Road trippin’ ( Portugal ) from Sophia Regerbis on Vimeo.

Road trippin’ ( Brittany ) from Sophia Regerbis on Vimeo.

Thomas Traversa, known for his super high stalled forward loops! Image credit PWA/JC.

When I did my first forward loop I was 11 years old and windsurfing in Brandon Bay, Ireland. It was pretty light with waist to shoulder high waves coming through the bay providing some nice head on ramps. I was pumping onto the plane and just chucking myself into them when all of a sudden one just clicked, it felt so easy, all my kit went really light and just came round so smoothly and gently. It was the best feeling I have ever had and I have not been able to stop doing them since, the forward got me hooked on windsurfing all over again.

Aleksy Gayda – BWA Amateur Champion 2011

I started forwards with a lot of determination, perhaps too much as I went through some serious back slaps and lung abuse. After a few pointers from Jem (Hall) I started trying wymaroos, getting the rig across my body and my backhand all the way down the boom, which soon had me landing my first flat water spin loops, even on my weak tack. Through watching movies I then picked up how far off the wind I needed to go for big clean forwards, which is especially difficult in onshore conditions. I also found there was a balance between trying to be on the right kit (where you don’t feel too overpowered) and just having a ‘go for it’ attitude.

The best craic is going for forwards with a bunch of mates, where you can all push each other, keep an eye out and have a lot of fun. I still remember landing my first clean loop and sailing away; it was a sweet feeling and left me smiling for days.

Will Barrett - BWA amateur competitor

I started trying loops in Margarita off about waist high waves, I landed on my back a lot and it was so bruised, but I was super hyped! The next day I tried again with a life jacket, but then I popped my eardrum as I forgot to look back…oops! I decided a little self preservation was in order, so I stopped trying for a while. After trying again in the UK, it was in Brazil that I finally landed one; I was so happy! For a relatively simple move it took me a while, but I think it was because I kept closing my eyes so I couldn’t spot my landing and open out the sail so I always got stuck in the same place. I then went to Pozo to learn on the other tack, trying them on a 3.4 in really onshore conditions improved my spin loop technique, and I began landing them on port too.

Sarah Bibby – BWA 2011 Ladies Champion

With forward loops there was no real breakthrough point that I can remember as every attempt is different and you can hardly expect to come out fully planing on your first go (keep wishing)! So here are just a few key points that almost certainly helped me get to a point where I actually enjoy them; weird I know! NEVER (ever!) let go; if you hold on you are way less likely to land in a heap on your kit. Only let go if you really, really have to.

Do practice in light winds; practice catapulting yourself over the front (without your feet in the straps – obviously) over and over again until you are landing on your back or in the waterstart position before you try in strong winds.

Learn with someone; if you’re competing for that all-important win, then your brain doesn’t mind doing stupid things! Good luck and if you can get someone to video your attempts it will provide you with endless amounts of entertainment!

George Shillito – BWA competitor and man in the know at the Polkerris Beach Co.

My first forward loop was during my first season at Club Vass, I landed my 3rd one! I remember I was on an old Neil Pryde Soul 5.8, sailing towards the beach on port tack and I bore right off the wind and jumped off the back of a piece of chop, nose dived and looked behind me over my back shoulder, waterstarted up and hey presto!

Andy Bubble Chambers - Freestyle and wave competitor and windsurfing coach

My very first forward attempt was pretty pathetic. My best mate from school and I sailed into the middle of Brogborough Lake, did a tiny chop hop and flopped onto our sails. I don’t think it really counts to be honest! My first proper rotation however I still remember clearly. I had been trying a few more forward attempts in lighter winds but without much luck, never getting enough rotation and generally crashing face first into the water. The next properly windy day on the lake, I was flying around full power on a 4.0. When I tried my first forward this day, everything happened so much quicker. Instead of crashing into the water like normal, I did the full rotation and slapped down on my back. I can’t even remember if I sailed away or not, but I can still picture the exact spot on the lake and still have the image in my head of the rotation. It was so fast, but at the same time I can remember it all in super slow motion, with the sky, water and land, all flying by. It was such an amazing feeling.

John Skye – PWA competitor and British windsurfing legend

The full issue of the Spring Summer 2012 Boards Annual is still available for purchase here. 

RIP Mikey. 

Mikey Clancy, image credit PWA/JC.

In other news the PWA have announced their 2013 calendar, as have women’s watersports group the Butterfly Effect.

If you’re looking to improve your windsurfing skills in 2013, there are a number of clinics popping up! Ant Baker is taking an intro to wavesailing course in Maui, Laure Treboux is on hand for coaching in Perth, whilst Colin and Marco of Windsurf Coaching have announced their first clinic in Tarifa.

We have also been treated to a few amazing videos including this offering from Jersey, Mike Archer‘s last sail of 2012, Jamie Drummond in Malta and Thomas Traversa and friends in action here.

Another incredible video, this time featuring Thomas Traversa, Antony Ruenes and Yarden Meir in the South of France.

More at www.tabou-boards.com and www.gaastra.com

Read the full PWA Klitmoller event round-up here.

Philip Koster at Cold Hawaii

KIA @coldhawaii World Cup – event summary: Klitmoller lives up to its name of Cold Hawaii and provides insane conditions for the third stop on the men’s wave tour, allowing Philip Koster to claim the world title with one event spare.

Winds reaching well over forty knots and waves breaking over mast high thrashed the Klitmoller coastline for three days of epic competition. The ferocious storm brought with is some of the fiercest conditions witnessed on the world tour in 2011. The combination of the amazing conditions and the world’s most radical wave riders led to an insane show and the third stop on the men’s wave tour to be completed in record time. The crowds were treated to monster jumps, huge forwards and super-aggressive slashes as the sailors battled their way through each heat.

As the most interactive event on the tour, the 2011 KIA @coldhawaii world cup has broken records in the way that windsurfing is shared online, with live scoring for each heat, a live chat roll and all the action streamed live for thousands of people to tune in a catch the amazing show.

Single elimination

After a gentle morning spent registering and rigging on the first day, Klitmoller came alive, the waves started to peel over the reef and the wind blew up to twenty knots allowing the first seven heats of the single elimination to be completed.

PWA legend Lars Petersen (JP / NeilPryde), made his return to the competition scene with his perfect wave selection allowing him to sail past his opponent, along with Phil Horrocks (JP / Gaastra), Mikkel Asmussen (RRD / Simmer / MFC), Andreas Olandersson (Simmer, MFC), Adam Lewis (Point-7), Kevin Mevissen (Mystic) and Germany’s Florian Jung (RRD / Gun / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins). The sailors looked super comfortable sailing on the North Sea and ready to face their higher seeded opponents.

The storm had really kicked in for the second day of competition, bringing with it really extreme conditions and forcing the sailors out on their smallest equipment.

With two wave rides and two jumps counting towards their scores, the sailors were fired up and quickly pulling their most impressive moves to fend off their opponents. The second round of competition saw many of the top seeded sailors quickly take their positions in the following heats and a few surprise exits from major players, Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauSails), Eleazar Alonso (Naish / Naish) and Camille Juban (Gun / MFC).

The third round of competition saw exceptional sailing from Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) to dispose of his team mate Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra). Traversa went on to face the Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde), and despite his enormous jumps, it wasn’t enough to stop a very on form Seadi.

Also reveling in the crazy conditions and working his way past his opponents on his home ground, local legend Kenneth Danielsen (F2 / Simmer) was flying high throughout the day, and ripping the waves to pieces to secure a well-earned fifth place. It took the might of Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) and his extreme double forward loops to put an end to Danielsen’s advances in the single elimination.

Brits John Skye (RRD / RRD / MFC) and Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) were fighting hard in the tough conditions and both sailors made their way into the top eight, with Skye defeating fellow countryman Jamie Hancock (Tabou / Gaastra) with his precise jumps, and Williams slaying heavy hitting Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC), by picking up a gigantic wave and putting in one of the longest rides of the day.

It was no surprise, the top four spots were filled with the masters Seadi, the 2010 world champion Victor Fernandez Lopez (North / Fanatic / MFC), Campello and the current tour leader Philip Koster (Starboard /NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins). Having finished in ninth place in Tenerife, Fernandez Lopez was eager to rectify his position and quickly went about landing perfect double forwards and delivering some smooth wave rides to secure his place in the winner’s final, knocking Seadi in the losers final.

Campello was the man on fire in the radical conditions, taking every opportunity to launch into his most impressive jumps. Campello wowed the crowds with a gargantuan double forward loop and a well-executed pushloop forward. Koster tried his hardest to make his jumps but he wasn’t looking his usual self against Campello. Campello was rewarded for his bravery and he cruised into the final, pushing Koster in the loser’s final for the first time this season.

A wild battle between Seadi and Koster saw both parties charging around for the largest ramps and finest waves to ride, Seadi had been selecting the best all day, but this time it wasn’t enough to stop Koster from taking the win. Koster nailed his jumps early on in the heat and then focused his attention on wave riding to take third place.

Winners Final

Campello’s winning streak continued into the winners final and he went onto defeat Fernandez Lopez with his astounding double forwards and an 11.5 point scoring pushloop forward. Fernandez Lopez tried to match Campello’s moves but he was unable to gain the same height in his double forward’s.

Double elimination

With the opportunity to improve their overall scores and a second chance in the competition, the sailors were eager to take advantage of the nuking conditions and continue straight into the double elimination.

Mevissen took the double elimination by storm and sailed each heat like it was his last, hitting each ramp with as much speed as he could to launch into amazing pushloops and super stalled forward loops. Mevissen took down some of the finest of the international competitors including, Mussolini, Kai Lenny (Naish / Naish), and Skye. However his rampage through the ranks was stopped by Danielsen with his enormous pushloops and backloops, leaving Mevissen in seventh.

Experienced competitor Volwater made up for his initial mistakes in the single elimination and conducted his heats with a well thought out strategy. Volwater ensured that he didn’t let the current wash him away and made sure he was always upwind to catch the biggest waves, the steepest ramps and most importantly he was in front of the judges. Volwater passed through three heats until Horrocks took him down with a well-executed double forward loop.

Ojeda and Dany Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL 360) each delivered mind-blowing performances to make their way into ninth position and seventh position, with Ojeda throwing one of the only frontside aerials in the competition and Bruch squeezing past Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) with a double forward in the closing seconds of the heat.  Bruch went onto sneak past Williams with a perfect wave in the closing seconds of the heat, whilst Ojeda was taken out by Danielsen.

The sailor that caused the most carnage in the double elimination was Traversa. Traversa made his way into fourth position by ripping the waves to pieces taking down Horrocks, Danielsen, and Seadi. Seadi put up a big fight, by selecting the largest waves in the heat but Traversa was obviously in his element and enjoying the onshore port tack conditions.

Having sailed four astounding heats, Traversa was still firing with all guns blazing in his heat against Koster, throwing big backside aerials and super aggressive frontside hits, whilst Koster spent the first half of the heat looking slightly underpowered. However in one swift minute Koster stormed into the lead with a perfect bolt upright double forward loop and a humongous backloop, allowing him to advance onto face Fernandez Lopez.

Just one heat separated Koster from the world title, if he defeated Fernandez Lopez he would walk away as the 2011 world champion, and if he lost, Fernandez Lopez would be in with a chance of taking the title. Not one to let the pressure get the better of him Koster sailed the heat of his life, with a planning double forward loop, a backside 360 and reverse on one wave. Shortly after Koster was awarded the 2011 world champion title, having won the heat with a 5-0 decision from the judges.

Final

However the battle wasn’t quite over and he still had to face Campello for first place. With the adrenaline pumping through his veins, Koster wowed the crowds with his scale-braking wave rides where he was awarded twelve points for one ride that included an insane one-handed goiter and a taka. Campello tried his hardest to slay the master with his double forward but there was no stopping the wonder kid. Aware of how the heat had gone, Campello made his way back to the beach to prepare for the super-final.

Super-final

The hard work still wasn’t over for Koster, in order to win the event; he had to defeat Campello for a second time. Obviously enjoying his moment, Koster went on to up his game even higher as he launched into a wave 360 where he landed back in the wave, and then he boosted straight into a huge double forward on the way out. Campello replied with a monster double forward in front of the judges, but Koster was on fire.

Having sailed four mind-blowing heats, Koster was awarded the world title and the event win to the cheers from the crowds on the beach.

Super-session

With the competition completed in record time there was plenty of time left to run a super-session. With heats made up of ten men each, the sailors had twenty minutes to launch into the most radical, and daring jumps to advance into the final.

As one of the finest jumpers on tour Campello was the man in charge throughout the super-session, seeing him win the final with a particularly impressive and perfectly landed pushloop forward. The new world champion Koster flew into second place with a spectacular double forward loop and Fernandez Lopez stole third with a double forward of his own.

The Kia @coldhawaii community SUP session

The fifth day of competition witnessed Klitmoller deliver perfect SUP conditions, with light winds and waves peeling in around waist high. Seadi and Bruch we quick to prove they had the skills on the surf, transferring their unique styles from windsurfing on to the SUPs, but it wasn’t enough to fend of the SUP professional Casper Steinfath (Naish).

What next?

The final stop on the PWA world tour will take the sailors to the brutal shores of Sylt in Germany, for the 28^th anniversary of the event. Sylt is the largest event on the calendar and attracts well over 200,000 spectators; it will also witness the conclusion to the men’s slalom series, the men’s freestyle series and the men and women’s wave series. Make sure you tuned into the PWA website from the 23^rdSeptember – 2^nd October for ten days of intense competition.

PWA Klitmoller 2011 Winners

The 2011 PWA KIA @coldhawaii World Cup Results

1^st Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)

2^nd Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)

3^rd Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North)

4^th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)

5^th Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)

6^th Kenneth Danielsen (F2 / Simmer / Mystic)

7^th Kevin Mevissen (Mystic)

7^th Daniel Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL 360)

9^th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)

9^th John Skye (RRD / MFC)

9^th Phil Horrocks (JP / Gaastra)

9^th Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC)

The 2011 men’s wave overall results 
(after 3 events)

1^st Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)

2^nd Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)

3^rd Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)

4^th Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North)

5^th Daniel Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL 360)

6^th Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC)

7^th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)

8^th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra)

9^th Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC)

10^th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders and interact with the event on the dedicated website at www.worldcup.coldhawaii.eu

Follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coldhawaiipenguin and follow the Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/coldhawaii

Ricardo Campello

KIA @coldhawaii World Cup – Day four: Insane jumps, monster loops, and massive crashes from the world’s best jumpers in the SURF Magazin super-session.

With the wind and waves still firing, the world champion crowned and the official competition completed, the crowds on the beach were still hungry for more entertainment and action from the world’s finest wave riders.

Cue the SURF Magazin super-session. The format was simple, the riders would be separated into two heats of ten men each and the sailors had twenty minutes to perform their most radical jumps. The five riders from each heat with the most extreme airs would advance into final, where they were fighting for one of three iPad 2’s. However there was a twist, if one of the sailors dare pull the first ever triple loop in competition, they would be awarded with all three Ipads.

Heat 1
Local ripper Christopher Friis kicked off the proceedings with a super clean tweaked pushloop; however he was soon upstaged as the sailors hunted for ramps. The newly crowded world champion Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins) was next to make a move, with his world famous bolt upright double forward loop, moving him straight into first place. Next up Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North) stepped up to the table with a double forward of his own, along with Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC). British wave maestro Adam Lewis (Point-7), diversified the jumps with an incredible shove-it cheese roll, scoring seven points from the judges. Towards the end of the heat it was a fight for fifth place with Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails), Andreas Olandersson (Simmer / MFC) and Friis all delivering a great show, Olandersson managed to step ahead with a super clean one handed backloop but he was soon over taken by Eleazar Alonso Sanchez (Naish / Naish) for his one handed backloop, keeping his back hand off all the way around.

The top five advancing sailors were Koster, Fernandez Lopez, Lewis, & Browne for their perfect double forwards, and Alonso for his one handed backloop.

Heat 2
Moving quickly in the second heat, Timo Mullen (Starboard / Severne) opened up with huge backloop out the back of the arena. The German jumper Leon Jamaer (Fanatic / Hot Sails), nailed a one handed backloop, but crashed hard with a pushloop-forward attempt. High flying Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) then spotted his ramp and launched into an enormous 8.5 point scoring double forward loop followed by Frances Jules Denel (Exocet), as he flew around his own double forward loop. Mixing things up a little, Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra) pulled an incredible one footed backloop out the back. Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) was late to make his move but sealed the deal with a perfect double forward loop.

Campello, Denel, Seadi, Mussolini and Jamaer made their way into the final for their exceptional jumping.

Final
All eyes were on Koster and Campello in the final, and hopes were high for the triple loop, however it looked particularly tough to find a perfect ramp in the onshore conditions, however that didn’t stop the pros putting on an outstanding performance. Lewis was first to move and he wowed the crowds with a forward loop, ejecting his equipment mid maneuver sending it flying. Following that the sailors filled the air with a quick succession of jumps launching into anything from forward loops, to pushloop and backloops. Browne shone straight through into first place with a perfect double forward scoring 9.5 points, Koster then matched him with his own bone-dry performance. But really impressing the judges was Campello with an ankle dry, super-high and perfect pushloop forward. Campello was awarded twelve points for his efforts and he went straight into first place. Seeing Campello’s jump, the sailors tried to match him with non-stop double forward loops. Jamaer was the only other sailor to try the pushloop-forward but he was unable to hold the landing. In order to confirm his position in first place Campello then flew into the highest double forward loop of the competition to close the heat.

The SURF Magazin super-session results:
1^st Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)
2^nd Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)
3^rd Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North)

There will be plenty more action coming your way over the remaining days out here in Klitmoller, the skippers meeting is scheduled for 1pm tomorrow, so make sure you stay up to date on the PWA website and the event website.

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Interact with the event on the dedicated website at www.worldcup.coldhawaii.eu

Follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coldhawaiipenguin and follow the Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/coldhawaii.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

2011 World Wave Champ, Philip Koster

KIA @coldhawaii World Cup – Day three: Scale breaking waverides and colossal jumps put Philip Koster in the top spot in Klitmoller, and with three event wins under his belt, he walks away as the 2011 men’s world wave champion.

Klitmoller is blessed with a third day of world class wavesailing conditions, allowing the PWA crew to pick up the action where they left off yesterday, and the remaining twelve sailors to fly, spin and slash their way through the double elimination.

With the winds still blowing strong and the waves slightly cleaner than yesterday, the judges opted to keep the format the same with two jumps and two rides counting towards the sailor’s scores.

Double elimination

First onto the water was Brit John Skye (RRD / MFC), against a very on form Kevin Mevissen (Mystic). Having battled his way from the bottom of the ranks, Mevissen was eager to continue with his winning streak. Both sailors launched into their finest jumps, matching each other on points and then spent their time working on the waves, in the end it came down to a 3-2 decision from the judges with Mevissen just taking the advantage for his super-clean pushloop.

On the other side of the elimination, Dany Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL360) went head to head with Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra). Bruch opened the heat with a double forward and a backloop, whilst Williams opted to focus on waves. The pair continued with this strategy for the whole heat and their scores were fairly similar throughout, until Bruch managed to score an amazing wave in the closing seconds, knocking Williams out of the competition.

The tight heats continued with local boy Kenneth Danielsen (F2 / Simmer / Mystic), taking on Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC). The pair matched each other move for move, but eventually Danielsen’s local knowledge pulled through and he hit the steepest ramp sending him skywards. Danielson’s superb sailing saw him blitz past Mevissen in the following heat and on to face France’s Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra).

Having taken down Phil Horrocks (JP / Gaastra), Traversa was full of confidence when it came to facing deadly Bruch. The pair matched each other on the jumping front, but Traversa secured two amazing wave rides by flowing effortlessly from rail to rail, to secure his pass into the next round.

Tremendous Traversa continued with his warpath through the double elimination, bumping his score all the way up to fourth place. Danielson was next to fall victim to Traversa’s frontside aerials and super-tweaked forward loops. Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) put up a big fight, by selecting the largest waves in the heat but Traversa was obviously in his element and enjoying the onshore port tack conditions.

Having sailed four astounding heats, Traversa was still firing with all guns blazing in his heat against Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins), throwing big backside aerials and super aggressive frontside hits, whilst Koster spent the first half of the heat looking slightly underpowered. However in one swift minute Koster stormed into the lead with a perfect bolt upright double forward loop and a humongous backloop, allowing him to advance onto face the 2010 world champion Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North).

Just one heat separated Koster from the world title, if he defeated Fernandez Lopez he would walk away as the 2011 world champion, and if he lost, Fernandez Lopez would be in with a chance of taking the title. Not one to let the pressure get the better of him Koster, sailed the heat of his life, with a planning double forward loop, a backside 360 and reverse on one wave. Shortly after Koster was awarded the 2011 world champion title, having won the heat with a 5-0 decision from the judges.

Final

However the battle wasn’t quite over and he still had to face Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) for first place. With the adrenaline pumping through his veins, Koster wowed the crowds with his scale-braking wave rides where he was awarded twelve points for one ride that included an insane one-handed goiter and a taka. Campello tried his hardest to slay the master with his double forward but there was no stopping the wonder kid. Aware of how the heat had gone, Campello made his way back to the beach to prepare for the super-final.

Super-final

The hard work wasn’t over for Koster In order to win the event; he had to defeat Campello for a second time. Obviously enjoying his moment, Koster went on to up his game even higher as he launched into a wave 360 where he landed back in the wave, and then he boosted straight into a huge double forward on the way out. Campello replied with a monster double forward in front of the judges, but Koster was on fire.

Having sailed four mind-blowing heats, Koster was awarded the world title and the event win to the cheers from the crowds on the beach.

Words from the world champion

Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)
“I feel amazing, I can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true. I am so happy I have won another event and now I am the world champion. I can’t imagine a better day, I am so stoked!”

What’s the plan?

With the official competition completed and four days still to go, there will be plenty of action to keep you entertained, starting with the SURF magazine super-session. The skippers’ meeting will kick off at 1pm with the first possible start at 2pm. The sailors will be throwing their biggest and most daring moves for a taste of the prize money.

The 2011 PWA KIA @coldhawaii World Cup Results
1^st Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)
2^nd Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)
3^rd Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North)
4^th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)
5^th Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)
6^th Kenneth Danielsen (F2 / Simmer / Mystic)
7^th Kevin Mevissen (Mystic)
7^th Daniel Bruch (Patrik / Severne / AL 360)
9^th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)
9^th John Skye (RRD / MFC)
9^th Phil Horrocks (JP / Gaastra)
9^th Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC)

The 2011 Men’s overall results
(after 3 events)
1^st Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)
2^nd Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)
3^rd Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)
4^th Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North)
5^th Daniel Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL 360)
6^th Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC)
7^th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)
8^th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra)
9^th Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC)
10^th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Interact with the event on the dedicated website at www.worldcup.coldhawaii.eu

Follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coldhawaiipenguin and follow the Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/coldhawaii.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

The Wesh Center Crew (windsurfing club of Julien Taboulet and Caroline Barbeau), located in Leucate / south of France, is proud to present you with the first windsurfing park in the world. The three riders of the concept, Julien Taboulet / Thomas Traversa / Anthony Ruenes, are making the demo for you in this crazy teaser. Waiting for you here to ride kickers and sliders, in April 2011.

More at weshcentercrew.com

Thomas Traversa

At first light the PWA’s wave scouts dispersed across the island in an effort to hunt down a reef break with both wind and waves. At eight o’clock the call was made for the entire fleet to head to Curral Jaoul, which reportedly had the best conditions available.

Most of the competitors drove down the dusty track to see Morrocan aerialist, Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard, Severne, Mystic) shredding some glassy faces, along with 2008 Pozo wave champion, Philip Koster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine) who was smacking some chunky lips.

It didn’t take long before former world champion, Jason Polakow (JP, NeilPryde) joined the boys in the logo-high waves, which was enough of a signal for head judge, Duncan Coombs to decide to start the contest.

The Finale Begins!

Due to the light 8-10 knot winds and lengthy flat spells between the sets, the heat duration was set at 30 minutes, with just two wave rides to count from the two sailors out on the water.

First up was the all-French battle of featherweight Thomas Traversa (Tabou, Gaastra) versus Yann Sorlut (RRD, Simmer). Traversa is the master of light wind wavesailing having spent plenty of time seeking out similar wave perfection in Indonesia, and as such stamped his authority on Sorlut. Traversa caught three high scoring waves in the first half of the heat whilst Sorlut struggled with only one. In the second half, Sorlut found an impressive set-wave and boosted an immaculate aerial which saw him soar into the flats, but from there it was impossible for him to get back out. Traversa scored another two waves in the final fifteen minutes, and despite Sorlut’s best efforts, claimed the heat to advance through.

The King Of Cabo Verde

Heat two marked the return of the 2009 PWA wave world champion, Josh Angulo (Angulo, Gun, Dakine) to competition. But, minutes into the heat, after impressing the international judging panel with an amazing first wave, the wind died completely leaving Angulo and his opponent, Klaas Voget (Fanatic, Simmer, MFC) unable to catch even the steepest of sections. After waiting a further fifteen minutes to see if it was just a short lull, the wind failed to return, and the heat was eventually abandoned.

The Waiting Game Continues

The wind refused to build for the rest of the afternoon leaving the sailors to endure another frustrating day in the heat of the dessert at Curral Jaoul. Those that surf spent their time wisely on the water, whilst everyone else took shelter in their vehicles. A final attempt at four o’clock saw Angulo and Voget back on the break, but once again the wind disappeared before the heat had even begun.

The skipper’s meeting for tomorrow has been set for eight o’clock, so if there’s any chance of the contest resuming, the sailors will be able to make the most of it.

Josh Angulo

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