If you’re wondering just what racing in 35 knots looks like, how hard it is and if you can handle it, take 5 minutes to watch the awesome footage from the weekend by Alfie Hart…

Watch out for some big crashes, some more almost crashes, a shore dump rinsing and a lot of VERY stacked looking guys!

Down in Worthing the best UK slalom racers and freestylers will be coming together for the next round of the UKWA tour organised by Nik Baker and the K66 team. And across the UK, and indeed much of the world (don’t forget Jamie Drummond is taking on the 100 loop challenge in Vassiliki!), windsurfers will hit the water from Sunrise to Sunset in aid of W4CR.

It’s not too late to find out more about the nearest Sunrise to Sunset event to you and get involved, or head along to Worthing to see what UK competition entails and take out some of the latest demo equipment. Find out more about both events on the Boards calendar here.

Where ever you decide to windsurf this weekend, Boards wishes you a windy one! And remember, even if it’s not windy near you it will be somewhere…

Worthing slalom, Dempsey taking on Baker!

Tom Malin at Ho’okipa

Tom Malin is supported by Puravida Boardriders, North Sails and Fanatic. 

Check out the full plan below, and get in touch with Lagoon to book your spot!

Hove windsurfing action, it’s looking sunny and windy for Saturday!

Wild Windsurf Weekender – The Day Plan

Saturday 1st June:
1000 – 1200 – Kids Freestyle Clinic with Sam Ross
1300 – 1600 – Advanced Coaching with Sam Ross
1400 – 1600 – Women’s Only Coaching with Amy Carter
1630 – 1800 – Fun Races

Sunday 2nd June
1000 – 1200 – Intermediate Coaching with Sam Ross
1300 – 1500 – SUP Coaching with Sam Ross

Call 01273 424842 to book your training session or pop into the Lagoon to sign up! Check out more on the Lagoon Facebook page here. 

The level across both fleets was incredible to see; the masters was a hard fought battle between Geoff Hautman and Dave White, whilst in the amateurs a whole number of riders were busting out loops, push loops and more. Check out all the action below and look out for some smooth riding, painful crashes and a special moment with head judge Duncan Coombs…

Nik Baker and Neil Greentree

Neil Greentree, Team QSW Principal said ” I agreed to loan Nik our race bus as his with with our caravan bodyshop having substantial work performed on it. Nik needed a big kit for his Demo weekends and it made sense for him to borrow ours. Nik’s a good friend of mine so it was an easy choice for me. We can use the Bailey Approach motorhome we have on loan for 2013 to get our racers and kit to the events we attend so it won’t really effect us”

You can see Nik Baker and the K66 team the 1st/2nd June at H2o Watersports  at the BSA race series events starting at Worthing on the 15th/16th June and then at Aberdovey for the Boardwise Demo on the 29th/30th June.

Max Rowe, image credit PWA/John Carter

Name: Max Rowe

Sail no: K 20

Previous best PWA result: 9th Austria 2011

Result at this event: 13th

Did you prepare any differently for this event? Not especially! I have been in Maui for the 5 weeks before so I’ve had plenty of time on the water. Also, sailing with Gollito everyday for those 5 weeks might of been helpful.

Were you feeling confident going into it? I was feeling pretty confident especially as it was looking we would get some strong wind. Once you’ve registered though and have a look through the elimination ladder its easy to get a bit nervous as the fleet is at such a high level at the moment.

Where were you aiming to finish? I didn’t really have an aim but getting in the Top 16 is always nice.

Who’s your biggest rival? Bubble!

What moves did you land that you think saw you through a few heats? Burners and air funnels were probably my stand out moves I did in every heat. I’ve been training them really hard so it was good to see that pay off.

Did you almost beat Gollito? Mmm I didn’t check the score sheets but I seriously doubt it. He was on fire!

Who’s your money on for the title this year? Steven? Gollito? Well, now that Gollito’s won the first event it’s pretty easy to stick with him.

Max in action in Podersdorf

What was the best move you saw landed and by who? Relatively simple but one of the Shakas I saw Gollito do was just ridiculous!

Worst crash you saw? Balz Muller always has the worst crashes. One pasko crash he had looked savage!

Who had a tantrum after they lost a heat? Scheffers wasn’t too happy after Beholz kicked him out of the single early on, he did go on to fight back to 5th in the double which was pretty impressive.

Who won beer pong on the last night? There’s never a winner in beer pong because if you win a game you have to stay on and play another game and carry on drinking… haha. Yeh the last night of any event is always pretty wild.

As well as competing on the PWA and UKWA tour Max will be coaching this summer at Club Vass, for more info on getting coaching from the world’s best head to clubvass.com

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.”

Ant Baker

Ant Baker will cover all aspects of freeriding so whatever level you are at we will have something for you.

Rigging, Set-up, Gybing, Jumping, Upwind, downwind, s-turns, tacking….. need work on any of these things??

Then you need to be on this clinic!

This clinic is pre booking only so contact Ant: 07595 835978
info@baker-academy.com

£60 for the day

Meet at Widewater car park on Shoreham beach at 11 please 

• When: 06th – 06th May 2013
• Where: Shoreham Beach
• Minimum ability: waterstarting
• Availability: 8 places left
• Costs: £60
• More Information and Bookings: mailto:info@baker-academy.com or head to the Baker Academy website here. 

Cornwall Trip – Windsurf, Surf and SUP – Sam Latham K15 from Sam Latham K15 on Vimeo.

The United Kingdom Windsurfing Association (UKWA) have established a windsurfing hall of fame. The first seven recipients of this award are windsurfers who have made a outstanding contribution to windsurfing here in the UK.

The first seven people being honoured by the UKWA are:

Peter Chilvers – The world 1st windsurfer and inventor of the sailboard

Peter Hart – Successful Racer, Record Breaker, Coach, Journalist and Producer

Nik Baker – The most successful wave sailor the UK has ever produced.

Dave Hackford – The UK’s 1st Olympic Windsurfer and long board racer winner

Dave White – Our Most successful speed sailor with 3 production world records

Guy Cribb – 13 x British Champion, including Youth, Men’s and Masters Categories

Penny Wilson – 3 times Women’s’ World Racing Champion and took part in two Olympic games

I am sure you will agree these windsurfers here are very worthy of their place on this list. It is also worth noting that after the many years since they stepped on a board for the first time. They are all still very involved in windsurfing here in the UK and worldwide. There are not many sports that can boast that from their hall of fame.

The UKWA will consider additions to the hall of fame on an annual basis, so if you would like to send a nominee for consideration please get in touch via their Facebook page or email info@ukwindsurfing.com.