Top Coaches and Guests

As it’s our 25^th year, we’re making Speed Week extra special this year. Join the Mighty Dave White, special guest Dutch speed record holder Jurgen Van Der Noord and top Club Vass coaches including Colin Whippy Dixon for an unforgettable week. As well as a phenomenal week of windsurfing, there will be plenty of 25 year celebrations – don’t miss it!

est the Top Gear – Leader Board & Jurgen’s Winning Sails

Jurgen Van der Noord will be bringing along the actual Severne Sails he broke the record on in Luderitz speed canal, Namibia. You will be able to use these sails with specialised speed kit including the Starboard Isonic and Futura. As well as various slalom events we will have a Top Gear style Leader Board so you can pit your skills against Jurgen, Whitey and the best of Club Vass.

More than Just Speed – the FAST Track to Success

Why FAST Track? Many previous ‘Speed Weekers’, including girls & kids can attest to the massive all-round progress they have made and how much sheer fun they’ve had. As Dave says, it’s all about getting comfy on your kit – the key to developing confidence and control that will help all aspects of your sailing. If you feel like you’re on a plateau, struggling with getting planning, carve gybes or other moves, this week is for you.

Dave White ‘’Confidently fast’ sums it up for me, it’s the key to planning gybes.”

Coaching Aids

The team will use coaching aids Go Pro, video and GPS speed guns to help bring out the best in your sailing. Dave will also be behind the camera alongside our resident photography force globalshots.co.uk to record all your best moments on and off the water.

For more info check out the Club Vass website here. 

Boards catches up with Boardwise to find out more about how the demos are run and what’s involved:

Just some of the Boardwise demo equipment set up and ready to go! Image credit Dave White.

“We run a summer demo at Aberdovey which coincides with the BSA slalom event. This is the biggest of the year with support from the town, the Yacht club and all the importers.

When someone comes along to a demo they can try all the latest kit, get advice from the people who really know about the products, but most of all just come to an event which gives them a great feel about the sport of windsurfing!

The main summer and winter demos are supported by brands including: Fanatic and North, RRD and Ezzy, Tabou and Gaastra, and Starboard and Tushingham. Not only do the brands supply top notch NEW equipment, they also bring along some top sailors too.

Demo regulars now include (to name but a few):  former PWA superstar Nik Baker, current Formula World Champion Ross Williams, master of speed Dave White, plus awesome coaches Jem Hall, Sam Ross, etc. They are all more than happy to help not only with rigging, tuning and choosing equipment but also can offer top technique tips too.

Lots of people turn up and sail on Saturday. Then Saturday evening usually involves a few drinks, before getting on the water again to blow away the cobwebs on Sunday morning.

All images from the Boardwise Bonfire Bash 2013 and credit Dave White.

We are usually fairly lucky with the weather, and the huge range of equipment on offer means people can almost always get on the water. But even if the wind doesn’t blow we all have a great weekend; there’s normally a good night out on the Saturday at least!

We also go to all of the student events through out the year; the SWA run a great series of events through the autumn, winter and into spring. They really focus on getting as many people onto the water at all levels; there is a great contingent of beginners and improvers at the student event and we are proud to support them by taking all our gear for them to use! Plus our van goes up to the local club once a week in the summer.

On Guy Fawkes weekend each year we run a Bonfire Bash, it’s a bit late in the year so it can be a little cold, but again we have a great weekend none the less with fires on the beach and an amazing firework display! Check out the full report from Boardwise on the here. 

Whilst most of our demos take place at Aberdovey, we do offer some more local ones and we are looking to do a few more at different venues next year.”

There are lots of clubs, schools, brands and shops that run demos. At Boards we always try to have the latest info on up coming demos online, but if one is happening at your local spot that we haven’t promoted then please do contact amy@boards.co.uk and let us know!

Find all the windsurfing demo news on Boards through this link.

Boards Recommended Demos

Boardwise  - based in Cannock, demos at various locations but regularly run at Aberdovey. Follow all the Boardwise news on Boards here.

Robin Hood Watersports  - based in Yorkshire, frequently run demos at West Kirby.  Follow all the Robin Hood Watersports news on Boards here.

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Juice Boardsports – based in Huddersfiled, regular demos on forecast run at Fraisthorpe announced both here on Boards and through their forum. 

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Bray Lake - based in Berkshire, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Bray Lake news on Boards here. 

Lagoon Watersports -   based in Hove, run occasional demo days (usually with Fanatic/North). Follow all the Lagoon Watersports news on Boards here.

L.A.R. Watersports - based in Pagham, run occasional demo days. Follow all the LAR Watersports news on Boards here.

Puravida Boardriders - based in South Glamorgan, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Puravida Boardriders news on Boards here.

Quayside Windsurfers - based in Norfolk, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Quayside Windsurfers news on Boards here.

Wet n Dry Boardsports - based in Basildon, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Wet n Dry Boardsports news on Boards here.

4Boards  - based in Southampton, run occasional demo days. Follow at the 4Boards news on Boards here.

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Many more demo days and information about similar events can be found on the RYA’s Project Windsurf – UK website. They even have a specific demo events page right here where many chose to share event info. Project Windsurf UK also gives you the opportunity to share what is happening at your local windsurfing spot, so head on over and get involved!

You might also like to read:

Saturday saw a decent amount of wind for some on water action with demo kit provided by RRD/Ezzy, Fanatic/North and Gastraa/Tabou.

Boardwise’s report on the weekend:

The Aberdovey Bonfire bash last weekend was a huge success, thanks to everybody who turned up to see and try some of the new 2013 kit from Fanatic/North , RRD/Ezzy , Tabou/Gaastra and Starboard was great ! We had enough wind on both days to get some of the bigger kit with 6.5 – 9.0m sails , and had a surprising number of beginners braving the cold . Around lunch time on the Saturday everyboby got blown off the water when a huge squall came through followed by a hail storm. This saw Nick Baker sprinting down the beach like Usian Bolt to catch up with his Fanatic Wigwam tent thingy that was exiting the beach !! It’s never dull in Aberdovey ! The Aberdovey Fire service provided hot dogs and Burgers on the beach and the Town put on a great Firework display .

Thanks to the Dovey Yatch Club for the hospitality yet again and providing a great venue and band for yet another epic (if rather messy) evening . If you missed this one then remember to suscribe to our mailing list to get info on our june Aberdovey Demo and other demo’s we do throughout the year .

Thanks to Dave White and Doug for the pictures and for letting us have them so quickly.

Who let these guys in?

Mr Williams doing his bit

Dave White comments on the get together -

The Boardwise end of season demo traditionally mixes high wind action on the water with equally high jinks action in the bar. A late storm in the afternoon ensured the wind tradition remained intact despite most of the day being dominated by the Firemove’s. It’s the first time we’ve been here for bonfire night but the fireworks kicked off a high jinks evening in the Dovey Sailing club, so no one was surprised to find Sunday’s start matched the gentle easterly breeze, though like the rest of us that soon picked up to to provide a entertaining end to a great weekend. We’ll be back next year to ensue the tradition continues…

Below is  a quick selection of images, head here for the full gallery. We will have a full report from the weekend’s racing very soon too.

My little demo van from Dave White on Vimeo.

Scottish Windfest. Image credit Dave White.

The demo theme continues as we headed up to Scotland for the Scottish Windfest. With a couple of visits on route it took some fourteen hours and every one of them was worth it thanks to the locals and weather. Three days of sunshine left us frazzled, something the family at home couldn’t boast, they spent Sunday wadding around in willies just to get from the front door.

As if to prove timing is everything, the opposite could have been said just twenty four hours earlier, even on the last miles from Troon we were diverted around flooded roads.

As for the “we”, Reece joined me for the journey, plus we picked up Dan Sweeny along the way as he was competing in the kite comp. “Whilst big thanks has to go to Big Davey for looking after us I also have to apologise to the rest of the local windsurfers as the demo’s were dominated by the kite brands, nearly all made the drive up.”

For the full gallery of shots and more from Dave and RRD, head to Dave’s website here http://www.davewhite.me/news/2012/39-SWF/SWF.html

Scottish Windfest. Jo Wright with the Starboard/Tushingham/Boardwise demo gear.

Gallery of images courtesy of Dave White, for more head to Whitey’s Facebook page

National Watersports Festival 2012 from Dave White on Vimeo.

Boards caught up with Gump, the man in charge of Juice Boardsports, to find out more about the weekend. 

NWF – what’s it meant to you from Dave White on Vimeo.

Juice Boardsports

It’s the big Juicy demo of the year with all the latest Windsurfing, SUP and kitesurfing equipment.

Fraisthorpe beach is a great location on the east coast just south of Bridlington. You can windsurf on all wind directions giving a variety of conditions.

Camping on the grass available next to the beach Friday and Saturday night. (£5 per night)

Bring along food and drinks for the beach party and BBQ on the Saturday evening.

We will also be joined by special guests:- Dave White and Farrel O’shea.

For More info head to www.juiceboardsports.co.uk or  feel free to call the shop on 01484422146.
Happy Sailing Gump and Ben.

In the meantime check out this video from Juice team rider, Mark Dowson.

Check out the vid below -

Goya website here

More Windsurfing Videos

Brawzinho - Goya

Hi Everyone!

It’s been an amazing summer so far…

Olympic Goddess

Olympic windsurfing medallist and competitor for London 2012 Bryony Shaw came to Club Vass for pre-Olympic ‘rest’ time. She generously passed on some top tips during the Speed Week clinics, then blasted everyone (including Whitey and Whippy) out of the water during our Wednesday slalom.  Best of luck Bryony from all of us at Club Vass – not that you need it!

Speed Week

Speed Week with the mighty Dave White and Club Vass All Stars Colin ‘Whippy’ Dixon, Adam Chubbuck and Jake Kibblewhite was a huge success. This year we had a mega group of over 36 ‘speeders’ including more ladies and teens than ever.  As Dave says, it’s all about feeling relaxed, comfortable and in control. It’s the sheer enjoyment of windsurfing, but the need for speed was also fulfilled! Look out for next year’s Speed Week dates – although we may have to re-think the name – so much more than speed.

Vass Mexican Wave

Club Vass were also part of the longest line of windsurfers in the world (see Boards News here). Over 230 boards took part, starting at the mountain and coming all the way down past our centre, smashing the world record. It was an awesome display – thanks to everyone who took part and donated money to the RYA cancer research appeal.

Sept Deals

There’s still time to catch the sun in Vassiliki with our great September deals -

£100 off all 2-week holidays, departing 2nd September and only £499 for all 1 week holidays departing 9th 16th, 23rd and 30th September, if booked before 31st July. All prices include flights from Gatwick, transfers, accommodation, windsurfing hire and tuition, mountain bikes, SUPs and kids’ clubs

Club Vass – Dahab

Make sure you get your full UV and wind quota for the year. Flights to Dahab are available now for your Autumn-Winter fix. It’s one of the best times to be there – perfect wind conditions and temperatures and of course the best kit and instruction at Club Dahab.

Club Dahab pioneered the way and once again we are the only British centre in Dahab. We are the only centre that includes the full  and fabulous Club Vass tuition and rental package in your holiday price. Egypt is still a good value destination – it’s cheap when you get there. But remember, flight prices do not get cheaper as you get closer to date, so book fast!

See you soon!

Tony & Roger

Bryony Shaw drops in at Club Vass

Saskia Sills takes gold

“I can’t quite believe it! It’s such a shock but such a great feeling, I’m over the moon,” enthused Sills. “My aim entering the regatta was to try and finish within the top 10 and to gain as much experience as possible as it’s my first Youth Worlds and only my third proper event on the RS:X board. I don’t think it’s hit me yet as to how big this event actually is and what it means to medal here, I’m sure it soon will though and I can’t wait for tonight!”

Sills, who won the U17 class RS:X European title earlier this month, went into today’s only race with a guaranteed silver medal in the bag and needed to finish within  the top 13 to secure the world title. Following a 15^th in her penultimate race yesterday (Thursday 19 July), the pressure could have easily mounted on the youngest member of RYA Volvo Team GBR.

“At the beginning of the week I started off really well but as the week went on it got very tough. Yesterday I had a bit of a shocker in the final race and made it a lot harder for myself –  I couldn’t sleep last night which I’m sure was down to nerves. Everyone was congratulating me this morning before the race had even started which was a bit strange as I still had a job to do.

“I was so pleased when I crossed the finished line, it was a very stressful race,” said Sills. “At one point I was going round the top mark in 13^th with the people behind right on my tail which was when I soon realised I needed to pull my finger out. When I returned to the shore it was a great feeling. I’m now looking forward to the closing ceremony and celebrating the Nations Trophy with the rest of RYA Volvo Team GBR,” said Sills.

Congratulations to Saskia and we cannot wait to hear more about the victory on Boards.

This week was of course dominated by PWA news, firstly all the highlights from PWA Gran Canaria  then the news that Iballa Moreno and Philip Koester took further victories in PWA Tenerife too. Check out the Boardseeker action with brilliant videos from each day thanks to Alfie Hart.

During the competition the final 10 sailors were announced for the Red Bull Storm Chase, with Robby Swift in the mix with some of the best in the world. Ben Proffitt didn’t quite make it, but is nicely placed in 11th to step in should there be any injuries or sailors unable to make it…we’re sure we WILL see Proffitt in action in a force 10, potentially along with 12th placed Kenneth Danielsen who is probably the sailor most physically suited to the ballistic winds!

New equipment has been launched this week with the freestyle/wave range from Fanatic and North Sails, as well as the new range of wave sails from Simmer. 

We finish of this week’s top news with a brilliant image from one of the main men at RRD, Dave White and his new transport to the beach….we asked for more details, but looks like this was a top secret mission!

Dave White makes a speedy getaway!