WINDSURF NEWS BULLETIN: DEFI WIND, FIJI AND POZO!WINDSURF NEWS BULLETIN: DEFI WIND, FIJI AND POZO!Wellthe weather has been uber hot lately here in the UK, so it has been a useful time to rest and catch up with normal lifeyou know, jobs, families, mowing the lawn etc. But fear not the charts are finally starting to look spicy again and theres a fresh batch of wind brewing for next week. Which is good news, because its about time we fired up a news bulletin as the windsurfing world definitely hasnt been sitting still.So, whats coming up? We have some fun facts from absolutely nuclear Defi Wind and a first-hand report on what it is like to run the start boat in front of 1500 windsurfers. We also look ahead to Fiji and the legendary Cloudbreak where some of the sailors will be living the dream aboard their own personal catamaran. And just around the corner we have Pozothe first major wave event in the Canary Islands which will no doubt be spectacular!Photos: Jean Marc Cornu Defi WindWWT / Fish Bowl DiariesPWA / CarterINSANE DEFI WINDAfter two years of relatively light winds the 2026 Defi wind made up for lost time with nuking winds for the windsurfing window. In the fin division, Nico Prien took the victory after a brutal week of high-speed racing, while Amado Vrieswijk absolutely stole the show on the foil!And honestly, every time you watch those Defi starts, with 1,500 windsurfers charging flat-out towards the rabbit start you have to wonder how nobody gets completely steamrolled.Which got us thinking what is it actually like sitting in the start boat while an entire floating city of windsurfers comes directly at you at 30 knots?We caught up with Race Director Frank Roguet to find out what goes through his mind during those legendary starts and whether hes secretly considering a career change every single timethe countdown is triggered.FRANK ROGUET:ONBOARD THE DEFI WIND RABBIT BOATThis years Defi was the 24th edition. Philippe Bru and I did all of them plus some special editions such as Defi Superstars (invitational with top athletes & big prize money in Japan, St Tropez and Gruissan). We also ran smaller versions as part of the Defi World Series (Bonaire, Miyako Island and more). We never missed a start!A quarter of a century ago, when we first decided to run that crazy way of windsurfing mass start, we had less than a hundred participants. To be Frank, we were shitting in our pants! The pressure onboard the rabbit boat was immense. Some said we lost our head. We may have at that time, but it became a success that kept growing. If it does represent lots of excitement for the riders, it is also a unique feeling for the limited crew onboard the opening vessel, a mix of stress, pressure and adrenaline.I remember feeling a massive pressure decades ago from the start of the 60 minutes countdown on stage, at the skippers meeting, until the full length of the starting line is open. We are now well experienced. The good thing is our event starts with 3 days of Defi Kite with a small fleet of 350 kitesurfers. The stakes are different, obviously the kite lines and the unpredictable power can be of a serious potential danger but the mass is small.We follow with 650 wingers which means 650 riders on a foil all together! Who would have thought this would not be lethal some seasons ago? Running the Defi Wing is the easiest of all three disciplines: the fleet is slower, more compact with a great potential to catch up upwind if needed. Wingers dont suffer wind shifts as much as windsurfers do. There again, opening the start-line shows a different equation: foilers cant really stall their momentum perched over their gear.Then comes the real Defi, the cherry on the cake, Defi WIND! Defi WIND reaches another level: 1350 windsurfers, pros, amateurs, teenagers, grandpas, mums, freeriders, wave-riders, slalom-sailors, foilers, windsurfer LT and vintage equipment to next years gear! That is a lot, that is noisy, flashy and that covers a non-stop stretch of 10 km of sails. With so many people together on the same starting line, the 1 hour opening briefing is key to success for a safe start. It is dangerous, we keep mentioning it, but it delivers a huge rush of adrenaline when things go rightThis year, with a solid forecast of three days of strong Tramontana, we somehow felt stressless. The packed crowd of racers in front of us at the opening skippers meeting showed a growing desire to compete while the wind broke the 35 knots barrier. Despite the challenges, our well experienced team was ready to handle what will be an epic weekend of racing. When the 60 minutes countdown began, racers started to run everywhere to get ready, Philippe and I were unusually in total relaxation. We had a drink, some time to chat with friends or with TV crews, before heading to our boat 20 minutes prior to the line opening.The rabbit boat is 7 meters long rib powered by 2 x 250 horsepower engines. It is fast and manoeuvrable. Everybody has its position onboard. Philippe is behind the wheel, our mechanic Cyril who makes sures the engines run at their top stands on starboard tack, I am as Principle Race Officer on the left side of Philippe. We have one goal: to open the starting line sharp on time at zero at the pin end mark, going all the way upwind to the other side of a 900 meters start line.If we take it easy in the last 15 minutes, we still have a professional eye on the conditions and on the fleet. We are focussed and confident. The last minute shows a shift in our concentration. No one is allowed to speak beside me. Eyes wide open, check: no one on the wrong side of the course, the racers are lining up on our right. 30 seconds, all clear, 20 seconds, the fleet of a thousand angry windsurfers approaches.10 seconds. We are getting speed. The final countdown is on. 3, 2, 1, GO. We free the riders, the pros are the first to shoot out at the pin, it is rough but they are not late. Philippe is full gas at about 35 knots of speed, he aims at the top of the line. It takes approximately 45 seconds to cover the distance. No one speaks. We are in silence all the way up. Sails are passing by, dealing with our wake. Sometime very close. Philippe keeps his line from pin to top of the line, ready to move aside if a rider pushes too hard. Philippe is a player and well precise on his route. We may do a tiny zigzag to avoid collision. We reach the top, the line is wide open, the pressure goes down. Lets enjoy the race and keep an eye on safety.If this years rabbit starts were mostly clear out of the 5 races, with Amado Vrieswijk smashing the line on time, weve had to stop the rabbit course once over 24 editions. Halfway through the line, one amateur started blindly, realised he was early and pointed upwind. It was already too late. We drew a curve away to kiss his board with our hull. We stopped the engines in emergency mode and got covered by 500 sails eventually starting without seeing the rabbit boat! The guy water started without even understanding what just happened, sailed away and never came back!Another year, Pieter Bijl had the closest shave ever: the Dutch racer hit the tail end of the boat and catapulted into the wake! On a few occasions, a racer is way too early, some meters away from the pack. Theres no turning back. The rabbit boat will have to squeeze his way between that escaped sailor and the mass. It was the case this year. A quick look to identify the guilty person who is disqualified, and whos going to have hard time at the following skippers meeting, having the choice of 25 push ups on stage or a round of beer for all participants!SOME DEFI WIND FUN STATSWe have also put together a few fun Defi wind stats from these years epic event!Total riders across three disciplines: 2500Equipment from 62 brands competed!Sailors from 50 countries and 5 continents competed!WINDSURFINGDistance Covered1,500 riders 200km each (Not everyone completed every race!)= 300,000km sailedThats:Around 7.5 times around the EarthNearly 80% of the distance to the MoonTotal Kit Value on the Beach (Conservative!)If every sailor brought:3 rigs minimumApproximate value per rider: 5,000Then:1,500 sailors 5,000= 7.5 million worth of equipmentTOTAL GYBES3 per rider per race! 1500 x 3 x 5 = 22,500 gybes!ENTRY FEES!2500 x 200 (average) = 500,000FIJI SURF PRO UPGRADED TO 4-STAR CHALLENGER WORLD CUP ON THE WORLD WAVE TOURThe WWT four-star event at Cloudbreak Fiji is just around the corner and some of the worlds best wave sailors have already arrived in Fiji to get dialled in. We heard Morgan Noireaux, Antoine Martin and Camille Juban are really living the dream this year and have even rented their own catamaran for the event duration. We asked Simeon Glasson, WWT Commissioner to give us the lowdown on what they have planned for the event window which will be the 6th to the 14th of June.Simeon: I can say its a joy to be bringing the tour back to Fiji, returning to Cloudbreak, having full access and use of the tower. We have incredible riders registered for a 4-Star event and its going to be a very high standard. Cloudbreak is one of the most iconic waves in the world, and Fiji has always held a special place in the history of professional wave sailing. Upgrading the Fiji Surf Pro to a 4-Star Challenger World Cup is another important step in building the global tour and giving athletes another world-class event where they can earn major ranking points. With the support of Fiji Surf Co, Tourism Fiji, our village partners, and the incredible local community, were excited to bring the World Wave Tour back to Cloudbreak.FINN MELLONFinn Mellon arrived a few days early to Fiji to get dialled into the conditions. Here are his first impressions and what he has been up to so far! (We are not jealous honest!)We have been in Fiji 3 days now, So far I am enjoying my time here, its a super relaxing place so far, the Fijians are extremely friendly and always spreading good vibes. The place is place is beautiful, The water is turquoise blue and super warm. I think its possibly the warmest water I have been in, think its 28 degrees at the moment.Today Takuma Sugi and I went on our first trip to Cloudbreak. Its a pretty long ride in the boat from the mainland, from Nadi it takes about 40 minutes to get there, and costs about 200 euro per day for the boat. We collected Baptise Clorec and Cape Town Photographer Maleen on the way there. First impressions of Cloudbreak was that when its small there is zero room for getting stuck in front of the wave, its straight onto the reef which is full of uneven big coral heads.The line up is actually smaller than I had expected from watching surf films and contests here. We had no wind today so we didnt even bring our windsurf gear unfortunately. Looks like we have a nice bit of swell coming towards the mid point of the event window, the next few days look flat and wind wise Its looking pretty windless looking ahead unfortunately, fingers crossed things improve, at the moment the end of the event forecast looks like we could have 3 days of wind and swell.Irish Windsurfer Jony price who lives here now has said its been a slow start to the season for normal trade winds that you can usually windsurf. Fingers crossed the wind forecast improves a little bit but hey its hard to complain when we are living in a paradise like this, While its not windy Takuma, Baptise and I have planned to do some fishing, snorkelling and plenty of surfing!Event OverviewEvent:Fiji Surf ProTour:World Wave Tour 4-Star Challenger World CupEvent Window:Saturday 6 Sunday 14 June 2026Competition Site:Cloudbreak, FijiOperations Base:Bayview Cove ResortGuaranteed Athlete Revenue: USD $10,000The event operates under a three-day exclusive permit at Cloudbreak, on the 3 best days win the window, with competition scheduled daily from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM the hours when Fijis trade winds typically peak and Cloudbreak is at its most spectacular.EVENT FORMATAll competitors are on-call across the full nine-day window. When the forecast delivers, WWT activates itsTHREE-DAY exclusive permit at Cloudbreak, runningHOUR LONG HEATSfrom 12pm to 6pm. Riders make their own travel bookings and plans Bayview Cover Resortoffers very competitive accommodation packages, andFiji Surf Cooffers competitive reef boat access options, but athletes are free to choose any accommodation and any means to get themselves out to the reef. Riders register online and pay a single simpleEntry Fee of USD $300. Entries areUNLIMITEDwithALL RIDERS WELCOME.Fiji entry list: 4-STAR FIJI Surf Pro Cloudbreak World Wave Tour | LiveheatsDAY 1 Qualifying DayEVERY RIDER GETS ONE HOUR HEATS AT CLOUDBREAK ON DAY 1Exclusive access to Cloudbreak. Media crews (drone, photography, press), jet ski safety, and break clearance teams on station. All riders welcome no restrictions on numbers.DAY 2 Qualifying DayEVERY RIDER GETS ONE HOUR HEATS AT CLOUDBREAK ON DAY 2Exclusive access continues. All riders two sessions. Full media, jet ski safety, and break clearance in place. This session determines which surfers advance alongside the advance seeds into Finals Day. Masters, Junior U18, and Pro Junior U21 results are also scored from this day.DAY 3 FINALS DAYBEST RIDERS FOR FINALS DAYThe elite field takes centre stage. Judges and full media on the WSL tower, jet ski safety on water. Finals Day draws:Men:12 Advance Seeds (rolling world ranking) + 4 top Challenger riders =16 MenWomen:6 Advance Seeds (rolling world ranking) + 2 top Challenger riders =8 WomenFinals Day Heat Order:Mens Quarters R1 (4 heats) Womens Semis R1 (2 heats) Mens Semis R1 (2 heats) Womens B-Final Mens B-Final Womens Final Mens Final12 heats total. Plan A = 26 + 4 minute cycles. Single elimination with B-Final for both divisions. Head Judge has full discretion to adjust heat formats to suit conditions.GRAN CANARIA 2026It sounds like Gran Canaria will be WWT event rather than a PWA event this year. We are not sure about all the behind-the-scenes politics of that but here is some of the PR from the WWT Hub Page: World Windsurf Tour Official Rankings & ResultsON the WWT site it says:Event:Gran Canaria GLORIA Windsurf World CupDates: 412 July 2026Location: Pozo Izquierdo, Gran CanariaStatus: WWT 5-Star Major Event = 100% world ranking pointsHere is the official information on the WWT HubThe World Windsurf Tour (WWT) is thrilled to announce that registration is officially open for the Gran Canaria event. This is the first 5-Star Major of the European summer season. Athletes from around the globe can secure their spot now via WWTs LiveHeats platform atliveheats.com/events/4901015-STAR GRAN CANARIALeading the charge as event organiser is none other than Bjrn Dunkerbeckthe legendary 42-times world champion and undisputed GOAT of the sport. Dunkerbecks involvement ensures the Gran Canaria event is run at the highest possible level, with the vision and standards that have defined his extraordinary career.Bjrn Dunkerbeck, Event Organiser & 42x World Champion Gran Canaria has everything, the wind, the waves, the atmosphere. We want every competitor to experience the best event of their season here.This year, WWT is proud to deepen its partnership with the Girls On Tour initiative, the trailblazing programme led by pro rider Pauline Katz, dedicated to growing and elevating the womens tour year on year. The collaboration reflects WWTs ongoing commitment to making professional windsurfing bigger, more inclusive and more competitive for women at every level.EVENT DETAILS5-STAR GRAN CANARIAREGISTRATION NOW OPENhttps://www.liveheats.com/events/490101Please note spots are strictly limited so enter now to secure your chance to shine.Advance seed registration Closes Friday June 19 = two weeks before the event. Advance seeds are based on the world rolling ranking:Top 28 men advance seeds.Top 12 women advance seeds.Challenger RegistrationOpen until Friday June 26thJunior / Master RegistrationOpen until Friday June 26thU13, U15, U18, U2145+ and 55+Event Head JudgePic EscribanoLead Scoring JudgeEmi GalindoScoring JudgesTeam from last 2 yearsAthlete Rev-ShareWAVE DisciplineUSD $40,000 minimumWWT Guaranteed distribution within 4 weeks of event end.NO LUDERITZ IN 2026The latest post from the Lderitz Speed Challenge sadly states that there will be no event in 2026 but they should be back in 2027disappointing news from the speedsters planning their annual pilgrimage to Namibia!Pete Davis commented: The official reason is Raffi the organiser since 2017 has had some difficulties locally and his license for the National Park where the event is held has run out and they are making him jump through a lot of hoops to get a new license. There is also another organisation from Walvis Bay in Namibia who are trying to organise something in the bay not using a canal.The post WINDSURF NEWS BULLETIN: DEFI WIND, FIJI AND POZO! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

CUSTOM QUAD 9 | BEHIND THE DESIGN WITH MARCILIO BROWNECUSTOM QUAD 9 | BEHIND THE DESIGN WITH MARCILIO BROWNEMarcilio Browne talks us through the design behind Goyas new Custom Quad 9 one of the most iconic wave boards in windsurfing! Marcilio explains about how the board has evolved and the latest refinements to make it even lighter and its more connected feel when turning in critical sections.Marcilio Browne walks through the new Custom Quad 9 and the evolution behind one of the most iconic wave boards in windsurfing. Built from years of testing at the highest level, the Quad 9 carries forward the speed and drive the Quad line has always been known for, now with a freer, lighter, more connected feel through turns and critical sections. From outline refinements to stance changes and reduced swing weight, every adjustment was made with real-world wave riding in mind. Learn more about the Custom Quad 9, available in two constructions.WINDSURFER MAGAZINEFind yours: Goya Windsurfing Boards Custom Quad 9 Pro CarbonGoya Windsurfing Boards Custom Quad 9 Pro Carbon Haiku PackageThe post CUSTOM QUAD 9 | BEHIND THE DESIGN WITH MARCILIO BROWNE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

WINDSURF TRAVEL HACKS: WITH FLO JUNGWINDSURF TRAVEL HACKS: WITH FLO JUNGNext at the check in desk in our Windsurf Travel Hacks series, is Flo Jung a seasoned traveller who knows all the tricks of the trade to make your windsurfing journey smoother and less expensive!FLORIAN JUNG 20 YEARS, 100+BAGS, AND A MILLION TRAVEL STORIES!FJ: Traveling with windsurfing gear isnt just about logistics. Its about staying calm when your bag is 5 kilos overweight, convincing check-in agents that your sail bag is actually a golf set and learning how to live out of a board-bag with style. After more than 20 years on the road and a few hundred flights later, heres what Ive learned.Oh, Ive got a few travel hacks that saved my trip (and sanity) more than once!Sleep mask: Dont underestimate this simple tool. It blocks out the plane lights, the neighbours screen, or a crying toddler two rows back. It helps me reset, even on daytime flights.Noise-cancelling headphones: They help me zone out, meditate, or just protect my ears from chaotic airport soundtracks.Air Tags: These are game changers. I drop one in my board-bag, one in my suitcase. That way I always know where my gear iseven if the airline doesnt.Move every five hours: Long-haul flights are brutal on the body. I try to stretch, do some light yoga in the aisle, or walk around. You want to land with a body thats still usable.Stick to a solid flight routine: I treat long flights like creative downtime. I journal, read, listen to a good podcast or do some work. It helps my mindset and makes the trip feel productive.BOOKING TIPSFJ: Ialways book directly with the airlinewhenever possible. Its not just about finding the cheapest ticket; its about flexibility. If something goes wrong (and it often does when gear is involved), you want to talk to a real person who can actually help.Also, print out the airlines baggage policy. Ideally in English and in the local language of wherever youre flying from. If the check-in agent tries to charge you double for a board bag, you can pull out the policy and say, Herethis is what your website says. It works more often than youd think.PACKING TIPS:FJ: Packing is an art and a workout. First of all: buy light board bags. A 5kg bag already eats up precious weight. Then I use my wetsuit, yoga mat, or sails to wrap and protect the board. Board on the bottom, sails on top, boom and mast in between, thats my standard layering. And be smart, most airlines have a 32kg max per bag. Try to stay under 32 #kg to avoid rejection or extra charges. But if youre at 34 or 35? You can usually get away with it if you move some stuff (like your extension or harness) into your hand luggage.Also, this ones keyI try to fit everything into one bag. Most airlines chargeper bag, not per kilo. So instead of spreading gear across two 25 kg bags, try to combine everything into one under-32 kg monster. And if I need a second bag?Use a sail bag and say its a golf bag.Its a well-known windsurfer trick. Many airlines treat golf equipment more generously than windsurf gear, and it often flies for much less!ESSENTIALS ON BOARDFJ: Easy:headphones, sleep mask, journal, book, and something creative to work on.I dont treat flights as dead time, theyre floating offices and reflection rooms. Sometimes its where my best ideas come from.WINDOW OR AISLEFY: Im anaisle seat guy, ideally emergency exit row. But I never pay for a seat in advance. Instead, Iboard as one of the last people. That way, I can scan whats still free and grab the best remaining seat. Worst case, I fall back on the one I booked.At check-in, Ill usually ask politely: Any chance theres an emergency row available today? Kindness and a relaxed attitude often go a long way!CHECK IN!FJ: Checking in with windsurf gear is part strategy, part social intelligence. I always try to connect with the staff. Ask them something like: Whats your dream travel destination? or How early did you have to wake up today? Then I tell them about my tripthat Im heading to a wave spot, maybe just coming back from a competition or doing a coaching trip. If they ask how much the bag weighs, I always answer with what the airline allows, not the real weight. If theyre sceptical, Ill say, I had to pack in a rush and the gears a bit wet. Should be close though.Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesnt. But its all aboutmutual respect.If things get tense, I ask: What would you do in my situation?That question often shifts the energy. People want to help, as long as they dont feel forced!OTHER TIPS!Bring extra straps for trolleys. Airport ones are usually broken or missing.Arrive early if youre nervous about the check-in or overweight. You want time to handle issues calmly.Read the faces of the check-in staff. If someones arguing with the agent in front of you, maybe switch to a line where the agent looks a bit more relaxed.Treat check-in like a game. The more you do it, the better you get.And most importantly:dont forget your packing list. Before you even start the car to go to the airport, ask yourself: Do I have my passport? It sounds dumb, but forgetting the basics is more common than youd think.WHEN IT ALL GOES PETE TONG!FJ: I had a flight once where they tried to charge me over 1,000 for excess baggage. Luckily, I was flying with a lawyer. We pulled out the airlines policy, proved they werent honouring their contract and got the full amount refunded within 72 hours. Things go wrong. Just stay calm, argue smart, andnever lose your cool. Youll be surprised how far a calm mindset and a bit of charm can take you!FINAL WORDS!FJ: After 20 years of windsurfing adventures, Ive realized thattraveling with gear is its own discipline. You learn to negotiate, read people, stay calm under pressure and, sometimes, carry 100 kg through three terminals without losing your mind. But honestly? Every mission is worth it when youre standing at the beach, looking out at perfect waves, with all your gear ready to ride.See you out there!The post WINDSURF TRAVEL HACKS: WITH FLO JUNG appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

POWER_XT | TECH TALK | DUOTONE WINDSURFINGPOWER_XT | TECH TALK | DUOTONE WINDSURFINGLiam Dunkerbeck explains why his the fastest one rigging at Pozoas he talks us through the benefits of the Duotone Power_XT mast base.Mast Extension & Mast Base | DUOTONE WindsurfingThe post POWER_XT | TECH TALK | DUOTONE WINDSURFING appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

SUSAN MCDONALD: ALL ACTION PHOTOGRAPHYSUSAN MCDONALD: ALL ACTION PHOTOGRAPHYAfter 25 years working as a midwife, North Wales-based photographer Susan McDonald has swapped hospital wards for windy beaches and crashing waves. Inspired by the energy and drama of windsurfing and a lifelong passion for wildlife and action sports, Susan is now building her new venture, All Action Photography. In this interview, she talks about learning the art of photography, shooting in brutal conditions and capturing those split-second moments that make windsurfing such a spectacular sport to photograph.All photos: Sue McDonald: Click any photo to enlarge and scoll!WINDSURF: What inspired you to get into photography? SUSAN MCDONALD: Ive always enjoyed photography and have always been drawn to action sports, wildlife and dynamic images. Ever since I was a child, I loved reading about wildlife and being able to capture images of nature and movement.After working as a midwife for 25 years, I took early retirement and moving to north Wales I have started helping my partner with his business and that change in lifestyle also gave me the opportunity to focus more seriously on photography.Meeting my partner also introduced me to windsurfing and the energy and atmosphere of the sport really inspired me to start focusing more seriously on photography and capturing moments that would otherwise be gone in an instant. Watching windsurfing at events like Rhosneigr, and seeing professional photographers working in those conditions, was definitely a defining moment for me. It inspired me to take photography more seriously, invest in the right equipment and really start developing my skills.WINDSURF: What style of pictures do you enjoy taking the most?SUSAN MCDONALD: Action photography is definitely what I enjoy most, especially windsurfing because every moment on the water is different and unpredictable. Ive always been drawn to action sports, including mountain biking, snowboarding and I love capturing movement, energy, and split-second moments in a single image. I also shoot a lot of wildlife photography because Ive always had a passion for nature and capturing moments that cant be recreated.WINDSURF: What gear did you buy, and how do you like it so far?SUSAN MCDONALD: I shoot with a Sony A7 IV, which Ive absolutely loved so far. My first lens was the Tamron 2875mm f/2.8, which was great to learn with and still works really well for general photography and closer action shots.As I got more into windsurf photography, I added the Sony 200600mm lens, which completely changed what I could capture on the water. Being able to isolate the riders and freeze the action from a distance has made a huge difference. I also use a monopod with the bigger lens, which definitely helps during long windy sessions.Ive also had some really helpful advice from other world class windsurf photographers, including John Carter and Simon Crowther, especially around camera bodies, lenses and using a monopod for longer sessions. Advice like that has been really useful while learning.More recently I added the Sigma 1628mm f/2.8, which I enjoy using for wider shots and landscapes. I also use Hoya UV filters for extra protection, especially around the sea and spray.Ive also learned very quickly that beaches, wind and camera gear can be a stressful combination, so I use a rain cover to protect everything from the elementsespecially the sand, which somehow manages to get absolutely everywhere!Im still learning all the time, but Im really enjoying the setup and how versatile its become. Next on the wish list would probably be a second camera body one day, so I can switch between lenses more easily without worrying about changing gear on a windy, sandy beach. For now though, Im really enjoying learning with the setup I have.WINDSURF: What are your top tips for shooting windsurfing photography?SUSAN MCDONALD: My biggest tip for windsurf photography is to learn the sport and watch the rider, not just the settings on your camera. Once you start understanding what the windsurfer is about to do, you can anticipate the action much better and time your shots more naturally.Shooting in burst mode definitely helps because everything happens so quickly, especially during wave rides, top turns jumps and aerial moves. Autofocus can also be surprisingly challenging with choppy water, spray and constantly changing light, so Im still learning all the time.Lighting also makes a massive difference. The position of the sun can completely change a photosometimes it can make the water and spray look incredible, and other times it can make it much harder to capture detail properly. Im also learning more and more what makes an image feel dramatic, whether thats the light, the spray, the height of a jump or the angle you shoot from.Ive learned that patience is a huge part of it toosometimes you can stand in the wind, cold and sea spray for ages waiting for one perfect moment. Positioning also makes a massive difference, and changing your angle slightly can completely transform a shot.Id also say dont be afraid to take loads of photos while learning. I still come home with plenty that dont work, but every session teaches me something new.And finallyprotect your gear! Wind, sea spray and sand are brutal on cameras.WINDSURF: Does it help that your boyfriend (Adrian Jones) is a fully addicted windsurfer?SUSAN MCDONALD: Definitely! My partner competed at a high level in windsurfing and is still heavily involved in the sport through judging and importing Simmer Style equipment, so windsurfing is a huge part of everyday life. He also previously had his own windsurfing magazine, so he has a really good understanding of the sort of images that work well within the sport and what people want to see.Through him Ive been lucky enough to spend time around riders like Ben Proffitt and a lot of the British wavesailing scene, which has opened up amazing opportunities and helped me learn more about both the sport and photography.With him being head judge at events like Tiree and Rhosneigr, Ive also had the chance to see highly experienced photographers working in difficult conditions, which definitely inspired me and helped improve my own photography.Being around the sport so much has helped me understand conditions, wave riding and different manoeuvres far more deeply, which makes a massive difference when trying to anticipate and capture the action naturally.It also means I spend a lot of time standing on windy beaches watching sessions, which has probably helped my photography improve quite quickly.WINDSURF: Where is your favourite place to shoot so far?SUSAN MCDONALD: Thats a difficult one because Ive been lucky enough to shoot in some amazing places already. South Africa was incredible because of the light, the colour of the sea, the heat and the overall atmosphereeverything just felt dramatic and photogenic. I also had the opportunity to do some wildlife photography there, which was really special for me because Ive always loved wildlife and nature photography as well as action sports.But Tiree was also really special for completely different reasons. Obviously, the windsurfing action was amazing, but I also really enjoyed the non-action side of photography there more than I expected to. Capturing the atmosphere, the people and the island itself was something I loved.It was also great seeing all different levels of riders in one place, and having the opportunity to spend time around experienced photographers and the event team was invaluable for learning and inspiration.WINDSURF: Where are you based, and are there many good photography opportunities in your area?SUSAN MCDONALD: Im now based in Deganwy in North Wales, and honestly its an incredible place to be for photography. Youve got mountains, sea, wildlife and constantly changing conditions all within a short distance, so no two days ever really look the same.As a keen mountain biker I spend a lot of time out in the mountains as well, so theres always inspiration and opportunities to shoot. I love the combination of action, nature and landscape photography, so North Wales suits that perfectly.We also love snowboarding and have even managed to get out on the local mountains during last winter, which has given me even more opportunities to capture outdoor action photography. The mountains are also full of wildlife, from birds to the wild ponies, so theres always something interesting to photograph even away from the water. Were also close to places like Rhosneigr, which gives me great access to the windsurfing scene and action photography.WINDSURF: Do you have any ambitions or long-term goals in photography?SUSAN MCDONALD: My main ambition is really just to keep improving and pushing myself creatively. Id love to continue building my photography business and become more involved within the windsurfing and outdoor sports community through events, magazines and working with riders and brands.I also want to keep exploring different types of photography alongside the action side, especially wildlife and outdoor photography, because thats still a huge passion of mine as well!WINDSURF: What lessons have you learned so far while shooting?SUSAN MCDONALD: One of the biggest lessons Ive learned so far is probably learning to slow down and really observe whats happening around me. Photography has made me notice light, movement and atmosphere in a completely different way.Ive also learned that the most dramatic or meaningful images are not always the biggest jumps or most extreme manoeuvres. Sometimes its the light, spray, emotion or timing that makes a photo stand out. Even with action photography, I think its important to sometimes take a step back and tell more of a story rather than just focus on the manoeuvre itself.Most importantly, Ive realised that confidence and experience only really come from getting out there regularly, making mistakes and continuing to learn every session.WINDSURF: What have been the toughest challenges youve faced in photography so far?SUSAN MCDONALD: The conditions are probably the biggest challenge so far. Shooting windsurfing means dealing with strong wind, sea spray, rain, sand and constantly changing light, all while trying to protect expensive camera gear and still capture sharp action shots. Ive also found learning the technical side of photography quite challenging at times, especially understanding settings, autofocus and editing. With action photography, everything happens so quickly that timing is really important, and sometimes you only get a split second to capture the moment properly.I think another challenge has been learning what makes an image really stand out rather than just being a photo of someone windsurfing. Im still learning all the time, but every session teaches me something new.WINDSURF: Do you have a favourite photo youve taken, or a favourite windsurfer to photograph?SUSAN MCDONALD: I dont think I have one single favourite photo yet, but my favourite images are always the ones where the light, action, spray and timing all come together in a split second to create something dramatic.My favourite person to photograph is definitely Adrian, because hes the person who introduced me to windsurfing in the first place. Being able to capture him doing something he loves at such a high level is really special, and he constantly inspires me to improve, become more confident and keep pushing myself with photography.WINDSURF: Have you started your own photography business, and how can people get in touch with you?SUSAN MCDONALD: Yes, Ive recently started my own photography page and business called All Action Photography, focusing mainly on windsurfing, outdoor action sports and wildlife photography. Its something Im really passionate about and Im excited to keep growing and improving over time.If Im at the beach photographing my partner, Ill usually be capturing other riders out on the water as well, so people are always welcome to come and chat to me or check out my work on Instagram.At the moment the best way to contact me is through Instagram at @allactionphotography or by email (susan@k90.biz) while my website is still being developed.The post SUSAN MCDONALD: ALL ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

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