Want to know more about Caesar and FlowStyle? Boards 2013 Autumn Winter issue features a full interview with Caesar about the FlowStyle revolution, even including some moves that you can try too. Check out the print edition here. 

Caesar Finies from Johan van Hese on Vimeo.

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

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.

Amanda is also running Girls Windsurf camps in Tenerife this year, with the first one coming up in April. Check out all the info here.

W.H.Y. from Manuel Grafenauer on Vimeo.

WHY is a short movie about an unforeseeable change. The dutch windsurfer Amanda Beenen takes us back to the origin of her windsurf passion. In 2004 – where this story starts – horse riding was her favorite thing to do. Back than it was very unlikely that she would ever live the life she is living now. A traumatic accident changed everything and her life turned in a totally different direction. Almost a decade later, it is clear to see, that without this incident she would most probably still horse ride and would have never put her feet into the straps of a windsurf board.

And in yet more Amanda news, the Dutch star has signed to the Gaastra and Tabou International team for 2013…more info coming very soon!

Amanda Beenen

Well-known for putting together finest windsurfing movies Andre Paskowski takes the discipline of waveriding centre stage again. Scheduled locations will be five of the best waveriding spots around the world. ’Below the Surface’ will be both an action packed sports movie and an impressive documentary including Victor Fernandez, his friends and rivals, Andre Paskowski explains the concept without telling the names of the prominent protagonists yet.

To realise ‘Below The Surface’ Andre Paskowski and his production company FRUITLOOP PRODUCTIONS are looking for sponsors. In the past the production costs were merely covered by private financing, donations from fans and some support of my sponsors North, Fanatic and ION,“ Andre explains the situation. “This time we are looking for official partners who support ‘Below the Surface’“. For further information or expression of interest please send an email to info@andrepaskowski.de

Since the two-times European Freestyle Champion was diagnosed with cancer he had to put his sporting career on hold. Filming brought a new meaning to his life and so Andre became one of the most successful producers in the windsurfing movie scene. ‚Wet and Salty’ (2004), ‘Flashback’ and ‘Four Dimensions’ (2009) are the names of his first remarkable films. The definitive breakthrough was achieved by ‘Minds Wide Open’ (2011), which was nominated for participation at the important X-Dance Action Sport Film Festival in Salt Lake City / USA, just like it’s two followers ‘Magic Moments’ and ‘Rewarded’ (2012).

Check out Below the Surface on Facebook here. 

Colin Dixon, flaka! Credit Richard Keaney

What are the top moves being performed at the moment: in UK competitions, in the EFPT and in PWA? 

COLIN DIXON: Air moves are the key, doing the whole move in the air is what’s winning! The higher you go and more you rotate the better.

ADAM SIMS: In the UK competitions I think we have seen air funnel into funnel, burner funnels, culos, skopus and regular konos (maybe some of those moves have only been done in tow-in). On the EFPT it is the same as the PWA pretty much, double and triple moves, push loops, etc… Maybe the PWA it is perhaps a tiny bit higher when Gollito gets in the zone in Fuerte, ridiculous one handed air chachoos, we’ve seen double forwards from Koester there before, I’ve seen Steven VB and Martin VO doing doubles and air chachoos outside of heats.

JOHN PALMER: UK Comps – Kono’s, Culos, Burners (By the looks of the footage I’ve seen of Max I’m sure it’ll be super high this year!) EFPT isn’t far off the PWA in standard. Best moves in the PWA at the moment for me are Kabikuchis, and Gollitos massive double air flakas and double burners.

MAX ROWE: The top moves at the moment are mostly combinations such as burner into burner or Culo into Spock. The PWA format allows more top moves to be performed as you get the chance to crash a few times so that makes a big difference. There a still a lot of top moves performed on the EFPT and UK competitions but you will never see them as frequently as on the PWA because of the format.

DANIELLE LUCAS: In the UK events there is a very high standard of freestyle, with some really talented younger riders coming up too.  Top moves I would say are Kulos and Skopu’s, whereas the top moves on the PWA are more like double or triple anything, huge ‘air’ moves. and combinations such as spock kulo’s and so much more!

PHIL RICHARDS: Biggest moves I have seen in heats.

UK: Burners, Culos, Konos and Skopus

PWA: Bonkas, Kabikuchis, Double Burners plus lots of combo moves.

The big difference between the two competitions is consistency, in the UK you see the big moves but the conditions play a big part in what you can and cant do. In the PWA although the conditions play a part in the moves that are seen, the best guys do all their stuff in all conditions light or strong.

Andy Chambers in Weymouth.

ANDY CHAMBERS: The top moves at the moment are being done all over the world.  A lot of the PWA competitors compete on the EFPT and also a few of us compete on the UK circuit.  The big move mainly are the combo moves like Spock into Culo or Burner into Funnel.  Also some no handed power moves aswell.  When the stunt ramps kick up like in Fuerte or Sylt then some of the older moves are being done fully in the air like double rotations, the ‘Pasko’ for example is an air flak into shaka.

JAMIE DRUMMOND: I didn’t do any of the UKWA events last year so can’t comment on the moves being done there. The move skill difference between the EFPT and PWA has narrowed slightly, but in the EFPT you are going to see a lot more moves per heat and this is due to the judging formats. The overall impression format means it helps to get down some Grubbies, Flakas, Spock and Forwards before smashing out a Burner or Skopu. Whereas the PWA Best Move format will see most heats being opened with Burners and Skopus and the more basic moves only performed if the wind is light.

How good do need to be to enter a UK amateur competition? 

COLIN DIXON: Don’t do what I did and wait too long! Every time you enter a competition it will give you experience .

JO WRIGHT: Ladies – seriously, if you can duck gybe you will be well up there!

ADAM SIMS: There is competition at the events for any level, just head along and get involved. You’ll leave the event knowing what you need to practice for the next one.

JOHN PALMER: Come a long no matter how good you are! You will learn something!

MAX ROWE: The UK amateur competitions are a great way to improve as you’ll be pushed by people of a similar standard. Even if you’re not fussed about competing it’s a great way to learn a lot and also have a load of fun.

DANIELLE LUCAS: You should just be up for going out and trying your best! Even if you cannot yet land anything getting out with other freestylers to train, and have a laugh is really helpful in pushing you forward, inspiring you and showing you its worth the learning process!

Danielle Lucas on the water.

PHIL RICHARDS: Freestyle can be anything, from sailing along with one hand, to a heli-tack , a duck gybe, a jump, vulcans, flakas and much more. Ability is not so important, as we all realise that we all have to start somewhere.

As long as you turn up and give it a go, you might not win, however, you will learn lots from it and be inspired to improve.

ANDY CHAMBERS: If you can do any kind of freestyle then you will be welcome at any Uk event.  The more events you attend then the more you will learn as well.  There plenty of people and Pro’s around to give tips on moves and how to sail heats.  As long as you can put a few moves together in a bit of a routine then you’re all good.  A Vulcan with some old school freestyle thrown in will be fine.

What is the best approach going into a heat?

COLIN DIXON: With moves that you can do, not moves you can land one out of ten, All the guys I have coached in the past for competitions I have told them to build the points up first then try the moves you can only land now and again.

JO WRIGHT: With a big grin on your face!

ADAM SIMS: I think the best thing is to do something the I learnt from watching the ASP pro-surfing events, build a house (not literally). Start at the foundations, do the moves you know you will sail away from then add the bricks, the moves you can land but a bit less frequent, then finally if you do all that and have time, throw a roof on and bust out something you may have only landed a couple times. If you still have time then I find competition is a really good motivator for new moves…

JOHN PALMER: Look at it like a timed free sail, and try not to think about the other sailor.

MAX ROWE: You should just go out there thinking about having fun as you’ve got nothing to loose. That’s what I did and then from there you’ll learn about yourself and how you need to prepare. I’m really enjoying the commentating for the live stream on the PWA tour at the moment as I can just jump straight out of the box and on to the water without over thinking before.

DANIELLE LUCAS: Just go out and enjoy it, think about what you do best and try to get it done first, then try your other stuff once you have something in the bag!  Also, try to stay upwind and in the area, this can take some getting used to in short heats!  It depends on how the competition is being run as to an exact way to approach it, but best to just try to enjoy it and take it as something to learn from however it goes!

John Palmer

PHIL RICHARDS: Go out try what you know you can do consistently first, If that goes well try some of the more tricky stuff.

Try not to be nervous, and remember why you windsurf in the first place. Because it’s fun!

ANDY CHAMBERS:  Main thing I think is to have fun with it and just go and sail like you would do normally for the allocated time.  Don’t panic or watch the other person as this will make you loose time and get you flustered when you see them bust out something good.  Sail your own heat and just concentrate on what your doing.  The better you get at heat sailing the more you will understand what you need to do to win.

JAMIE DRUMMOND: Make sure you are powered up, make sure you are in the correct heat and make sure your watch is set to the right time! Give yourself plenty of time to get upwind before the heat starts – if you’re in position in plenty of time you’ll be a lot more confident going into the heat.

It’s always a good idea to start out with some of your more basic or ‘safe’ moves. I try to avoid watching my competitor and just focus on my own thing. Play to what the conditions offer. For example if you really want a double jumping move where a good patch of flat water is ideal, don’t force it in a choppy patch – us the chop to boost a higher air or power move.

Check out parts one to three of the Freestyle Secrets series in the Boards Technique section here. 

RAM F13

Maximum performance just below World Cup level with a balanced handling – these are the cornerstones for the development of the RAM F13. The RAM F13 is, and remains a relentlessly fast Slalom sail, with again improved acceleration power and top speed over the whole wind range through a steeper angle of the top batten.

DETAILS:

7 battens, a narrower mast sleeve and the reduced weight make the RAM F13 far less physical to handle than the WARP F2012. The INDEPENDENT.SHAPING.CONCEPT supports this concept decisively. Instead of just using one kind of shaping for the complete sail (sail body and mast sleeve), Kai worked with 2 separate 3-D profiles for the sail body and mast sleeve. The wind range has improved drastically by an impressive 25%.

S_TYPE

For 2013 Kai Hopf developed new features and an optimized profile which increase the outstanding performance yet again.

DETAILS:

For example a small but essential detail is the steeper top batten, which provides a better connection to the top of the sail, which gives a more active twist. This leads to quicker acceleration and an expanded wind range. Following the extremely successful WARP F2012 the compact shape got taken over, but with a slightly longer CROSS.BATTEN. This results in greater comfort and control during acceleration and in overpowered conditions, because the longer CROSS.BATTEN flexes more.

X_TYPE

This extremely versatile sail combines convincing handling and rigging of a NoCam sail with a very tangy power delivery and top speed. Simply powerful thrust and speed AND the ease of a NoCam sail for relaxed maneuvers. The secret is the reduced aspect ratio that was taken over by the World Cup winning sail WARP F2012 plus the relatively high sail foil tension which guarantees maximum performance even without cambers.

DETAILS:

The forward draft location facilitates rig control and steering, and significantly contributes to what is an unusually high draft stability profile for a NoCam sail. Thanks to the PROGRESSIVE.BATTEN.CONFIGURATION, all X_TYPE models feature batten numbers relevant to size and application, with Kai Hopf managing to perfect the 6.0 and 5.4 sizes with just 6 battens. This helps reduce weight and improves handling. What’s more all X_TYPE sizes can be used with a single 460 mast - one mast fits all!

NATURAL

The NATURAL accelerates without pumping, offers a surprisingly high speed potential and inspires with its high draft stability.

DETAILS:

The secret of the perfectly balanced range of the NATURAL is the PROGRESSIVE.BATTEN.CONFIGURATION. As a result, the focus for sizes up to 5.8 is still on handling and draft stability, which explains why only 5 battens are in place. At 6.2 and above, the design focuses on performance while Kai Hopf once again concentrated on simple rig control and handling characteristics. Both versions offer excellent control, a high level of comfort, and plenty of planing ability – the perfectsynthesis of speed, acceleration, and handling. The new NATURAL with CROSS.BATTEN.CONSTRUCTION and CUTAWAY.CLEW will make windsurfing much less complicated, and we believe that for many sailors the problem of choosing the right equipment is almost obsolete.

CURVE

Looking at this Crossover sail one can imagine how easy it is to control during manoeuvres and light it feels in your hands.

DETAILS:

The secret is the extremely weight-optimised and clean construction that focuses on the essentials, without compromising the durability. The result is an unparalleled handling, which immediately makes especially intermediates jump up one class. The balanced shape and very low weight are specially tailored to the group of novices and intermediates. The new CURVE accelerated the move to the next skill level and ideally supports learning new manoeuvres.

DRIVE.GROM

Maximum performance just below World Cup level with a balanced handling – these are the cornerstones for the development of the RAM F13. The RAM F13 is, and remains a relentlessly fast Slalom sail, with again improved acceleration power and top speed over the whole wind range through a steeper angle of the top batten.

DETAILS:

7 battens, a narrower mast sleeve and the reduced weight make the RAM F13 far less physical to handle than the WARP F2012. The INDEPENDENT.SHAPING.CONCEPT supports this concept decisively. Instead of just using one kind of shaping for the complete sail (sail body and mast sleeve), Kai worked with 2 separate 3-D profiles for the sail body and mast sleeve. The wind range has improved drastically by an impressive 25%.

First up Boards caught up with one of the Team15 teams to watch out for, The Kielder Kestrels as well as BWA youth competitor looking to mix it up with the amateurs this year,Liam Ellis.

Of course the big news this week is that you can now pre-order the Boards Spring Summer 2013 edition – which will hit shelves, or your doorstep, on the 28th March.

We also had the latest edition of the Freestyle Secrets: part three – remember you can also check out parts one and two in the technique section of the website here.

Victor Fernandez in Shoreham - in the news this week one of the World’s top wave sailors, some say the one man that could take the title from Koester, was on British shores hanging out with Nik Baker.

Hayling Island slalom is starting very soon, a little further afield Fanatic have announced further coaching dates in Lanzarote. Another option if you’re looking to head away is to take the ferry, with routes to Ireland and more Stena Line are a great travel option, particularly as at the moment they are running a kids travel for free package!

Boards also has a new video only section on the homepage – currently located just below the news, all videos will appear in this separate section, so if you’re looking for the latest videos to hit the windsurfing world make sure you continue down past the news! Top videos this week are: Ant Baker showing his slalom style and up and coming racer Tom Wells going full speed ahead.

Until next week….

Lanzarote action

“This year we will again host TWO FANATIC WINDSURFING CAMPS at FBC LANZAROTE with Fanatic Pro Trainer Tom Brendt. Join us and radically improve your carving and riding skills, or your jumping and freestyle moves at this world famous spot. We guarantee you will come away feeling completely different about your windsurfing! Places are available NOW and these camps are filling up fast so don’t delay – book it today!

CARVE & RIDE: 05.06. – 10.06.13

JUMP & FREESTYLE: 12.06. – 17.06.13

FBC “The Official Fanatic Centers” - We give you MORE chances and MORE choices than ever before to improve your windsurfing and to realize your dreams!”