Full 30mins RAW of Windsurfing Jericoacoara from the Club Ventos centre.. Kit: Simmer Style 4.7m Evoq, 85 Quantex full Power.

#440 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025WINDSURF MAGAZINE #440 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025THE LAST HURRAH: Aloha Classic Title Decider, Japan PWA Foil Slalom Finals; Tirees Wild and Windy 40th; Lucas Meldrum, Nik Baker, and Sarah Jackson take on Hurricane Lee; Antoine Martin and Miguel Chapuis Charging in Reunion Island, YouTube Guru Nico Prien Tells All; Tested: 5m All-Round Wave Sails; World Travel Guide; Plus, Technique with Peter Hart.Cover Marcilio Browne flying high at Hookipa on his way to his third consecutive PWA world title.PhotoFish Bowl DiariesBIG JUICY READSAloha Classic: Maui ShowdownAs the unified world tour arrived in Maui for the Aloha Classic, the seasons rankings were balanced on a knife edge. Key contenders for the title share their reflections on their performances, offering insights into the intensity and thrill ofcompeting at Hookipa!PWA Japan: Down To The Wire!The 2024 PWA season concluded in Japan with intense foil slalom drama. We hear from the main players involved in this intense climax to the tour!Tiree 2024: The Legacy Lives OnThe 2024 Tiree Wave Classic celebrated its 40th anniversary with record attendance and epic conditions. Ruaraidh Somerville, Lucas Meldrum, James Cox, Andy Chambers, and event organizer Willy Angus Maclean reflect on this years event!Hurricane LeeTowards the end of 2023, the remnants of Hurricane Lee hit Englands south coast, setting the stage for an epic south coast session as Nik Baker, Lucas Meldrum, and Sarah Jackson took on natures fury. John Carter was on hand to capture the action at Shoreham.YLEM: Reunion IslandNorth teammates, Antoine Martin and Miguel Chapuis meet up in Reunion Island to shoot the latest YLEM episode right on cue with an epic forecast.Nicos VisionWe hear from Nico to find out how he juggles his roles as a professional athlete, YouTube content creator, shop owner, coach, and PWA chairman!EQUIPMENT GARAGE2025 5.0 All-Round Wave Sail TestJames Hardy and his test team, rig, ride and review some of the latest 5m wave sails on the market.This includes;Duotone Super_Hero D-LAB 5m,GA Manic 5m,Goya Banzai 11 Pro Carbon 5m,GUNSAILS SEAL 4.7m,NeilPryde Combat HD 5m,Point 7 Salt Pro 5m,Severne Blade 5m,Simmer Blacktip 5mTEKKERSPeter Hart Masterclass Hey Good Looking!Of all the technique tips, how you hold your head and where you look are as powerful as any. Harty unpacks this crucially important topic.BOARDSHORTSLatest & GreatestRoll up, roll up. Its time to feast your eyes on the latest windsurfing news and products.World Travel GuideOur 2025 World Travel Guide features a fantastic selection of locations from around the globe; discover your boarding pass to sunshine, epic windsurfing, and a holiday to remember!Wave Board TestThe test team also reviewed the awesome Simmer Qauntex G7 85L and the versatile 2025 Starboard Kode carbon 105L.OVER AND OUTEditorial My Last HurrahMark Kasprowicz reflects on thirty-five years at Windsurf, bidding farewell as he steps into retirement.Affairs Of The Hart Speedy ChallengesTwelve years on the speed circuit in the last Millennium, Harty offers some perspective on Jenna Gibsons new world record.The post #440 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

I real time walk-a-round Apenunga Hotel and Club Ventos in Jericoacoara Brazil Are you a Windsurfing.TV Member? HELP make videos like this possible JOIN the Membership program To become a member all you have to do is support the channel with Beer Money Go to: https://windsurfing.tv/beer-money/

We chat to Fabio who is the main man behind Club Ventos after discovering Jeri over 20 years ago!

SAFETY FIRST : THE ULTIMATE CHECKLISTSAFETY FIRST : THE ULTIMATE CHECKLISTWith Europes autumn storms just around the corner, German wave sailor Flo Jung draws upon his years of experience to share with us his Ultimate Checklist for a safe and successful windsurf session.Words: Flo Jung // Photos: Sam TomSETTING THE SCENEIts a cold morning in September. This particular day in question marked the start of the double elimination of the Cold Hawaii World Cup in Klitmller, Denmark. The North Sea was a boiling cauldron of raging 50 knot winds and waves of up to 6 metres high; the horizon resembled a wall of whitewater. Challenging conditions for a competition, to say the least, but as long as there are wind and waves, the show must go on. Normally, I enjoy conditions like these, but that day felt different. I remember having a queasy feeling, a churning in my stomach, and I was unsure of myself. It looked anything but inviting out there, and Id rather have crawled back into bed. I remember feeling cold and miserable while carrying my boards to the beach, trying to mentally prepare myself for the conditions. As my heat began I felt frozen and stiff, and it was extremely difficult to get into the flow in those adverse conditions or even maintain control while trying to perform jumps and/or wave rides. Nevertheless, I wanted to win my heat thats why I was there after all. I remember setting up for a big backloop. The wave was big and steep, I felt myself being catapulted high into the sky. A gust hit me, lifting me even higher, probably 10 or 11 metres high. At the top, I initiated the rotation, glancing over my shoulder, but it was only when I saw the water below me that I realised just how high I had gone. I wasnt sure whether to hold on or simply let go with the risk of losing my equipment rightly or wrongly I decided to hold on. Milliseconds later, I landed. Touchdown. Boom. Something exploded. Not my board or sail, but my knee. Pain shot through my body. Shortly afterwards, I was lying in the water, unable to get back on my board with my injured leg greatly restricting my movement. To make matters worse, a wave then broke over me, forcing me to hold my breath, while somehow trying to desperately cling on to my equipment. I needed to get back to shore as quickly as possible, but how? I tried to wave for help, but no one saw me its incredibly difficult to spot a windsurfer in six metre seas. The next wave collapsed on me again, so I had no choice but to pull myself onto my board and prop my leg up halfway. The pain was absolutely excruciating, but I somehow made it back to shore. Slightly later on at the hospital, the diagnosis was sobering: a torn cruciate ligament, a lateral collateral ligament, and parts of the meniscus were also torn. My knee was completely out of order meaning at least eight months off the water. My world collapsed. As an athlete, moments like these are the moments you dread as they are the worst you can experience.LEARNING EXPERIENCECould this accident have been avoided? And more importantly, what have I learned from this experience?In aviation, checklists help identify human errors and potential risks before the aircraft takes off. This safety concept has made flying one of the safest means of transportation in the world, all while zooming through the clouds at nearly 1000km/h, reclining in a soft seat, watching a movie, and sipping on a Bloody Mary. Windsurfing also involves significant risks. Its a game played with the forces of nature. How do we master this safely and sensibly without constant fear of injury? Must it always be no risk, no fun attitude, or can it also mean controlled risk with maximum fun?As a professional athlete, I juggle risks daily and have learned the hard way that the key to progress lies in the approach we take. Everyone has their way of dealing with risk. One person may be more daring and dive into the surf, while another proceeds cautiously. Not only our personal characteristics play a role, but also how we adapt to nature daily. Constantly changing winds and waves can turn a relaxed flat water spot into a kamikaze zone with a nasty shore break overnight. My career as a professional athlete has been marked by more than one injury: two torn cruciate ligaments in the same knee, both ankles broken, ligaments torn, bruises, cuts from equipment and reefs, and countless wipeouts where I thought thats it..How much risk are you willing to take to learn something new? As philosophical as that may sound, every injury has taught me valuable lessons and drastically improved my risk management. In my younger years, I just went out on the water and switched off my brain. That worked fine for a while, but after the first major injuries, I realised that these were often due to fundamental mistakes and therefore could have been avoided.When I suffered further serious injuries, it made me rethink. There were only two options for me: either I give up the sport or I need a new safety strategy. From that point on I developed my own Safety Checklist to enjoy every session to the fullest and, most importantly, to come back to shore safely, with a good feeling and, above all, healthy. I hope my Ultimate Checklist helps you to see risk in a different way and thus avoid injuries or life threatening situations.THE ULTIMATE WINDSURF CHECKLISTGEAR CHECKLike a good pilot, I perform an equipment check before each session: it starts in my garage, where I have a packing list. At the beach, I make sure my sail is rigged perfectly, the footstraps are adjusted correctly, and the fins are securely in place. If the waves are bigger than 3-4 metres and breaking further out, or if Im going out on the water in winter, I also bring a rescue tube (inflatable buoyancy aid) that can be attached to the harness. This little device probably saved my life a few years ago during a violent wipeout at Peahi (Jaws), in Hawaii. Meanwhile, when Im trying a new move, I occasionally wear an impact vest and helmet.PHYSICAL PREPARATIONBefore every session, I ask myself the crucial question: am I fit? Am I ready for an adventure in nature, or do I have any aches and pains? Whats my basic fitness level? (Be honest with yourself here). I try to incorporate a small sports session into my daily routine not just to attack on the water, but to feel fit and healthy. I focus on having a well-trained core and leg muscles, while I occasionally add a yoga session to stay flexible, much like bamboo in the wind. Physical preparation greatly reduces the risk of injury I feel strong and readily prepared to swim after my equipment for a few minutes if necessary. Before every session, I take another sip of water, eat a banana or energy bar, if needed, and warm up with a few exercises. It doesnt take longer than 2-3 minutes, but youd be amazed how many recreational windsurfers fail to do any kind of warm up at all, which greatly increases your risk of injury windsurfing is an extreme sport, after all.MENTAL PREPARATIONOnce Im physically warmed up, its time to focus on the here and now. Mental preparation helps me react quickly and decisively in challenging situations. The argument with my girlfriend, or other life-stresses, are left behind on the beach, and I get into the groove by setting a few appropriate goals for the conditions, or just focus on having a good time on the water without expectations. Especially in gusty winds, or average conditions, this mindset often serves me well. It reminds me of my beginnings when I was grateful for every gust of wind on my local lake. I often ask myself: what do the conditions allow? What new things can I learn today? This brief pause isnt always easy when you cant wait to get out there, but this short check-in moment before the session helps me tremendously to give it my all on the water and truly be in the here and now.AVOIDING UNNECESSARY MISTAKESTo know how to minimise risk, you must first understand what can go wrong, which usually comes with experience. In other words, making mistakes. However, many of those mistakes arent necessarily ones you have to make yourself, and ultimately, they can be completely avoided. Classic mistakes include; falls onto equipment, hard landings after jumps or wipeouts where you get stuck in the footstraps, etc. Speed usually determines the severity of the crash: the faster you surf, the harder the water becomes. Those who fall from a height of 10 metres, or wipeout during a speed run in Lderitz when travelling at almost 100km/h, can testify that water can be as hard as concrete.LEARNING TO FALLCrashes are part of almost every windsurfing session for me, so the question is: how can I learn to fall properly as quickly as possible? Do I often make the same mistake? If things go wrong, my first priority is to trust my gut instincts. Sometimes its better to stay as far away from my equipment as possible, sometimes it means holding on, sometimes it means actively pushing the equipment away, such as in the case of a failed jump. When I crash on a wave or a gust pulls me over the board, I try to keep my body small and compact with my arms protecting my head and neck. In bigger waves, wipeouts mean that your equipment is being pulled away by the wave. In that case, its essential to remain calm. When Im under water I try to relax and enjoy the process. I put a smile on my face and that usually helps to avoid entering into panic mode. I usually count slowly in my head from 1 to 10 until the force of the wave subsides. When wave riding, its also necessary to consider what happens if you lose your equipment whats the best strategy? In larger waves or strong winds, there is a genuine risk of losing your equipment and thus having to swim for a long time. In this situation, I really try to use the waves and bodysurf like Michael Phelps through the surf, even if my batteries are empty afterwards. Every metre that brings me back to my equipment as quickly as possible is extremely valuable.If I wipeout while wave riding, I usually let go of my gear straight away as the chances of being hit by the board, the fin or getting stuck in my footstraps is simply too high. Setting your footstrap size correctly is another crucial point for me. I adjust them so that the foot has contact with the inside of the footstrap on both sides. This way I can cling to the footstrap by pressing down on the instep and loading my heel and toes, or quickly release it by lifting my toes.When Im heading out through the surf, my strategy is to hold onto my equipment for as long as possible. I also make sure that my gear is not between myself and the wave as thats one place you definitely dont want to be. Sometimes falling is like playing chess you have to think one step ahead. How can I get back on the board as quickly as possible? How do I fall so that the rig is positioned ready to waterstart as quickly as possible after a crash?STRATEGY: STEP-BY-STEP WITH FULL COMMITMENT I usually try to very slowly increase things when it comes to learning a new move or Im considering riding a substantial sized wave. Whats the next possible step? What works and what doesnt? I take time to build a solid foundation before moving on to the next level. Practically speaking, this could mean cautiously riding the shoulder of a wave first to see how quickly it breaks, instead of attacking the lip directly. Or starting to jump safely and controlled before attempting a forward loop. My foundation consists of competence and confidence. I always try to gradually step out of my comfort zone, but once I do, its always, and I mean always, with full commitment. This is something that cannot be compromised. I usually practice new moves on land first, and only when I fully understand them do I try them on the water. The formula is: how can I get 1% better than yesterday? What did I learn from the last crash? What can I do differently next time? Its like a staircase with many steps that I want to climb. If I skip too many steps at once, I increase the chances of stumbling. If I analyse my major injuries more closely, the cause was always a brief hesitation, such as: Can I still make it? Should I hold on or let go?. Hesitation is a lethal poison in these situations. The moment you start thinking, your reflexes slow down rather than acting intuitively. Id rather do something with full commitment and follow through than make a pros and cons list about the landing in the air. To maintain my focus, Im rarely on the water for more than two hours consecutively. I prefer to take short breaks. If I notice Im getting tired, its time for a break. Sometimes I hear myself saying, as Im sure many of you do, Just one more try, just one more wave or whatever.. However, thats the moment I know that its time for me to call it quits without trying the manoeuvre or riding another wave. How often has the so-called last wave destroyed my equipment or ruined my session?THE SAFETY NETChoosing the right environment to play in is crucial for me. I rarely go out on the water alone when it gets rough or the spot is very demanding, for example, when its too crowded, such as a few days before a World Cup event in Pozo. Everyone wants to prepare as best as they possibly can, but in a small bay, the size of a soccer field, sometimes 30 riders sail back and forth. One person blasts at full speed towards a ramp, while another focuses entirely on riding a wave, and a third swims behind his equipment somewhere in between. Add to this the setting sun in the evening, when visibility is further restricted, and the risk of a serious collision becomes more and more likely. At the very least, the level of frustration also increases instead of concentrating on a manoeuvre, I constantly try to avoid others in order to avoid being run over myself. In this particular instance, Id rather leave the water early and live to fight another day.WHAT IS THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT?The dream scenario: constant wind, clean waves, and the icing on the cake maybe some sunshine and 26C water. Furthermore, its essential to me who I go out on the water with. Id much rather sail with my surf buddies, who push each other and whom I can rely on in case of an emergency. When it gets cold in winter, I rarely go out alone. I try to stay closer to the shore, so that I can always swim back in case of emergency. Its always important to think one step ahead and read the fine print in my insurance policy. Are there sandbanks, reefs, or other imminent dangers such as strong currents? What happens if I drift away? What do I do if the wind suddenly drops? What is the weather forecast predicting? Where do I exit the water if I end up downwind? What do I do if my mast breaks? At spots like One Eye in Mauritius, this is easier said than done as the outer reef is 1 km out to sea. The current is strong and rips you out into open sea. If the wind drops here, or you break your mast, you have a major problem. In spots like these, Ill happily pay extra for a boat or jet ski that guarantees my safety. I dont go out late in the evening, or if I do, I make sure I have my phone in a waterproof case with the appropriate emergency numbers for the local Coastguard. Its always better to be over prepared than under prepared.TRUST YOUR INSTINCTSIf I have a bad feeling before or during the session, or if the conditions are too extreme, I simply say no, even if it sometimes feels like a difficult choice at the time. I dont care what other people think. Trusting my intuition and knowing when to stop has saved my life several times. Its okay to occasionally overestimate yourself to learn something new and push yourself out of your comfort zone, but I listen closely to my gut feeling. If it doesnt fit, I leave it. Theres always another time.In life, as in windsurfing, learning is a process that should be fun. Approach it at your own pace, but remember the faster you progress, the more you have to risk to achieve the same feeling. Not risking anything isnt a viable option either as then youll lose that feeling of fun in the long run and you may as well stay at home on the couch. However, thats not a viable option either, as then you risk missing out on many great moments in your life. So let yourself be inspired by pilots who fly through the sky at the speed of light, let yourself be carried away by the thrill, but prepare accordingly, and above all, learn from your mistakes so as to avoid them in the future. Set your own rules on your personal checklist and ask yourself: are you ready to take off?Good luck and many happy landings.The post SAFETY FIRST : THE ULTIMATE CHECKLIST appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Words & photos: Sancha MyallA PFD is so important when paddling; getting the correct one can make a difference.The Podium 50 delivers low-profile and high-performance safety for paddlers. This premium PFD ditches bulk and snag points to maximise agility, and the breathable air mesh system keeps you cool when the action heats up.I found the Mustang Survival PFD extremely comfortable, and the overall design was really efficient for paddle boarding. The shape and shortness of the design make paddling friction-free with full movability. I especially liked the stretch design and the fact that there were no bulk side panels. This allows full arm movement, making for a more efficient paddle stroke.The fabric is of excellent quality, lightweight, and extremely soft. The fit is snug and comfortable.The cleverly placed to one side zip allows for a large, easy-to-access front pocket. There is also another front slit pocket thats ideal for a safety knife, whistle or radio clip. It also has an inside phone pocket great for recording/tracking your data.The black and grey colour scheme, with a pop of acid yellow, blends nicely with your wetsuit. The white and black seahorse logo really stands out, and the Mustang Survival company has a strong safety heritage within paddling and sailing.I found the Mustang survival PFD non-restrictive, lightweight, and really comfortable. It has several-size pockets, and Ill definitely be using it for long-distance paddling.SpecsMaterial: 300D Polyester outer shellWeight: 800 grams or 1.8lbsBuoyancy: 50NType/level: ISO 12402-5 (50N)Price: 79Info: https://mustang-survival.co.uk/products/mv5530e1-podium-50-buoyancy-aid

Words & photos: Tez PlavenieksFor 2024, the long-time UK SUP brand McConks updated its paddle board range. The latest evolution looks great after testing several of the Cotswolds-based companys stand-up paddle wares in the past. I love the revamped blue colourways. But its not just aesthetics. With input from some of the countrys top paddlers, performance improvements across the range have also been crafted (passionately) into these shapes.The McConks Go Explore GT 14 x 32 x 412L is a whopper in a good way! Designed for ultimate, no-compromise adventure paddling, this board has much going on. Having inflated the board, I noticed one of the most notable things: the V-nosed displacement hull. This is a clever design trait. A small rail gives way to a shaped V integrated into the boards skin. Proper shaping, as youd find with a hard board.Elsewhere, on the tail, theres a speed release rubber rail, the option to affix two side bite fins in tandem with a US Box middle skeg, plenty of options for lashing essential gear to the deck, D-rings for even more options, a grippy deck pad and recoil leash. Manufacturing is top-notch, with high-end MXM Dropstitch used throughout. Its a tough beast akin to an off-road 44 vehicle youd use to get to those off-grid backcountry locations.On the water, the GT 14 is extremely stable. The boards flat deck can be danced upon, and theres so much room. You could quite happily get all your belongings onboard and still have space! And yet, this doesnt deter from the Go Explores paddling prowess.The nose V mentioned above comes into its own when navigating chop and breeze. Tracking is superb as it slices toward your destination. And efficiency is on point, with a few strokes keeping the momentum going. Turning, it should also be noted, isnt bad. For such a large paddle board, its pretty easy to change direction and alter your course. And itll ride a bump pretty well too!CONCLUSIONKnowing McConks well, the Go Explore GT epitomises what the brand stands for. Adventure seekers will enjoy a SUP that can be taken to all manner of hardcore touring territory. But equally, those not quite so Bear Grylls will have plenty of fun with the 14 paddling along their local stretches of water. The Go Explore 14 GT is a quality iSUP built for adventure but with a lot more versatility for good measure. And the price is bang on as well! A whole lot of SUP for what you pay.Price: 550Info: https://mcconks.com/shop/mcconks-go-explore-14i-gt-touring-paddle-board/

Josh takes you on a POV style journey of what it is like competing in a SUP foil race. The start being one of the most nerve racking places for a foiler as you want to [&hellip... Read More