Mike has been getting to grips with Ho’okipa too, a pretty daunting and tricky break to sail as many of you will know, but what’s helped Mike? A brand new custom Quatro, that’s what! You can check out a full blog post about Mike’s adventures here and check out the gallery below.

After the huge success of their ’15 boards in 15 days’ promotion last year, Puravida Boardriders are doing it again……but this time with twice as many boards!!

Just one of the boards that has so far been up for grabs!

The first thing you need to do is follow this link and like their facebook page here   you can keep updated on any special offers in store or event information upcoming.  Each day for the next 15 days there will be special offer boards posted on here from £90 to £990 and all well below the usual asking price!  There will even be some brand new ones in there

It might still be a little on the cold side, but the forecast is looking good, so come down and get involved. There will be plenty of kit to go round, and taster session for windsurfing are available for £15.00. To book yourself on one, call the WPNSA reception on 01305 866000. Look forward to seeing you down the centre!

Check out the action here and head to the OTC Puravida website for the latest info on further events.

Pre-Season Slalom Training Camp ’13 from The OTC on Vimeo.

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….

SWA Waveriding Final – Feature from Cover The Cake Productions on Vimeo.

New video from the weekend, thanks to rising star Sam Latham!

K15 Sam Latham @ OTC Weymouth winter slalom training from Sam Latham K15 on Vimeo.

The start of the competition calendar is quickly approaching and many sailors are getting serious about the pre season training now. Down in Weymouth over the weekend, Si Pettier showed the others exactly how to nail a start! Remember, Ross Williams will be joining the guys in Weymouth very soon for his pre-season training weekend.

Are you thinking of competing in the BSA or any other UKWA competitions this year? Have you started setting some on and off water goals to get you ready? Even sailing with a group and challenging each other could add that vital speed you’ll need to race to the front of the pack. If you’re looking for an active group of windsurfers to join, check out Project Windsurf UK and see what’s coming up in your area!

RYA Advanced Instructor course, get involved!

The Advanced Instructor course has a clinic-based approach, appealing to a wider spectrum. The core content of the instructor course enables instructors to teach the main advanced course in the scheme. In addition, instructors can be assessed during the course to enable them to teach further advanced clinics in advanced carving skills and bump and jump.

Eligibility

Intermediate planing instructor:

Minimum age 18

Minimum of a very competent Advanced certificate holder plus clinics in waterstarting and carve gybing

RYA Powerboat level 2 certificate

Valid first aid qualification*

Evidence of 100 hours logged as an Intermediate planing instructor

If you have any questions or want to book yourself on the course then please contact Sam or Tris.

Head to uk.otc-windsurf.com for more info.

SWA results

This weekend the south west produced the goods for the SWA, a light wind windSUP contest followed  by a full on Gwithian wave competition on the Sunday. Check out the shots from Sam Ross on Facebook of the WindSUP here and it looks like Tom Firth took top honours, we’ll have results and a full write up very soon right here on Boards.

This weekend's winner, Tom Firth.