The BWA announce the first two dates of the UK Wave Tour for 2013.

This year Phil Horrocks was triumphant in Rhosneigr, will he be again in 2013?

The competition will kick off in Wales, at Rhosneigr beach on May 17th to 19th. This will involve competition for the pros only on the Friday, they will then be joined by all other fleets on the Saturday and Sunday.

Straight after this it’s onto Brandon Bay in Ireland, May 20th to 24th, for round two.

So they are doing it again….. sailing at Rhosneigr, Wales at the weekend then a frantic road trip to Brandon Bay, Ireland. This back-to-back event has become one of the most dreaded but popular events in the wavesailors calendar…are you up to it?!

Dates for other rounds to follow. The dates have been decided after discussions with other associations in order to avoid conflicts as far as we are able. Please note that like all things ‘windsurfing’ the dates are not set in absolute stone but we will endeavor to stick to them.

This year Boards covered every event, every day; check out more about each of the events here.

Current wave world champion Philip Koster

The PWA are yet to confirm the event or share any news, however we’re looking to find out more asap. For now here’s some further information direct from the Cape Town World Cup website:

In December 2013 the World’s best Kite and Windsurfers will come to Cape Town to challenge each other and the forces of nature.

Spectacular action on the water – entertainment, music and fun at the beach

Cape Town will be the last stop of the Kiteboarding and Windsurfing World Tours and crown the PKRA Freestyle World Champion and the PWA Wave World Champion. Come and watch the spectacular action on the water and enjoy lots of entertainment and the great vibe on the beach.

Current vice world champion Victor Fernandez

Cape Town offers some of the best conditions for kiteboarding and windsurfing. The South Easter blows almost every day between November and March. Thousands of watersport enthusiasts travel to Cape Town to enjoy their sports and the welcoming hospitality of the Mother’s City.

Find out more about the event at http://www.capetownworldcup.com/

You might also like to read: 

All the information will be on the BWA website: http://www.britishwavesailingassociation.com/tiree.php

Remember this year Boards and Boardseeker will be providing Live coverage through the Mpora Live platform .

BWA Wales 2011.

At the moment the forecast for Saturday isn’t looking too good, but Sunday could deliver classic Rhosneigr conditions. With a south westerly running, if the wind comes in early we could be treated to some brilliant conditions and a true jump and stunt fest here in Wales.

Stay tuned for the latest info!

This could be you! (Photo: Cat Bartholomew. Rider: Will Rogers)

To celebrate the launch of the new K3d Battlestick,  K3 have deemed that whoever claims the podium at the end of the SWA wave series will not only become the proud owner of a brand new K3 Battlestick. They will also be joining the elite K3d Team as a sponsored rider!!!

The K3d BATTLESTICK; the wave weapon,  is soon to be the latest edition in a range of 100% prepreg carbon masts with a semi stiff top and bazooka proof construction to rival the best 2011 hardcore wave masts on the market.

Fine SWA artwork

The best student riders from around the country will be converging on the West Coast this coming weekend for the first in the K3d Trilogy to battle it out for this prestigious prize. And the forecast looks like it could kick off!

By 2011 K3d will be offering 2 ranges RDM masts, RDM booms, extensions, SUP paddles. Check out www.k3designs.com for more info.

The K3 Battlestick should be your weapon of choice when it comes to hard core wave sailing. They have been proven in the tough surf of West Country spots such as Gwithian throughout the autumn gales and taking a beating in the freestyle–wave action of Brazil.

K3 Battlestick in action

STOP PRESS (!?!)

Spartan Suits up the SWA - Spartan wetsuits have joined forces with the SWA providing state of the art suits to keep us out on the water this winter!

SWA / Spartan

More at studentwindsurfing.co.uk

Event poster

Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster as adrenalin pumped wavesailors battle with their nerves when they boost huge aerials off bone-crushing lips just yards from the shore in the ultimate Men’s wavesailing finale!

This year on November 14th the beautiful island of Sal, Cabo Verde will greet the world’s most impressive professional windsurfers as they prepare to battle it out for their final 2010 rankings. Regarded by many of the world’s top pros as the best wavesailing location on the planet, they will undoubtedly find it hard to contain their excitement as they’re given the opportunity to hit those perfect lips at Ponta Preta! However, add in the element of competition, those precious world cup points, wildcard entries, the €30,000 prize pot, and of course the rocks, and the nerves will soon kick in.

Only one World Champion will be crowned, and with the rankings wide open, it’s bound to be an exciting showdown between the most talented competitors from across the globe. With the fleet narrowed down to just the top thirty-two, the level will be sky high, and with a few wild cards, including former PWA wave world champion, Jason Polakow (JP, NeilPryde) thrown into the mix, it’ll make for the most impressive wave sailing we’ve seen this year! And don’t forget, you’ll be able to watch it all in real-time on PWA Live TV.

High profile resident, and two time PWA wave world champion, Josh Angulo (Angulo, Gun) has played an instrumental part in making this incomparable wave final happen along with the event’s main sponsor the Cape Verdian Investment Agency. Despite Angulo announcing his retirement from official PWA wave competition last year, he’ll be returning to the scene to bust out some of his notoriously high one-handed aerials in front of his home crowds in an attempt to stamp his authority on the PWA’s finest.

Angulo commented: “We’re firing on all cylinders at the prospect of closing the 2010 season in Cabo Verde. Historically the biggest finals ever were in Hawaii, and now Cabo Verde has jumped into the driver’s seat with the billing of ‘best windsurf spot in the world’. The mixture of wavesailing’s legends clashing their epoxy swords with the PWA warriors of today should make for one of the heaviest showdowns of all time. The early winter period of November brings with it fresh ‘alizes’ breezes as well as pulsing Atlantic swells which combine for a lethal cocktail of ‘Ponta Preta on the rocks’. I personally look forward to a one-off wave competition appearance and will have to buckle down to try and hold my top spot in the lineup, but most of all I look forward to once again welcoming the world, alongside CapeVerde Investimentos and Camara Do Sal, to the friendly islands of Cabo Verde.”

Wind & Waves

We asked the double world title holder, and two time Cabo Verde champion, Josh Angulo for his thoughts on the conditions at this time of year.

Josh commented: “November is typically the time of year when the trade winds return and the winter swells start rolling in. Everybody thinks it only works in Feb/March, but actually many of our best sessions are in November and we pray this year turns out the same. I’m confident that between the 15th and 23rd we’ll get a bombing swell with wind and once again Ponta Preta will show why it is the world’s showcase event. This year beyond the windsurfing, the event has expanded into Santa Maria where we will have some awesome cultural events. The Cabo Verde event is basically becoming a must attend watersports festival with the coolest vibe possible. There will also be live web-streaming which can be seen at www.caboverdeworldcup.com amongst other websites.”

Heavy Hitters

With no discard available due to the lack of waves in Sylt, a number of major upsets to form could see a whole host of sailors in the running for the world title, but there are four sailors who have given themselves a better chance…

The current world number one, Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC) has been in Cabo Verde for almost a month now, and is well placed to have his name etched in the PWA’s history books. With an event win and a second place under his belt from the previous two counting events, a podium finish in Cabo Verde would ensure he walked away with the 2010 world title. However, it won’t be an easy task – Fernandez is known as the king of Pozo, not Ponta Preta…

Fernandez said: “I came early in order to get very comfortable with the ocean conditions and overall vibe of this island. I also went very early to both Pozo and Denmark this year and that tactic paid off. So far here in Sal I’ve surfed and windsurfed every day, pretty much alone, and some days with just one or two people out. I’m getting my equipment tuned up, and I’m feeling comfortable. This is the first time I’ve ever entered the final event in first place and it definitely feels good. Here in Sal we’ve been well received and are having a great time. It’s definitely become one of my favorite places to visit.”

Currently Fernandez’s nearest rival for the overall world title is former freestyle world champion, Ricardo Campello (JP, NeilPryde). Consistency has paid dividends for the Venezuelan so far this season with two third place finishes seeing him comfortably in second overall. If Fernandez falls, Campello could easily swipe the trophy from under his nose.

Another port tack Pozo specialist within easy reach of the world title is 2009 Gran Canaria wave champion, Philip Koster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine). Up until a couple of days ago the teenager was a Ponta Preta virgin. However, local hero Angulo soon got him out there. Koster recalls: “A couple of days ago I was hanging out at the Angulo Beach Club because there was not much happening. Josh came and got me because there were some small waves at Ponta Preta, so I headed over there with him. The waves were small and close to the rocks and the wind was very light, but it was cool to get my first session under my belt. Josh was telling me how to line up and showed me a few things, so it was a good way to have my first ever Ponta experience!”

One of the favorites (amongst others) to win the event is three times former world wave champion, Kauli Seadi (JP, NeilPryde, MFC). Throughout the event’s three-year history, he’s finished second to Angulo twice, and claimed victory ahead of Angulo once. After a shaky start to the season, he’s left himself with a lot of work to do in order to claim the world title, but it’s still possible. Seadi said: “It’s good to be back in Cabo Verde. I have a real affinity with the place. The people treat me like family, so I feel more and more at home each year. I’m in the run for the title, but Victor has the lead, which puts me in a position where I definitely need to win here to give myself a chance. It’ll be a big challenge, but my equipment and focus is rock-solid, so I feel strong going into the event, and look forward to sailing here in Cabo Verde.”

Wild Cards

Although not capable of claiming the world championship crown, a couple of the wild cards could easily knock out one of the favorites on their path of destruction to taking the event title!

A name that’s synonymous with Ponta Preta is two times PWA wave world champion, Josh Angulo who has gained a one-off entry. With two Cabo Verde event victories, and more local knowledge than anyone else, he’ll definitely be charging his way through the fleet from the word go.

The other main wild card to watch out for here in Cabo Verde is former wave world champion, and out-right wavesailing legend, Jason Polakow (JP, NeilPryde). In 2008 Polakow stylishly rode his way into third, and in 2007 he stormed his way back through the double elimination to finish fourth.

If Ponta Preta is firing, all eyes will be glued to these two PWA superstars.

Live Streaming

The most talked about contest of the year will be streamed live, so you can check it out wherever you are in the world, as and when it happens. Watch the extreme action unfold in real-time by tuning into either PWA Live TV or www.caboverdeworldcup.com from Monday onwards.

Keep In The Groove

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

There’s also a dedicated event website which can be found at www.caboverdeworldcup.com

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

BOARDS Forums

Regular visitors to our forums may have noticed a few new additions to the categories – after repeated requests from the competition scene, the disciplines of Freestyle, Slalom Sailing, Wave Sailing, Racing and Speed Sailing have all been added.

Please post threads specific to any of those disciplines within these new areas. And/or just carry on as usual!

Ben Proffitt

Number one seed, Ben Proffitt, secured first place in challenging, technical conditions at Balephuil Bay on the south westerly tip of the isolated Hebridean island. With a win under his belt from the round at Brandon Bay, Ireland in May, Proffitt’s latest victory places him in a commanding position to become the British Wavesailing Association’s 2010 Champion later this month. “It feels great to have finally got out on the water after a week of waiting and to have secured first place in the Skykon Tiree Wave Classic 2010. It puts me in a strong position going into the final event of the season,” Proffitt said.

Freestyler Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers, who finished in an unexpected second place ahead of John Skye, said he was “very happy” with his result. He also won the Expression Session with a ‘goiter’, an inverted 360 off the lip of the wave. “I’m a freestyler rather than a wave sailor so I’m definitely happy with my result today,” he said, noting that it had proved tough to pick the right wave in the conditions. “But after a week of waiting for the surf to arrive we were all itching to get out,” he added.

John Skye, who took the third podium spot, said he was also relieved to have finally got the conditions to compete on the final day of the Skykon Tiree Wave Classic 2010. “I prefer bigger waves but Ben and Bubble were really ripping today, and they both deserve their results,” Skye said.

The moderate to fresh north westerly breeze produced “small and clean” conditions, according to Head Judge Duncan Coombs. “It was pretty challenging for the guys out there today but everyone was relieved to get out after waiting for the best part of a week,” he said. “The conditions were average but it was enough to show the true winner,” he added

In the amateur category, Scotland’s Scotty McDowell finished in first position ahead of Adam Sims and Jim Brooks-Dowsett. Russ Jenkins took first in the masters category, followed by Craig Hamilton in second and Mark Lloyd in third.

Last Saturday, on the first day of the Tiree Wave Classic 2010, newcomer Debbie Kennedy from Hayle in Cornwall took the women’s title for the event, with fellow Cornish entrant Jodie Ward finishing in second place. Helen Bainbridge finished in third in a light onshore breeze.

The isolated Hebridean island has experienced an unseasonal stint of balmy weather during this year’s Skykon Tiree Wave Classic and the wave sailors had to wait it out until the last day of the contest for the chance to compete. Much of the week has been occupied with beach volleyball, five-a-side football and rounders in the blazing sun organised by volunteers from Telford College in Edinburgh in the absence of the all-important wind and waves.

With the final event of the season coming up in Cornwall from 28 to 31 October, British Wavesailing Association Chairman, Nigel Treacy, said: “Several big names took the decision to not attend the Skykon Tiree Wave Classic this year due to the forecast. It takes a brave sailor to gamble on a windless seven days on the UK’s windiest isle and those that made the trip were rewarded for their efforts. The result has shaken up the BWA Championship table considerably leaving the field very open, especially for the top five places. As a result, we could see some new names on 2010 Championship trophies.”

Glasgow-based band, The Fortunate Sons, played for the competitors and locals at the Skykon Tiree Wave Classic 2010 prize giving ceremony on Friday night at the packed An’ Talla community hall. On Monday, up and coming singer Carrie Mac flew in to perform an intimate acoustic set for the frustrated windsurfers at the Tiree Lodge Hotel.

For the latest news, images and footage log on to: www.tireewaveclassic.org, follow the event at www.twitter.com/tireewave or become a fan of the Tiree Wave Classic 2010 on facebook.

Skykon Wave Classic 2010 results

Pros

1. Ben Proffitt (Simmer)

2. Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (Neil Pryde, JP)

3. John Skye (RRD)

Amateurs

1. Scotty McDowell

2. Adam Sims

3. Jim Brooks-Dowsett

Masters

1. Russ Jenkins

2. Craig Hamilton

3. Mark Lloyd

Women

1. Debbie Kennedy

2. Jodie Ward

3. Helen Bainbridge

Photo: John Carter

Ben Proffitt. Photo: Dave White / BWA

In the history of British wavesailing we have never spent so long at one beach in one day. Sailors arrived just after half six in the morning and the Pros were packing up at quarter past nine Tuesday evening. That’s an epic 14 hours at Gowlane so no surprise we got a result in ALL the fleets. The wind was cross offshore all day but the swell let us down at times, with not enough waves at low tide causing an hour’s postponement but other than that, competition ran all day long.

LADIES

Why not start with the two ladies who entered this event; Katie and Louise. Louise Emery beat Katie last year in a cracking final but this year, it was Katie that was ripping in the cross offshore conditions. She picked the best waves and rode them all the way into the beach in two heats so Katie McAnena from Galway remains 2-0 up.

AMATUERS

The proceedings started today with this fleet and it was super competitive as usual but all in good jest. Scott McDowell wore the yellow rash vest as the Tour leader from 2009 as Dave Horrocks was not in attendance. He wore it with his usual Scottish pride and cantered through the heats to win the single elimination but of course in the new BWA format we run the double elimination (PWA style) and there were a few sailors wanting to take down the Scotsman. Firstly Steve Roberts who at his first competition showed the judges some serious spray in the port tack riding conditions. He got through to the semi’s before being taken out by Niall Mellon (local milliner). But it was Adam Simms who had a cracking day making the most of the small waves, he out rode Scott and under the double elimination rules he had to beat Scott twice which he did in a great man-on-man final so Adam is leading the Amatuers.

MASTERS

The yellow vest was worn by Damian DeBacker from the 2009 rankings as Nigel Treacy (BWA Chairman) took time out of competition to help run the event. But Damian found the competition tough down at Gowlane and his winning run soon ended as new faces appeared and boy could they wave ride. Craig Hamilton for one who shocked the regulars by winning the single elimination. Mark Lloyd had a good run in the double elimination getting through to the last three but then he met Dave Edminston, better known as Big Davey and a legend on the Tour. As travelling buddy of Scot McDowell this giant of a Scotsman was looking to take the yellow jersey back to his homeland and he slayed Mr.Lloyd with his snappy wave rides.

But he then faced Craig Hamilton in the final and Craig had a better handle of the conditions and just made more turns with more spray to take the Masters title and wear that yellow vest.

PROS

The Pros really believed that they wouldn’t compete on that long Tuesday and who could blame them as it was 7pm before Head Judge Duncan Coombes decided to send them out for the evening session. And he then asked sailors to sail downwind towards Stradbally where the 4ft set waves allowed the Pros to show off their style.

Sam Neal had a break through heat beating Oisin Van Gelderen and Rich Jones to make it into the last eight – a great result for the 20 year old who has been training hard in Baja and Maui all winter. The last eight consisted of: Graham Woods, Phil Horrocks, John Skye, Timo Mullen, John Skye, Sam Neal, Rob Jones and Chris Murray. But it was the usuals who made it to the final four: Timo, Phil, John and Ben. It was a very slow start to the heat with sailors changing positions throughout the first half. After an early lead from Timo, Ben and Phil were looking neck and neck ahead of Skye who was unable to find any decent waves. In the final minutes, Skye racked up his biggest score to give him first place with one judge. But on Ben’s last wave, the other two judges scored this higher to give him the win. Phil Horrocks was closely behind (by one point) in third place. So a great day in Brandon Bay and now we await some more wind & waves.

RESULTS

Pros

1. Ben Proffitt (Simmer/Quatro)

2. John Skye (RRD)

3. Phil Horrocks (Gaastra/JP)

4. Timo Mullen (Severne/Starboard)

Joint 5th: Graham Woods (Goya/Quatro), Rob Jones (RIKS/Kerry Sail Company), Sam Neal (JP/NeilPryde), Chris Murray (Tushingham/Starboard)

Masters

1. Craig Hamilton

2. Big Davey

3. Mark Lloyd

4. Gerry Wilcox

Amatuers

1. Adam Simms

2. Scot McDowell

3. Niall Mellon

4. Steve Roberts

Ladies

1. Katie McAnena (RRD/Maui Sails)

2. Louise Emery

Ready for action!

The Tri Service Wave Sailing Championships were run again this year during the week of the 22^nd – 26^th March and held at Rhosneigr beach on Anglesey. The event was well attended again with a total of 25 sailors from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal air Force making the trip. The event was held over a 5 day period in order to utilise the best wind and wave conditions of the week. The forecast was looking ok for the week with winds forecast form the SSW around 16 – 20 knots most of the week and temperatures of around 10 degrees, which was a bit warmer than last year!!

Forward loop

We all met at Funsport shop at the beach on Monday morning and had a look at the conditions, a good force 5 from the SW was blowing (port tack) so a good opportunity to blow the cobwebs away and get the small kit out, the waves were about head high also so conditions looked pretty good, being port tack was quite a challenge for some of the south coast sailors who normally are used to starboard tack jumping but most mastered the change of tack despite some spectacular wipe outs..

Back loop

Tuesday gave more moderate winds so most sailors opted for 6.5m sails and 100 litre boards , enough breeze to get out on the water to do some blasting, the wind dropped off in the afternoon so an opportunity to run through the format for the wave event which was planned for Wednesday.

Allan Cross

The competition was based around an Open fleet and Novice fleet, sailors were drawn into heats of 4 and 5 where the heat winners would advance to the finals and the losers would get another chance to sail again in a series repo – charge heats.

The heat duration time was based around 10 minutes per heat with a 5 minute transition time and sailors were scored on 2 best jumps and 1 wave.

The jumps were scored on one forward rotation and one back rotation with a factor of 10 being applied and the waves were scored in a similar format, so sailors could choose to either go for back side riding or front side depending on their wave selection.

Being a Tri Service event the competition was fierce both within the open fleet and novice fleet with sailors landing big forward loops going for push loops, back loops, jump variations, backside and front side wave riding.

On Wednesday we completed one full round of both open and novice fleets which gave us a contest result.

Andy Heighton Jackson

Andrew Heighton Jackson (Army) took the honours in the Open fleet, with a steady display of solid jumping and both forward and back rotations with some nice front side riding, Steve Roberts (Royal Navy) second and Craig Hamilton (RAF) third. The standard of the Open fleet has definitely risen as sailors were charging..

Rob Hickley

In the Novice fleet Rob Hickley took first place, Marti Jerrard second place both from the Army and Alan Cross sailed his way to a commendable third place.

Due to the forecast looking a bit lighter for Thursday we decided to run an expression late on Wednesday afternoon, this was based over 20 minutes and judged on the two stand out sailors, basically the most radical moves one. Craig Hamilton (RAF) landed a massive push loop and Richard Cessford (RN) was putting down some big stalled back loops.

Thursday greeted us with light winds so we didn’t get on the water but spent the day down the beach discussing the comp from the previous day and generally doing a lot of looking at kit and drinking tea..

We had a group meal organised on Thursday night after the prize giving at the local curry house, which is always an event in its self!! Not too much beer was drunk as the forecast for Friday morning was looking pretty good so we managed to get a short sail in before most people headed home during the afternoon.

So to round up another very successful event and a massive thanks to Animal Clothing who have come on board this season to sponsor and support Army and Forces windsurfing.

Also big thanks to all the other sponsors of the event.

Williams Windsurfing – supplied prizes

Tiki wetsuits – supplied the contest rash vests.

Seasprite – supplied prizes

Funsport: Dave and Lucas – event support

Next event – Forces Open Championships Hayling Island 4 – 7 May

Article written by.

Jon Metcalfe ASA Windsurfing Manager