BSA racing

If you haven’t entered an event before, why not make this year your first? Check out the calendar of events below and head on over to the UKWA events section here for full information. 

Its one of the easiest competitions on the internet with one of the best prizes in the world…

Simply LIKE AND SHARE on to your profile one of the 3 competition pictures that you see here.

The Prize:

A holiday for 2 to Club Vassiliki on the 2nd June 2013, including flights, accommodation, airport transfer, the best windsurf tuition in the world, equipment hire of windsurfs, SUP’s, mountain bikes, awesome Apres Surf & loads of sunshine.

Good luck and spread the word, 2013 will also see us celebrating 25 years of perfecting the ultimate in windsurf and active holidays.

Head over to the Facebook page here

LIKE Club Vass

“Coming to this page on the 1st December is the easiest online competition to date…. With the greatest prize in the world. A FREE holiday for two to ClubVass on the 2nd June 2013 includes flights, accommodation, the best windsurf tuition in the world, SUP’s, Mountain bikes, BBQ’s, awesome Apre Surf, Professional photos, fancy dress parties, & the celebration of ClubVass 25years !!!!! Stay Tuned ”

For more info stay tuned to all Club Vass news here on Boards, or head to the Club Vass Facebook page here. 

This could be you in Club Vass! Image credit Global Shots

The person who answers the most questions correctly will win a brand new Tushingham Sail of their choice; sent free of charge, anywhere in the World!

Should more than one person get the highest score the names will be put into a hat and a winner selected.

All the questions, images and videos for the quiz are available on the Tushingham website at http://www.tushingham.com/windsurfing/tushingham-trivia

Once you have all of your answers please submit them to lgreen@tushingham.com titled Tushingham Trivia Competition for marking. The closing date for the competition is 12pm (BST) on Monday 8th October.

THE FEARLESS ADVENTURE!

The lucky Fearless Fred chosen from the top uploaded videos will be whisked off for a once-in-a lifetime adventure to face their fears on land, sea and air in LAS VEGAS!

The winning Fred will win two tickets to Las Vegas to stay in a top hotel for five days, where they’ll get to show the world they have No Fear by taking part in a set of fearless challenges!

They’ll get to drive a NASCAR, take on the white water rapids of the Grand Canyon, skydive from 16,000 feet and ride the biggest rollercoaster Vegas has to offer.  Plus, they’ll get £1,000 spending money!

5-runners-up will also win a Sony Bloggie camcorder and the chance to take on the UK’s highest bungee jump!

The competition has also now been extended until 31^st January so those that haven’t already had the chance to compete for this extreme prize now is the time to get on board.

So, if you think you have what it takes, or you know someone who does, be sure to upload your video entries at www.fearlessfred.co.uk

Franklin & Marshall at BWA Cornwall

Franklin & Marshall are a global college style clothing brand that have been growing their support in the extreme sports and outdoor lifestyle markets.

The company was founded in 1999 on the intuition of two young entrepreneurs Giuseppe Albarelli and Andrea Pensiero who since then have transformed their ambitions, skills and ideals into a successful brand that is well known for its college-vintage influenced design.

Franklin & Marshall at BWA Cornwall

Thanks to their support at the Pura Vida Cornwall Wave Classic 2011 the BWA are further keeping windsurfing action on TV and online with the Boardseeker podcast, and a SKY Sports feature in the coming months.

For further information on the brand and clothing range, please visit www.franklinandmarshall.com

And now, to celebrate their new association with the 2011 Pura Vida Cornwall Wave Classic event, clothing label F&M are offering BOARDS readers the chance to win a Franklin & Marshall goody-bag worth £250. Just answer an easy question, leave a valid email address and you’re in the prize draw. Good luck!

Who's this Franklin & Marshall rider at BWA Cornwall?

Simon Bassett and John Humberstone at WWWC

Here is a pic of John Humberstone, winner of the recent BOARDS ‘Win a WWWC Hire Package!’ competition with Simon Bassett owner of WWWC X-train and 2XS at the beach at West Wittering just about to take the new RRD firemove on a recent windy SouthWesterly day.

John won a hire membership from WWWC / 2XS so he will now get to use 2011 Ezzy sails, new RRD boards and when its not windy there is choice of SUPs to take away the no wind blues. www.2xs.co.uk

Sunrise in Vietnam

A building thermal wind towards the end of the afternoon on competition’s seventh day showed signs of promise, allowing race director Juan Antonio Aragon to summon the slalom fleets to the water to complete the remaining women’s losers final and men’s winners final from race one.

Despite prolonged efforts to run both heats, the wind simply wasn’t playing ball, and persisted to drop below the PWA’s seven knot minimum wind requirement during the attempted finals. The only result to stand from the day was a premature start from Finland’s Marianne Kaplas (Starboard / Severne) in the women’s losers final, meaning she will be excluded from tomorrow’s re-run.

Tomorrow we’re planning to host a live Q&A session with the top three men’s slalom sailors; Antione Albeau (JP / NeilPryde), Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic) and Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North). YOUR questions will be posed to the sailors by the PWA’s guru commentator, Ben Proffitt, and answers will be aired over PWA TV, where we’ll pin the guys down on the sofa and grill them with whatever you fire their way.

To pose your question, email andy@pwaworldtour.com stating 1 – Your name – 2 Your location 3 – The sailor you’d like to answer your question and 4 – Your question. Then tune into PWA TV to check out what the pros have to say. Please write ‘Q&A Session’ in the subject line of your emails.

Tomorrow’s skippers meeting has been scheduled for 10.00am (GMT +7), with a first possible start to racing at 10.30am. Tune into www.pwaworldtour.com then, where we’ll be picking up with the men’s winners final, and women’s losers final from race one.

Here you can use our:

Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

Check live elimination ladders

View results

Read daily news summaries

Browse awesome action photo galleries

Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

There’s also a dedicated event website which can be found at www.pwavietnam.com

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Peter Volwater

The slalom fleet’s second day of competition in Mui Ne was met with uncharacteristically light conditions at the morning’s skippers meeting, placing the sailors on standby with rolling hourly announcements.

Despite the thermal wind showing signs of promise in the afternoon, as the light breeze switched to the prevailing north east direction, the conditions never built sufficiently to complete any more of the previous day’s eliminations, leaving the event standings unchanged.

During the afternoon’s standby period, we caught up with the Netherlands’ Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails) to see what he’s made of the conditions so far, and what gear he’s got racked up for the next three days of racing:

PWA: Can you describe what the conditions are like in Mui Ne, and do they compare to any of the other tour destinations?

PV: “I’d say Mui Ne compares to Pozo, in a sense that Pozo is also onshore, and at high tide there, there’s also a backwash from the rocks in the shoreline, so it gets extremely bouncy when you’re sailing. It makes things really tricky here, as there’s usually enough things to concentrate on, like getting your timing right on the start line, so the chop definitely adds a new dimension to things. Also, when you have 12 people at the start line, and wind is right on the edge, say 7-9 knots, the back wash makes it really technical.”

PWA: What gear have you chosen for the event?

PV: “With my sails, i’ve registered my 9.2m, 8.4m, 7.6m, 7.0m, and 6.3m. My boards are my 134, 111, and 85.”

PWA: Did you do any specific training for this event?

PV: “This event is earlier on in year than what we’re used to, normally the first slalom event of the season is later on, so it’s been a challenge to get all my gear together, and tune everything. I was in Maui at the end of January to test my gear, and spend a month tuning everything in preparation for the event, but it wasn’t as windy as i’d hoped out there, so i didn’t get quite the preparation i’d hoped for.”

Tomorrow’s skippers meeting has been scheduled for 10.00am (GMT +7), with a first possible start to racing at 10.30am. Tune into pwaworldtour.com then to pick up the action where it left off on day five.

Here you can use our:

Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

Check live elimination ladders

View results

Read daily news summaries

Browse awesome action photo galleries

Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

There’s also a dedicated event website which can be found at www.pwavietnam.com

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Womens Final

With the freestylers handing the baton over to the slalom fleets, day five of competition in Mui Ne gave a brief insight into what’s in store over the following five days of race action.

To open the action, a four buoy downwind slalom course was set, allowing racing to commence in the afternoons 7-14 knot thermal breeze. The first drama of the day came when the Netherlands’ Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic) was sailed into mid gybe, sustaining a large fin gash to the underside of his foot. The collision not only crushed Van Der Steen’s chances of advancing within the race, but could also jeopardize his chances in subsequent eliminations if the injury affects his sailing.

The next upset came in the second round of heats, when the usually methodical pairing of Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) and Benoit Moussilmani (Starboard / Simmer) went over the start line early, fast tracking both of them to losers final where they’d battle it out for positions 11-20.

As the racing progressed late into the afternoon, Mui Ne’s usually super consistent thermal breeze began to falter, allowing only the men’s losers final to be completed before the race committee were forced to call a halt to the day’s proceedings. In that heat, Williams and Benoit Moussilmani made the best amends they could for their previous blunder, securing first and second respectively, followed by Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic) in third and Pieter Bijl (JP / NeilPryde) in fourth.

In the women’s first elimination, both Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne) and Alice Arutkin (Starboard / North) made strong starts by winning their opening heats. Continuing her run of form into the winners final, Arutkin dominated from the start line to secure a decisive victory, and early event lead. In her wake, stellar performances from Morane Demont (Starboard / Severne) and Delphine Cousin (JP / NeilPryde) in second and third ensured that day five’s podium was an all French affair.

Mens Slalom

Tomorrow we pick up the slalom where it left off today, completing both men’s finals, and the women’s losers final before going into the second race elimination. Tune in from the 10.00am (GMT+7) skippers meeting to follow all the action live @ www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

Check live elimination ladders

View results

Read daily news summaries

Browse awesome action photo galleries

Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

There’s also a dedicated event website which can be found at www.pwavietnam.com

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

How many Clones can you see?

Note: This competition has been won by Paul Lacey of South Hetten, Durham.

Sportif and the Pro Centre Christof Kirschner are offering BOARDS readers the opportunity to win a fantastic windsurfing holiday for two to the world class windsurfing destination of Prasonisi, Rhodes. The competition winners will enjoy a 1 week holiday with accommodation at the 5* Atrium Prestige hotel, choice of JP Australia and Neil Pryde board hire, return flights from the UK and car hire courtesy of Budget at www.driverentacar.gr.

Sportif is ATOL protected  ensuring that all elements of your holiday are fully secure and your money safe.

For more information about Prasonisi, Rhodes and Sportif Windsurfing Holidays go to www.prasonisi.com/ www.sportif.travel – where you will also find a higher-res version of the ‘Spot the Clones’ photo…

At the southernmost point of Rhodes, in the Aegean sea, lies the world class sailing destination of Prasonisi. Away from the more developed areas of the island, you will find a unique sailing destination. This unspoilt part of Greece offers the perfect holiday destination for all ages and all levels of windsurfer. Short, direct flights from the UK and high quality hotel accommodation ensure everyone is happy.

Early season temperatures start at 20-25°C in April and May with an average of over 60% days F4+. Once the Meltemi wind kicks in June expect between 20 and 30 knots through and into September; or why not consider October for a late season break away from the crowds with excellent wind reliability and warm temperatures and less strong conditions.

What makes Prasonisi unique is its two bays, divided by a sand spit which sits back to back. Here you have the choice of flat water one side and waves one the other perfect for all disciplines. The training area just of the sheltered sandbar, allows beginners to take the first steps in the security shallow water. For those wishing to practice freestyle the flat water and reliable wind conditions are perfect. For the wave sailor you can progress to 1-2m+ wave, depending on conditions.

Boards are supplied by The Pro Center Christof Kirschner which is located directly next to the shallow water area, a few metres from the water. Each year they buy 170 brand-new surfboards from JP-Australia and 230 rigs from Neil Pryde. The centre is open from late April to October and offers great facilities including fresh water showers, snack bar, shaded relaxation area and beachwear shop. A choice of taverna style restaurants are close by.  The highly experienced team offer comprehensive instruction for all levels with safety cover is provided by a powerful motorboat. Live wind stats are relayed from the centre to the Pro Centre website for the latest information to help you decide when to sail.

Dedicated to the development of the sport, young sailors are able to use a pool of high quality junior equipment at discounted rates. Since 2007 they have hosted the JP Young Guns Camp each August. for 8-19 years, with  training from world class sailors such as Kauli Seadi, Ricardo Campello, Antxon Oteagui and Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers. Check out www.prasonisi.com for details for 2011. JP Young Gun Camp 2011 from 7^th to 14^th August.

The centre also hosts Jem Hall Clinics from June to September. Intermediate to advanced and specialist looping coaching  to ensure your progression. See www.sportif.travel or www.jemhall.com for availability.

Flights are provided by Thomson which flies from main regional airports on Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays – from Gatwick and Manchester.

Accommodation is courtesy of the luxurious 5* Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort and Villas offering a personal service and haven to relax in. Located only 45 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes drive from the sailing spot, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – great sailing conditions and choice of luxurious accommodation. Directly by the sea and surrounded by landscaped gardens, this sophisticated hotel offers private pool areas, uninterrupted ocean views, selected of 6 gourmet restaurants, 4 bars and state of the art AnaNeosis Thalasso spa centre. With heated indoor and outdoor pools and choice of activities, it is the ultimate resorts getaway for adults and children alike.

Competition closes 28^th February 2011. The winner will be announced in April 2011 issue of BOARDS and online at www.boards.mpora.com

By entering this competition you are agreeing for your email address to be passed on to Sportif and automatic be subscribed

Terms & Conditions:

The prize includes return economy flights on Thomson from London Gatwick or Manchester, economy car hire from Budget Drive Rentacar in Rhodes, 7 nights at the Atrium Prestige Hotel in a deluxe room with garden view on twin share, half board  twin share basis and 1 week board hire for 2 persons with Pro Centre Christof Kirschner All arrangements including booking of flights, car hire, board hire and room reservation are to be made through Sportif. All additional extras must be paid for by the passengers (ie insurance, pre-booked seats etc). Transport to the UK airport, instruction, additional food and drinks are not included. Availablilty of flights and accommodation will be confirmed within 7 days of notifying the prize winner.

The prizewinner should check with any relevant authorities regarding passport and visa requirements; it is the sole responsibility of winners and their companions to produce all requisite travel documentation. Travel and other insurance is not included and it is strongly advised to take out insurance cover for all appropriate risks. Any costs incurred additional to the prize package elements advertised are at the expense of winners and/or their companions. The prizewinner must be aged 18 years or over.

The prizewinner will be notified by email within 7 days of the draw date of 1^st March 2011 and are required to accept their prize by email within 7 days of notification. In the event of non-acceptance within the specified period, we reserve the right to reallocate the prize awarded to the next randomly drawn valid entry (and the same acceptance period, as provided under this condition, will apply). By entering this competition the winner agrees to have their name displayed in Boards Magazine and on the websites boards.mpora.com and boardseekermag.com.

The closing date for the competition is midnight 28^th February 2011, after which the winning name will be drawn at random. Entries will be accepted from Boards Readers, Boards.Mpora.com and Boardseekermag.com readers excluding employees and relatives of Boards & Factory Media Group. Multiple entries will be disqualified. The prize can only be used on available flights and accommodation returning by 15^th October 2011 and excluding peak dates. To participate in the rental pack offered you will be required to produce your holiday insurance covering participation of windsurfing, 3^rd party liability and covering use of equipment to Pro Centre C. Kirschner in resort. Car hire insurance is not included and the car hire driver must be 21 years and over. The driver will be required to purchase this insurance in resort to qualify for the car hire.  The prize is non-transferable and no cash equivalent will be given. The publisher’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

How many Clones can you count?

Courtesy of Kuma Movie.

Taty Frans

Day three in Mui Ne saw the freestylers unleashed onto the South China sea once again, to compete in the second full single elimination of the event. With a thermal wind you can quite literally set your watch by, it was business as usual when the fleet took to the water shortly after one o’clock.

As the opening heats ran their course, it became obvious that all the sailors were beginning to get fully dialed into the tricky conditions that prevail in the Mui Ne bay. Cue three hours of the most progressive aerial freestyle professional competition has ever seen.

The first upset of the day was the unfortunate news that Belgium’s Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) would not be competing in the day’s elimination after he sustained a knee injury. With the event’s fifth ranked sailor out of the running temporarily, the door was left wide open for the void to be filled by the chasing pack.

When the dust had settled after the super charged second round of heats, it was the familiar faces of Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) taking on Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic) and Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine) challenging Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) in the first set of quarter finals. Underdogs Van Der Eyken and Soltysiak were always going to have their work cut out to topple their decorated rivals, but this was not to be their day, despite a super close 2-1 judging decision for Taty Frans over Van Der Eyken, and a spirited performance from Soltysiak.

In the second set of quarter finals, there was an easy ride for Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra), who met little resistance from Yarden Meir (Fanatic / Simmer), and Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra) came up against a brick wall when we went head to head with the man of the moment, Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra).

That meant that the semi final comprised of exactly the same competitors as the first single elimination, but this time round Taty Frans challenged Estredo, and Tonky Frans sparred with Thode.

First up was Taty Frans versus Estredo, in what was perhaps the most memorable heat of the day. Not only did Estredo pull far and away the biggest air chachoo of the event thus far, but Frans defied both gravity and convention to pull the first double forward of the event, and arguably ever in Vietnam. It was a shame to have to see one of the pair eliminated, but on a super close judging decision, Estredo advanced.

When Tonky Frans met Thode, the fire works continued to explode. Highlights include a monster shaka from Thode and a perfect tweaked pushloop from Frans. Again, the call was close, but several crashed moves from Frans allowed Thode and his near impeccable score sheet through to face Estredo, in their third show down of the event. That left yet another Frans on Frans battle for third place.

First to sail was the losers final, which saw a changing of the guard as Tonky Frans raised his game in the howling afternoon winds, and finally defeated his brother with a styled out display of new school freestyle moves. The uncharacteristically inconsistent Taty later admitted that he loathes competing against his brother.

That left the third manifestation of the Thode versus Estredo final to be run in winds that had both sailors fully powered on sub 4.5m sails. With both sailors vying for super technical moves to pad out their score sheets, it was going to be the man who could push the boundaries the furthest that would be rewarded with the victory. On the final horn, it was anyone’s guess who’d won over the judges, but ultimately Thode continued his unbeaten winning steak, to firmly cement himself on the top of the event’s podium.

Andy Chambers

Event Standings After Day 3

1st Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

2nd Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)

3rd Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic)

4th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

5th Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)

Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 11.00am local time (GMT +7), with the second double elimination commencing shortly afterwards.

Keep up to date with every piece of the action @ www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

Check live elimination ladders

View results
Read daily news summaries

Browse awesome action photo galleries

Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

There’s also a dedicated event website which can be found at www.pwavietnam.com

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com