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.

Sportif report the season has just started in Golf de Rosas on the northern mediterranean Spanish coast. This top PWA windsurf venue is set in the stunning Catalan region of Empuria Brava. A short distance from Gerona and Barcelona, it offers a superb culture break with wide sand beaches. Windy conditions are ideal for windsurfing with a host of other sports and activitiesm such as kitesurfing with SUP, cycling even rafing, canyoning or parachuting in the nearby Pyrenees, on offer. Explore the many tapas bas and bodegas to sample local Catalan dishes and superb wines. For a quick culture fix, nearby Figueres is home to the Dali Museum or combine your stay in Rosas with a few days in Barcelona and see the sights. Accommodation starts at £399pp including flights for 7 nights BB in an authentic catalan farmhouse  with pool. Alternatively pamper yourself with a week at the boutique spa hotel Can Cristofor with luxury spa and a la carte restaurant from £699pp including flights.

Tarifa is open for business year round but temperatures moving up the scale from May onwards. Tarifa is the perfect location to explore the surround region including Cadiz, Seville and Rhonda with day trips possible to Gibralta and Tangiers. Tarifa old town has it’s own myriad of winding streets and shops and restaurants to explore with a surfers vibe in many of the sports bars and coffee shops. Sportif recommend Tarifa for intermediate and above windsurfers, although say the Valdevaqueros beach has a sheltered area that can introduce beginners to windsurfing in less strong conditions. One of the original windsurfing meccas, you can enjoy the comfort of a luxury, boutique hotel minutes from the beach. There are two excellent centres for all your rental or instruction requirements plus options to try surfing, SUP and kitesurfing. The local hills provide excellent hiking, cycling and horseriding tracks. This is an ideal location for a short break spa weekend or family holiday. Short breaks of 4 nights BB start at £459 inc car with 1 week BB at a boutique hotel inc flights from £519pp.

For more details or to book call Sportif on 01273 844919 or see online www.sportif.travel

More about the next generation MADDOX

We are happy to present you the next generation of the MADDOX windsurf waist harness, that is well known for its soft support and maximum priority on freedom of body movement.

The 2013 edition is again available as a special Gollito Estredo Signature Model and additional features the all new Contour shape 2.0 at the inside of the harness, which guarantees an ideal fit to the upper and the lower part of the back by the help of different shaped areas in the harness body.
For a really short sum-up of all the details, please find attached an official press release.

The MADDOX is available from now on in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL and retails at 139.- €.
This top of the line product is just one out of 6 different windsurf waist harnesses. The full product line, including more budget oriented models, can be found on: www.ion-products.com

Basically the complete luff- panel design and profile distribution concept has been optimized to meet the high standards of todays’ formula racing.

“In developing the 2013 Formula sails, we paid particular attention to order competitor sails, using them as a benchmark.” states NorthSails Head Tester Peter Slate.

By reducing the overall luff curve and further reducing the luff curve in the boom area, better pointing ability, better stability, and better upwind acceleration could be achieved.

By reducing the luff curve in the boom area, and keeping it the same in the head area, we were able to effectively support the head area which helps both up and down wind, especially when the wind is really light.

After countless days of testing and a considerable number of prototypes tested,”finally the prototype of the 12sqm outperformed our best benchmark sails,” says ex formula racer and NorthSails tester Dan Ellis. “We decided, as the 11sqm is meant to perform in stronger wind than the 12sqm we would increase the the twist in the head area, as well as the negative shaping in the middle of the sail. The results were fantastic!”

From this point the 10sqm was created and results were amazing again.

Sail designer Kai Hopf brings it to the point: “In conclusion, we are confident that our 2013 Formula sails will be the most competitive Formula sails we’ve ever made, and we look forward to seeing our racers compete with them.”

“Just a heads up – there’s a great opportunity to get reacquainted with windsurfing friends this coming weekend at the first event in this year’s UKWA Freestyle Tour. After months of cold and, for this part of the world, the wrong sort of wind, it’s looking like next weekend could be an Event to remember. Temperatures are due to increase to a miraculous 14 degrees C and the wind’s scheduled to swing round westerly.

Come and see why West Kirby is the UK’s top freestyle venue.  Sailing instructions and Notice of Event will be available very shortly. This year every event will count. You’ve got to be in it to win it.

If the wind doesn’t deliver there’ll be the jet-ski on hand to provide tow in action.  And, as last year, the local West Kirby Warriors T15 Club will be putting on a party at a local venue with more plentiful portions and a lower price on the Saturday night!  What’s not to like?”

They have a massive range of Fanatic and North Kit available for use and 2013 is looking to be an exciting year for the centre based on the South Coast.

Lagoon Watersports is a unique windsurf centre, which offers a great location whatever your windsurfing ability. They have a shallow lagoon which is ideal for beginners and intermediates to learn and progress their skills and for the more advanced guys the sea is just a stones throw away offering some epic conditions and is a well known bump and jump spot.

As well as having great kit, Lagoon Watersports holds weekly windsurf training clinics, their Thursday evening sessions is aimed at windsurfers who are looking to improve their skills or preparing to get out on the sea. The Sunday session is  sea-focused for intermediate sailors looking to get out onto the sea or for those already capable, advanced sea coaching, ranging from carve gybes to bump and jump clinics.

For the 2013 season they have a number of Windsurf events to get involved in, including their ‘Wild Windsurf Weekender’, this is due to be a fantastic event offering demos, pro coaching and races – not to be missed!

Lagoon Watersports offer a Membership Scheme, which is great value for money and entitles you to unlimited hire of their kit or you can hire by the hour.

To find out how you can Windsurf at Lagoon Watersports, have a look at their website – www.lagoon.co.uk.

If you need more information email – info@lagoonwatersports.co.uk or call 01273 424842.

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We’re not sure if these guys actually made it out, with the sea so icy it could be pretty tricky, but they get full points from us for even standing in the ocean when it looks like this!

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With many more European lakes frozen Eva and many Dutch windsurfers have taken to ice windsurfing too!

ICE-SURFING 2013 from Eva on Vimeo.

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Most of the UK and Ireland has been well and truly snowed in this weekend, with cars abandoned many are taking to other modes of transport. Move over snowboarding, snow windsurfing is back!

Did you get out on the snow this weekend? Did you opt for snowboarding, skiing, sledging or snow windsurfing like John Gilhespy? Let us know in the comments below!

Fanatic pro camps, Lanzarote. from The wave Hobbit on Vimeo.

Find out more about Tom and Yoli here on the NorthSails page. 

Saskia Sills. Image credit Dave White.

This week kicked off with the news that top youth racer Saskia Sills had scooped another award, this time being crowned the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year. More young windsurfers were then in the news as Fanatic and North take on the talents of Arthur and Alice Arutkin, Maxime van Gent and Caesar Finies.

There are many offers and deals on at the moment, our top picks being: 2013 early discounts from Club Vass, the RoHo january sales and Wet n Dry snow offers.

Also in travel news Windsurfing Into the Unknown have released their Jeri video guide and Neilson are inviting you away for a summer of sun!

Staying a little closer to home our favourite video this week showcases the abilities of a 2 year old windsurfer, loving his new Goya board.

And finally we can’t finish this weekly news round up without mentioning the upcoming SWA wave event run by Plymouth and Exeter universities, it promises to be a weekend and a half!

Until next week….

How To Get Out Through Waves

Laure Treboux. Image credit Dani Miquel.

Laure Treboux

“Always have a good look at the place before heading out. Observe where and how the waves break.

To launch over the shorebreak: there are always gaps in between sets, so make sure you chose the right time to leave the beach. Wait for a set, once the set has come through you usually have a bit of a calmer moment when you can head out.

Once you are out, if it’s windy enough to get planing, make sure you have as much speed as possible, it makes it easier to go over the whitewater. As you are about to hit the white water, give a little pop to your board, so you lift it out of the water slightly. The board will go over the whitewater smoothly this way and you will avoid a catapult. Non-planing, the key is to have as much wind in your sail as possible, and just before the whitewater hits you, push down on your back leg so the nose goes up and over, push both your sail and board forward at the same time.”

Jamie Hancock. Image credit PWA/JC.

Jamie Hancock 

“Launching is really hit and miss, every spot has a different launch and even the best of us receive a fair bit of occasional humiliation. I have in the past been pinned under my sail praying nobody was watching. Getting out through waves becomes part and parcel of wave sailing. Every time you catch a wave to the inside you always have to go back to where you came from. Experience is key as it is all about reading the break, timing and always a fair proportion of luck!”

Robby Swift

“The main thing to remember is to have the nose of your board pointing at the wave. If you have it side on, the wave will flatten you with its power. If the nose is facing straight at the wave, you will penetrate easily.”

Ross Williams. Image credit PWA/JC.

Ross Williams 

“It’s always best to give yourself enough room, so my top tip would be to start far enough upwind that if things don’t go to plan you have enough space and time to get out of any trouble that you could be heading for.”

Ben Proffitt

“Take a bigger sail as it means you are more likely to plane, which means you spend less time in the impact zone and can pick and choose when to go out.”

Check out more technique here in the Boards technique section or head here to purchase the print magazine and read the Ultimate How To: Wave Edition in full.

ARE YOU A PARENT LOOKING TO INTRODUCE YOUR KIDS INTO WINDSURFING?

Answer…..START EARLY!

You're never to young to get involved in windsurfing! Image credit Thorsten Indra.

Venturing into windsurfing at a young age is the best way to ensure rapid progression and become part of a sport without limitations! If you’re young and want the opportunity to try the best sport in the world, get your parents to sign you up for a windsurfing lesson NOW!

You’ll pick it up so quickly that you’ll soon be way better than Mum and Dad! You’ll impress all your mates, get fit, strong and the rush windsurfing gives you is better than any other sport or video game. There’s some amazing user-friendly kit around to make your whole experience on the water sensational. You have to give it a go.

You too could learn to blast fast, do tricks, maybe compete, ride waves and impress your friends. If you’ve got parents who don’t windsurf, join a local windsurfing club, they can help you with kit and you’ll meet and sail with others of your age and ability. So whilst your mates are wondering what to do in their spare time, you’ll be screaming about on the water with an awesome feeling of independence and a rush adrenaline running right through you. It feels even better than all the amazing pictures in this magazine!

Jumping! Image credit Thorsten Indra.

PARENTS

More then ever, windsurfers from the 80’s & 90’s are getting their kids into windsurfing. So if you’re a parent, what’s stopping you? It may even increase your own windsurfing opportunities. Saying, “I’m just off to the beach” on a weekend can be a tough call, but take the kids with you and it’s much more likely to happen. Yes initially you might become an under-appreciate caddy, but the long term benefits of getting the family involved has to be a good thing for everyone. But, it’s really important to go about it the right way, otherwise those wetsuits will only be used once and Facebook will regain control of their lives.

Here’s our BOARDS BASICS guide to get and keep young people windsurfing in a fun, safe and enjoyable way.

Parents FAQ – on page two.

Kids Kit – on page three.

Alongside previous champions more fresh faces will be challenging for titles, Sam Latham is one of the top up and coming racers who’s also proving himself in the waves. Boards catches up with Sam as 2012 draws to a close and he looks forward to racing in 2013.

Sam Latham

Name: Sam Latham

Age: 20

From: Reigate, Surrey

Years Windsurfing: 11

Favourite Discipline: Slalom of course! But if there were regular waves on South coast, it could change…

Local Spot: The one and only Shorekipa Beach Park!

Occupation: 3rd Year design student at Bournemouth.

Self-employed chicken coop workshop manager! (don’t hear that every day!) http://www.oakdene-coops.co.uk

Sponsors: Boardwise, K66,  North Sails, Fanatic, ION, K4, Flymount.

How did you get into windsurfing?

A family friend sailed small boats on a local lake near my home and asked me to join him on a beginner windsurfing course. I got off to a bad start and joined him sailing for a year. One weekend out on the lake I saw someone planing along whilst windsurfing and decided I had to give it another go. I haven’t stopped since that day; that person I saw is now one of my best friends and I sail with him regularly.

Sam Latham

What do your friends think of windsurfing?

At school growing up I was definitely the weird one for not playing football, but windsurfing was like a second life for me. I think as we all grew up my friends realised how important windsurfing is to me, it’s always good to have a hobby you’re really motivated with. They know I make the most of socialising when I can so it’s not like I’m never around!

How long have you been competing and how did you get into racing?

I got myself into the RYA pathway and competing internationally at a very young age; after Team 15 I went onto the new junior Techno (at the time) claiming 3rd in under 17 category in Europe. Then I moved onto the youth RS:X class, claiming 3rd at the French Nationals.

When and why did you progress across to slalom? 

Whilst being part of Team GBR I got myself a basic slalom board and started competing along side, then I realised how I enjoyed slalom much more than course racing. Seeing Dan Ellis fly round the course at White Air was a real decision maker for me. Slalom racing is just so much more intense due to the high speeds and narrow course. There’s nothing like flying down the first reach with 100kg men fully stacked, some catapulting and then having to dive into that first mark.

Sam Latham

enjoying the waves

at Shoreham

Do you just race? Or do you take part in other disciplines too? Any other sports?

I wave sail regularly, Shoreham can have some amazing days; sailing with Nik and Ant (Baker) has really improved my confidence going for tricks. I usually make trips to Kimmeridge with my old coach Oli Woodcock when at Uni. I do want to go to a wave event now I have more confidence but it’s just money holding me back at the moment, being a poor student and all.

I have got into surfing a lot more at uni as well, went to a student event in Newquay, Cornwall with the Bournemouth University Surf club but wasn’t at all competitive. Party after was good though!

worthing from Sam Latham K15 on Vimeo.

Whats is your most memorable moment in windsurfing so far?

Landing my first back loop at Sea Lane Cafe in Worthing last year was very un-expected, but can’t really say have landed any since.

Scoring my first proper down the line session at the Bluff about five years ago has to also be up there. At the moment I won’t be truly happy until I’m on the podium for overall men’s slalom in the UK.

Sam Latham, can he get on the podium in 2013?

What are your aims for the future on and off water?

Off the water, I want to grow this chicken coop business to make enough money to live a good windsurfing lifestyle and hopefully design a product that funds this too!

On the water I really want to get to my first PWA event under my belt, just to live the experience rather than watching it on the computer. But may spend this money on having a proper holiday training for a month or so, maybe go out to Ocean Source and meet old UKWA legend Dan Simpson!

Catch up on the other articles in the Hidden Talents series below: