NEILPRYDE COLLECTION VIDEO 2026NEILPRYDE COLLECTION VIDEO 2026NeilPryde have just launched their 2026 windsurf and Wingfoil collection video all captured on the stunning beaches of the Dominican Republic! The result was more than a collection, it was a reflection of the location, conditions and emotions that inspire every ride. More power, more speed and more progression!NeilPryde: In the Dominican Republic, we unleashed the spirit of the new 2026 NeilPryde Windsurf and Wing collectionsurrounded by tropical energy, endless coastline and conditions that remind us why we ride.From sunrise sessions to late afternoon winds, every moment on the water became part of the story. The new NeilPryde sails and wings are built for exactly this feeling: effortless power, precise handling and complete connection between rider, wind and ocean. Whether youre carving on a windsurf setup or flying above the water on a wingfoil, its all about freedom, flow and progression. Designed through constant testing and shaped by years of experience on the water, the 2026 range combines refined materials, evolved shaping concepts and performance-driven innovation.Every detail is there to make each session feel lighter, faster and more intuitive. New additions like the Apex, Speedster Evo or Firefly range bring even more acceleration, control and high-end speed to the range. Built to react instantly and stay locked in when the conditions turn on, these sails and wings are made for riders chasing maximum performance with zero compromise.From explosive windsurf sessions to fully powered wingfoil lines, the 2026 collection is engineered to feel lighter in your hands, faster through every gust and more alive in every maneuver. Refined shaping, upgraded materials and years of development come together to create gear built to push limits. This trip was all about full-speed runs, powered turns, massive jumps and pushing every session harder from sunrise until the wind finally dropped.Cabarete delivered everything: strong winds, warm water and that raw Caribbean energy that keeps you charging for one more run. This is the environment where the new NeilPryde gear belongs. Fast. Aggressive. Unstoppable. The result is more than a collection, its a reflection of the places, conditions and emotions that inspire every ride. More power, more speed and more progression. Welcome to the Dominican Republic. Welcome to the future of NeilPryde Windsurf & Wing.The post NEILPRYDE COLLECTION VIDEO 2026 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

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KING OF THE BAY: MACIEK RUTKOWSKIS FORMULA FOR FUNKING OF THE BAY: MACIEK RUTKOWSKIS FORMULA FOR FUNProfessional windsurfer Maciek Rutkowski has spent more than two decades travelling the world competing at events. Along the way, hes quietly been taking noteswhat works, what doesnt and what truly makes people leave with a smile on their face. The result is his own event in PolandThe King of the Bay: a rapidly growing gathering that blends racing, community, creativity and pure fun. John Carter caught up with Maciek to talk about how the idea came together, the realities of organizing a major event and why keeping people entertainedwind or no windmatters so much. We also hear from ambassador Blanca Alabau who tells us about her first King of the Bay experience!Photos: John CarterWINDSURF MAGAZINE: How did the idea for this whole event come about?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: I think after 20 years of travelling to events, my nature is to just note stuff in my head that I like and dont like. I was always aware that little things make a difference when youre a participant in an event. Maybe its having a nice chill zone, getting a few freebies, or just the overall atmosphere.I wanted to create an event that I would personally like to attend. A place where you can race, but also have fun doing other things testing equipment, trying new sports, taking part in fun competitions that arent super serious and are more about banter, creativity and enjoyment. Like the night light race this year, where we basically just told people: Here are the lights, be creative and do whatever you want. The penis on the sail maybe wasnt the height of creativity, but it showed people were enjoying themselves! Luckily, my taste for whats fun seems to match what other people enjoy too.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Is Rewa your home spot?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: Yeah. If theres no traffic its about 25 minutes from where I live, and its the closest spot to the city that offers really decent conditions with the dominant west winds.although unfortunately we didnt get those this week, which is why it wasnt really windy.I come here a lot, especially before flat-water events. If Im training for somewhere like Japan, Ill definitely spend time here.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So, you chose this place because its ideal for long-distance racing and its a safe bay?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: Exactly. Back in 2020 I decided I wanted to do this event, but at the same time I was still doing my Olympic campaign as well as the PWA. In 2023 we made a half-hearted first attempt and looked at different locations.The combination of having enough space to build an event village and a spot that works in all wind directions was the key reason for choosing this place. Then in 2024, when I stopped the iQFOiL campaign, suddenly I had the time and space to really start building the event properly.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: What have you learned from organizing your own event?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: You definitely gain a huge amount of respect for event organizers because you realize how hard it is and how long everything takespermits, funding and logistics, all of itThere is so much that goes into it especially when it gets this big!The first year, I think I slept maybe ten hours total over four days because there were so many little problems to solve. The portable toilets overflow, a fence breaks, the municipality promises one amount of electricity but theres actually less, so suddenly you need to find a generator yourself. The rib breaks, race crew issues come up, somebody sails the wrong course and you need to decide whether to disqualify them.There are just endless small issues that appear constantly, and you have to deal with them on the fly. Its definitely a crash course in management.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: How many people came the first year?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: Our goal was 100 people and we got 230, which already felt insane.The second year there was a great forecast, so loads of people signed up at the last minute and we reached 420. This year, even though the forecast wasnt amazing, we sold out at 550. So, I guess next year well be making over 600 Lycras!Hopefully the trend upwards keeps going. Poland already has a huge windsurfing, kiting and watersports community and more people are coming every year. This year we had more than 80 people from abroada guy from New Zealand showed up, a rider from Jersey and 28 Lithuanians. For people in England or France, Lithuania sounds close, but its still roughly 1,000 km away.Its really cool that people outside the Polish bubble are starting to appreciate the event.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: What about the ambassadors? Was it always part of the idea to invite well-known athletes and personalities?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: Its definitely a big part of the budgetthey dont come for free!But I promised myself wed do it because one of the best ways to promote an event is to bring influential people over and make sure they genuinely have a good time. Im also quite patriotic and Poland has changed massively over the last 10 or 20 years. I love showing people how far weve come.If someone who has travelled everywhere in the world comes here and enjoys themselves, it means everybody else will too. I know how picky I amif I go somewhere and have a good experience, Ill come back and tell my friends about it.It just happens that people like Sam Esteve, Matteo Iachino, Blanca Alabau, Charles Brodel (kite jump height world record holder) or Casper Steinfath have slightly more friends than the average person, so the effect is amplified a bit!WINDSURF MAGAZINE: How big do you want the event to become?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: I think theres still space on the beach and in the parking areas for more people. But the village itself was pretty maxed out this year. We had 28 exhibitors and it already felt very full.So, well just play it by ear and see how it develops.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Were you happy with this years edition of King of the Bay?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: Very happyespecially with the community.The weather really wasnt cooperating. We only had two very light races, there was rain on and off, and honestly there are days in Sylt when I dont even leave the house if its raining. But people stayed positive and appreciated that we were still trying to give them a good experience despite the conditions.We had kite and wing pumping contests inside the tent where you could win an electric pump, we had presentations, clinics and activities going on constantly. There was one rainy day in particular that really filled me with appreciation because the village was still packed all day even though it was raining almost nonstop. That was awesome to see.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: At least everyone got on the water at some point.MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: Yeah, pretty much everyone got on the water, and I think around 300 people completed the races despite the conditions.We were definitely unlucky with the wind because normally this is a good period for it. Last week I was wave sailing most of the week and in 2025 the first day we had over 40 knots which was insane! But honestly, this year was a really important test to see whether the event could survive less-than-perfect conditions.One thing that always frustrates me at events is when theres no wind and absolutely nothing happening. Active people dont want to just sit around all day. So, one of our goals from the beginning was to never let that happen.Wind or no wind, the schedule stays full. Theres always something happening and its always designed to be fun. Were not trying to become Dfi Wind or some hardcore survival challenge. We just want people to enjoy themselves.Thats why I windsurf in the first place because its fun. So, I built an event that I would genuinely want to attend myself, more as a participant than a competitor.The funny thing is that now I barely get to enjoy any of it because Im super busy organizing everything! Id love to learn pump foiling properly, take part in the night race and do all the activities myself. The first year I thought I might compete in the foil races, but there was absolutely no chance. I was just running around taking care of organization duties. Hopefully one day Ill finally get to join in properly on the water.WINDSURF: Last year you had 40 knots on the first dayhow was that?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI:Last year, the first day was insane, absolutely insane. We had gusts up to 40 knots. I remember standing next to the stage with the head judge, getting reports from the water, and the wind kind of picking up. Somebody says on the radio, Its averaging 32 knots.Im like, Maybe lets do a shorter course. And do two laps for safety. And then the radio goes: I just got a 40-knot gust.Im like, Hmm maybe lets do a shorter course and one lap.It was pretty epic. Drones couldnt fly, so I called up a helicopter. Everybody that did that race had great memories. It was probably 80 cm of chop, and we were on our smallest gear.I thought I would do it on the foil to kind of save energy, but in the end it just kept crashing left, right, and centre. I finished fifth, I think. So it was really as epic as it gets.But this time of year is generally when the spring high pressures move away and you get the first big summer lows coming in from the west.So I think its possible were going to get that again!WINDSURF: Do you think your years as a pro sailor have helped you acquire the skills to be an event organizer?MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: I think life as a pro windsurfer prepares you for pretty much any type of situation because you have to freestyle and react to so many different things. So many stressful situations, whether its airport check-in, making split-second decisions on the water while racing, dealing with sponsors, negotiating. You do all this yourself as a pro windsurfer.Whereas in other sports, like tennis, somebody books your tickets, the check-in is easy, somebody else negotiates your contracts, somebody else creates your content, etc. But as a windsurfer, you have to do it all yourself.So an event like this really has all those elements. And more, of course. Im learning new stuff every day. But yeah, it definitely helps!BLANCA ALABAUThe highlight was the amazing atmosphere and getting to meet the Polish windsurfing community! I also had the chance to connect with new riders from other water sports disciplines, that was really cool!The shop visit was a complete experience! The shop is amazingits like a candy store for water sports enthusiasts. We had the opportunity to meet the entire team and attend a technical presentation about the new sails. Everyone made us feel incredibly welcome and well looked after. Its definitely a place Id love to visit again.Even though it was light wind in 2026, I am definitely looking forward to coming back next year! It is such a huge event and everybody was so friendly and the vibe was incredible.I managed to sail for two days in very light wind conditions. I was using the NCX 7.6, and the sail felt amazing very light in the hands and quick to get on the plane. It delivered excellent performance even in the light winds, making the sessions really enjoyable.The atmosphere was the best part of the event! Maciek did an outstanding job with the organization, keeping the action going both on and off the water, day and night. There were plenty of activities throughout the event, including gym sessions, brand presentations, video premieres, and autograph sessions with athletes. On the water, we enjoyed SUP competitions with professional riders, e-foil racing, freestyle tow sessions and even spectacular night exhibitions. There was always something happening, making the event an unforgettable experience!The post KING OF THE BAY: MACIEK RUTKOWSKIS FORMULA FOR FUN appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

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CLUB VASS: A STRONG START TO SUMMER 2026CLUB VASS: A STRONG START TO SUMMER 2026The 2026 season has well a truly kicked off for Club Vass. There is a tonne of amazing new new gear at the centre from Goya, Duotone and Severne and limited spaces available for the highly sought-after KidsClub and ProKids programs in July and August. Theres still time to book your Club Vass summer fixwhat are you waiting for?Photo by @protographyofficialIts been an epic start to the season at Club Vass, with the centre pumping both on and off the water. This years kit line-up is nothing short of breath-taking, with virtually the entire fleet replaced by brand-new 2026 gear from Goya, Duotone and Severne. It marks the biggest investment in new kit in Club Vasss nearly 40-year history. There are still spaces available in late July and August, including on the highly sought-after KidsClub and ProKids programs, so theres still time to get your summer holiday sorted before they disappear. The incredible Club Vass crew are ready to welcome you on and off the water, with a blend of familiar and fresh new faces, bringing the energy, expertise and atmosphere that make a Club Vass holiday so special. The Wing Centre continues to go from strength to strength, with an outstanding flight squad on hand to get you up and flying on the latest Duotone wing gear. There are still a limited number of places available on the Beginner and Intermediate Wing Clinics (UK Pack only) running throughout August and September.Theres still time to book yourClub Vass summer fixclubvass.comPhone: +44 1992 874566The post CLUB VASS: A STRONG START TO SUMMER 2026 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

WINDSURF TRAVEL HACKS: WITH COCO FOVEAUWINDSURF TRAVEL HACKS: WITH COCO FOVEAUCoco Foveau is next up in our Windsurf Travel Hacks series, checking in with some brilliant tips to make your journey smoother.and to help ensure your precious windsurfing gear arrives safely with you every step of the way!COCO FOVEAUPACKINGI usually travel with two board bags. That way, I can separate my boards from the boom, which have an incredible talent for poking holes in the covers at the slightest bump.Before closing my bags:1: I remove the vent screw and fins,2: I leave the foot-straps on (Ill admit out of laziness!), but some pros prefer to take them off and bring a drill for a quick reassembly,3: I stuff wetsuits and towels at the ends to protect the nose and tail,4: and I place a sail on each side to protect the rails.Its like a giant puzzle, but once you get the hang of it, its quick and safe.TROLLEYS!Carrying your board bags through the airport can be a nightmare but with the right technique, its a breeze.Heres my method:1: Stack two trolleysfacing each other,2: Lay your first board bag lengthwise on top,3: Place the second board bag on top of the first,4: And you can push both with one hand while keeping your suitcase next to you.Youll move easily, stay calm, and take up no more space than a single trolley.AIRTAGSlip an Air Tag (or GPS tracker) inside your board bag. Youll know exactly where it isoften long before airport staff do. Its incredibly reassuring to see your gear has boarded safely or is just sitting on the tarmac.ADVANCE NOTIFICATIONMost airlines require you to declare your sports baggage at leastthree days before your flight.A quick call or WhatsApp message to customer service can save you from nasty surprises.I learned this the hard way in Santiago, Chilethe quota for sports bags was full, and I almost got stuck on the ground. I had to negotiate directly with the captain to board. Moral of the story:always anticipate, especially for popular surf or wind destinations.IF DELAYEDYour board bag follows the same rules as a regular suitcase. If it arrives late, you canrequest compensation for essential purchases (clothes, toiletries, etc.). The name to remember:the Montreal Convention. Keep it in mind if your luggage takes too long to reach you.DAMAGEOpen your board bag as soon as you arriveeven if you dont have all your papers yet. Filing a report immediately increases your chances of getting compensation. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove and nobody likes discovering a cracked board three days later!The post WINDSURF TRAVEL HACKS: WITH COCO FOVEAU appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

CLOUDBREAK CRYSTAL BALL: WINDSURF FIJI PREDICTIONSCLOUDBREAK CRYSTAL BALL: WINDSURF FIJI PREDICTIONSWell a week ago the forecast looked pretty sketchy but now the South Pacific has well and truly woken up. For the WWT 4-Star event at Cloudbreak, Fiji, a monster long-period swell and punchy trade winds appear set to combine in spectacular fashion, serving up the kind of iconic conditions that could go down in windsurfing history.Cloudbreak is already one of the most breath taking waves on the planet. Add a pumping forecast into the mix and the stage is set for some truly outrageous action. While a few of the World Tours biggest names are sitting this one out with 5 star Pozo event looming, the field is still stacked with charging wave sailors and big-wave specialists wholl be licking their lips at the prospect of whats heading their way.So, with no idea how the draw will pan out or who has Cloudbreak the most dialled inits time to dust off the crystal ball and dive headfirst into the Windsurf Fiji predictionsSTOP PRESSWe just heard Julian Salmonn has also touched down in Fiji and he could be a major player, possibly with a new sponsor that he will be out to impresswill there be more late entries now the forecast is looking tasty. Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries.WINDSURFWHAT TO EXPECTCloudbreak can be divided into three sections: an outside section (The Point), a middle section (The Middle), and an inside section (Shish Kababs).The Point is where the bigger, more rippable walls roll through, offering sailors the chance to unleash everything from gouging bottom turns and lightning-fast cutbacks to full-commitment lip smacks. Its the section where style points are won and highlight reels are made.Then comes The Middle. The pace quickens, the wave starts to draw off the reef, and barrels begin to appear. This is where things get serious and where timing suddenly becomes much more important than bravery alone.Finally, theres Shish Kebabs. If the name doesnt provide enough of a clue, this is the section where the wave gets incredibly shallow, hollows out and detonates down the reef with frightening intent. Make it through and youll feel like a hero. Miss your line and youll quickly discover why the section earned its colourful nickname.The prevailing wind is typically East to South-East trade windpretty much the dream setup for Cloudbreak. The wave particularly loves a long-period swell (17 seconds plus) from the South to South-West. A more westerly angle produces thicker, heavier, more intimidating tubes, while a southerly swell creates longer, more peeling walls. Either way, if the forecast behaves itself, the competitors could be in for insane conditions.One of Cloudbreaks great strengths is that it works through virtually the entire tidal range, from dead low to full high. Its a left-hand reef break that can serve up anything from playful two-foot runners to terrifying twenty-foot freight trains. And dont be fooled by the smaller days. Even when Cloudbreak looks relatively friendly, the waves still get fast, hollow, and alarmingly close to a very alive coral reef that has little sympathy for poor decisions.In short, Cloudbreak can deliver some of the best waves on Earth. It can also deliver a fairly brutal reminder that nature always has the final say.WINDSURF PREDICTIONS!Drumroll..MEN1. ANTOINE MARTINWeve gone with Antoine Martin for the win in Fiji. When the waves get big, nasty and intimidating, Martin seems to come alive. Just watch some of his footage from Reunion Islandwhile most people are wondering whether they have the guts to leave the beach, Antoine is busy smacking lips monster lips as if its waist high.After navigating some challenging years with sponsors, he now looks settled, happy and right at home with Goya and Quatro. Sometimes predictions come down to statistics, form guides and logic. This isnt one of those times. We simply have a feeling that if Cloudbreak turns on, Antoine will be standing tallest when the dust settles. Plus we left him out of our Maui Pro Am predictions and got our fingers burned.2. BAPTISTE CLORECBaptiste Clorec was by far the standout performer the last time the World Tour rolled into Fiji. His combination of commitment, timing and complete disregard for self-preservation made him look perfectly suited to Cloudbreaks flawless walls.Truthfully, were not entirely sure why weve got him in second rather than first. The top end of this fleet is so stacked that picking a winner a bit of a lottery. One thing is certain though: if Baptiste reproduces anything close to his 2023 Fiji form, hell be very hard to keep off the podium.3. CAMILLE JUBANBig waves, long walls and the opportunity to launch into orbit? Sounds like a Camille Juban playground.Juban has never been shy when the conditions get serious and weve all seen clips of him sending some absolutely ridiculous airs at Cloudbreak. If the forecast delivers, expect fireworks, entertainment and at least a few moments that leave commentators scrambling for new superlatives.WILDCARDBERND ROEDIGERLast time Fiji came around, Bernd Roediger never quite got the breaks and missed out on the final. This year feels different.Fresh off a victory at the Maui Pro, Bernd is clearly sailing at an incredibly high level. The only question mark is fitness. Weve heard hes been carrying an injury and Cloudbreak isnt exactly the place for easing yourself back into competition. If its double mast-high and draining over the reef, there may be fewer opportunities for his trademark goiters and 360s. Then again, writing off Bernd has never been a particularly successful strategy, so we are backing him to make the podium at least.HONOURABLE MENTIONSThe fact weve barely mentioned Morgan Noireaux, Robby Swift, Takuma Sugi and Takara Ishii tells you everything you need to know about the strength of this fleet. Any one of them could easily be lifting the trophy at the end of the event. Unfortunately, prediction articles require actual predictions and tough decisions had to be made. No doubt we will be crying in our Corona come the end of the event.WOMEN1. JANE SEMANIf there was a job description for charging big waves, Jane Seman would probably be overqualified.Based in Margaret River and spending plenty of time sailing the powerful waves of Western Australias north-west, Jane is no stranger to serious conditions. Last time out in Fiji she was unlucky in the final and ended up getting acquainted with the inside reef when a better result looked well within reach.If Cloudbreak delivers on the forecast, these are exactly the conditions she thrives in. We expect Jane to be right in the thick of the battle from start to finish.2. SARAH KENYONWere backing young gun Sarah Kenyon for second place.Sarah has been rapidly building a reputation as one of the most exciting wave sailors on the planet and showcased her talent earlier this year by edging out Jane Seman at the Margaret River Pro. At just 17 years old, she combines incredible skill with the kind of fearless confidence that only youth can provide.The big question is whether Cloudbreak decides to show its friendly face or its terrifying one. If Sarah handles the pressure and size, dont be surprised if she proves us completely wrong and takes the top step of the podium.3. JESSICA CRISPJessica Crisp knows a thing or two about performing on the world stage.While some of her rivals may have youth on their side, Jessica brings a wealth of experience that could prove invaluable if conditions become challenging. Fiji has a habit of rewarding smart decision-making, and that experience may be enough to secure a well-earned podium finish.WILDCARDMARIA ANDRESMaria Andres could quite easily make the podium in Fiji. The problem is she let us down at the Maui Pro-Am after we confidently tipped her to be in the mix.As a result, shes been temporarily demoted to wildcard status and will have to earn her way back into our prediction teams good books. Fortunately for Maria, our prediction teams track record isnt exactly flawless.HONOURABLE MENTIONSKate Barker and Lanee Butler round out the womens fleet. We dont know a huge amount about either sailor, which makes them potentially the most dangerous picks of all. Maybe theyre Cloudbreak specialists. Maybe theyre hiding their cards. Maybe theyll make us look very silly.Stranger things have happened.CONCLUSIONBy the time the contest is over, theres a very good chance most of these predictions will have been torn up, washed away and deposited somewhere on the reef at Shish Kebabs.But thats half the fun.So have a crack yourself, pick your winners, and see whether your crystal ball is any clearer than ours. One thing is certain: if the forecast delivers, were in for an absolutely epic few days of windsurfing at one of the worlds most iconic waves.ENTRY LIST HERE:4-STAR FIJI Surf Pro Cloudbreak World Wave Tour | LiveheatsThe post CLOUDBREAK CRYSTAL BALL: WINDSURF FIJI PREDICTIONS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.