PETER HART MASTERCLASS CLINIC –
9th of June Vassiliki Greece £989pp based on 7 nights, 2 sharing.

Peter Hart returns to host yet another week with Neilson holidays, this year in the legendary Vassiliki, Greece. In a recent worldwide poll called the ‘Top 100’ Peter Hart was voted the 3rd most influential and inspirational windsurfer of all time. At various times known as ‘The Guru’ and ‘Mr Windsurfing’ he has been involved in every aspect of the sport as competitor, journalist, TV commentator, trainer, coach and program maker.

http://www.neilson.co.uk/peter-hart-windsurf-masterclass

Required standard. Planing using the harness 

Sam Ross clinics with Neilson, will you be there?

SAM ROSS WINDSURF CLINIC -  10th and 17th of June Ortakent Turkey. £160 additional supplement to the holiday.

Sam Ross first started windsurfing in 1997. Sam is currently an RYA advanced plus instructor, RYA trainer and has been a member of the Boards test team. He is also an RYA level 2 race coach and has given feedback to different brands on product and their development.

Sam’s focus is on spending as much time on the water as  possible, helping those who want to progress with their personal and  professional development. Neilson are delighted that  Sam will be continuing his long association with us and providing specialist windsurf clinics at Neilson Seaside  Beachclub in Ortakent, Turkey this summer.

Required standard. Planing using the harness

http://www.neilson.co.uk/sam-ross-windsurf-clinics

Neilson holiday offers:

2 WEEK BEACHCLUB HOLIDAYS FOR  THE PRICE OF ONE
Throughout May, June, September and October you can stay at a Neilson award winning inclusive beachclub – relaxing, windsurfing or playing tennis in the sunshine for 2 weeks while only paying for one!

SAVE ON NEILSON SAILING & BEACHCLUB HOLIDAYS
Save up to 5% on a Neilson Sailing or Beachclub holiday when you book online here

Book now here!

Keeping warm in Spartan!

At Spartan we do things differently. All our research and testing is completed in the cold waters of the UK, not in some tropical paradise whose most miserable conditions are still warmer than an average British summer’s day.

Building on 50 years of history and development we have engineered this new range of suits to raise Spartan’s glowing reputation in wetsuit construction to even greater heights.
Using feedback from our sponsored riders and development team we have created wetsuits that give maximum warmth, flexibility and comfort by using only the best construction, materials and features.

All aspects of the new Spartan range of high performance wetsuits have been analysed, tested, checked and double-checked. The attention to detail has been obsessive.

Thanks to this fanatical approach we have managed to achieve:

1. Flexibility and movement to compliment the specific sports.
2. Maximum warmth/comfort in extreme weather conditions

The sign of a good wetsuit is one that allows you to regulate your temperature over a wide range of air and water temperatures. Hence our R and D team tests our suits extensively all year round at home and abroad in the extremes of hot and cold water.

Lets bust a few myths….

The myth that a wetsuit traps a layer of water is an excuse for a badly made suit. All flushing uses valuable energy from the wearer to warm the next water layer up it is not an advantage.

The biggest myth is that double lined neoprene is warm in windchill, the National Physical Laboratory has proven that surface temperatures, and hence chilling, are in force three and above is greatly reduced by single lined neoprene and should be a windsports enthusiasts first line of defence against the cold.

Testimonials

Phil Dobner

Phil Dobner

The Vortex 5/3 is shit compared to sailing in board shorts but if you do have to use a wetsuit this has to be the closest you’re going to get for a 5mm suit! 
I don’t know what Voodoo technology you’ve used on the shoulders and arms but it’s like sailing in a Long John (which I actually quite like, it reminds me of my oppy days) 
I seriously could not feel any restriction on the arms at all, 
have you woven in a thin layer of the all curing rhino horn powder or used plain old Voodoo on the shoulders? 
The 3mm arms and shoulders are such a good idea…

Cheers guys, it let me land my first back loop, whoop whoop,  at 42 as well,  I thought it would never happen..   ( Phil Dobner April 2012 Shoreham beach)

Aron USA

I use a convertible version of their 4mm suit, I think it is.  Frankly, since I got your suit, I don’t use it unless it’s really cold out (in the winter storms, with the arms on).  What I like most of all about your suit versus the Patagonia suit is that it’s built specifically for windsurfing (which the other is built for surfing), and it has the capacity to deflect wind & shed water, which I really like a lot.  The wool in the Patagonia suit makes it a bit too hot as well for me. I run a bit hotter than most people, and so I’m trying to stay a bit more cool, which is another reason I like the sleeves off.  

Those are my thoughts off the top of my head.

Cheers,

Aaron

(August 2012 on the 4/3 convertible)

Martin Downing Aberdeen

see SUPer sunday!
Had some mental waves, but this seems to be the only evidence so far!
I was in your Xdry, toast warm throughout, watched many surfers give up with the cold, I came in at 6 in the dark! (Martin 2012 February)

John Pink and Richard Peacock commenting on the 3/3 Vortex

“Something I was massively amazed by is the steamer that you gave us. I always thought it was a 4 x 3, as I used it all winter and was pretty warm. It wasn’t until not that long ago I read on the sleeve 3 x 3 and was amazed that I had used it all winter when I usually had a 5,3 to do the same job!! ”

Dom Moore Extreme Kitesurfer and Surfer on the 3/3 Vortex

“Loving the Vortex suit, thank you. Since I got it, I’ve been in the sea probably 90% of days, surfing, bodysurfing, getting slammed into the sand, and now more recently that the wind is back, plenty of kitesurfing. It’s definitely a warm suit; I’m into my summer suit a lot earlier than my friends – the 3/3 combo seems very logical for the UK – there are still people here paddling around in gloves and boots though maybe they are a bit misguided! Feels very comfortable too and the neck seal is proving to be very reliable in all sorts of wipeouts. Wrist seals are good and the velcro on the ankles holding great so far, I’m really enjoying this suit for multi-discipline”.

Dom Moore (May 2011)

Corky Kirkman

BRILLIANT MATEY….GOING SWIMMING NOW IN WATERMAN SUIT…..LOVE IT…….TRYING IT ON A S.U.P FROM O’SHEA……SO WILL HIT THAT HARD TOO….K212 CORKY

Peter Hart

Peter Hart and the new XTR

Sorry this has been a bit late  - I got the new XTR winter suit, then the freeze came, then I went to Brazil – anyway  now I’m back and have been out in the weekend gales. The new XTR is quite simply the best winter suit I’ve ever used – in terms of flexibility it feels like a 3/2 and YET it’ toasty.
Great work too on the neck, arm and leg seals. Winter sailing has suddenly become appealing again!

Naomi Dines on her two new Spartan Winter suits

Just wanted to say how fantastic my new Ladies Cyclone 5/4/3 suit has been this winter. I’ve been out in 3 degrees with minus 5 extra windchill, and sea temps of 5 degrees, with only a shortsleeved polypro underneath, (plus hood and gloves) and been able to sail for a couple of hours at a stretch, which is pretty remarkable in a back zip suit, especially for someone just learning to sail in waves and spending plenty of time in the water! It’s also super stretchy and comfortable, especially the new neck, and really easy to get on and off. The lining seems to dry twice as fast as my other neoprene so the suit is dry overnight for the next session, which makes a real difference on the beach.

Adam Sims in the Spartan rigging jacket

Adam Sims K669 – about his first sail in a Spartan Wetsuit in  cold cold cold December 2010

“Hi Guys,

Got out at last, yesterday. Used the Extreme Dry and it rocks! The legs are super warm, in fact the whole thing is, although i felt like i had a mini heater around my legs which was really nice. Once I was sailing I didn’t notice the zip across the shoulders which was cool. Not sure what to say, except it was awesome! Gloves were a little small I think, probably should have gone for the large but no fret.

Hood was super warm.

Really had an awesome session. 3 Hours on the water non stop!! That’s a first for me for this time of the year i think. Didn’t feel cold once, except when rigging (out of the suit).

Cheers for the suits and have a great Christmas,” (Adam Sims K72 Dec 2010)

For more Spartan news keep up to date with them on Boards here, or head to the Spartan website. 

Peter Hart Wavesailing

Peter Hart
- Dahab, Red Sea – 17-24 March 2013
- Ialyssos, Rhodes 19-26 June 2013

Simon Bornhoft

Simon Bornhoft - Marsa Alam, Red Sea – Feb, Mar, Apr & Sept 2013
- Margarita, Caribbean 03 January – 14 February 2013
- Moulay, Morocco 02-09 May 2013
- Alacati, Turkey 08-15 June and 15-22 June 2013

Jem Hall Clinic

Jem Hall
- Marsa Alam, Red Sea 13-20 & 20-27 March 2013 
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 12-19 June 2012 (intermediates),
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 19-26 June 2013 (advanced/looping),
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 26 June – 2 July 2012 (int-adv) 
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 04-11 September 2013 (int-adv)

There are also the last 4 spaces available for Peter Hart’s Introduction to Wave Sailing in Jeri.
Jericoacoara, Brazil – 09-19 January 2013 10 nights + LAST 4 SPACES +
Peter’s 5th clinic in Jeri for entry level wave sailing plus general skills for intermediates-advanced is now open for bookings. January offers the perfect ‘introduction to wave-sailing’ conditions. The waves are bigger, the wind a perfect force 4-5 and the whole place noticeably less crowded and laid-back.

Call 01273 844919 to book your place or email info@sportif.travel  www.sportif.travel

If you fancy heading to Ireland too check out the great offer from Stena Line for a ferry trip for two for only £149! 

DAHAB, RED SEA – 17-24 March 2013
£50 OFF EARLY BOOKING OFFER – IF BOOKED BY 31 OCT 12.
Peter Hart is back to Dahab for his Masterclass windsurfing clinic in March 2013. It’s the perfect location for improving windsurfers with a flat water lagoon to get you going, speed strip to get you going faster and swells to get you going upwards! Take your pick. As always, Peter tailors the programme to suit you. more »

Sportif Hilton Hotel Dahab

IALYSSOS, RHODES 19-26 June 2013
£50 OFF EARLY BOOKING OFFER – IF BOOKED BY 31 OCT 12.
Want to go a bit later in the year, then choose the fantastic sailing venue of Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes. With the world class JP Pro Centre right on the spot of the very comfortable hotel coupled with excellent sailing conditions, everything is provided for the perfect mix of holiday and a week’s windsurfing. more »

Sportif Ialysos

For details of more Sportif clinics with Simon Bornhoft and Jem Hall see here>

www.sportif.travel  Tel: 01273 844919  Email: info@sportif.travel

Peter Hart - “Despite or perhaps even BECAUSE of light winds, this was the best NWF yet. The sun helped, but it was all down to a change in attitude in that it’s always a good day for something!’ On the Friday I did some spontaneous clinic in 5 knots of wind where I took out the 10” 5’ Starboard Drive and a 5.7m Edge and suddenly there were 30 people out on the water all on WindSups having a blast AND learning.

Great effort from all the team both on and off the water. In the relay team Tush 2 may have been able to beat Team Tush 1 (or Team Sills as they can also be known) had Muzza not headed off to the Isle of Wight, but he did redeem himself later by looping the Futura in 12 knots of wind!”

Chris Murray looping at NWF

Sam Sills: “Best event of the year! The highlight for me has to be all the Night windsurf action followed by the legendary NWF party!  Cant wait for next year!! Thanks so much to everybody behind the scenes to make it possible, and a special thanks to Tushingham and Starboard for their support, I couldn’t have done it with out them!”

Chris ‘Muzza’ Murray: The NWF this year was epic and the fact there wasn’t much wind made for an awesome weekend. The sailing fun as well as a challenge to get round the course having to pump forever trying to beat your m8s working every little bit of speed out of the boards. And of course it was super hot weather so it brought lots of people to the beach in bikinis, which is always nice to see haha!! I loved doing the run bike paddle board even though George beat me was a lot of fun, my low point of the weekend was not getting picked for the team 15 relay race two years running, I think they know how bad I am at racing! It was also a great event for meeting all your friends having loads of fun and having a brilliant party too with dance off’s and crowd surfing, brilliant! I really hope we can be back next year.

Check out the reports from the rest of the Tushingham team here. 

Following my recent trip to Ialysos in the north of Rhodes for an Intermediate clinic, I have written up a quick summary of the location and the equipment available as a guide for anyone else wishing to travel to this great little spot.

Peter Hart on the water coaching.

Exact Location: RHODES GREECE. Ialysos in the north of the island near Rhodes town

Duration: One week

Purpose: Running an intermediate windsurf clinic

Companions: 10 intrepid applicants from as far afield as Estonia, New Zealand,  England and Scotland.

Kit taken: Kode 103 plus 6.2 Storm and 5.7 Rock

About the place: The north coast of Rhodes is strangely unpopulated by UK windsurfers who tend to flock to Prasonisi in the south.  But it’s a real gem of a coastline with a great wind record and, with a lot more going on for families and non-windy partners.

I counted 5 centres between Ialysos and the town of Rhodes, all of them flourishing.

We based ourselves at the Blue Horizon hotel which is clean, classy and friendly and is right next to the PRO CENTRE, which is run with Swiss efficiency.

Conditions: My chubby chum Dave White, who did many dealer trips to Ialysos, described the conditions as ‘Clacton with bluer water and a lot more sun!”  He wasn’t actually being rude (he LOVES Clacton) but was just describing classic sideshore bump and jump conditions -  wind from the left typically around 20 knots with lovely swells and jumping ramps.

It was one of those civilised winds that didn’t get up too early, let you have breakfast in peace and then built gradually from 9 am onwards. And then dropped  in the early evening to allow you to drink your first beer without getting froth in your face.

So what happened… Find out at http://www.tushingham.com/windsurfing/team/peterhart 

Today the NWF team bring you all the latest details, plus some inspiration for any the newcomers to the sport.

The National Windsurfing Festival (N.W.F) returns to the sun-kissed shores of Hayling Island, near Portsmouth on 7-9^th September 2012.

Designed specifically for ‘the people’ (intermediate and freeride sailors) and now in its 7^th year, the N.W.F, which is the largest windsurfing event in the UK, is even bigger than ever!

Last year saw the inclusion of the National SUP Festival (N.S.U.P.F) for the first time. This year, supported by Havant Borough Council, the N.W.F will run from Friday to Sunday; THREE days instead of two. (And TWO legendary parties instead of one!) With uncrowded water, the extra day will enable visitors to spend more time enjoying the guru clinics and demo equipment – and the unequalled N.W.F atmosphere and community spirit!

Always great prizes on offer

So what’s going down? Friday is all about Quality Time! With no racing scheduled on Friday, N.W.F visitors will be free to get the most out of the largest trade-show in the UK and the guru technique clinics, with top, professional coaches such as Ant Baker, Simon Bornhoft, Jim Collis, Peter Hart, Jem Hall and Dave White.

The trade show will showcase the latest 2013 windsurf and SUP equipment. Visitors will be able to relax and chat with manufacturers, demo the latest equipment and there will be presentations throughout the day. The highly popular, free coaching clinics, with tips from the top, will be extended this year to include on-the-water sessions on the Friday. This will be in addition to the land-based coaching, which has proved extremely popular in previous years. Friday evening will be rounded off with a party, including live entertainment from the band ‘Halflight’ and a charity auction for W4CR (Windsurfing for Cancer Research.)

So what about Saturday and Sunday? In addition to the trade show and coaching clinics, Saturday and Sunday’s excitement will also include racing. But this is racing with a difference – not hardcore, professional competition but racing for everyone.

Sure, there will be races for the National fleets and Turbo 15 (and there will be professional team riders about) but if you can stand on a board, wobble out to a buoy and back – you can join in the fun and enter races at the N.W.F!

The Turbo15 windsurfers showing the Pros how it's done

“Where the spectator becomes the competitor” is the ethos behind N.W.F and is, in fact, how the N.W.F came about in the first place! N.W.F founder, Allan Cross, says:

“To enter races, you often need expensive equipment of a specific type and there are complicated rules. I thought ‘Why not run races that ANYONE can enter and have fun, regardless of their ability or equipment?’ Then someone said to me ‘If you feel so passionately about it, why don’t you organise it?’ – so I did!” Welcome to the N.W.F, where there are races for all ages, genders and categories – to include pre-millennium, pre-1985 equipment and even fancy dress. If you still think it’s not for you, you may be interested to know that last year, the youngest N.W.F competitor was 6 years old and a tiger got a podium finish. That’s about as all-inclusive as it gets!”

Spirit FM will be running a live roadshow and radio broadcast throughout Saturday – and it wouldn’t be the N.W.F without the famous, floodlit Night Windsurf and legendary Saturday party! Saturday’s party will have a 1980s fancy-dress theme and The Heathrow Jets are back by popular demand again this year to play live into the night.

For the last word, I will leave it to Laura Jurgens, who took part in her first N.W.F race when she had been windsurfing for only four months:

Hitting the water at N.W.F.

“Even if you’re a beginner, as long as you can get around a simple course (it doesn’t matter if you wobble or fall off a trillion times like I did) then N.W.F is for you!!!! It’s all about taking part and having lots of fun – and it really is fun. N.W.F is firmly in our calendars every year…it is literally the social event of the year!”

I wouldn’t want to miss out on the social event of the year, would you? See you there!

Online entry opens 1st June for both competitors and additional party tickets for Saturday night. For further information, see www.nationalwindsurfingfestival.com or follow N.W.F on Facebook.

Testing the Concept

The Tushingham Concept, launched only a few days ago has already generated a lot of interest.

Previously the four batten phenomena had been aimed at freestyle/wave windsurfers, but now Tushingham have produced a light weight, easy to handle sail suited to a greater range of sailor.

Boards finds out more from Team Tushingham…

Tushingham are the first brand to offer a non-hardcore 4-batten design since the recent trend towards this configuration in wave and freestyle sails. The Edge freestyle-wave sail took a full two years of development and helped Ken Black in designing the Concept. However, the Concept is NOT simply a detuned Edge. The rider style, board type and sailing conditions will not be the same for most Concept riders so it’s built to offer greater drive and sustained power, while the Edge has “on-off” power which is more manoeuvre focused.

Who was involved in the R and D?

In 2011, the UK’s varied conditions threw up a perfect mix of windy, gusty and lighter conditions which allowed Paul Simmons and Dave Hackford to explore the full range of the prototype sails on flat water through to lumpy, wavy conditions in Bigbury Bay. Then Simon Bornhoft took a couple of models out to Egypt and gave them a thorough workout on flat water with a range of riders.

Which team riders are using this sail? 

Being a non-specialist sail the hardcore racers, wave sailors and freestylers are not riding the Concept. However, Tushingham’s accomplished three technique gurus, Simon Bornhoft, Peter Hart and Sam Ross carry the Concept in their quivers, as they’re great sails for progressing windsurfers.

Those who like a bit of windsurfing on their SUP boards also find the Concept’s blend of light weight, manoeuvrability and low-end “grunt” works really well to power SUP boards in light winds.

A sail for everyone

What sort of windsurfer would the Concept suit?

• Any progressing windsurfers who favour ease of use and a lightweight feel over ultimate top-end stability.
• Light weight and smaller riders, who will appreciate the lighter physical weight of the 4-batten design.
• Families looking for an uncomplicated sail for summer breezes, with accessible performance freeride for all riders.

In the UK the Concept is also available as a superb value complete package with the Starboard GO and Rio boards.

Full specifications are available on the Tushingham website.

More on Boards featuring Tushingham and Starboard:

Batwing Spotted on UK shores

Winter with Jamie Drummond

Don’t Stop Believing with Sam Ross

Peter Hart Dahab Masterclass

Make Your Move with Simon Bornhoft

Peter Hart’s Dahab Masterclass was blessed with strong winds for the entire week. The group learnt loads and had a great time by the looks of it!

“Even though the winds were relentless, the group was still able to improve beyond recognition thanks in part to the latest Tushingham and Starboard gear.

They say you you improve quickest when you’re having fun – and this group had plenty of that!”

Peter’s news page on the new and improved Tushingham website has all the latest from the super-coach, so be sure to check it out HERE. Each of the team riders has their own news page so you can always keep up to date!

Last Friday saw the ‘Round the Island’ race return to Hayling Island. Although the event saw very light winds, the turnout was fantastic, with over 100 competitors turning up to get involved.  Peter Hart was there to capture all the action, as well as speaking to the competitors and organisers, and taking a look at the history of the event.

Spring is here and Peter Hart is ready to give you the tune-up your windsurfing might need. Over to Harty…

“If you’re struggling to nail a specific move or are just a bit despondent at your general lack of progress, the root causes are usually the same. So on this course Harty, the ‘guru’s guru’, will take a holistic look at your windsurfing and address the details that will make a huge long term difference to your sailing. You can ask him to address a particular skill or you can just ask him to have a look and make you better! Whichever, you WILL emerge a better player!”

Harty with some happy students at West Wittering

Taking place in just a couple of days time, the clinic will be held at the fantastic South Coast location of West Wittering. If you aren’t nearby, hotels, B+Bs and campsites can all be arranged.

The Club
You will be the guests of 2XS and the West Wittering Windsurf Club. The facilities and beach set-up are spectacular. It sits within an immense swathe of undeveloped coastal plane. You rig up on grass. The clubhouse has tea cofee, wi-fi and classy piping hot showers.

Give your sailing a makeover with Peter Hart

The sailing area
The appeal of the sailing area is that it offers everything to everbody at different states of tide. At low water, the sea retreats behind a sand bar to leave a silky smooth, waist-deep ‘gybe-atorium.’ As the tide pushes, waves break on the banks and the more accomplished can strut their aerial stuff.

Running on the 13th and 14th April, the 2 days will set you back just £200, while the benefits to your windsurfing will be immeasurable! To book your place on the course, hurry up and contact Simon Bassett at X-Train via email: info@x-train.co.uk or by phone: 01243 513077.