BWA on mass to Ireland with Stena Line!

If you’re thinking of making a last minute decision to head over to Brandon Bay for the competition, we have two words of advice: DO. IT. Stena Line ferries very generously offer a fantastic deal for all BWA competitors, so get in touch with Jim – jim@puravidaboardriders.co.uk 02920711946 / 07970420998 – to book your spot now.

Check out more about Stena Line and more of their great deals here.

Apart from the medals and Welsh Dragon trophies for all of the 5 fleets (Youth, Amateurs, Masters, Ladies and Pros), SurfAdviser have prepared a special trophy for a STAND OUT PERFORMANCE of the event. This award will go to one person from all 5 fleets, that impresses the judges the most throughout the whole competition – be it with the biggest wave, best move or the most hardcore crash!

Check out the shots on our Instagram account here (or click the pic below). Boards will have more images on Instragram before, throughout and after the events so stay tuned!

Sailing images courtesy of Duncan Dumbreck.

Boards has already caught up with many of the competitors in each fleet, check out the following features:

Inside Funsport and Bucky’s View. 

Looking Forward to the BWA: Ladies

Looking Forward to the BWA: Amateurs

Looking Forward to the BWA: Pros and Masters

PLUS we will of course be at all BWA events providing you with the latest and most up to date coverage LIVE from all the events. Here on Boards we will have a dedicated BWA section on the website where you can check out the latest features, plus check out the images making their way onto our Instagram.

As last year, Boards will present a Live Ticker from each event, following every heat of every fleet and letting you know exactly what is happening. So stay tuned to Boards for all the latest BWA coverage!

More on the Rhosneigr, Wales BWA event:

The event kicks off on Friday 17th with a day of competition for the pros only. There is also a plan, wind dependent, for some go cart action on the Friday; if there’s no competition on the water sparks are sure to fly on the race track!

Registration for all other fleets takes place on Saturday 18th at 9am sharp, this will be followed by competition for all and then an evening (with food and drink of course) in the new and improved Funsport Cafe. The evening Hawaiian themed so grab your best flowery shirt! Then for those with the staying power it could well be onto a pub or two.

Sunday 19th is the final day for competition, followed by the prize giving before competitors pack up and head over to Ireland for the next round of competition.

Check out more about event host Funsport here. 

Boards of course will be covering all the action LIVE from Wales and Ireland, with a Live heat by heat ticker, images, round up reports, interviews and more, so watch this space!

The second round of the UKWA freestyle tour took place at West Wittering and was sponsored by 2XS,  X-train and WWWC, Boards catches up with the team from the centre and some of the pros to find out more about one of the best freestyle events to hit the UK in a while!

Andy Bubble Chambers

Pics by Simon Bassett /2XS.

With a lack of wind the forecast mid week the event was nearly cancelled but Thursday morning after a wind abyss a 25 knot South Westerly forecast was predicted for all day Saturday.

The event started around 10.30am – the legendary Wittering Trench formed up at low tide and the contest began.  Julian Du Vall, Trevor Funnell and David Bradley were judging, it certainly wasn’t tropical conditions and the heats blasted through as the wind increased.  Heat after heat went through, in the end the beach event crew did four complete rounds.

The Pros had four heats, two a piece for Bubble and Max Rowe which led them into a fifth heat, which was known as the Super Final – both of them were sailing on top form and Bubble just pipped Max in the dying minutes.

This year the amateur fleet are pushing at a really high level with big moves coming from all competitors throughout the event – even the younger kids really going for big moves .

BUBBLE:

“Wow!! What an event!! Literally the best freestyle conditions i have ever competed in! The West Wittering trench was at its best! Great to see so many people on the water having it! The level of freestyle in the UK is getting better and better and with events in places like West Wittering i’m sure we’ll see the UK’s next rising stars coming up. Great competing against Max as it really pushes me! He was ripping on his new sails.”

Max Rowe

MAX:

“It was definitely the best conditions I’ve ever experienced at any contest. The trench is truly a world class spot so it was great to have a contest there. I was battling with Bubble all day for the first place and after winning two rounds each we had a sail off which he went on to win so congratulations to him as he was ripping. I was using the new 2014 North Idol ltd’s and the sails are feeling amazing which gave me loads of confidence.”

Saturday night in The Old House at Home, West Wittering,  there were plenty of tired bodies after a full day of competition and when Sunday came around it was decided not to run a tow in event as the previous day’s competition had been so successful.

Ollie Acton

Ben Lee

Ben Proffitt competing in Rhosneigr in 2012. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

*Boards will be your port of call for all the latest event news during every BWA competition. We will have a live ticker giving you the run down of every heat, plus live images, the inside scoop from the riders and much more!

Funsport, Rhosneigr is located here…

View Larger Map

What conditions can we expect?
Everything from glass flat to 4m swell.

Top names that can regularly be seen on the water and hanging around the beach?
Phil Horrocks, Ben Proffitt.

Who can come over to the centre and what can they do on the water?
Man or woman, girl or boy; we suit most ages. Almost any watersport.

And off the water?
We have the shop and now a Café.
A huge selection of summer clothing has just turned up, so the fashion side of the shop is looking ready for the season.
We have stock of most watersports equipment in the shop from windsurfing and kitesurfing, to surfing and wakeboarding, plus wetsuits to suit almost anyone.
We offer rental on windsurfing kit from beginner to advanced, SUPs, surfboards, bodyboards, skimboards and wetsuits.
The Surf Café is also a recent addition, so when your not on the water we can offer you lovely coffee, a delicious lunch or filling breakfast.

What have you changed ready for 2013?
Over the past couple of years we have been building an extension to the rear of the shop, which now holds all our fashion side of things. Above that is the new Surf Café. And in the original shop we now hold all of the hardware and wetsuits.

You always host the Rhosneigr leg of the BWA, what are you looking forward to with the competition this year?
As always it is really good having such a great number of windsurfers around and seeing some of the top ranked sailors in the world in Rhosneigr. We are also looking forward to showing everyone the new Shop and Café as it is such a different place since last year.

What can competitors expect?
We would like to say 3m swell and a 25 knot South Westerly coming in, so we’ve got all our fingers and toes crossed at the moment. Hopefully it will be a fun and relaxed environment for all the competitors to enjoy.

Last year Phil Horrocks was triumphant in Rhosneigr, will he be again in 2013?

Why would you encourage a first time competitor to come along? Or if someone’s not competing but wants to soak up the atmosphere and then take part in other activities what can they do?
Rhosneigr is not only a great spot for the keen wave sailor but also is great for people that are just getting into waves. The waves in the bay are quite a soft wave generated by the wind so you can make mistakes, if anything was to happen you just drift into the beach to the right of the bay. Also all the competitors are very helpful and everyone that is there have had to enter for the first time so they know how it is and everyone is really friendly. If you are just wanting to visit then not only is it great to see but just a great beach to visit. The shop will still be open for business so rentals are still available etc.

It’s a great spectacle too, what can someone who’s just coming along to watch get from the weekend and why is it a great idea to attend?
It is not often that we have such a huge amount of windsurfers in Rhosneigr so if the conditions are on then it can be something really special to see. It’s a fairly rare event so its definitely worth taking a day out and coming over to Rhosneigr

Liam Ellis.

Who is always great to watch at the Rhosneigr competition? Stand out local sailor?Phil (Horrocks) and Ben (Proffitt) are great to watch in the competition as they are our locals so both want to win here! Steve Laddiman and Liam Ellis are some of the stand out sailors in Rhosneigr at the moment, showing some great skills this year.

You can find out more about Funsport here.

Boards will, as always, be right in the thick of the action at BWA Rhosneigr and Ireland, providing you all with the latest info on every heat as it happens, plus more from all the competitors.

Sarah Bibby

Name: Sarah Bibby

Sail No: K349

Fleet: Women

2012 results: I only managed to enter one competition last year: 1st place Cornwall wave classic.

Where have you been training? I live in Plymouth so get to sail all over Cornwall and Devon. My closest spots are Whitsands and Bigbury for after work sessions and I often head to North or South Coast Cornwall for the weekends depending on where the swell and the wind are! I went to Pozo last Summer for 10 days and Chile for 3 weeks before that, but that is all I have managed to get away for this year!

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My jumping is weaker than my waveriding as I don’t often get jumping conditions, so I really needed to work on that.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? I am getting better and conquering my fear! I started training with Crossfit Plymouth this season which has helped my fitness, strength, endurance and confidence to not hurt myself when jumping, so I am trying more in every session I get to try jumping, they are just pretty rare! In Cornwall the weather fronts move over fairly quickly and the weather is quite squally, so the windy periods don’t last for long, but we do get better waves! With jumping you really need several days in a row to improve, which is what I am lacking in the UK, so I am looking forward to some trips to more consistent places abroad.

What competitions will you take part in this year? This year I will definitely do the Cornwall wave classic and will try and make Rhosneigr and Ireland, leave and fund dependent!

What are you aims for this year? If I can make most of the competitions this year I will aim to win back the UK Champion title, but there is some tough competition!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I now have a Simmer Flywave 69 litre which I use with K4 fins and I absolutely love for waveriding! I also have a Puravida custom 58 litre for when it is bigger/windier which helps my control. I have stuck with the Simmer Icons and No Limitz masts as these have worked brilliantly for me too.

Fighting talk…The girls level has improved a lot over the past years, Sarah Kellet is up and coming and doing well, Debbie has been training lots in South Africa and Justyna (if she competes on the UK tour again) seems to be back on good form – I have a good fight on my hands! Hopefully my fitness training will pay off despite my lack of time on the water this season, I would have liked to have trained much more but work and weather did not coincide!

Jo Wright

Name: Jo Wright

Sail No: K592

Fleet: Women

2012 results: Not actually sure, only managed to compete at Gwithian and had a bit of a shocker!

Where have you been training? Tropical England! Currently living in Exeter, so managed to get out a few times at Daymer, Gwithian, Exmouth and Mothecombe when wind/temperature/uni have allowed.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?  I really want to get my forwards nailed, so to aid this I have booked a months trip to El Medano in June.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? As of the end of last summer I was getting round them but nowhere near sailing away, I need more time on the water and hoping El Medano will allow this.

What competitions will you take part in this year? Unfortunately Ireland/Rhossy fall right in the middle of my exams. So hoping to make a late comeback at Gwithian and hopefully Tiree if work/money allow!

What are you aims for this year?  Have fun on the water, sailing as many different places as possible. Improve my wavesailing and jumping to hopefully finish well at Gwithian!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?  I got the new 4.7 Rock at the end of last year – it is awesome and felt like a major step up from my 2011 Rocks. Hoping to replace the 4m and 5.2m after El Medano. Still rocking out my 71 twin Evo, again looking to change this after El Medano, potentially to the new Quad.

Fighting talk…I think Justyna will be the one to watch this year, her backloops are looking good! Although now Debbie has the crown I doubt she will give that away without a fight! Assuming my boyfriend doesn’t put superglue in my ear again and impede my forwards training this summer  I will hopefully be busting out some big ones at Gwithian! See you all there!

Rachel Tucker

Name: Rachel Tucker

Sail No: K348

Fleet: Women

2012 results. Tiree = 5th, Cornwall 6th

Where have you been training? Well so far I’ve windsurfed once since BWA Cornwall last October…Southbourne, Dorset

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Wave selection, fitness, general waveriding

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Well, I’m generally fitter!

What competitions will you take part in this year? I’d like to compete but with new job commitments I’m not sure what will be possible

What are you aims for this year? Enjoy my wavesailing whenever I get the opportunity to get on the water

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? No changes there, my Ezzys will never die!

Fighting talk…Ladies: HAVE FUN.

Lucy Robson

Name: Lucy May Robson

Fleet: Women

2012 results: 2nd place BWA Rhosneigr, 4th place BWA Ireland, 5th place BWA Tiree

Where have you been training? Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I would like to improve my competition windsurfing

Do you think you’ve achieved this? I hope so!  I’ve been training hard this winter and hopefully I will be able to windsurf in the competitions like I free sail

What competitions will you take part in this year? Rhosneigr, Ireland and Cornwall BWA.  I might take part in the PWA comps in the Canary Islands where I am based.

What are you aims for this year? To improve on my competition results from last year.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?  I’m using the Fanatic Quad 69 and 74 now more than my other boards.

Fighting talk…Best not to underestimate anyone!  Good luck everyone!

Justyna Sniady

Name: Justyna Sniady

Sail No: POL 1111

Fleet: Women

2012 results: I  opened the season quite good coming  3rd in Lancelin, 2nd in Margaret River and 1st in Greenhead (Western Australia tour) as well as getting the lead in BWA tour after the Wales (1st) and Ireland (2nd) events. After this good start.. I broke my foot. I could not compete in any of the PWA events last year and I was only commentating on the action from the beach. I came back on the water in the autumn and managed to defend the podium coming 2nd overall in BWA in the end. I was really stoked about this result considering I was still on crutches a few week before the comps and didn’t sail the whole summer.

Where have you been training?  Last year I didn’t really get to train much. There was hardly any wind in Australia over the winter – I think it was the worse season in 20 years! Considering I was working monday to friday I got almost no time on the water. After that I went to Pozo full of hope to get some windsurfing in, but broke my foot already on the second day. I couldn’t even walk through the summer, so apart from few more days on the water during BWA that was all my windsurfing for 2012. That’s why I was even more stoked about this year’s training in Western Australia! We had wind and waves throughout the whole 3 months (and I wasn’t working) so I got some quality time on the water!:)

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Well considering the circumstances of having my foot shattered into pieces and then put together with screws and wires I really wanted to come back to full form. I am now windsurfing but my toes are still not bending and my ankle joint is still not right and hurts quite a bit. I am hoping these problems will go away soon!:) Apart from that and getting back to the level from before the accident I wanted to improve everything as you always do! I hoped to hit bigger and bigger waves, get more consistent with the stuff I could do and hopefully land some new moves as well. Backloop being one of the most technical moves was high up there on the list. I only got few magic ones in 2012 – when the water was in the right place on the way down haha!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Well I guess I came quite close! I am walking, sailing and jumping again. Despite being quite scared to get back to forward loops in the beginning (as that’s the move I broke my foot with) I got there in the end. I also started landing backloops quite consistently now, so I am really happy as that’s much more then I could have hoped for in such a short time after the surgery!

 What competitions will you take part in this year?  It all depends on how my foot will react to stronger wind conditions.  I would like to do the BWA and PWA tours as well as the Polish competitions if they don’t clash with the PWA.

What are you aims for this year? No aims competition wise! I will just enjoy the fact that I don’t have to watch all the action from the wheelchair parked on the beach this time! I will give it my all for sure, but since I still can’t even run or go downstairs normally I have no pressure on me!:) I would like to sail a lot and go through my second surgery (when they take all the metal out of my foot) with no complications.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Yes, this year I’ve joined International Simmer Sails Team and well as Mystic and Powerex Teams while staying on Quatro Boards that served me well for the last 3 years. With all the amazing gear I am now using I really started to improve despite my injury, so I am really excited about all the new toys!

Alex Powell

Name: Alex Powell

Fleet: Women

2012 results: 5^th in Tiree

Where have you been training? Exmouth, Bigbury and Weymouth

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Just my general wave riding and jumping. I only got into wave sailing a year ago so fingers crossed I can only improve!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Unfortunately I have been tied down with a mountain of Uni work so have nowhere near got out as much as I would have liked to!

What competitions will you take part in this year? Gwithian and Tiree.

What are you aims for this year? Get forward loops nailed.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Sticking to my trusty Patrik boards.

Fighting talk…Biggest rival, Rach Ince…going to be living with each other in July so that might be interesting.

Megan Gayda

Name: Megan Gayda

Sail No: K127

Fleet: Women

2012 results: Can’t remember results from Rhosneigr but from the whole year I’m 12th overall!

Where have you been training? Was in Brandon Bay for the last couple of weeks of October had fun conditions over there then back home in Essex for the rest!

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Confidence with jumping!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Beginning to..

What competitions will you take part in this year? Ireland and maybe Cornwall and Rossi!

What are you aims for this year? Get more confidence with jumping!!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Buying some of my brother’s last year’ sails!

Fighting talk…Who’s my biggest rival? My brother hahaa!

Name: Eilidh (Ezza) Sutherland

Sail No: GBR987

Fleet: Women

2012 results: 14th

Where have you been training? Largs/ Barassie, it’s still freezing up north!

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My down-the-line wave riding.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Well on my way.

What competitions will you take part in this year? Was hoping to be able to do all but due to exams I can only make the Scottish event and Cornwall.

What are you aims for this year? To continue improving and get a higher ranking this year.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? No I have stuck to the combination of RRD and Simmer.

Fighting talk… Bring it on, just up for some sick wave riding

Evi Tsape

Name: Evi Tsape

Sail No: GR2

Fleet: Women

2012 results: Did not do any competitions last year

Where have you been training? I have been training in Greece, in front of my laptop :)

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I have been meaning to spend more time in the water

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Nope but it’s getting better now.

What competitions will you take part in this year? I will take part in BWA Wales and Ireland. I am also going to go to some American Windsurfing Tour events (looking at Santa Cruz and Pistol River at the moment) and maybe the PWA in Pozo and Tenerife. Plenty of time ahead of me, decisions are made as we get closer to each event, so let’s see how it goes.

What are you aims for this year? I want all the competitors and spectators of the events to meet me and Weendy and reach out to tell me their opinion about our mobile app On the competitor side, I want to sail some decent heats and have fun with the BWA wave events community.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I still haven’t confirmed my gear for 2013, but it’s definitely going to be better than last years and yes, it’s different.

Fighting talk… With respect to BWA events, I see last years’ winner is Debbie Kennedy. I know Katie McAnena is sailing pretty solid too, Lucy and Sarah too. Never met or saw the rest of the BWA girls sailing. Justyna (from the non-UK/Ireland residents) is a pretty strong opponent too. Some of these girls have been sailing a lot in the last few years, whereas I’ve been totally outside of the water in front of my computer. Let’s see what happens on the water!

Amy Carter

Name: Amy Carter

Fleet: Women

2012 results: 4th Tiree

Where have you been training? I spent a little more time in Cornwall after the BWA event last year, then came back to the windsurf mecca of London before heading off for a short trip to Maui. Maui was a fantastic experience, even managing not to end up on the Ho’okipa rocks. Since then I have been back in London with zero water time, as I’m currently trekking to Everest Base Camp it’s unlikely I’ll get on the water more than once or twice before the next BWA event.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Personally, everything on starboard tack! In the grander scheme of things I want to continue to encourage more women to attend events, grow our numbers and consistency of attendance, so that we have more women rocking up at events that pros (we were almost there in 2012).

Do you think you’ve achieved this? To an extent, Maui definitely helped. Although it feels like years ago now!

What competitions will you take part in this year? I will be at all the competitions, whether or not I can fit in competing is another matter!

What are you aims for this year? To be able to sail a heat! As always the Boards team will be at BWA events keeping you up to date with all the goings on. This inevitably makes competing fairly tricky, as although women have multi-tasking nailed, being in two places at once is still out of our reach. The lack of connectivity in Tiree usually means I can compete a little, so I hope to do this again. Also, not to be talked into any ridiculous/dangerous activities if the wind does not appear.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Nope, sticking with my trusty Goya 72 litre Quad and Severne Blades.

Fighting talk…Girls, lets show the boys how it’s done!

 Boards will soon be catching up with more competitors from the BWA and more tours. 

Phil Horrocks – Matanzas

Name: Phil Horrocks

Sail No: K303

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results: Rhossy 1st, Ireland 3rd, Cornwall crap, Overall 2nd.

Where have you been training? Chile in November, Cape Town in February, UK the rest of the time, but there’s not been any wind!

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I wanted to improve my contest sailing in crappy conditions.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? No, I spent my cash and went to some awesome spots that were insanely good…and I don’t regret a minute of it!!

What competitions will you take part in this year?  All PWA and UK events, hopefully… but GC might not happen for me, I’m expecting to be a Daddy on the 17th of July, the week after it finishes.

What are you aims for this year? To win some events and survive parenthood!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? The sails I tested in CT this winter are amazing, I hope to have them for the summer events. The boards I can’t say I want anything other than what I have at the minute..

Fighting talk…I think the usual bunch will do well, but I suspect this time around Adam Lewis might start to cause a few more upsets, I just hope we get some wind!

James Cox

Name: James Cox

Sail No: K106

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results: 4th Overall Men’s Pro Fleet, 2nd Cornwall Classic, 4th Brandon Bay

Where have you been training? I’ve actually had an injury so down the gym and at the coal face.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Wave moves and port tack consistency, but that’s not been easy with a bad ankle.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not yet, but being held back can make an explosive start to the preparations. It just looks like I’m going to get there a little later than I anticipated but with more passion.

What competitions will you take part in this year? Definitely the final competitions of the year: Tiree, Cornwall. But depending on treatment I may need to miss Rhosneigr and Ireland.

What are you aims for this year? Get wave moves: wave 360 upwind and downwind in the bag. Get on the podium in at least one event.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Equipment has been constantly improving on exceptional standards. I now have the Ezzy Panther Elite 4 batten, whose performance really sum up the amount of R&D and testing that have gone in to these sails. The boards I have the super radical Quatro LSs 110 litre, 85 litre, 78 litre. In summary the gear is golden.

Fighting talk…Jah will provide the bread.

Chris Murray

Name: Muzza aka Chris Murray

Sail No: K202

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results: Think I was 8th?

Where have you been training? Cape Town and Maui.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?  All my jumping and riding

Do you think you’ve achieved this? I hope so, it’s been a great winter.

What competitions will you take part in this year? I’m going to all four.

What are you aims for this year? To win win win!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Got the new Rock, which is epic and Starboard Kode and my warm Spartan suits.

Fighting talk…Can’t wait bring it on boys, bigger the better!

Steve Thorp

Name: Steve Thorp

Sail No: K4

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results:  6th Rossy (only event I did).

Where have you been training? UK weekends and 2 days in Ireland.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My wave freestyle

Do you think you’ve achieved this? No, both times I sailed the waves have been too big!

What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all four BWA events.

What are you aims for this year? More TOW, a good excuse for some time off. Keep the Pro’s honest.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I’ve moved over to the awesome and very light Hotsails Maui Firelights, and also to the very light Moo custom boards, so should be frothing like a grom, flying round smashing everything!

Fighting talk… You FOPs (fresh off plane) may as well go back to your holidays!

Andy King at Gwithian. Image credit Matthew Burridge.

Name: Andy King

Sail No: K100

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results: 6th Cornwall

Where have you been training?  Cornwall

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Muscle definition.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Hell yeah.

What competitions will you take part in this year?  Those with decent wind and waves … Not many then…

What are you aims for this year? World peace and top 3 finishes.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? No need, Goya Quads / Banzais rock …

Fighting talk…Go hard or stay at home! Biggest rival? John Hibbard, I heard he’s on a come back tour!

John Skye in Ireland. Image courtesy BWA/Dave White.

Name: John Skye

Sail No: K57

Fleet: Masters…. Ah no… they moved it. Pro then.

2012 results: 4th Rhossy, 1st Ireland. Missed last 2 events.

Where have you been training? Gran Canaria, South Africa and Maui.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I really wanted to get my doubles better, so they are actually landed rather than just sailed away from.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not really yet. I have been trying lots though, which is a good start. Gets me over the fear and then it becomes easier.

What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all the UK and PWA wave events, but it depends a bit on the family. Our new edition, Lily, has sort of changed the priorities a bit.

What are you aims for this year? I would like to win the UK title again. It’s been a few years since I last held the title, and would be nice to take it again.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I have been working loads on the sails and they are loads better, so I am really looking forward to competing on the them. Last year’s sails were nice, but the new ones have more control

Fighting talk… I don’t really go for trash talking, I am more of a wish them well, good luck type. Main rivals are the usual Ben, Phil and Jamie, plus I think the toughest will be Ross williams if he chooses to compete. He will be very hard to beat!

George Shillito in action

Name: George Shillito

Sail No: K630

Fleet: Pro men

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?  Everything, unfortunately I was unable to attend all events in 2012 but the level in the UK is rising so fast that if you don’t look to improve it all something will get left behind!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? I’ve been doing an internship in sponsorship and marketing this winter so my time on the water has been stripped right back to basics. Saying that, it does mean when you get a chance to get in the water you realise just how epic windsurfing is every time so I’ve pushed myself harder in those sessions then I normally would for sure.

What competitions will you take part in this year? I’m hoping to get along to as many BWA wave events as possible and could never miss the infamous NWF.

What are you aims for this year? Just have fun. With a winter in an office you quickly come to realise just how awesome every session is whether it be crumbly, onshore mush or perfect down-the-line conditions. Can’t wait just to hit the water hard and enjoy every second!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I would say I’ve improved my knowledge in all areas to do with promotion, marketing and sponsorship….not sure that will help me much on the water! Haha! I’ve taken order of a new Starboard Kode and am feeling super happy on the Tushingham Rocks so hopefully this combo of kit should help me make the most of all conditions and every comp.

Fighting talk...Muzza is and has always been my biggest rival – let’s see if all his “training” (holidays) has paid off!! Hahaha!

Jack Hunt

Name: Jack Hunt

Sail No: K657

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results: 7th overall

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? It would be great if I could hang on to a tour rash vest for more than one event this time round.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? We will have to wait and see, but I doubt it.

Training; Peru then sidelined with a fractured ankle.

What competitions will you take part in this year? All of the BWA tour.

What are you aims for this year? To get some great UK waves!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Yeah I have a new 78 litre custom Carbon Art for the UK this year. It’s a v bottom single fin that really loves the kind of abuse I have in mind.

Fighting talk…Not for me I’m just there to “punish or be punished”

Sam Neal

Name: Sam Neal

Sail No: K31

Fleet: Pro men

2012 results: 10th

Where have you been training?  I’ve been training in Cape Town this winter.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I wanted to improve on all aspects of my sailing. Jumping mostly and getting my turns sorted.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Mostly haha. We have had a lot of days with big waves and light winds which has been perfect for wave riding. Also, there has been some howling days but with little stunt ramps which has been good for jumping.

What competitions will you take part in this year? I will try to do all four of the BWA events.

What are you aims for this year? I want to be in the top 6 or better.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I haven’t changed my Goya stuff at all. Still using the Eclipses and the Goya Quads. I’ve mostly been playing around with fin set ups and finally found the sweet spot with the K4 fins.

Fighting talk…Biggest rival this year has to be Bubble. We have been sailing a lot with each other over the winter, so will be cool to see who comes out on top. Hopefully I will kick some Bubble butt .

Aleksy Gayda

Name: Aleksy Gayda

Sail No: K412

Fleet: Pro men

2012 Results: 15th

Where have you been training? I have been at home working  for the winter

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? A bit of everything, wave riding and jumping and a board sponsor would be nice haha!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not yet, have to wait for it to warm up a bit with some good wind and waves.

What competitions will you take part in this year? BWA Rhosneigr and Ireland, then I will have to wait and see how the money is going.

What are you aims for this year? Have fun, sail and surf a lot, plus do as much travelling as possible too.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?  No, same as last year.

Jan Sleigh

Name: Jan Sleigh

Sail No: K172

Fleet: Masters

2012 results: 2nd Ireland

Where have you been training? I have not been training – The only training I have done is in the gym and pool for triathlons, I have been doing at lot of SUP too, on the windsurfing side I have been at home in Cornwall at the usual spots and had a trip to Cape Verde.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Everything! I always want to improve – that’s what I love about windsurfing

Do you think you’ve achieved this? I guess somethings – others no.

What competitions will you take part in this year? Not sure right now – I would like to do the all but I am so busy these days working, I can’t book that far ahead. Cornwall is the most likely candidate as I won’t have to drive too far!

What are you aims for this year? To have fun, be on the water as much as possible and try and get the best waves the UK throws at us

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? This year I am riding Naish Forces – I am getting on with them super well – loving the power they give me. And I am riding the new Naish Wave Classic 95. It’s an awesome board for me down here in Cornwall. Plenty of float for the gusty rippy conditions in Cornwall but narrow in the tail for carving turns

Fighting talk… Ah I don’t do fighting talk, I am too old for that. But I’d say just have fun and get on the water!

Justin Dennington

Name: Justin Dennington

Fleet: Masters

2012 results: 1st Cornwall Wave Classic

Where have you been training? In the pub with Chucky, as well as Marazion / Gwithian / Bluff

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Overall wave riding, refine my forwards and maybe learn another jump for 2013.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Nearly!!

What competitions will you take part in this year? I am hoping to compete in 3 of the 4 rounds this year.

What are you aims for this year? Firstly to mainly enjoy the events, only being my second year I’m still learning how the comps work, I feel I need to improve my competition sailing mentality………..sail it like you stole it!!!!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Thanks to Puravida I have moved across to Fanatic / North / Ion.

Fighting talk…Hmmm difficult, I thought Andy Heath looked strong in Cornwall last year, and both Dave White and Big Davey Edmiston will be there at the top I’m sure, lets see if we can throw a spanner in the works this year eh!

BSA Weymouth results BSA Weymouth results

Name: Ross Williams

Sail No:  GBR 83

Where did you finish?  1st

What kit did you use for most of the weekend?  8.6m Gaastra Vapor and Tabou Manta 81

How were the conditions and how did your equipment work in them? Condition were very changeable but my gear felt great, really easy to hold down in the strong wind as well as having power for the lighter patches.

Best start…. I think I saw Kev have a great start at the pin mark.

Best gybe… not sure, I didnt look behind me. I had a good one to over take Kurosh at the first mark!!!! Maybe that’s worth a mention?

Best over take…. Sam Latham over taking Simon Petitifer

Worst crash…. I think it was simon cofield smashing into Kurosh’s deck and leaving a nice whole!!!

Best victory celebration….. Everyone was very level headed

Worst behaviour on saturday night... All of us for not going out a partying the night away!!!!
All images credit Dave White.

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Name: Kurosh Kiani

Sail No: D13

Where did you finish? 2nd

What kit did you use for most of the weekend? I only used my Simmer SCR 8.6 throughout the whole event. I was using my Fanatic Falcon 132 until it got damaged in the second race and had to race my medium board until I got it repaired and was then back on it again.

How were the conditions and how did your equipment work in them? Flat water and gusty wind (I think the wind wasn’t in its usual direction). The gear was working great in these conditions. I´m really liking my 8.6/132 combo. It has a huge range so you don’t have to mess around too much on changing.

Best start….Kevin Greenslade. He got several of the starts spot on and rolled the rest of us who were seconds late. Nice work !

Best gybe…Ross did a great PWA style gybe on top of Kev which came out in his favor. It was definitely entertaining to watch!

Best over take….Must have been myself overtaking Sam Latham and Simon Pettifer from behind as they were doing some sort of upwind battle while the gybe buoy was way downwind. Had to chuckle a bit for that one.

Worst crash….I´m not sure who it was,, but someone came in at full speed and hit the bottom just in front of the slipway. That one must have hurt in every sense haha.

Best victory celebration…..I saw Sam Latham claiming couple of his battle victories when crossing the line ahead of the competition.

Worst behaviour on saturday night…Hmm, I´m not sure if this is the usual UK standard, but the worst behavior must have been us discussing whether we should have a look down at the pub or not. I guess that one could have gone both ways.

Words from event host, Tris Best: 

“The forecast at the beginning of the week for this event looked ominous, but true to form Weymouth produced the goods yet again! There were some notable omissions from the entry list – Ant Baker being the obvious one (wishing his son a speedy recovery), but with the addition of a couple of PWA stars the standard of sailing in the pro fleet visibly upped the anti for the other fleets as well. 32 entries in the amateur fleet was a great turn-out … and even the people on the tasters we provided throughout the weekend were noticeably inspired! Thanks to Bob and the UKWA team for running such a good event once again.”

Will Rogers

Name: Will Rogers

Sail No: K834

Fleet: Amateurs

2012 results: I only competed in the Cornwall event and it really fired me up for the whole tour this year!

Where have you been training? Bigbury, Daymer Bay and Gwithian, although there’s not been much wind this winter I have been doing a lot of SUP surfing to keep fit and get a better understanding of the waves.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?  My port tack wave riding.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Hopefully but not much training time…

What competitions will you take part in this year? All of them I hope, but some will be a bit of an on forecast decision as I have to conserve my valuable annual leave.

What are you aims for this year? I would love to be able to finish top 5 in the ams.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?

My gear stays the same, using the Tushy Edge, works well as a freestyle and wave sail for me.

Fighting talk…Who are my main rivals? All the damn students who get to go windsurfing all year round and get better.

Will Barrett in Tiree

Name: Will Barrett

Sail No: K733

Fleet: Amateur

2012 results: 5th Overall

Where have you been training? Sunny Witterings

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Consistency in changing conditions and heat fitness; I’m always knackered after a heat!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? The fitness only comes with heat sailing but I’m trying to sail more intensely for shorter sessions when I go out. Having a young family and a busy job also means they have to be short!

What competitions will you take part in this year? The BWA Cornwall Event and the Puravida Southcoast Expression Session

What are you aims for this year? I’d like to try and get a top 3 finish. Just keep improving a pushing myself. Sailing with my mates and pushing each other too.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Got some sick new Severne S1′s, some Simmer boards and some support from the Puravida team too.

Fighting talk…Let’s go big.

Jony Price

Name: Jony Price

Fleet: Ams

Where have you been training?

Wales, Ireland, or wherever I could find the best conditions

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?

Wanted to get more time on the water and get more confident to go out and ride bigger waves.

Do you think you’ve achieved this?

Definitely, scored loads of epic sessions this winter back in NW Ireland

What competitions will you take part in this year?

Rhossy and Ireland…the rest depends how skint I am.

What are you aims for this year?

More time on the water, and find bigger waves to ride.

Some better comp results would be nice too.. hopefully we get some decent conditions!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?

Yeh – Puravida sorted me out with some new Vandals and Tabou after I kinda demolished my quiver..

Fighting talk?

Nah, leave the fighting for the pub.

Ian Ross. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

Name: IAN ‘CHUCKY’ ROSS

Fleet: Formally Ams, now going full time judging!

2012 results 7th Wales, 1st Ireland, 1st Tiree, had to judge in Cornwall.

Where have you been training? The pub and in my bedroom.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My attitude.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not really, it’s still pretty bad.

What competitions will you take part in this year? According to the rules I move into the pro fleet this year but luckily I have the excuse that I’m needed on the judging team for the pros. I’d like to have a go in Tiree, if we have the budget for an extra judge.

What are you aims for this year? Not be such a dick.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I bought some new pants which are nice, and also have O’Shea wetsuits, Simmer Blacktips 2013 and a secret weapon of a board that I made myself.

Fighting talk…I am the Judge and my decision is probably final. There aren’t any rivals in the judging van. On the water, I’d be lucky to beat anyone!

Liam Ellis

Name: Liam Ellis

Sail No: K405

Fleet: Amateur

2012 results: 5th BWA Rhosneigr

Where have you been training? Rhosneigr, North Wales

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My forwards and frontside riding.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Definitely, takas are becoming more frequent!

What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all of the BWA tour.

What are you aims for this year? I would like top 3 overall.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?

I was always sailing on a single fin, so this year I have got hold of a Simmer Flywave Quad and changed from Simmer Icons to Blacktips.

Fighting talk…Haha, not sure about the comment, but I would like to beat Tom Bennett-Lloyd if he’s competing this year!

ROUND 2: Hosted by SPILANNES BAR & JAMIE KNOX WATERSPORTS

The 2013 Wales and Ireland ‘Back-to back’.

The Wales and Ireland event is a truly unique experience as competitors face 2-3 days of gruelling competition and partying on the testing Irish sea of Rhosneigr followed by a ferry trip and overnight drive to the Atlantic swell of Brandon Bay and heady party nights in the world famous, Spillanes Bar.

This trip is not for the faint hearted and those who survive always have a great story to tell. The venues have a history of delivering classic conditions which will test the very best in British Wavesailing. The BWA crew and judges also ensure that everyone is catered for seeking out more forgiving conditions for other fleets.

Quote from Ian Ross (BWA judge) “I have travelled all over the world and can honestly say that the Wales and Ireland back to back event is one of the most challenging and fun events in windsurfing today. The constant wind, waves and flow of hospitality is never-ending !”

NEW FOR 2013

Bucky’s Cafe will now be offering a great range of posh coffees and bacon butties. Situated above the shop the cafe enjoys amazing views of the action.

Stena Ferries: Check out the Ireland website above for the latest Stena discount arranged by Puravida.

New judge teams consist of PWA Head judge, Duncan Coombes, PWA judge, Mark ‘Sparky’ Hosegood, Ian ‘Chuckie’ Ross, Lukasz Zadjowski (Wales guest judge), Jamie Knox (Ireland guest judge).

Orange? ORANGE!!?…. We’ve had blue, white, pink, green and this year our rashvests will be a rude shade of orange. Yours to keep… by becoming a full BWA member and attending at least one event.

Wales and Ireland websites hosted by PURAVIDA BOARDRIDERS

‘At the office’

DC: The only trip I had this winter was to Morocco with my son Jack. We spent some time with Boujmaa and Hack had a good chance to practice his surfing. He had a good year this year as he was crowned British surfing champion in the under 12’s. Other than that I’ve just been staying around Cornwall, hitting the water almost 4 times a week, either windsurfing or surfing. It’s been a really cold winter, perhaps too cold for windsurfing, below 9 degrees air temp is pretty hard on hands, so it was sometimes a really hard call to go out. The rest of the time I’ve just been on standby for the Red Bull Storm Chase. We eventually found ourselves in Ireland, with some epic conditions and the temperature really wasn’t that bad, about 12 degrees.

Boardseeker: Looking back at last year we had wind at every event, how do you think it all went and was there any real highlights for you?

DC: Yeah it was a really good season, Koester was obviously the standout once again but aside from him Thomas Traversa had an exceptional year and was the first person to win an event in three years after Koester’s dominant reign. In freestyle, again the standard and level shot up and Gollito really showed he had it in him to come back, proving he is not to be forgotten. You can sometimes think when someone is at the top they can drop off their game and then slip out of the limelight but he came back and came back strong. It’s also really great to see so many more coming into freestyle, numbers are really high right now, the events are running at full capacity and many wildcards are having to be turned away. It’s also promising for the sport as many will take the natural progression from freestyle to waves, this will only then up the level of freestyle mixing with the waves, then the aerial moves for waves can only increase fro here. Also worth a special mention is Alex Mussolini he had a good year and was on fire in Tenerife and we can’t forget Iballa who for won the PWA Womens Wave title, bit of an upset for Daida.

Koester is even sailing some heats with almost perfect scores out of a maximum of 60. The level of sailors, especially Koester is about as good as you can get, he is near to perfection…

DC: The most significant change came from the media. When I started we didn’t have any live feed or live TV, so for me that’s the biggest change. It makes it very different, something extra to think about, rather than making a video and editing it. It goes out live, this has made the whole PWA become much more professional in terms of its media output.

In terms of the level of windsurfing, like I said before it is always improving but that is kind of expected, we see heats of perfect 10 scores now and Koester is even sailing some heats with almost perfect scores out of a maximum of 60. The level of sailors, especially Koester is about as good as you can get, he is near to perfection in a contest heat than anyone can be right now. Trying to beat him really requires the perfect heat, a double to start, a perfect push forward and then wave rides to match!

Another addition to this year was the Red Bull storm chase. Affiliated with the PWA we made sure that no event dates could clash and it puts our sport right in the limelight with guaranteed action and a chance for the public to see windsurfing at its most extreme.

Let’s not forget the slalom, it is still amazing seeing Bjorn Dunkerbeck still on the podium, still charging, still producing results despite being over 40 years old. It’s super impressive, he really has dedicated his whole life to windsurfing, well over a quarter of a century!

A remarkable resemblance…

DC: I’d be surprised if anyone could beat Bjorn or even get close to his number of World Titles.

DC: It can always come back, it is just a matter of funding. We know how to run them, they are good, potentially a financial business proposition for the right person. There is a lot to be made from sponsorship and it is great to get windsurfing across to people who haven’t seen it, the people that live in the middle of cities.

Tow-in is to just fill in no wind days in competitions, I really like it ,you could possibly have a tow-in tour, but we have to be careful because we are windsurfing and it’s more of a show and an attraction on light wind days at events. It’s great to see that the public love it and if you are freestyler its definitely worth training as there is some good prize money available. However,  it is interesting that it still seems to be the best ranked freestylers who are taking the podium positions.

DC: Yep they are all on, Holland is on, Pozo and the other Canary Island events are on. It looks like a good year ahead.

DC: Nothing specific planned as such, just new events in Chile and Cape Town. An exciting year for the wave tour because Sylt won’t be the final stop anymore. The one drawback is that there is still no starboard tack, which is pretty frustrating for people like Boujmaa. I think in these times it is much easier to keep events going then getting new ones. Hopefully, one day soon we will have one in Hawaii.

Is Live Scoring the future of our sport…

DC: Yes we are working on this with Kurosh Kiani to make sure we get the right software that is needed, he will design it with Rich Page, myself and Frankie rouge the French judge. Between us we will work out how it will be best laid out for the judges to use for freestyle. We’d like to do it move for move. Would be good for the media side of it, for the commentators and followers of the live Stream.

DC: It’s already started to go the way we all thought it would go, it is now much more internet based, there is live stream, live scoring, etc…

With Kelly Slaters influence it could for sure happen… I guess it would kind of be similar to the X-Games, just on the water.

DC: Sometimes in waves we do that already, when we have 5 judges we already do it. Perhaps we can develop this into freestyle, we are already thinking about how it would work, so I don’t see why not. Generally it is better like that but you need 5 judges, we have just 3 for waves. In freestyle we do use 5 judges in the latter heats so there is the possibility there.

Boardseeker: Do you think disciplines like Super-X came into the sport too early and that by re-introducing it now it would perhaps take off again?

DC: I like super-x, but the real problem is is that it requires loads more equipment. Right now I’m not sure the sponsors/brands can support the riders to make it happen. Especially as super-x boards weren’t really sold to the public. As a spectacle though it is amazing to watch but I don’t think it came too soon. It would be great to see it come back but it just needs a lot more money/equipment, it wont replace normal slalom racing.

DC: I used to race on triangle/sausage courses so I can understand it and like watching it, especially as we have gold level chances (UK). It is exciting to see and congrats to Nick for picking up bronze.

It would be good but really it won’t happen because there is not enough wind to go on the plane at many of the Olympic destinations, so it just couldn’t happen. Potentially however, something I’ve thought about for a while now, is an event like a water-sports Olympics, like a winter Olympics with snow, I don’t see why it is not possible to have a water Olympics, like kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing etc.., where wave pools and wind machines to make it much more guaranteed. With Kelly Slaters influence it could for sure happen… I guess it would kind of be similar to the X-Games, just on the water.

In terms of the kit, maybe the only real change needed is the board type. Maybe have two boards, choosing one that is more exciting when it is windy. A bit like we used to do on the old days of the pro tour. We would course racing when it was not as windy then slalom when the wind picked up. But it can be very difficult to get the RYA to change, something I have no influence on.

Hawaii (spring and fall) for two events, Indonesia or Fiji, but to be honest it is pretty good at the moment. Maybe Ireland could be a good addition it’s a strong port tack wave tour right now, if it just had those Hawaii events in it, it would be a really good well balanced tour, especially with Chile now in the mix.

I guess if I was to really list it then it would be something like this – Cabo Verde, Maui, the Canaries, then Klitmoeller, Sylt (both are really good showcases for windsurfing, really radical conditions which keeps the public involved and interested and gives them a chance to meet the pros) then finish with port tack down the line in Chile or SA, so really it’s not far off being a dream tour.

For freestyle: There are a lot more places you can do freestyle but in the end the canaries offer some of the best conditions. It would be great to see the Caribbean back and to add some more ‘exotic’ events perhaps freestyle in Cape Town so it is more wave orientated, it makes it much more exciting to watch. Or how about Margarita, the funding is not there but the dream tour right?

Duncan shredding back in the 80′s at his favourite UK break – Gwithian

DC: Yeah it is really about the young kids coming up who are most important for the sport, like Arthur Arutkin, he’s been training really hard in Chile, he looked good last year. Also Alessio Stillrich for sure has always been there in Pozo, if his down the line wave riding improved a bit more he should do well on the rankings this year. All in all it is good to see the new young faces coming through not just world tour but on the national levels as well.

Follow the progress of this years PWA World Tour on www.pwaworldtour.com or right here on Boards.co.uk

The event itself was at an awkward time for some of the others who couldn’t make it but for those who did many travelled 1000′s of kilometres just to be there. Nic Hibdige flew from Bonaire the day before, then had to drive from Heathrow to the south coast and back up all before Saturday night. Adam Sims drove for 22 hours with one hours sleep from Vienna in Austria and many of the others had to also make the long journey from the south coast up. Dedication by a few but the reward was high as they scored some of the best freestyle conditions they could dream of.

All photos courtesy of Trevor Hibdige

Nic Hibdige steps up his game after two weeks in Bonaire

We caught up with JP for a word:

“After all the snow in the last few months when I saw the forecast for the event at one of the best freestyle spots in the UK I got pretty excited! I hadnt windsurfed since a trip to Ireland at new year so couldnt wait to get back out on the water with everyone. Event started and I started sailing pretty well with some solid heats. Felt pretty bad in the first final when Oscar crashed his first Flaka next to me because his footstrap broke, he still sailed a pretty impressive heat though! I managed to sail a solid heat getting some decent moves on each side so wasnt too surprised to win that.

Mr Sims then rocked up after his marathon drive and started dominating and sailing pretty well. I had some solid heats, did have one nightmare which meant I had to sail an extra heat to get to the final – not ideal when I was so tired could barely hold the boom anyway (maybe more exercise needed before the next comp…). By the second day I had a 1st and 2nd.

David Bradley organised a cracking evening with food and drinks at Toast so was good to catch up with everyone on saturday night.

Sunday started with a full english with the boys then was straight into sailing. The wind was still pretty gusty, but full power on my 4.8 Freek. I got another 2nd place, then it came to the final round. It was either me or Sims to win and whoever finished ahead won the event. The wind was pretty dodgy so I rigged up my 5.2 Freek for the first time and went out on that for the final. Had a pretty solid heat again, getting a decent shaka, a nice switch kono and pretty much every move I can do. I hadnt seen much of the others so wasnt sure how they had sailed. When it came to the prize giving I was real happy to here Id won!

Was a great event, decent wind, tight competition and really well organised so thanks to everyone that competed and helped out with it!”

Check out the gallery below and tune back later for more photos…

Ross Williams leads Dave Strudwick and Jason Greenslades in a race last year at Hayling.

Name:  Ross Williams

Sail No:  GBR 83

2012 results: I didn’t do any UK events, I just focused on the PWA but I am looking forward to doing plenty of racing this year on the BSA.

Where have you been training over the winter? I spent a bit of time here in the UK, but then I went to Cape Town for a month and a half, wave sailing and testing out new equipment.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I just hope to show off the new Gaastra and Tabou equipment to the UK sailors and shops. so they know if they want to buy amazing, reliable,  fun equipment they should take a good look at the Gaastra, Tabou and Vandal brands.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? I think the equipment will speak for itself and on the race course the best guy will win.

What competitions will you take part in this year? I will do as many UK events as possible, as long as they don’t clash with the pwa slalom, I will do them. Also I think I will do some of the UK wave events too.

What are you aims for this year? I would like to win as many races and events as possible and help promote windsurfing to the younger up and coming sailors.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I will stick with what I know works (gaastra and tabou) and suits my style.

Fighting talk…I think the level is pretty good in the UK and I look forward to competing against everyone. I know everyone will want to beat me, but I won’t make it easy and will try my hardest in every single race.

Sam Latham

Name: Sam Latham

Sail No: K15

2012 results - 4th Mens Pro – Kit had some alterations from previous year that took a while to set up. My first result was my worst but it progressed and continued to stay consistent. I also always fall ill for the Aberdovey event. I had a very weak ankle from a loop crash at Beach Break.

Where have you been training over the winter? To be honest I haven’t sailed much. I didn’t have the money to get away somewhere warm. The wind has been pretty poor and very cold. I have wave sailed more than slalom sailed but two training weekends in Weymouth have given me confidence on new 2013 kit.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? A few of my starts put me on the wrong foot, so nailing them will give me a good chance to attack top guys at marks.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Yes, Ross Williams gave us great practice at Weymouth.

 What competitions will you take part in this year?

All the BSA events except Aberdovey again as I have other commitments already paid for. Also aiming to do all the BWA events.

What are you aims for this year? The competition will be fierce this year with Ross doing some events, if not all. I hope Dinsmore manages to do them this season too. With this in mind I am going to make sure I fight for top 5 again!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? All 2013 Fanatic Falcons and North Warps. Plus, this is the first season with North Shox that should improve control in the choppy stuff. Also playing with my fins this year with some Black Projects from Chris Freeman.

Fighting talk…I would love to get speed machine Kevin Greenslade, but as long as I stay ahead of Uncle Simon and Pa Pa Smurff Crossley I will be content!

Kev Greeneslade

Name: Kev Greenslade

Sail No: K 82

2012 results - 3rd Pro men.

Where have you been training over the winter? The mighty Weymouth.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Acceleration out of the gybe.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Yes I think so!

What competitions will you take part in this year? The BSA series, speed week and may be try a PWA event before I’m too old.

What are you aims for this year? The slalom title would be nice but with Rossco doing most of the events this year it will be tricky (even with a fractured ankle) hope it repairs quickly for Ross as he’s flying. Oh and regaining the British speed title.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I have signed with Tabou boards and F-hot fins with the Simmer Sails as always.

Fighting talk…May the best man win! The biggest rivals are the usual suspects: James, Ant, Si Cofield and I’m gonna throw it out there Si Pettifer has been flying in training on his new Tabou boards, he’ll cause a few upsets this year!

One to watch without a doubt Ross Williams will show what we all need to be striving for. In the Amateurs Tom Wells could be doing well.

Si Pettifer in training

Name: Simon Pettifer

Sail No: K67

2012 results: 6th Pro fleet.

Where have you been training over the winter? Been training in Portland this winter with Kev, Si and a bit with Ross, it’s been pretty cold as we all know, but I’ve sailed loads more than I did last year after a knee op.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Really bad start to the season last year, then couple of bad events, some bad luck, some bad performances, then got better at the end of the season couple of better results to finish 6th for the year.

What are you aims for this year? Aim for 2013 is to finish in the top 5, get a good start for the season this year, be a little more prepared than last year with my sailing and my equipment. Last year at one event we only had one round of slalom that counted, somehow I missed the start so that was the whole event down the pan, that will NOT be happening this year. I know my board speed is up there, my starts are generally pretty good, I need to get my gybes up there and I’ll be away, lol.

What competitions will you take part in this year? This year I’ll be doing all of the slalom events, plus speed week. Also probably be at the Caldy Island relay event layed on by Jim at PURAVIDA  Boardriders in Wales and of course the NWF at Hayling.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I have changed my equipment this year, the new Simmer SCR race sails should be arriving any day now, so I’m sure they’ll be even better than last years sails and I will be riding Tabou boards this year. The mantas are amazing boards to sail, really comfy and according to the boys I’m a lot faster this year so that’s got to be good. Also I’ve got some new fins from Steve at F-Hot, these are also super quick so it’s going to be a good season.

Fighting talk…Who to watch for…well James Dinsmore, SImon Cofield, Kev Greenslade, Ant Baker,Sam Lathem, Keith Atkinson, Jim Crossley, myself of course and I hear there could also be another top contender in there too. The Tabou team captain may be making a couple of appearances aka The Sheriff, he’s pretty hot on a slalom board.

My biggest rivals this year have got to be Jim Crossley, Mike George and I’d like to beat Si and Kev a few times. This year I’m going to be a bit meaner at the gybes and quit being a pussy so watch out boys, after all it is no rules slalom haha!

Check out the UKWA website here for all the info on the upcoming slalom and other events this year.