We also noticed that Thorpy was on the scene during that session with his dog running around in the background… Talking of Thorpy, it looks like he is heading to Namibia later this year to take part in the the Speed Sailing World Record attempt. Considering his speeds at West Kirby in the past we certainly will be keeping an eye on him, once he hurdles over that €4000 entry fee and travel costs!

Neil Greentree of Team QSW commented ” This kind of stuff is not like your average fitness coach. Paul treats the world ‘s top skiers and other sportsmen and therefore understands the body well enough to really focus his exercises on what windsurfers need”
Quayside Windsurfers plan to hold another Fitness course later in 2013 – just call 08700 347414 for more details.

Check out more about Team QSW here.

Head here to the Quayside website to check out all the deals on offer. 

Quayside Windsurfers sale is now on!

Merry Christmas! Image courtesy North Sails

Also for your viewing pleasure, the BWA Tiree coverage will be on TV soon, so set your sky boxes to record! Full details here. 

Looking forward to 2013 competition there has already been a few rumours of more PWA venues to be added to the calendar, and now we learn that after an unsuccessful 2012 the Red Bull Storm Chase will continue into the new year, which certainly gives us all something to look forward too!

It is great to see not only the top level windsurfers, but also the up and coming stars, including the young Alex Blackmore that has just signed to team QSW.

Of course we can’t leave without mentioning that this week Boards has been all about freewave tests, with the complete line up of reports now here online make sure you provide your comments, feedback and opinions on all boards tested using the comments at the bottom of each post.

If you fancy a last minute trip away the Christmas, but don’t fancy and long, expensive flights, Stena Line are running some great deals over the the emerald isle.

And finally Boards would like to wish all readers a very Merry Christmas! Whilst we will be relaxing by the fire, eating lots and unwrapping much anticipated presents over the festive period, Boards will still be posting news and features after Boxing Day, so keep your eyes peeled.

Can you guess who is staring in our festive photo? Is it obvious? Or does it take you a few minutes to work it out? Let us know and have your guess in the comments below….

Alex Blackmore

Neil Greentree team boss said “Team QSW is about getting people into windsurfing and it’s important to capture young talent early, and with Alex on the team it reinforces our goal to bring windsurfing back to grass root level. Alex is so energetic and enthusiastic it is wonderful for someone so young to be aiming high”

Alex said “it is like a dream come true, I am so excited about being a part of Team QSW and I thank Neil and the guys for their faith in me.”

In 2013 Alex will compete in the UKWA Inland National series, the Junior section of the British Slalom Association, LWA summer and winter championships.

Alex is sponsored by North Sails, Fanatic Boards, ION Wetsuits and Bailey of Oxford.

About Team QSW.

Team QSW is now considered the largest and most successful independent windsurfteam in Europe. They support six riders and compete in everything from the BSA Slalom Series to the BWA Wave Tour. Team QSW also sports one of the biggest and ‘blingest’ race buses in the world which carries 10 boards and 20 sails rigged ready for action.

The team are employed to give independent advice to all Quayside Windsurfers and www.quaysideseverneshop.com customers to ensure you buy the right kit for your location and level of windsurfing.

Quayside Windsurfers is one of the largest retailers of windsurfing equipment and has been in business for over for over 25 years. The name is synonymous with helping beginners and intermediate sailors get the right equipment to kitting-out professionals. Their constant drive to get the best deals for their customers has also earned them one of the most envied reputations in the business, specialising in Severne sails, and Fanatic and RRD windsurf boards.

Team QSW also are sponsored by Bailey Caravans giving them great presence in the world of media and promotion.

Contact Neil Greentree 08700 347414. Check out Quayside Windsurfers online here.

About Alex Blackmore.

For more information please see www.alexblackmore.co.uk or contact Tim Blackmore 07887 393590

Winter essentials

This is our final Christmas wish list, which brings together a final few items essential to a warm winter for any windsurfer. These along with all our previous wish lists provides the ultimate shopping list for the festive season, so anyone looking to buy for a windsurfer take a look!

Northcore belt

Our first winter essential, this one for on the water, is a heat belt. Northcore produce this one for £15.99, where you add heat packs into the pockets and then wear under your suit for added warmth. Looks like a good idea to us!

The next winter essential is a rigging jacket. Anyone that already has one will know these are an absolute necessity for standing around on the beach, especially in the winter. The pre and post windsurfing chat on the beach, is almost as much fun as the time on the water, so don’t miss out on this just because it’s colder. Our top recommendations for rigging jackets are the reversible jacket from Spartan (£89.00) and the NEO shelter jacket from ION.

NEO shelter jacket from ION

Spartan rigging jacket

Once you have decided to change out of your suit and taken off the rigging jacket, it’s essential to continue to keep warm. The best and easiest way to change at the beach or lake is with a poncho / changing towel. These keep you warm and hide your modesty, it’s a win win! Our top picks for these are again from Spartan and ION; ION offer this bright blue poncho (also available in black), whilst Spartan have this changing towel available for £29.50. 

Spartan changing towel

ION poncho

Bulldog changing mat and bag

ION Beanie

ION towel cover

Another handing changing accessory is a changing mat. Many of these, like the Bulldog version (£19.95) are both a comfy changing mat that keeps your suit off the sand and dirt, and a bag to take your wetsuit home in!

Once changed it’s time to head home, if you’ve got a long journey make sure you keep your head warm with this ION beanie. Or if you have a short journey and are heading home in your suit why not try these towel seat covers that will keep your seats nice and dry and can be used as towel for yourself too?

Our final winter essentials are a car/van dehumidifier to take away the unwanted moisture from your windsurfing gear, some anti freeze and a good windscreen scraper! There’s a lot of options on the market, suited to different vehicles, so choose the one’s recommended for your mode of transport. Check out more travel essentials here. 

Boards recommends the following retailers for all your shopping needs. 

These retailers stock listed products along with a lot more christmas gift options.

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Boardwise

Quayside Windsurfers

Robin Hood Watersports

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Juice Boardsports

Tech Trial

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Andy Biggs 

Bray Lake

L.A.R. Watersports 

Puravida Boardriders

Wet n Dry Boardsports

4Boards 

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 Check out the rest of our Christmas Wish Lists:

We have had an email from a customer who has had the misfortune to have his van and all his kit stolen!!! We know just how this feels as it happened to Neil a few years ago (with a happy ending when he got it back with all the kit still in miraculously!). Let’s all pass the word around and see if we can help Ed out!!

Just some of the products in this week's Eye Candy Wish List

Let’s face it, we all like a little bit of Eye Candy. Something to stare longingly at in the winter months to remind us of warm and windy times, or to prepare us for the next on water session. Here’s our top pick of awe inspiring, eye catching items which should be at the top of any windsurfers christmas list.

If you’re not spending as much time on the water over the winter as usual, it’s even more important to keep the windsurf moves ticking over in your mind, so let’s look at the top visuals for improving your skills.

Go Pro with Colin and Marco DVD

First up we have the Go Pro with Colin and Marco DVD (£29.95); this has been shot with five different camera angles to give you a real inside look at exactly how to do a whole range of moves from carve, duck and laydown gybes, through to 360s, body drags, loops and vulcans.

Colin Dixon.

Marco Wedele

Colin and Marco are both exceptional coaches with a lot of experience, which definitely comes across in this DVD.

To find out more about Go Pro with Colin and Marco head here.

Another top DVD collection to guide you through your windsurfing journey is Jem Hall’s trilogy (various £); whether your just starting out, getting to grips with freestyle or taking to the waves, Jem has it covered. Take a look at the trailers below and head on over to http://www.jemhall.com for all the info.

Tricktionary

Tricktionary (various £), as many of you may know, is another great way of learning a lot of windsurfing moves. From the very beginning right through to the most complex of manoeuvres, Tricktionary is the place to find all the info. Tricktionary is now available as a book, DVD, app and more, head here for full details.

But windsurfing of course is not all about watching specific instructional pieces, just watching the pros pull off truly incredible feats can be enough to inspire us to head onto the water. One of the best people at filming and producing movies for this very purpose is Andre Paskowski, we’ve all recently seen Rewarded, but remember Minds Wide Open (£24.00)? One of the stand of windsurfing movies of all time, and a great stocking filler too!

Check out the trailer below, and for more info on the filming, the team and what the movie is all about head here. 

Minds Wide Open Trailer from Andre Paskowski on Vimeo.

Stepping away from moving images to the printed variety, there are a lot of awesome windsurfing photos out there and some of the best have been chosen for a selection of 2013 calendars now on offer. The biggest, and potentially the best, are the 2013 Open/Shut windsurfing calendars (£19.99); one focussing on the UK breaks and the other going worldwide. These calendars take some of the best shots from PWA photographer John Carter and put them into a glossy, classy calendar which makes a nice addition to any windsurfers wall.

Check out the Open/Shut website for more images and full details of the calendars; alsocheck out this link for more details of other windsurfing calendars available for 2013.

Worldwide windsurfing calendar 2013

UK windsurfing calendar 2013

Whilst we’re talking about printed windsurfing images, it would be rude not to remind you that the Autumn Winter Wave Annual of Boards Magazine (£8.50 inclusive of p&p) is currently on sale too! Again this wil make a great stocking filler, especially for any wave head; with the Cloning of Koster, travel to southern America with Maui’s best, looking back at the evolution of wavesailing and much more more there is something for everyone in this 180 page publication. Check out more and where you can purchase right here. 

Contents close up, what are you looking forward to reading?

Boards Autumn/Winter Wave Annual 2012/13

Windsurf model

If you’re looking for a slightly more quirky christmas gift, then a windsurfing model could be just the ticket! In the past these resembled 1980′s style equipment, now however the models are made incredibly well and really look like miniature versions of real equipment! Perfectly placed on the mantel piece of any windsurfer, these models are produced and sold by a few companies, our top pick are the one’s from Boardwise.

We’re going to finish this weeks wish list with something a little different, and just for the ladies (well, we have seen men wearing them too actually!). Nalu Beads (various £) have come up with an original way of remember for favourite sessions at your favourite breaks.

Each bead is named after and inspired by a surfing break, pop the beads together on a bracelet, necklace or anklet and bring back memories of great surfing or windsurfing times what ever the weather; plus they look amazing too! Check out a couple of our favourites below, and for more info head to the Nalu Beads site here.

Hawaiian Islands

Gwithian

The Witterings

Boards recommends the following retailers for all your shopping needs. These retailers stock listed products along with a lot more christmas gift options.

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Boardwise

Quayside Windsurfers

Robin Hood Watersports

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Juice Boardsports

Tech Trial

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Andy Biggs 

Bray Lake

L.A.R. Watersports 

Puravida Boardriders

Wet n Dry Boardsports

4Boards 

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Christmas Wish List - Optical and Photographic

But what does make the ultimate gift for a windsurfer? Over the coming weeks we will talk through a variety of gift ideas; this week we are getting techy and looking through our favourite cameras and accessories.

Over the last few years personal photography has developed beyond belief; there’s no more waiting to bribe someone to take photos or video of you windsurfing from the shore, now you can record yourself.

Taken with a GoPro Hero HD 2 Surf Edition

The GoPro is one of the most well known products that allows you to do this. The GoPro Hero HD 2 Surf Edition (£299.00) offers an unbelievable way of filming from a wide variety of angles, using various mounts and of course it’s waterproof too. For the full product specification on this camera click here.  The GoPro Hero HD 2 Surf Edition was one of the lightest, most compact ways of on water filming; that was until version 3 arrived! The Go Pro Hero 3 Surf Edition (£359.99) is fresh on the market; a step up from the GoPro 2 there is of course an increase in price too, so which one will you choose?

GoPro Hero HD 2 Surf Edition

GoPro Hero HD 2 Surf Edition and all it's accessories

Go Pro Hero 3 Surf Edition

There are of course many more camera options aside from the GoPro; another camera making a big splash is the Drift (WAS £339.99 NOW £239.95!). The ultimate helmet cam, the Drift offers some impressive statistics:

• 

  Drift

  1080p High Definition Video

• up to 32GB Micro SD Memory Capacity
• 25 / 30 / 50 / 60 FPS in 720p
• 25 / 30 FPS in 1080p
• 9 Megapixel Still Photography
• ×4 Digital Zoom
• 170° Wide Angle Lens (130° at 60fps)

For full details on the Drift click here. 

Another option is the ContourROAM2; one of the easiest – and most stylish – ways to shoot action video. Packed with useful features like 4 HD video modes – including 60FPS, an Instant-On Record switch, a 270° rotating lens, and Contour’s signature laser alignment, you’ll have everything you need in a compact, easy-to-use camera. Waterproof and available in 4 beautiful colors, the ContourROAM2 makes action video dead simple. Want to find out more?

Contour Roam2

Contour Roam2

Once you have your camera, you of course want to make sure you have the best possible mount for it too. And nobody makes mounts for windsurfing (and other sports too!) as good as Flymount(£59.00).

Shot taken with a Flymount

Ultra compact, super lightweight, built to last, and now used by some of the world’s most respected photographers and athletes the Flymount also works with virtually any camera, including the GoPro and Drift. It really is a must have for any windsurfer, check out the full specs here.

Flymount

Flymount

If you already have a camera, but it’s not waterproof there are lots of options available from Aquapac to keep your camera safe underwater. From extra small to SLR, with hard lens covers and without, and everything in between there will be an option for whatever camera you have and would like to keep safe, just take a look here. 

Many more products on offer at www.techtrial.co.uk

Our last piece of camera advice is try before you buy! With all the options on the market it is incredibly hard to decide which camera to buy, but thankfully Tech Trial have the answer! Search their website to find the product you like, trial it and then decide whether you would like to buy or not. No more tough decisions or regretting your purchases; plus it’s not just cameras that Tech Trial trial and sell, choose from the latest tablets, phones, audio, gaming and accessories.

Boards recommends the following retailers for all your shopping needs. These retailers stock listed products along with additional accessories and many different types of camera. For professional advice and trials please contact them directly.

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Boardwise

Quayside Windsurfers

Robin Hood Watersports

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Juice Boardsports

Tech Trial

_____________________________________________________________________

Andy Biggs 

Bray Lake

L.A.R. Watersports 

Puravida Boardriders

Wet n Dry Boardsports

4Boards 

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Boards catches up with Boardwise to find out more about how the demos are run and what’s involved:

Just some of the Boardwise demo equipment set up and ready to go! Image credit Dave White.

“We run a summer demo at Aberdovey which coincides with the BSA slalom event. This is the biggest of the year with support from the town, the Yacht club and all the importers.

When someone comes along to a demo they can try all the latest kit, get advice from the people who really know about the products, but most of all just come to an event which gives them a great feel about the sport of windsurfing!

The main summer and winter demos are supported by brands including: Fanatic and North, RRD and Ezzy, Tabou and Gaastra, and Starboard and Tushingham. Not only do the brands supply top notch NEW equipment, they also bring along some top sailors too.

Demo regulars now include (to name but a few):  former PWA superstar Nik Baker, current Formula World Champion Ross Williams, master of speed Dave White, plus awesome coaches Jem Hall, Sam Ross, etc. They are all more than happy to help not only with rigging, tuning and choosing equipment but also can offer top technique tips too.

Lots of people turn up and sail on Saturday. Then Saturday evening usually involves a few drinks, before getting on the water again to blow away the cobwebs on Sunday morning.

All images from the Boardwise Bonfire Bash 2013 and credit Dave White.

We are usually fairly lucky with the weather, and the huge range of equipment on offer means people can almost always get on the water. But even if the wind doesn’t blow we all have a great weekend; there’s normally a good night out on the Saturday at least!

We also go to all of the student events through out the year; the SWA run a great series of events through the autumn, winter and into spring. They really focus on getting as many people onto the water at all levels; there is a great contingent of beginners and improvers at the student event and we are proud to support them by taking all our gear for them to use! Plus our van goes up to the local club once a week in the summer.

On Guy Fawkes weekend each year we run a Bonfire Bash, it’s a bit late in the year so it can be a little cold, but again we have a great weekend none the less with fires on the beach and an amazing firework display! Check out the full report from Boardwise on the here. 

Whilst most of our demos take place at Aberdovey, we do offer some more local ones and we are looking to do a few more at different venues next year.”

There are lots of clubs, schools, brands and shops that run demos. At Boards we always try to have the latest info on up coming demos online, but if one is happening at your local spot that we haven’t promoted then please do contact amy@boards.co.uk and let us know!

Find all the windsurfing demo news on Boards through this link.

Boards Recommended Demos

Boardwise  - based in Cannock, demos at various locations but regularly run at Aberdovey. Follow all the Boardwise news on Boards here.

Robin Hood Watersports  - based in Yorkshire, frequently run demos at West Kirby.  Follow all the Robin Hood Watersports news on Boards here.

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Juice Boardsports – based in Huddersfiled, regular demos on forecast run at Fraisthorpe announced both here on Boards and through their forum. 

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Bray Lake - based in Berkshire, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Bray Lake news on Boards here. 

Lagoon Watersports -   based in Hove, run occasional demo days (usually with Fanatic/North). Follow all the Lagoon Watersports news on Boards here.

L.A.R. Watersports - based in Pagham, run occasional demo days. Follow all the LAR Watersports news on Boards here.

Puravida Boardriders - based in South Glamorgan, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Puravida Boardriders news on Boards here.

Quayside Windsurfers - based in Norfolk, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Quayside Windsurfers news on Boards here.

Wet n Dry Boardsports - based in Basildon, run occasional demo days. Follow all the Wet n Dry Boardsports news on Boards here.

4Boards  - based in Southampton, run occasional demo days. Follow at the 4Boards news on Boards here.

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Many more demo days and information about similar events can be found on the RYA’s Project Windsurf – UK website. They even have a specific demo events page right here where many chose to share event info. Project Windsurf UK also gives you the opportunity to share what is happening at your local windsurfing spot, so head on over and get involved!

You might also like to read:

But what does make the ultimate gift for a windsurfer? Over the coming weeks we will talk through a variety of gift ideas; next up are our favourite Travel and Storage items– every image is clickable, so click the pic for more information on the item.

ION Single Board Bag

Travelling for a windsurfer can mean anything from popping down the road to the local lake, to jetting across to the other side of the world and there are a few essentials for any journey.

Board bags are an absolute must to protect your beloved boards, and they come in various size options. If you want to take just one board with you, wherever you are heading to, the ION single board bag for £69.95 is a  great lightweight bag that still provides a great amount of padding.

Or if you want to be able to take a fair few more boards with you, you may want to look at the Flying Objects triple wave board bag (£154.99). This offers fantastic protection and is the perfect way to carry your whole quiver of boards.

Triple boardbag

drag patches

Triple tie down

triple straps

Pat Love One Shot

If you want to get everything in one bag on your travels there are also a few options to look at. The Pat Love One Shot (£139.00) can carry a quiver of one board, three sails, two masts and one boom, making it the perfect travel companion.

If however you’ve got a little more in your quiver that you would like to take away with you the Flying Objects Windsurf roller (£142.99) maybe the answer.

The Flying Objects Roller Bag

internal pockets

internal tie down

roller wheels

Pat Love Roof Straps

If you’re travelling a little closer to home and strapping gear onto your car is the priority then these straps from Pat Love are a must have. Available in 25mm and 50mm for £9.95 and £19.95 respectively, it is definitely worth checking your straps are in full working order to avoid and mid journey snapping!

Another, more secure way of tying down your boards is with Kanulock.

ION roof rack pads

An essential under the straps, to keep your equipment safe are roof rack pads. We recommend these ones from ION, available for £15.99.

Or you could look at another option for a roof rack; HandiRack (£59.99) is a totally inflatable roof rack which is light, durable and easy to use.

Action Van double seat cover

Oshea single seat cover

It is of course important to travel in style too, and seat covers offer both a great look plus keep your seats dry and sand free! Action Vans and O’Shea both offer great single and double covers – O’Shea single £29.99 and O’Shea double £39.99. Action Van T5 single £37.50 and Action Van T5 double £42.00.

Where to buy?

Boards recommends the following retailers that stock items in this week’s Christmas wish list.

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Boardwise - ION, Flying Objects, O’Shea, Handirack, Kanulock.

Robin Hood Watersports - ION, Handirack, Pat Love, Kanulock.

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Juice Boardsports - Flying Objects, O’Shea, Handirack, Kanulock

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Action Van -  Action Van, Kanulock.

Andy Biggs  - ION, Flying Objects, Handirack, Kanulock.

Bray Lake - ION, Flying Objects, Handirack.

L.A.R. Watersports - ION, O’Shea, Handirack, Pat Love, Kanulock.

Puravida Boardriders - ION, Flying Objects, O’Shea, Handirack, Pat Love.

Quayside Windsurfers - ION, Flying Objects.

Wet n Dry Boardsports - ION, Flying Objects, Kanulock.

4Boards  - ION, O’Shea

Check out the previous Christmas Wishlists: 

Winter Warmers

winter warmers