating around ala
windSUP style, just enjoying being out on the water. I’m even
contemplating getting a long/race board for some coastal
cruising – why we riders don’t do more of this I’m not sure?
TEZ PLAVENIEKS
MAY 2017
Mark Kay, UK race
board champion
The benefits of light wind sailing have been promoted until
the cows come home and I get it’s a hard sell for those who
just want a blasting fix. Maybe it’s age but you can’t make it
windy, so therefore take what’s on offer – the biggest
surprise maybe how much you enjoy sub-10 knot sessions.
Also try the new breed of windy kit – foils and inflatables.
Plenty of brands selling their wares are keen to get riders on
board. Hit up one of the many demo days around the UK and
have a go for yourself. Even if these offshoots aren’t for you
there’ll be other kit to dabble with – some of which may
provide the solution you’ve been looking for.
Giving credit
Before we crack on with the rest of this issue of Windsurfing
UK we need to give credit where credit’s due. In our previous
mag we ran an article about fin tuning for wave boards,
courtesy of Black Project’s Chris Freeman. Unfortunately the
opening shot failed to acknowledge Dayanidhi Das, owner of
www.1morephotography.com, for the sick pic of Chris
projecting skywards off a Ho’okipa lip. You can rest assured
those responsible have been cast into the dungeon far
below WSUK Towers and forced to contemplate their actions,
fed only on bread and water. Just joking! To see more of
Dayanidhi’s awesome images hit up his website. If that
doesn’t inspire you then we don’t know what to say…
Enjoy this issue, love your time on the water – especially now
the weather’s improving – and who knows, we may see you
out there. As always WSUK’s doors are open for article
suggestions so feel free to give me a holla with any ideas –
[email protected]. OK, on with the show!
uk
WIND
SURFING