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.

Check out the introduction to the pro quivers and profile one from fifth placed rider Adam Lewis here. 

Second up in the series was Ben Proffitt, find out what he has in his van here. 

John Skye with his RRD and Mystic quiver. Image credit Duncan Dumbreck.

Name: John Skye

Current BWA Ranking: 2nd

2011 PWA Ranking: 12th

Sail Number: K57

Height: 179cm

Weight: 82kgs

Sponsors: RRD boards, RRD sails, Mystic, MFC.

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

Favourite conditions: Fun playful conditions. I don’t care whether it’s port or starboard tack, onshore or sideshore. But I like to be able to try stuff without too many consequences.

When your equipment works best: My equipment right now is probably the best it’s ever been, working in everything from down the line 5.7 weather, through to 3.4 onshore.

Describe your sailing style: Tricky one to answer. I pride myself on being pretty good whatever the conditions, probably never the best, but up there no matter what. I like to sail with more sail power than most as well.

Sails:

3.7 4.2 4.5 4.7 5.0  production. RRD Fours.

5.3 5.7 prototypes for next year. RRD Fours.

I flew in from the Canaries, so to save weight I didn’t bring my 4.0, which annoyingly was what I needed in Rhosneigr.

For next year we are trying to put a little bit more power into the Four, which is why I used prototypes in my two bigger sizes. The extra power in the prototype 5.7 was definitely useful on the first day of Rhosneigr!

I use the Four because 4 battens seem to give a bit more feedback and response in the hands, which I like. I like to feel when I have power in my hands. I’ve been using these for two years now, I don’t use any five batten sails anymore.

There was a bit of a cross over last year, when sometimes I would still use the Superstyle (our five batten sail) when it was a bit more onshore. But we’ve worked a lot on stabilising the Four now and giving it a bit more drive, so they seem to work well in a bigger wind range.

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

Masts:

Again because I flew over I couldn’t bring as much as I would have liked.  Mainly I have the carbon 75masts for the smaller sails, and the carbon 100 for the bigger sails. The carbon 100s are a bit stiffer, which works really nicely with the big sails, whereas I prefer a bit more flex with the smaller sizes.

Booms:

I have 3 standard 145-195 booms so I can rig whatever sail I’m using, plus one above and one below just incase the wind drops or picks up. I also have a bigger boom for the 5.7 too.

Boards:

RRD 91 Hardcore Wave Contest edition Production Quad – incase we had some classic Gary Williams! It’s super turny for a big board, but this is more built for a Ho’okipa style wave, which isn’t generally what we get at the UK and Ireland competitions, although I think I’ll be out on it in Gwithian.

RRD 90 Wave Twin Contest edition Production – I only use this really with 5.7 in really light conditions, I’ve had different versions of it for four or five years now and I know I can rely on it when its really light winds. This is the contest version, which is a bit lighter.

83 and 75 – RRD Wave Cult Custom Quads – I don’t use too many customs, but these were prototypes for next year’s Wave Cults and worked so well I had to keep hold of them. In South Africa over the winter we worked a lot on the development of these, so what I have now is basically what the 2013 shape will be, aside from some minor changes to the tail. It sounds like a cliché, but the new shapes quite honestly plane earlier, go faster and turn even better.

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

Set Up:

90WT with 5.7

83WC with 5.3 5.0 (and 4.7 if it’s onshore.)

75WC 4.7 and below.

As I am a bit heavier than some of the other guys on the tour I probably find light wind, 5.7 weather, the hardest! When we get small waves, around waist high, with light winds my gear works well but I definitely find it harder to get good turns. I think the smaller guys on smaller equipment seem to adapt better to these conditions, but it’s always more of a struggle for me to really turn well until I at least get some power in the sail.

Fins:

I use all the MFC QS series. Generally, I put slightly smaller fins than normal, on both the front and back. Mainly because with takas etc using smaller fins makes the board a little looser and easier for these. If you go too small you can suffer with the jumping being a little less directional so it’s a tough balance. I’m playing around a bit still, sometimes I use a smaller front fin and a bigger back fin, for example if I was using a 90 quad, to give it more of a twin fin feel and make it a bit more skatey.

On the 91 Hardcore I’ve some big 10cm wider based front fins, if it’s really good riding I then put bigger fronts and smaller back fins in to give it a more equal feel, this gives it a bit more drive and grip through the turns.

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

Accessories

8’11 super SUP, plus a 5’8 surf board. I always take them both on tour with me, it’s great to get out on the water when the conditions are good and when’s the competition’s not on.

Wetsuits wise, I use Mystic suits. For these contests I had the Voltage 4/3 and High Voltage 4/3. Both were perfect. They are really warm so I can get away with a much thinner suit than normal. In general for contests I don’t like thick suits! I’m always boiling in the heats so I wear a thin suit, but always try to have a couple of spares so I can keep warm by getting changed and then putting on a fresh dry suit when we’ve had a bit of a break.

Also pretty essential are all the hoodies, jackets and hats that Mystic make. Have multiple layers is the number one essential for contests. If you are cold before you even hit the water it’s a nightmare!

Whether in competition, or just for scoring as many waves as possible on a rare down the line day, your equipment and set up is crucial to success.

Adam Lewis in Wales. Image courtesy BWA/Dave White

The current top five on the BWA tour have certainly shown that they know what they’re talking about when it comes to equipment, so Boards catches up with each of them: Adam Lewis, Ben Proffitt, Jamie Hancock, John Skye and tour leader Phil Horrocks. 

Although they share the top spots, that is where the similarities end. Each sailor being a different height, weight and sailing style, using a vastly different range of equipment and taking an individual approach to their contest set up.

First up is fifth placed Adam Lewis, who took a well deserved second in Wales, and travelled over from Tenerife for the competitions. But did he travel light? Boards finds out exactly what Adam used to take him to the final, why he uses it and who else would like his equipment set up.

Adam Lewis with his Point7, Quatro, ION and K4 quiver. Image courtesy of Duncan Dumbreck.

Name: Adam Lewis

Current BWA Ranking: 5th

2011 PWA Ranking: 26th

Sail Number: K516

Height: 6’0

Weight: 84kg

Sponsors: Point 7, Quatro, ION, OTC.

Favourite conditions: Windy!!!

When your equipment works best: I think I’ve set the gear up now to work all round, I perhaps change how it’s rigged depending on the conditions, cross off perhaps a little more downhaul, stronger wind maybe slightly lower boom!

Describe your sailing style: Aggressive

Adam Lewis in Wales. Image courtesy BWA/Dave White.

Sails:

5.6m 5.2m 4.8m 4.4m 4.0m 3.6m All four batten Point7 Salts.

I use the Salt as it has a lot more skin tension through the sail than the Sado, which is the other wave sail in the Point 7 range. The Salt is also more manoeuvrable and a bit lighter. I do really like using the Sado too, but competition and pulling of tricks the Salt makes it a lot easier. For full on rail surfing I do prefer the Sado, you can properly lay the rail down and the sail pulls you all the way through the turn, so you never need to worry about the speed. In contest sailing, especially in cross on trickier conditions it’s all about racking up points with the tricks, which is what the Salt allows me to do.

Masts: 

Yes, I can rig all my sails at the same time, which is great, but the reason I have all the masts right now is more for testing. I have various bend curves, and we’re now testing with roughly one IMCS more stiffness than we had before, this is to get a faster response from the sail. I also now have some masts which have a slightly stiffer base, so it’s like the top of a 370 with the base of a 400, again to try and get a faster response and more drive from the sail. We are trying to get the manoeuvrability that you have from a light sail, combined with the power and drive you need in cross on conditions.

Booms:

Two booms only, I would have more if I could but it’s mainly because I’ve flown from Tenerife!

Adam Lewis in Wales. Image courtesy BWA/Dave White.

Boards: 

Quatro LS 95 85 75

I chose the LS over the KT because I think it has a lot more width through the tail, and as a heavier rider this is really useful because it allows me to carry a lot more speed through the turns. With the KT, I also found that if I really put my weight into it and tried to turn hard it sometimes tripped the rails. It seems that as a general rule, the heavier guys prefer the LS and lighter guys prefer the KT, although your style of sailing is also a factor too.

Set Up:

5.6m and 5.2m with 95

4.8m and 4.4m with 85

4.0m and 3.6m with 75

In really mushy, lots of jumping would take bigger board perhaps with a smaller sail, particularly in a contest. I used to change down boards a lot sooner, but recently I have found, especially with the quads that there’s no real benefit. The turns that I can do on the 85 are as good as on the 75, and being on a bigger board means I’m obviously planing more and able to catch more waves.

Adam Lewis with his K4 fins. Image courtesy of Duncan Dumbreck.

Fins: 

I just got a load of K4s, so I am testing with these at the moment. It seems like the stubbier, more upright fins are working the best right now. The more swept back ones, as a heavier rider seemed to have a bit too much flex and the board was tracking sideways a lot. The K4s I use are pretty much the same size as the standard fins, however I chose to use them over the standard fins as they seem to have a bit more grip and hold.

Accessories: 

ION Onyx wetsuit, and a Ruler harness. I chose the Ruler over the other harness because it’s quite big, gives a lot of support but feels strong. Also, I have a 6’0 surf board just a great all round shortboard which is pretty useful to have over here in Ireland!

Check out more from Adam Lewis on Boards

2012 BWA Championship Results

Last day in Ireland delivers

The conditions were cross shore, at Dumps, with relatively small, but peeling waves. All riders were out on their biggest gear, but even so were non planing most of the time, with just enough to get on the wave.

Debbie Kennedy, who was strong on the first day of competition, found herself with a fight on her hands as todays competition got underway. Debbie took some fantastic waves in both heats, taking her straight up the rankings and into the lead. Justyna Sniady, also made a great comeback after a tricky start in the competition, bringing her back up into second position. All the other girls, Sophia, Lucy and Emma all sailed strongly in the difficult, light conditions showing many of the amateurs how it was done.

Debbie Kennedy

The amateur fleet also got through a fair few heats, but not enough to disrupt the top seedings. Judge Ian Ross, took a break from the judging panel to hit the water and take the win, with local man Niall Melon in second. Boardseeker camera man Alfie Hart sailed an incredible set of heats to make it to the final, and took a very respectable third.

Dave White Masters Champion in Ireland

2011 youth champion, Tom Bennett-Lloyd stepped up into the amateurs this year and sailed extremely well in today’s tricky conditions, as did Will Barrett and Russ Jenkins. Tris Levie, the only youth in the competition, put in a fantastic performance, sailing alongside the amateurs and more than holding his own within competitive heats.

The masters fleet did not have any more action, therefore Whitey continues his lead, with Jan Sleigh in second.

Overall results

Without any further competition for the pros John Skye takes the top spot, with Jamie Hancock in second, Phil Horrocks in third and Boardseeker man James Cox in fourth.

This takes Phil Horrocks into the overall lead after two events, with John Skye in second and Jamie Hancock in third. Ben Proffitt and Adam Lewis take forth and fifth respectively, and are both sure to be fired up and determined to get onto the podium in Tiree and Cornwall.

Ian Ross

Alfie Hart and Ian Ross take first an second in the amateurs, Ian will need to make sure he makes all his heats in future events to be in with keeping his second overall position!

Justyna Sniady is sitting firmly in the top spot after two events, with very strong performances at both events. If she comes along to the two following events she will be a tough one to beat, but Lucy Robson, who lies in second at the moment, Sophia Gilje (third) and Debbie Kennedy will be sure to push her all the way. With another strong representation from the ladies at both events, we are excited to welcome an even stronger fleet in Tiree and Cornwall, come on ladies!

Dave White is winning the masters, with Stu Tilbury in a close second, whilst in the youths Luke Raistrick and Tris Levie, with an event win each, are sharing the top spot.
Looking to Tiree and Cornwall

With both location delivering fantastic conditions, everyone is now looking ahead to the PWA, and then the two further events at the end of the season. With all fleets so closely contested it really is anyone’s game, a summer of competition and training before the next events will be sure to affect the positions in October.

As mentioned yesterday, some sailors in particular will be very keen to get the competition run today if it’s at all possible so any sign of wind and waves is sure to bring them onto the water.

The light north easterly winds do have the potential to pick up a little as the day goes on, so Boards will keep you updated at any sign of action.

The forecast isn’t looking too good for the rest of the day, with south westerly but only approx 5knots. There is a chance that with a couple of knots more building in the afternoon, meaning we could get enough wind later on in the day.

BWA Ireland: Oisin van Gelderen. Image courtesy BWA/ www.timsmithvisuals.com

We will keep you updated on the Live ticker below throughout the day as the announcements come through down here.

With the light winds this morning Boards will take this opportunity to catch up on the rest of the news on the UK windsurfing scene and get some more in depth views from the competitors here in Ireland.

Coming back through the double so far, Proffitt and Mullen seemed strong so far, moving their way up the ladder smoothly.

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

Pros ladder so far

In the amateurs, judge Ian Ross stepped away from the judging panel and straight onto the water, sailing a great heat and catching two of the best waves. Melon and Hart pushed him all the way in the slightly calmer conditions than the pros had has at Mossies.

Amateurs ladder so far

In the masters it was close at the top between Dave White and Jan Sleigh, with Whitey just taking the win on tuesday morning.

Masters ladder so far

The ladies first heat was run at Shitties, on Monday, where Debbie Kennedy and Lucy Robson shone as the top riders, Debbie in particular getting a couple of amazing waves. The second round of the ladies ran at Mossies on Tuesday, where in the bigger but lighter conditions Sophia and Emma took the biggest waves of the heat to impress the judges. It is super close at the top of the ladies, with the majority of the riders still being in with a shot of winning.

BWA Ireland Lucy Robson. Image courtesy BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland Ladies results so far

Live updates to commence very shortly.

BWA Ireland John SkyeBWA Ireland Phil Horrocks. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland Rob Jones. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland James Cox. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland Timo Mullen. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

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

The Battle to Reinstate Olympic Windsurfing

How the Olympic decision affects Team 15

Reaction from Women’s Olympic Coach Dom Tidey

Keeping the Olympic Dream Alive

RS:X racing. Image credit Jean Baptiste Messiaen.

Despite this shocking news, we have also seen a large amount of positive and exciting news from many younger windsurfers.

Alex Halank provided some great Weekend Inspiration with his video ‘Windsurfing’s Dynamite’ and today from George Shillito and the Polkerris Pirates. 

On the competition front Kev Greenslade and James Dinsmore reported from the first windy BSA event of the season, in Weymouth and as this news round up goes live, we will be up in Rhosneigr reporting live from the BWA event. Make sure to stay on Boards for regular updates and check out the event preview.

BWA Wales and Ireland, Boards will be reporting live from both event sites

Each day there will be a new post, which we be viewable, like this on the home page and within the features menu. Live ticker style reporting will then be posted through the comments at the bottom of the post. You can use the comments, as you do in the Live Chat, to ask us and the sailors questions.

As well as this, we will add bigger round up style reports and interviews, at intervals throughout the day too.

So stay tuned as the competition in Rhosneigr kicks off for the pros tomorrow, and everyone else on Saturday, before we head to Ireland late on Sunday, ready for a full week in Brandon Bay.

More of a BWA event preview can be found within our two news items:

BWA Kicks off this Weekend and BWA Set for Ireland and Wales

Proffitt BWA 2011

With pre-registration open for both events, which run back to back, entry if filling up quickly. Make the most of the discounted online pre-entry:

Register for BWA Wales DISCOUNTED ENTRY

Register for BWA Ireland DISCOUNTED ENTRY

Sarah Bibby and Katie McAnena on the podium in 2011

The BWA have teamed up with the SWA in Rhosneigr, to provide a fantastic weekend competition for all the students and remember ladies get half price entry too, so no excuses!

With the forecast really hotting up, bringing south westerlies for Rhosneigr and a building well for Brandon Bay, the reunited judging ‘dream team’ headed up by Duncan Coombes, are set for a busy week.

Fantastic on water action, combined with great off water entertainment including Ski and Snowboard BBQ, Curry Olympics and of course the traditional Spillanes ‘Big Wednesday’ is sure to lead to a great set of competitions for all.

BWA Wales and Ireland, Boards will be reporting live from both event sites

Find out more about both events on Boards at ‘BWA set for Wales and Ireland’ and check out our interview with Rider of the Month, and previous title winner, Ben Proffitt, who gives the low down on how the competition is looking in the pro fleet and what conditions we could expect to see. 

As previously mentioned Boards will be reporting Live from both event sites, but more on that tomorrow!