Will Rogers

Name: Will Rogers

Sail No: K834

Fleet: Amateurs

2012 results: I only competed in the Cornwall event and it really fired me up for the whole tour this year!

Where have you been training? Bigbury, Daymer Bay and Gwithian, although there’s not been much wind this winter I have been doing a lot of SUP surfing to keep fit and get a better understanding of the waves.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?  My port tack wave riding.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Hopefully but not much training time…

What competitions will you take part in this year? All of them I hope, but some will be a bit of an on forecast decision as I have to conserve my valuable annual leave.

What are you aims for this year? I would love to be able to finish top 5 in the ams.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?

My gear stays the same, using the Tushy Edge, works well as a freestyle and wave sail for me.

Fighting talk…Who are my main rivals? All the damn students who get to go windsurfing all year round and get better.

Will Barrett in Tiree

Name: Will Barrett

Sail No: K733

Fleet: Amateur

2012 results: 5th Overall

Where have you been training? Sunny Witterings

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Consistency in changing conditions and heat fitness; I’m always knackered after a heat!

Do you think you’ve achieved this? The fitness only comes with heat sailing but I’m trying to sail more intensely for shorter sessions when I go out. Having a young family and a busy job also means they have to be short!

What competitions will you take part in this year? The BWA Cornwall Event and the Puravida Southcoast Expression Session

What are you aims for this year? I’d like to try and get a top 3 finish. Just keep improving a pushing myself. Sailing with my mates and pushing each other too.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Got some sick new Severne S1′s, some Simmer boards and some support from the Puravida team too.

Fighting talk…Let’s go big.

Jony Price

Name: Jony Price

Fleet: Ams

Where have you been training?

Wales, Ireland, or wherever I could find the best conditions

What did you want to improve after 2012 season?

Wanted to get more time on the water and get more confident to go out and ride bigger waves.

Do you think you’ve achieved this?

Definitely, scored loads of epic sessions this winter back in NW Ireland

What competitions will you take part in this year?

Rhossy and Ireland…the rest depends how skint I am.

What are you aims for this year?

More time on the water, and find bigger waves to ride.

Some better comp results would be nice too.. hopefully we get some decent conditions!

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?

Yeh – Puravida sorted me out with some new Vandals and Tabou after I kinda demolished my quiver..

Fighting talk?

Nah, leave the fighting for the pub.

Ian Ross. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

Name: IAN ‘CHUCKY’ ROSS

Fleet: Formally Ams, now going full time judging!

2012 results 7th Wales, 1st Ireland, 1st Tiree, had to judge in Cornwall.

Where have you been training? The pub and in my bedroom.

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My attitude.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not really, it’s still pretty bad.

What competitions will you take part in this year? According to the rules I move into the pro fleet this year but luckily I have the excuse that I’m needed on the judging team for the pros. I’d like to have a go in Tiree, if we have the budget for an extra judge.

What are you aims for this year? Not be such a dick.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I bought some new pants which are nice, and also have O’Shea wetsuits, Simmer Blacktips 2013 and a secret weapon of a board that I made myself.

Fighting talk…I am the Judge and my decision is probably final. There aren’t any rivals in the judging van. On the water, I’d be lucky to beat anyone!

Liam Ellis

Name: Liam Ellis

Sail No: K405

Fleet: Amateur

2012 results: 5th BWA Rhosneigr

Where have you been training? Rhosneigr, North Wales

What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My forwards and frontside riding.

Do you think you’ve achieved this? Definitely, takas are becoming more frequent!

What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all of the BWA tour.

What are you aims for this year? I would like top 3 overall.

Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?

I was always sailing on a single fin, so this year I have got hold of a Simmer Flywave Quad and changed from Simmer Icons to Blacktips.

Fighting talk…Haha, not sure about the comment, but I would like to beat Tom Bennett-Lloyd if he’s competing this year!

Head on over to the 4Boards website here to check out all that’s on offer.

These and many more available now in the 4Boards sale!

Vandal Enemy 2012

Price / performance that exceeds most other brands

Low cost, high quality

Best value on UK market

Quality not compromised by price

Pay for the product not a brand name.

Check out more about the Vandal range at the 4Boards website.

TRAVEL 

Prasonisi

As we highlighted in last month’s ‘power wave’ test, most brands now offer three distinct models of wave sail: power wave, all-round wave, and 4-batten. There’s little doubt that at present, allround wave sails remain the most popular choice, and that’s the focus of this test group. We asked each brand to supply us with 4.2 and 4.7 versions of their all-round wave sail together with the recommended mast, which allowed us to test the sails through a larger wind range than if we had only one size. It also allows us to check for any inconsistencies within the range. So let’s kick off the discussion by asking the brands the obvious question..

Read the full test on our sister site, Boardseeker.com

Most brands now offer three styles of wave sail. Although each loft has slight variations on the theme, nowadays they tend to be pitched along the lines of ‘power wave’, ‘all-round’ and ‘4-batten’.

The term ‘power wave’ has been around for years, and to most people it tends to imply ‘a sail for heavier riders’. Examples of this style of sail would include the Gaastra Poison, NeilPryde Atlas and North Duke. ‘All-round’ sails are 5-batten models designed for use in all conditions, and include sails such as the Gaastra Manic, NeilPryde Combat and North Ice. The 4-batten sails are generally focused towards frontside riding, such as the Naish Boxer, Simmer Black Tip and NeilPryde Fly.

So, based on this thinking, you may as well stop reading if you weigh less than 85kg, as these power wave sails are not for you. But is this really the case? Are they really just for heavier riders? Let’s see what some of the brands have to say…

Read the full test at our sister site, Boardseeker.com

Vandal at OTC UK

New kids on the block – Vandal Sails – have been making big waves on the continent, with the Riot wave sail being herald as the best four batten wave sail around in 2010. Now, it’s time for the UK market to have a taste of what the brand has to offer. With the pedigree of the Gaastra sail loft behind them, and a young youthful image, the sails certainly stand out on the water, turning heads and getting rave reviews to boot.

The Official Test Centre (OTC) in Weymouth has just taken stock of ten Vandal Sails from the 2011 range. From the sought after Riot in 4.8m, 5.2m and 5.6m, to the five battened wave sail the Enemy (4.7m to 5.7m), onto the impressive Addict in 6.5m and 7.5m and the super fast freerace no-cam Stitch in 7.0m. The sails are rigged and ready to go, so why not visit the OTC and have a blast in Portland Harbour, rubbing shoulders with the Olympic sailors as they prepare for the Games. Director of OTC UK, Tris Best, commented:

“The whole concept of The OTC is to provide the opportunity for the windsurfing public to make their own minds up about the equipment out there. It’s early days still for our UK centre, but we’re already getting some great feedback, confirming what we already realised at our first centre in Tenerife – that people love to test the kit for themselves. A number of clients have come and asked us about Vandal Sails, so their introduction to the centre is the natural step. The OTC gives the chance for a kit’s performance on the water to speak for itself.”

For more information, log onto www.otc-windsurf.com, email info@otc-windsurf.com or phone 0121 288 9965 / 07817 717904.

Vandal Sails on Weymouth waters

Sponsors: 4boards, Vandal, Fanatic, Spartan, K3designs

Music: The Ting Tings – Two Hands

Vandal Enemy 2011

A wave sail has never looked or felt this good. The biggest wind range of any Vandal sail. Made to last, heavy duty and full xply layout delivers seasons of uncompromising use. Stepped leach design yields perfect perimeter tension. The low clew and soft breathable flex will explode your wave sailing limits.

Available from Jan 2011 in sizes 3.3, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.7

Prices £335 to £425

Along with the already popular Riot, this sail is set to explode on the UK wave scene, if you’re not sailing Vandal, beware of the Enemy!

Available at 4Boards and other windsurf shops: email: info@4boards.co.uk Tel: 02380 894583 Contact Stu for 1st hand experience or to book a demo sail.