ALOHA CLASSIC DAY ONE: ALL THE ACTION!ALOHA CLASSIC DAY ONE: ALL THE ACTION!Catch up on all the excitement from the epic opening day of the Aloha Classic! Hookipa truly delivered, serving up solid trade winds and sets reaching up to mast-high as the race for the mens world title kicked off in Hawaii. If you missed the live action overnight, dont worry you can relive every incredible moment right here!Once the challenger rounds were wrapped up, the action shifted into high gear as 16 riders advanced straight into Round Six. Making the cut were:Marc Par, Boujmaa Guilloul, Hayata Ishii, Miguel Chapuis, Robby Swift, Victor Fernandez, Levi Siver, Morgan Noireaux, Graham Ezzy, Philip Kster, Camille Juban, Liam Dunkerbeck, Bernd Roediger, Antoine Martin, Marcilio Browne, and Takara Ishii.Bernd Roediger led the charge with the highest heat score of the day14 points, followed by Camille Juban with 13.17. World title contender Marc Par looked composed and confident as he cruised through his heat, while Marcilio Browne also advanced smoothly into Round Six.It was heartbreak for Thomas Traversa, who ran into a series of travel setbacks. After visa issues caused him to miss his first flight, a technical problem delayed his next one even furtherforcing him to miss both his opening and redemption heats. Sadly, that means hes out of the competition. Tough luck for the Frenchman.Windsurfs predicted finalist.Kai Lenny also came up short of Round Six qualification but at least will have another shot tomorrow in his redemption heat against Moritz Mauch, Artur Arutkin, and Mike Friedl. Meanwhile, Ricardo Campello will also have to battle his way through redemption after falling short in his first heat.The action continues tomorrow, with the womens competition expected to kick off as well.Heat draws and all the scores are here:Maui 2025 International Windsurfing Tour-Inspiring the Future of Our SportThe post ALOHA CLASSIC DAY ONE: ALL THE ACTION! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Words: David PartridgePhotos from the great organisers and marshals: Colin, Tom and from Angela KerrThis year, organiser Margaret Chapman even arranged some fantastic weather, which led to course records tumbling!The course starts in Glasgow at Spiers Wharf; unusually for a race, you get to choose your start time (to hit the finish window at Falkirk in the afternoon). A gang of SUPpers assembled at the early end of the start window (knowing the much faster K2 and K1 canoes would be starting later. Loch SUP stalwarts Alison Rennie and Allistair Swinsco (holders of male 12 hrs 36 and female 12 hrs 47mins) were joined by Martin and Angela Kerr, David Stransky, Chris Davison (famous for his Thames Ultra and other long distance SUP achievements) and me.The route winds out of Glasgow past weed-smoking fishermen (offering speed-enhancing substances to all the paddlers) and soon into open countryside. The route is spectacular through Autumnal trees along canals and out into the countryside with glimpses of distant hills. Toward the end, four portages gave a change of pace (Chris Davison literally sprinting past me).The first day is on the Forth and Clyde canal, which opened in 1790. The second day starts on the other side of the famous Falkirk wheel on the Union canal, which opened in 1822 and is a contour canal (so no locks or portages over its entire 50 km!).The arrival in Falkirk was a little anticlimactic because the famous wheel was hidden around a corner from the finish. However, we all paddled on round to take a look.The second day was stunning, with start times chosen by the organisers to create a mass finish in Edinburgh. We left Falkirk on the Union Canal, heading after about two miles into a stunning tunnel. The next length saw us paddling through historic towns like Linlithgow, through amazing feats of engineering with the canal cut into hillsides or spanning valleys on huge aqueducts. It is strange paddling along, looking down 200 feet to the river below. The last stretch of canal on the 51km section is challenging; the water felt quite silty, and we needed to stop several times to remove weeds and gather leaves from the fins. Finally, the centre of Edinburgh arrives in view with a wonderful final stretch along parkland and streets. I was overtaken by a baby buggy propelled by a jogger and also by several speeding canoes. Alison and Alastair powered past (having set off some 5 minutes later from Falkirk), and Chris was well gone!So the records:Five SUPs beat the old course record for total time over the two days (me just with Angela and Alison in front (Alison with a new course record of 12hrs 17m 08 s, Allistair was a little ahead, and the incredible Chris Davison posted a new record of 11hrs 1min and 36 seconds!The results for canoes were also brilliant (more to follow in the December Paddler magazine).And the detailThis years race details are here: www.paddlescotland.org.uk/glasgow-to-edinburgh-challenge-11-12-october-2025. You will find detailed itinerary notes on (free) parking and the route.The event is brilliantly organised and very SUP friendly, providing an incredible opportunity to paddle across Scotland in sheltered and benign waterways. I only saw a few boats moving, lots of kingfishers, incredible engineering and great companythe checkpoints operated by cheery marshals who offered encouragement and support.If you want to do one long paddle in Scotland, this ones for you. The route can also be paddled over a longer time, and there is detail on the route www.scottishcanals.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/paddling/the-glasgow-to-edinburgh-canoe-trailTaking part in the organised challenge provides excellent security with vigilant marshals, an active WhatsApp group, and plenty of opportunities to share transport and logistics. I cant believe there werent more SUPs. Please do add this one to your calendar for next year.Full results: PDF attached

WINDSURF ALOHA CLASSIC PREDICTIONSWINDSURF ALOHA CLASSIC PREDICTIONSAfter all the drama in Sylt, the race for the world wave title is wide openwith just one event left on the calendarthe prestigious Aloha Classic. With an epic forecast looming up for the event window, it looks like were in for a spectacular season finale that could well go down in windsurf history. Weve been digging deep into the formbook, crunching the stats and calling on our team of windsurfing experts to bring you our view on how the Aloha Classic could pan out. So here goesthe Windsurf Aloha Classic predictions and as always, we are not playing it safe!Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries and John CarterHere is the event schedule from the organizers:ALOHA UPDATEWelcome all to the 2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final! Thank you all for registering this evening.Schedule:TUESDAYTraditional Welcome Ceremony9am 9.30amFirst possible heat start 11amOnce we start Tuesday then we run solid for 5 days to finish. Thats the County Permit condition. The good news is we have GREAT conditions and it will besmooth.AlohaMENBernd RoedigerMarcilio BrowneKai LennyBernd RoedigerWeve gone a little outside the box with this onebacking Bernd Roediger to take the 2025 Aloha Classic. The forecast is calling for solid, mast-high Hookipa conditions, and this is Bernds backyard. When it gets big, he shows no mercy.While some of the title contenders might need to play it safe, Bernd will be out there charging like a samurai warrior. With his full arsenal of tricks and local knowledge, if the wind and waves line up, he could easily shake up the title race with an Aloha victory!Marcilio BrowneHookipa is also Marcilio Brownes backyard, and if the waves are firing, expect the reigning world champion to throw down some serious moves. While we still think Marc Par will do enough to clinch the title in Hawaii, Marcilio wont go down without a fight.Undoubtedly one of the best sailors ever to ride Hookipa, you can count on seeing huge tweaked airs, full-power turns, goiters, and wave 360s galore. According to our number crunchers Marcilio has to win the Aloha to win the title so second place unfortunately wont be enough.Kai LennyBig Hookipa should suit Kai Lenny perfectlyand hes due for a standout performance at home. One things for sure: Kai wont be fazed by the size of the swell or the pressure of the title showdown.Always one to push boundaries, hes been pioneering his own wave board designs, and you can bet hell go all-out to tear up the Hookipa canvas with radical surf-style turns and powerful, progressive manoeuvrers.Wild CardWere backing Marc Par to do enough in Hawaii to clinch the world title, and we expect him to make at least the semifinals, if not go all the way to the final. His focus, dedication, and sailing level this year have been off the chartsand after a few tough seasons of injuries and sponsor setbacks, no one deserves a world crown more than Marc. If Marc does make it to the final then top three would guarantee the title even if Marcilio wins the event!Also keep an eye on the stacked field of challengers: Morgan Noireaux, Antoine Martin, and Ricardo Campello. Morgan is no stranger to the Maui podium and, by all accounts, is fired up for a big finish on his favourite stage.Antoine Martin is as fearless as they comehes already been training in Maui since before Sylt, fine-tuning his setup and dialling into the conditions. Meanwhile, Campello might not have logged as much Aloha prep time, but his raw talent and all-or-nothing approach mean hell be one to watch. With no pressure and plenty to prove, expect Ricardo to remind everyone why hes still among the very best wave sailors on the planet.WOMENSarah Quita OffringaSol DegriekMarine HunterSarah Quita OffringaAfter a disappointing result in Sylt, Sarah will be looking to make amends in Maui as she fights to retain her world title. Word is that both Alexia Kiefer and Lina Erpenstein wont be making the trip to Maui, a twist that could significantly reshape the title race.With her experience, local knowledge, and competitive fire, Sarah has every chance of reaching the finalsand were backing her to find that extra edge when it counts most. Sarah only has to take second in Maui to clinch the world title so no doubt she will be going all out to make the final!Sol DegriekThere is no stopping the Sol Degriek fright train as she goes from strength the strength. Taking the victory in Sylt was the highlight of her careershe even celebrated fittingly with some ice creamYes she is only 15 years old!That victory has catapulted her firmly in contention for the title race and the way she is sailing with such a fearless attitude, we dont see any reason why she cant make the finals and finish the season with a bang. And if things dont go SQs way, Sol could even end up world champion if she wins the Alohawhat a story that would be!Marine HunterWere backing Marine Hunter to make the podium in Maui. Fearless in the face of massive surf, she thrives when the waves get heavyand shes already proven her mettle by taking a win here earlier this season. Marine is the kind of sailor who can shake up the leader-board and snatch victory if the conditions play her way.Our major concern with Marine is that she pushes too hardhitting a huge lip, going all-in, and paying the price on the rocks. But thats the gamble every sailor faces at mighty Hookipa. With Marines trademark go big or go home approach, expect some serious fireworks out there!WildcardLisa WermiesterWe are backing Lisa Wermister to cause some upsets in Maui. Lisa has spent plenty of time in Maui and clocked up the hours training at Hookipa. Lisa opted out of the Sylt event so should be fresh and fired up to cause some upsets in Hawaii.We are not sure at this stage if Sarah Hauser is competing or not after being out injured most of the season. If she is match fit, then Sarah would no doubt be a contender to win the Aloha crown. Also watch out for Aussie wave sailor Jane Semen, Maria Andres, Pauline Katz and Maria Behrens who are all more than capable of featuring in the final!Duncan CoombsWeve even roped in former PWA Head Judge Duncan Coombs to give us his dream podium because if anyone knows how this should end, its the guy who used to call the shots!I would like to see Kai Lenny to finally win an Aloha and Marc Pare take the world title, so my predicted top four is:1: Kai Lenny2: Marc Pare3: Morgan Noireaux4: Bernd RoedigerI am also calling Takara Ishii, Camile Juban, Marcilio Browne and Robby Swift to go out in the semis!GET INVOLVED!That concludes our predictions for the 2025 Aloha Classicthe final event in whats been an unforgettable season. Share your own calls in the comments (its way more fun to watch when bragging rights are on the line), and join us in cheering on the worlds best as they battle for the title. Heres to an epic finale at Hookipa!The post WINDSURF ALOHA CLASSIC PREDICTIONS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

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CRAZY ROAD TRIP MISSION: BEN PROFFITT, ADAM LEWIS AND ALFIE HARTCRAZY ROAD TRIP MISSION: BEN PROFFITT, ADAM LEWIS AND ALFIE HARTWith Tiree fast approaching, we look back on a mad mission with Ben Proffitt, Adam Lewis and Alfie Hart covering their monster road trip from Sylt to Tiree and then back to France!Windsurfing TV: Well its Thursday so we thought wed throw it back to 2015 on the trip where Windsurfing TV domain was bought and we had a CRAZY Mission to go from Sylt to Tiree and then on to France for the final PWA event of the year!!The post CRAZY ROAD TRIP MISSION: BEN PROFFITT, ADAM LEWIS AND ALFIE HART appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

ENDLESS STOKE: NIKODEM MERLAKENDLESS STOKE: NIKODEM MERLAKCheck out the latest radical video from Goya Rider, Nikodem Merlak enjoying some epic Autumn sessions in the Canary Islands!After an epic summer in the Canaries, the stokes still alive. Autumn sessions going offfull power, full send! No off season. Just wind, waves, and that endless drive to ride! Camera: Elena Castrillejo Cao Rider: Nikodem Merlak Spot: Playa del Cabezo, TenerifeThe post ENDLESS STOKE: NIKODEM MERLAK appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

https://astraldesigns.com/Astral Indus LE life jacket releasedThe Indus is the worlds first limited edition high float rescue vest, and this limited edition version is designed in collaboration with whitewater kayaking legend, Benny Marr, and Nature-inspired artist Anna Kai. This High Flowt rescue vest includes all the same safety and performance features as the Indus life jacket, along with original multi-medium artwork inspired by the learnings and teachings of Benny and Annas freeride community.The Indus builds off of the GreenJackets Foam Tectonics architecture and is the first life jacket in the world to offer high-float buoyancy with a design that still prioritizes mobility and performance. The 33% increase in flotation offered by the Indus significantly improves chances of survival, especially when on high or flooded bodies of water.