TWENTY QUESTIONS WITH... ROBBY SWIFTTWENTY QUESTIONS WITHROBBY SWIFTAfter more than two decades at the very highest level of windsurfing, Robby Swift is entering a new chapterone that combines family life, business coaching and still plenty of time chasing perfect waves. From the challenges of stepping away from full-time competition to pushing his limits at Jaws, testing boards, training with Mauis elite sailors and finding new motivation away from the tour, Robby shares his thoughts on the sport, the future of professional windsurfing, and what keeps him fired up to keep pushing his sailing!Photos: Fish Bowl DiariesMaleen HoekstraJohn Carter/ PWAWINDSURF: You just got back from Fiji, tell us how the trip worked out for you?ROBBY SWIFT: FIJICloudbreak in Fiji is probably the best place on earth to windsurf on a wave. Its just insane how good the conditions are there. I had decided not to compete in international events this year, but when I heard about Fiji, I couldnt pass up the opportunity to sail in my favourite wave with just a couple of other people out, so I knew I had to go.The conditions this year were even more insane than we have ever had in the past. The waves were pumping and it was extremely windy (borderline too windy at times with the offshore angle of the wind this year)!I stayed on a catamaran with Morgan, Antoine and Camille and it was a fantastic choice. We were out there all day and could pick and choose the best moments to hit the reef. We got in plenty of surfing, sailing and fishing and had an awesome time during the event.I had a bit of a hard first heat, being seeded alongside Jaeger Stone and I had just had one of the worst wipeouts of my life before the heat started, so I had had a bit of the confidence knocked out of me before that heat started. I managed to pick out some good waves though and rode the first ones pretty conservatively but managed to rack up some OK scores. I then waited for a big set at the end and was able to pick off the best wave of my heat for my last wave. Jaeger was on the first wave of the set and I saw him go for a big aerial so I knew I had to go for it on this one. I ended up hitting the first section and getting lifted way up in the air and just about managing to hang on and land it right in the bowling barrel of the wave, did my best not to nose-dive and then squeezed in 1 more turn before the wave closed out. Jaeger had hit the second section of his wave and fallen, and it turned out in the end that that was the wave that broke his foot, so I was really sad for him that he didnt make it. That was the highlight of the event for me, hitting that aerial, probably one of the highest of my life, and managing to hold onto it through that gnarly barrelling section.Unfortunately I think all the judges were looking at Jaegers crash right when I was doing the aerial so I only got a 4.5 for my wave (you will have seen Jaegers crash on Paul Van Bellens video, so I know why everyone was looking at that), and I didnt make it through the heat but I was proud of myself for going for it and happy that I pulled it off. Hoping for a speedy recovery for Jaeger as it was awesome to see him in the water again. I had had a close up view of his insane wave before the heat, with an aerial and 2 amazing turns, so I knew I had my work cut out for me and it was inspiring to see him on the water!Having not made it to the semi finals, I had to watch the rest of the event from our boat and I was blown away by the pure adrenaline charging of all the guys. It was really, really heavy out there and everyone put on an amazing show, with no safe-sailing at all.Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the event crew for putting on this incredible spectacle. Thanks to the local Fijian crew @fijisurfco for their ongoing support of this amazing event.WINDSURF: How was the winter season in Maui this season. Did you get to ride Jaws much?ROBBY SWIFT: This was probably one of the slowest winters I have ever seen on Maui. We did sail a bit, but the wind completely shut down for around 3 months so it was by far the worst windsurfing winter on Maui I have experienced since 2000.I sailed Jaws twice, it was as fun as always, but having been spoiled with 5-8 sessions up there the past few years, I was definitely left hoping for more next year!WINDSURF: Have you still got any bucket list destinations you would still like to go a mission and windsurf?ROBBY SWIFT: Yes, definitely. I am actually going to start working on my bucket list this summer. Im going to Indonesia for 4-6 weeks with the family and will be taking my windsurf gear so hopefully we will be able to do some good strike missions during that time!WINDSURF: What does it feel like now you dont have to go and compete in the Canary Islands this seasondo you feel a sense of freedom or will it be strange missing out?ROBBY SWIFT: I am definitely feeling weird about it. When Braw and Morgan go off to the other side of the island to train, I really miss it and it will be very strange watching the contests and not taking part in them. I am really happy that they are doing Fiji this year though, plus 2x events on Maui so if I do them and Chile, Ill still be doing enough of the tour to get a ranking so Im not 100% weened off it yet!WINDSURF: Who do you think has the best bottom turn in windsurfing and why?ROBBY SWIFT: I like Levis bottom turn is really solid. I would go with him.WINDSURF: What four guys would you like to take on a trip to Fiji and why?ROBBY SWIFT: Braw, Ricardo Campello, Jason Polakow and Morgan Noireaux, I think. That would be really fun. Jason has to come as he is nuts and would push us all to and past our limits. Braw is Braw and I have travelled with him for 20 years, its always great to have him around. Ricardo is fun and also pushes us all to surpass our limits, plus he always brings his drone and various other cameras so he makes us all look more professional! Morgan is my teammate and he rips, plus he is nice and calm and easy going so we have fun together when we go to Jaws etc.WINDSURF: Who do you think has the best jumping game at Pozo and why?ROBBY SWIFT: It would have to be between Philip and Marino I think, with Marc Pare right up there too, and Braw also. Braw is probably as consistent as Philip and Marino, but I think those 2 jump the highest and do all the tricks. Marc can go as high as Philip and Marino but sometimes lacks a tiny bit of consistency, or he has in the past, its quite possible that this year he will be at the same level as he seems to get better and better exponentially!WINDSURF: Who do you think is the most competitive wave sailor on the world tour?ROBBY SWIFT: Between Marc and Braw I would have to say!WINDSURF: Are there any new moves out there you have been dreaming of?ROBBY SWIFT: I almost did a double 360 the other day, it was more like a 360 into a forward loop. I think that is perfectly possible (but very scary!) I will probably keep trying that, but I keep breaking gear doing it and its getting tougher to do now I dont have all that free sponsored gear to destroy without feeling the financial pain!WINDSURF: What new challenges are you facing now you are not competing full time?ROBBY SWIFT: I have been building a few other businesses up to try to make money while not making money from windsurfing, but getting my head around not really having a budget to go on the trips I would like to do and having to pay for gear that I break is something is hard to get used to. I just want to go for it on every wave and have been lucky enough to never really think about that in the past. Its kind of annoying to go sailing and take it easy!! (sorry to everyone who always had to do that), but yeah, that is tough to get used to when you have been lucky enough to get all your gear replaced when broken since you were a teenager!WINDSURF: What are you interested in outside windsurfing?ROBBY SWIFT: Surfing, and thats about it ha ha! No, I enjoy planning, designing and realizing building projects. That has been something that has been in my family since I was born, since my dad built and ran a roofing company in the UK. I work with my dad and brother now on those projects and enjoy them. We also have several other businesses that I enjoy overseeing, my wifes brand clhei.com started in 2013 and has grown into something really amazing now. That was just the 2 of us for about 8 years and my brother and his wife joined for the past few years to take it to a new level.We have a rental car business called North Shore Maui Rent a Car which is part owned by myself and Brawzinho. We also have a small caf and I am the distributor of NeilPryde and JP in Hawaii, so all of those things take up my time and are fulfilling in different ways. I enjoy teaching kids how to surf and windsurf and wing etc. and I run a clinic on Maui every year for adults which also gives me quite a lot of satisfaction when the people who come enjoy themselves and progress. There is nothing that really beats a sick wave at Jaws, or performing your best and doing well in a contest, but these other things have less ups and downs emotionally and I guess quite a bit less risk so as I am getting older, I am starting to enjoy them more and more!WINDSURF: What is a typical day for you at home in Maui in the winterhow busy do you boys keep you with all the lifts to the beach?ROBBY SWIFT: We wake up around 5:30 and try to get into the water at around 5:50 to surf before school. I have to drop the boys at 7:45 at school, so we usually get 1.5 hours of surfing in before that. Then I have Gym from 8-9 and then I try to finish all my work between 9-2pm which is school pickup. As long as I have all my work done, then we either surf again, or windsurf or wing after school, before the high school kids get out at around 3:30. Then we come home to do homework and then either go to the skate park or back to the beach for the late evening session (usually surfing as the wind dies in the evening). Its pretty full on and we go hard like that for weeks and weeks on end but its the most enjoyable way to spend my time, so the 8:30pm exhaustion is actually quite a nice feeling!WINDSURF: How do you know when you have found a magic board when testing?ROBBY SWIFT: I dont like boards to be too slow, so as soon as I step on them off the beach, I can feel the speed and I like them to get going quickly in that first little gust. The first gybe on the way out is also pretty tell-tale, but really on the very first bottom turn, you get an amazing amount of feedback from the board. Generally if I dont like that first turn, it is hard to imagine loving the board in the long run, but I do, diligently, work thorough all the different foot-strap and fin positions, mast foot position etc. to see if I can improve the performance. Its normally possible to tune up a board, but generally the first bottom turn to cutback is the most telling moment. I like to be able to go really fast on the wave, lay into the bottom turn as hard as possible and just concentrate on timing as I head up to the lip. Then I like to be able to push as hard as I can off the top and really feel the rail bite. I dont like it when the board slides out at all off the top (unless I want to make it slide out) so the grip off the top is really important for me. I like to have control 100% of the time, and the ability to go from front foot to back foot quickly, so I can adjust my turns in the middle of the bottom turn if I want to go steeper or more vertical, or cut the turn short to re-direct back towards the beach for a goiter or aerial. The boards have to be pretty special before I call them magic!!WINDSURF: Are you going to keep up the physical training?ROBBY SWIFT: Yes, 100%, we train with Sarah Hauser 3 times per week and I do yoga or stretching the other 2 days of the week and just surf / windsurf / foil on the weekends.WINDSURF: Do you ever worry about getting old?ROBBY SWIFT: I do and I dont. I really feel great at the moment. As long as I dont let the training slip for too long, my body feels good. I am slowly allowing myself to accept missing out on certain sessions when I have other things that I have to do which are more important (although it is hard!) and I think that that kind of thing happens slowly and gradually so that eventually you end up being happy with whatever it is that you are doing at the time. My kids are so into surfing / windsurfing / winging that I know they will be keeping me young. They literally go from the bed to some kind of board (either surf or skate) by 6am and then continue in that vein throughout the day until they are ready to pass out at 8:00pm so I think they will keep me young!WINDSURF: How did the Maui Pro Am work out for you and were you impressed with the general level of sailing you saw in the finals?ROBBY SWIFT: It went well. I sailed as well as I could in every heat. The heats were super short so you had to go from it from wave number 1 and I did that every time, I think I landed a goiter and a 360 in every heat plus backed them up with some kind of turn on most waves, so that was really all you could possibly do in each heat. If you look at the Liveheats scores from the heats, they were often so close, it was hard to tell 2 people apart, and in the B Final, I lost to Bernd (who won) by 0.23 of a point, so it was as close as splitting hairs to get to the final. I got a wave right on the buzzer and did my best 360 of the heat, along with a turn on that wave, so I really performed in a clutch moment to 100% of my ability and have to be happy with myself for that!WINDSURF: What do you think of the sailing style of Bernd Roediger?ROBBY SWIFT: I think he is the most fluid and surprising sailor out there at most waves. His connection with the ocean and with the wave he is riding on is uncanny. He is really confident in his decisions to wait for sets and then executes incredibly well on every wave. I dont think anyone else has the same flow as him, and his ability to pull moves on really gnarly sections where you think there is no chance of doing anything but a closeout hit is what really sets him apart in many heats.WINDSURF: What is it like to have training partners like Morgan Noireaux and Marcilio Browneare you guys always competitive when free-sailing?ROBBY SWIFT: Yes we are super competitive but we are really respectful of each other and its amazing to sail with them. We train in the gym with Sarah together and we are kind of competitive there, and then in the water always looking at what each other does and trying to show off for each other. It actually makes it insanely fun and I dont know what life would be like without that, like I said before, Im sad when I know they are going to the south of the island to train and Im not there any more, but at Hookipa we always sail together and it makes every session much more fun when they are out.WINDSURF: How do you see the way the WWT / PWA world tour is working out?ROBBY SWIFT: Honestly I was pretty burned out at the end of my involvement with that and I have enjoyed not looking at it too much in recent months. I try not to share my opinion much at all anymore unless there is something obvious, I can see that would solve a potential problem. They have their way of doing things and, as a competitor who was involved in the management of the PWA, some of the things that changed werent particularly great for me or my peers in the short term (massive reductions in standards for sailors and much more liberal judging standards being the main things), but we were not able to get events in places we wanted to go before and having the sailors involved in the decision making on standards probably held us back from achieving that for many years. Hopefully in the long term it will be good that theres a more dictatorial approach now with the new system and the sailors are one step removed from the decision making. We certainly have a lot more events in a lot more places in the world now and its much more interesting as a spectator, so I hope that sponsorship will follow and then the sailors will be able to get more reward back for their efforts and turn professional windsurfing back into an actual profession again.We are actually in the process of trying to organize a small event in Brazil (hopefully even 4*) together with Braw and Jason, at a hotel that we all invested in down in Icaraizino in August, so I very much like that the events have become more accessible to organizers due to this new event platform. This kind of thing would never have been possible with the full standards that we used to require of organizers.Im going to do a clinic before the event, possibly even 2 clinics, hopefully together with Jason and Braw, so it will be a fun thing for people to be able to sign up to do to train before the event and then participate in a starboard tack jumping event which is something we have had very little of on the tour in the past.Preliminary details about the clinic are here, but there will be a lot more information coming out in the next week or 2 once we have things finalized for the event: https://robbyswift.com/products/brazil-experience-campWINDSURF: What sailor inspired you when you were a young rookie on tour?ROBBY SWIFT: Jason Polakow, Josh Stone, Nick Baker, Bjorn and Kevin Pritchard mostly.WINDSURF: How are you going to keep motivated now you are not competing full time on tour?ROBBY SWIFT: I guess if you have read this far you can see that my days are full to the brim from sun up till sun-down each day. Maui is a mega expensive place to live so keeping yourself the right way up is motivation enough! Trying to manage my life so I have time to maximize time with my kids while they are at this precious age is my main focus, and building up the JP / NeilPryde brands again in the US seems to be a fun way to do that and hopefully it will end up being something I can work on with my children in 10 years or so when they finish school!The post TWENTY QUESTIONS WITH ROBBY SWIFT appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

PBA GRAN CANARIA 1995!PBA GRAN CANARIA 1995!If youre already getting in the mood for Pozo, which kicks off this weekend, this video from 1995yep, over 30 years ago.should get you in the mood!The event back then delivered wild, windy slalom conditions and epic wave action, with legends like Bjrn Dunkerbeck and Robby Naish in their prime, alongside Nik Baker, Vidar Jensen, Jason Polakow and many others making their mark on the scene. A proper throwback to the golden era of Pozo!Slalom races and wave competitions were held, at Pozo Beach. In those days, double loops were starting to be attempted during competitions. Vidar Jensen was the avant-garde for performing (attempting) them on the professional circuit. Bojrn Dunkerbeck (a then resident of Gran Canaria) wound up winning both the slalom and wave competitions for men, while Nathalie Lelivre did the same for women. Other Noteworthy competitors featured: Anders Bringdal S10 Robert Teriitehau F35 Robby Naish US1111 Nik Baker K66 Patrice Belbeoch F81 Jutta Mueller G680 Jason Polakow Matt Pritchard Mathias Holmberg and (then) race director, Alex AguieraThe post PBA GRAN CANARIA 1995! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

WINDSURF POZO PREDICTIONS 2026WINDSURF POZO PREDICTIONS 2026ARE YOU READY FOR IT?Yes its that time of year again. After the drama of perfect waves in Fiji, it is the turn of the wild and windy Canary Islands to take centre stage in the windsurfing world. The sails get smaller and the nerves get bigger as the best in the world prepare to do battle at the windiest stop on tour, for a full 5 star ranking event. YepPozo Izquierdothe legendary home of the windis backFamous for its relentless trade winds, brutal conditions and epic battles. This is where heroes are made, egos are tested and the jumps go into orbit!So, with the wind machine ready to howl (hopefully) and the worlds best preparing for battle, lets get down to it and look at our picks as to who we think will conquer Pozo in 2026, who could cause some possible upsets and we will give you the reasoning behind our choices. Most likely they will all be wrongbut somebody has got to put their reputation on the line and make some bold predictions!DISCLAIMER: We have stared at forecasts relentlessly, analysed form, consulted our windsurf crystal ball and still fully expect this to go wrong. But thats half the funPhotos: PWA / CarterMENS DIVISIONThe Big Guns & The Dark HorsesPodium Picks1: Philip Koester2: Marcilio Browne3: Marc ParWildcard Threat4. Marino GilWhat actually goes down during the competition in Pozo can ride a lot on the conditions. If the forecast is nuking, then normally the big guns rise to the top! If the forecast is sketchy then the elite players can struggle to shine. We have been holding back as long as possible, so we can check the forecast that will hopefully give us a clue as to what to expect in Pozo this year.On top of all the decisions calling the forecast this years event is a WWT event as opposed to the PWA running the show, so we doubt there will be a double elimination as in previous years. We are not sure of all the details as yet but most likely there will be one final to decide how things play out and no chance of a comeback.1: Philip Koester: The Home Turf AssassinIn the build-up to Pozo the wind has been absolutely nuking, so at least if gives all the sailors a decent window to get dialled in. However, as we head into the event window, things look set to calm down slightly, with the wind easing for a few days before (hopefully) returning with some proper horsepower. Were not expecting a full-on survival mission with huge waves and tiny sails, but there should still be enough action to separate the men from the boys.The good news for Philip Koester? He doesnt seem to care what conditions are thrown at him. Over the last few seasons, hes looked sharper, lighter and more explosive probably around 10kg leaner than his peak yearsand hes carrying that extra agility into the waves. His sailing has that frustrating how did he make that look so easy? quality, with tricks landed so smoothly it almost feels like hes playing a different game to everyone else.If Pozo decides to unleash its famous full-power madness, then Koester is one of the few riders youd actually want in your fantasy squad. When the wind goes nuclear, he can go toe-to-toe with anyone, matching the biggest hitters in the sport with his trademark mix of control, commitment and ridiculous aerial ability.At his home spot, Koester clearly knows every gust, ramp, and piece of chop like the back of his hand, although. Koester has the complete package and when the pressure is on, he has a habit of producing his best performances exactly when they matter most. If Pozo turns into a battlefield, dont be surprised to see the local hero walking away with the victory!2. Marcilio Browne Man on a Mission!Yawn here we go againpicking the obvious favourites is not usually our style but sometimes the major players at the front of the pack are there for a reason. After watching the top four battle it out in last years Pozo final, its hard to look past the big guns and Marcilio Brawzinho Browne is firmly in that conversation.Every year he seems to arrive at Pozo with another level unlocked. His port tack game has become seriously dangerous and his timing, consistency and rad style just keeps on improving. His jump game is fully loaded, with doubles and push forwards both firmly under control. Add in his ability to throw back loops off the lip, plus his endless catalogue of takas, shakas and technical wizardry in the waves and you have a rider who is pretty lethal at Pozo when the heat is on.But make no mistake, Brawzinho doesnt fly over from Hawaii weeks early just to enjoy the Spanish sunshine and eat tapas. This is a calculated campaign. Hes putting in the hours, studying the conditions and is prepared for battle. The mission is clear: challenge for the event win and keep the hunt alive for a fourth world title.3. Marc Pare The Champion Under PressureThe life of a world champion is not always as glamorous as it looks. After lifting the biggest trophy in the sport, the next challenge is proving you can handle the target painted firmly on your backand after a tough opening event in Hawaii, Marc Par arrives at Pozo with something to prove.From our recent chat with Marc, it sounded like the pressure of being the man everyone wants to beat may have taken some time to adjust to. Winning a world title is the dream, but defending it comes with a whole new level of expectationsuddenly every heat feels like a final and every mistake or decision gets analysed by the critics.But if there is one place where Marc can hit the reset button, its Pozo. He is without question one of the most dangerous sailors at this venue and has all the ingredients needed to win. Fearless in the air and radical on the wave, Par is the type of rider who can be the standout during a brutal Pozo session.The question is whether he can match the trickery of riders like Koester and the consistency of Brawzinho if the conditions dont turn into full survival mode. In lighter or more technical conditions, the margins become tiny and thats where the small details can decide everything.Dont write off the champ though. If Pozo switches into battle mode, Marc Par is exactly the kind of rider you want charging into the storm. He may have arrived with a little pressure on his shoulders, but sometimes thats when champions remind everyone why they won the title in the first place. We would love to see Marc win in Pozo even if it would shatter our predictions!WILDCARD4. Marino Gil The Local WildcardWhen it comes to Pozo, you cant ignore the localsand Marino Gil is not just any local. Hes a true homegrown weapon who has spent years learning every slippery boulder of this legendary battlefield. From chasing ramps as a kid to becoming one of the most feared sailors at the spot, Marino has earned his place among the elite.Known for his huge jumps, explosive style and incredibly polished wave riding, Marino has all the tools needed to take down a win at Pozo. On his best day, he is absolutely capable of beating anyoneand the scary part is that when the conditions go wild, he almost seems more comfortable the more hectic things get. For most people, Pozo at full power is survival mode; for Marino, its time to go big!Unlike many of his rivals, Marino chose to skip Maui and Fiji, keeping his powder dry and focusing all his energy on his opening strike of the season on familiar ground.Marino has shown he thrives in this environment and with the crowd behind him, he could go all the way! Marino Gil is a serious contender, a Pozo specialist and there is no way we could leave him out of our top four. If the wind machine fires up, expect the local hero to come out swinging and probably flying higher than anyone if Pozo turns on.Honourable Mention: Moritz MauchThe Wave Riding WizardFirstly, we would like to say that if Moritz Mauch has learned to smash out double loops and push forwards, he would easily be our choice to take the victory. His wave riding execution at Pozo is simply ridiculous and we think hes got the best style in town. Unfortunately, he has not got the jumping skills to match so we cant include him in our picks for the podium!Unless he has been secretly training doubles of course!Looking at some of the videos from the build up their are a tonne of sailors ripping so dont be surprised if our predictions are totally wrong and the likes of Alessio Stillrich, Liam Dunkerbeck, Victor Fernandez and Takuma Sugi are in the mix!WOMENS DIVISIONLegends, Champions & The Next GenerationPodium Picks1: Daida Moreno2: Sarah Quita Offringa3: Sol DegriekWildcard pick4: Lena Erpenstein1: Daida Moreno The Legend That Refuses To LeaveAfter last years dramatic victory in the super final against Sarah-Quita Offringa, Daida Moreno reminded everyone that the fire is still burning brightly. When the pressure was at its highest, she deliveredproving that experience, hunger and a lifetime of battling at the top level are a lethal combination.Daida has never relied on just one weapon in her arsenal. She brings the full armoury to Pozo: huge jumps, explosive rotations, and a level of wave riding that very few riders in the world can match. Goiters, wave 360s and radical turnsDaida has them all in her locker.What makes her especially dangerous is that she knows Pozo better than almost anyone. This is a place where timing, commitment and confidence matter and Daida has decades of experience reading the conditions and finding those magic moments when a wave turns into a ramp.This season she will also be lining up on new equipment with Goya and from all reports she is loving the setup. A happy sailor with gear she trusts is a scary prospect especially when that sailor already has one of the most complete skill sets in the sport.If Daida arrives fully fit, dialled in and with the same competitive fire she showed last year, then she will be one tough cookie to crack. Never count out a legendespecially one who still looks like shes having way too much pleasure causing trouble for everyone else.2. Sarah Quita Offringa The ChallengerSQ arrived in Pozo a few weeks ago and it wont take long for her to dial into the wild and windy conditions. Sarah loves a challenge and she has made it clear that she would love to win in Pozo, especially while Daida is still in the fight. Sarah is also always out to improve, so no doubt will be trying to nail 360s, goiters and even doubles to bolster up her armoury for the big battle ahead. Has she got the nerve and the skill to go all the way in Pozo? or will Daida be able to handle the pressure once againthat is the question! It would be awesome to see Sarah win, but who knows what conditions we will get for the ladies and who will shine on the day.3. Sol Degriek The Future Arriving Early!At some point, Sol Degrieck winning at Pozo feels inevitable! The scary thing is, that could very easily be this year. Remember at the end of 2025 in Syltwhen Sol surprised the crowds and ran away with the victory.Sol has been quietly building momentum and with more time spent training in Gran Canaria this season, she has been putting in the hours at one of the toughest proving grounds in windsurfing. Pozo is not a place that hands out victories willy nilly it demands commitment, confidence and a willingness to launch yourself out of your comfort zone and Sol has shown she has all three.Even last year she was already throwing herself into the deep end, with double rotations and tweaked push loopsthe kind of moves that separate a female rider from the crowd. The biggest weapons in Sols game are her youth, fearless attitude and ridiculous natural talent.There are still experienced names in the mix, but Sol has the ability to shake things up and make a serious run. We wouldnt be surprised at all to see her fighting for a place in the top four and if everything clicks, she could be the one making the established stars look over their shoulders.WILDCARD4. Lina Erpenstien The Doctor Of Destruction!Lina Erpenstein is another rider who has the skills to go all the way at Pozo. She brings one of the most powerful and committed styles in the womens fleet in the waves and when the conditions turn on, she is exactly the kind of sailor should be looking out for mainly because there is a very real chance something huge is about to happen.Her jumping game is a serious threat, with the power and confidence to go after some serious push loops and monster forwards, while her wave riding has a solid aggressive, attacking style if Pozo serves up any decent bowls to smack.Last year, Lina was returning from injury and missed out on Pozo, with more time to recover, rebuild and get back into full competition mode, she should be coming into this event much closer to 100% and ready for battle.If the conditions fire up and Pozo delivers its famous combination of nuclear wind and waves, Lina has every ingredient needed to challenge for the podium. She has the power, the experience and the fearless approachnow its just about putting it all together when the heat is on.Lina is now a fully qualified doctor on top of being a world-class sailor, so she clearly knows a thing or two about preparation and handling pressure. The question is whether the rest of the fleet is ready for her treatment plan. Dont be surprised if Lina prescribes a heavy dose of double rotations, aggressive wave riding and a painful reminder that she is one of the most dangerous sailors on the water.So there we have it. Our carefully researched, highly scientific, probably completely unreliable Pozo predictions for 2026. Now all that remains is for the wind to arrive, the waves to deliver and the sailors to remind us why Pozo is one of the greatest shows in windsurfing.Bring it on!Watch Ben Proffitt from Windsurfing TVs first Pozo Training Diaries here:The post WINDSURF POZO PREDICTIONS 2026 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

THE KEY TO ALL WINDSURFING GYBES: GEORGE GRISLEYTHE KEY TO ALL WINDSURFING GYBES: GEORGE GRISLEYIn his new series; Progress From the Plateaux, George Grisley breaks down how to improve your downwind carving and episode one looks at the preparation and acceleration. So if you are looking for the key to improving your windsurfing gybes, this could be well worth a watch!Welcome to Progress From the Plateaux a new series focused on improving your downwind carving and taking your riding to the next level.In Episode 1, we break down one of the most overlooked parts of any carving manoeuvre: the preparation and acceleration. Getting this right is the key to smoother, faster, and more controlled gybe. Make sure to subscribe so you dont miss the rest of the series where I cover everything from your standard Carve Gybes, Carving 360s and cool gybe variations to make push yourself to learn something new this summer.The post THE KEY TO ALL WINDSURFING GYBES: GEORGE GRISLEY appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

A detailed breakdown of the Channel Islands pack range with Parker Coffin, Brent Power (Team Manager), and Todd Janda (CI Accessories Designer). They cover the details that actually matter: capacity, durability, access, and how these packs function day-to-dayfrom quick strikes to longer missions. Why CI Packs Built for surf travel and everyday use Durable, water-resistant materials designed to hold up over time Thoughtful layout for easy access, organization, and protection Designed with team feedback for real-world function Choosing Your Pack Essentials 40L Pack Larger capacity for longer days or travel Multiple compartments to keep gear organized Built to carry everything you need in one go Explore more: https://cisurfboards.com/products/essentials-40l-surf-packDry Pack (25L + 35L) Waterproof construction to keep gear dry 25L = more compact, streamlined 35L = added space + external pocket for extra storage Same core build, just different size and carry needs 25L: https://cisurfboards.com/products/dry-pack-25l35L: https://cisurfboards.com/products/dry-pack-35lThere are a lot of options out there, and hopefully this helps you find the right pack for how you move through your day.

The post Cecilia Pampinella & Manuel Hoyuela Rojas Dominate as the UKs First ICF SUP World Cup Makes History appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: FREDDIE SARGENTS FIRST SEASON AT CLUB VASSNEW KID ON THE BLOCK: FREDDIE SARGENTS FIRST SEASON AT CLUB VASSAfter several visits to the legendary centre at Club Vass on holiday, Freddie Sargent decided to take the plunge and ask for a job as an instructor. From visa battles and pre-season setup to boardshorts rash, party night performances and sailing every day surrounded by some of the best windsurfers around, Freddie talks us through the journey from being a guest to Club Vass crew memberand what its really like being the new kid on the block.Photos: Protography!WINDSURF: How did you get the idea to do a season at Club Vass and what were you hoping to gain from the experience?FREDDIE: I guess the idea first came up when I was on holiday here over two years ago. I have been coming as a guest to Club Vass for probably the last 10 years give or take. A windsurf season is one of those things Ive always wanted to do and it just made sense to it at Club Vass because I already know a lot of the people.WINDSURF: How did you get the job?FREDDIE: I first talked to Ollie (Scott) about getting a job here 2 years ago, but I only really had a proper discussion with him last year. He was fairly relaxed (as relaxed as you can be running a resort in peak season) about the whole thing and just asked me to come and find him for a chat at some point during my stay. He was very approachable and he offered me a job on the spot on the condition that I tackle the list of qualifications required.WINDSURF: Did you already know a few of the instructors and did you have an idea what the job entails?FREDDIE: I knew most of the instructors but I had absolutely no idea what the job would entail, I worked for Simon and Jane at 2XS so I knew what it was like to work on the beach and teach windsurfing but working at Club Vass is very different to 2XS in a couple of ways. I actually read Dan Barringtons article that he wrote for windsurf magazine the week before I came out to try and get an idea of what the next 4 months of my life might look like.WINDSURF: What training was involved and what courses did you have to do to be qualifiedhow tough were the courses etcFREDDIE: I already had the beginner windsurfing instructor RYA qualification which I would say is the most important qualification. I had to get a couple more certificates though in order to work here: the RYA ICC (international certification of competence), the RYA PB2 and rescue boat qualification to be able to drive the rescue boats here at Club Vass. Ollie wanted me to get my intermediate windsurfing and my beginner wing foiling instructors but unfortunately I wasnt able to get either of those. The biggest hurdle however was the Greek long stay working visa which was a proper mission for everyone this year and required multiple trips to the global visa centre and the Greek consulate office. Ollie and Benita however where very helpful and supportive for all of us during the process.WINDSURF: When did you arrive in Vass and how was it settling in?FREDDIE: I arrived on the third of May and Ollie books all of his staff a taxi from the airport. I arrived before the season started so I had a couple of weeks of working to get the club into ship shape before guests started to arrive. Settling in was fairly easy as I already knew a lot of the people and I was sharing accommodation with everyone I didnt know so I got to know them pretty fast anyway.WINDSURF: How much rigging and set up did you have to do to help get the centre ready for the season?FREDDIE: We stock three brands at Club Vass: Severne, Duotone and Goya. I arrived after the Severne kit delivery but before the Duotone and Goya deliveries so I didnt have to as much rigging as some people but still did a lot especially as this year we have basically got all new gear and havent kept much gear from last year. I had blisters on both my hands from screwing foot straps into boards.WINDSURF: What was it like the day that Club Vass openedwas it all hands on deck etc?FREDDIE: It wasnt so bad, it was a little stressful but in the first week we only had around 50 guests and in peak season we would normally have around 350 so even though we didnt have as much staff as we would during peak the centre still felt quite quiet and I feel like we coped pretty well.WINDSURF: How did the first week go for you and how did you settle into the teaching?FREDDIE: In my first week I was shadowing Alex Roe who is another instructor at Club Vass who is on his third season now and is very good at it. Spending a week watching him work set me up very well for taking a class of my own and I wasnt thrown in the deep end, the responsibilities were introduced slowly which was great.WINDSURF: What is a typical day / week for you like for you so far?FREDDIE: In a typical day we have a morning meeting at 10 and then meet our groups at 10:30, we teach until 12 and then break for lunch then teach again from 2:30-4:30 depending on the class. After the afternoon class finishes we velcro our names to a board in the beach hut which allows us to track and operate a rotation system where we all get to go windsurfing for 40 minutes at a time if its windy. After the last windsurfer is in we put the cages back on the racks and close the centre for the night before enjoying a cheeky half in the sun with the team and the guests at the beach bar.The weekly routine depends on what class we are teaching but generally Mondays are for meeting the group and finding out what each individuals goals are for the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays we go out on the water and film either with a GoPro on the head of one of the instructors or on a camera from a little floating platform in the middle of the sailing area. Thursdays we are down in the video room analysing the footage from the last couple days, before going on the water in the afternoon with the feedback still fresh to try and see as much improvement as possible.Friday we try and get as much time on the water as possible as it is usually the last day of sailing for the guests. This time is really good to cement the progress made over the week.WINDSURF: What is the toughest part about the job?FREDDIE: I cant really think of many bad bits about the job, we get loads of time on the water and everything is free, but if I had to pick something I would say the boardshorts rash is no joke.WINDSURF: Do you have to do the party night duties and how did you find that?FREDDIE: Yeah we do the entertainment every Friday night. Some of the performances are fairly tame (usually when we have kids staying) and some performances are a little more far out, but they are always a good laugh for the guests and for us.WINDSURF: Was it embarrassing or did you find it fun?FREDDIE: The first rehearsal in the first week of the season was a little awkward because it was new and I didnt know anyone very well but the beach team are all super close now. So its not really embarrassing when we are rehearsing and then when we go on stage to perform its fine because we are all up there together. I think if had to perform on my own I would find it embarrassing though. It helps that its a very well trodden route and I know that everyone working here has done all of the performances at some point.WINDSURF: How much time do you get to sail yourself?FREDDIE: We have a rotation system so when we have finished teaching our lessons we put our names on the board and everyone takes turns to sail for 40 minutes. The lessons are great as well especially if you are teaching intermediate or advanced groups because you get to go windsurfing while you are teaching to follow the guests around. This is also a great opportunity to try out all the club kit.WINDSURF: Are you enjoying the sailing and learning.FREDDIE: 100% more than ever, Im improving so much quicker than I ever have before here because I am sailing every day and am surrounded by people that are better than me. The team are all very willing to offer tips about tricks which is great, and everyone is very motivated to improve.WINDSURF: What do you love about the job so far?FREDDIE: I wasnt expecting to love the area as much as I do, it is a really cool place and theres mountains everywhere you look. I never really noticed how beautiful the place actually was because I am usually so focused on the windsurfing when Im here. Ive also discovered loads of new places that I didnt know existed in the area. Theres also the obvious reasons I love the job to do with the windsurfing. Not having to cook is great as we get three meals a day for free.WINDSURF: How have you fitted in with all the crew?FREDDIE: Pretty well I would say. I already knew a lot of the people from coming on holiday here. There are a couple of new members of the beach team this year but they are all really nice and we all see each other a lot as part of the job.WINDSURF: Is there any initiation for new kids on the block at Club Vass?FREDDIE: Not any more, its fairly tame these days but Ive heard some rogue stories about how it was in the past.WINDSURF: What do you love about Club Vass so far?FREDDIE: Everything is great but it has always been about the windsurfing, so I would say just the chance to windsurf every day in boardshorts. The social side of it is also great though.WINDSURF: Have you got friends and family coming on holiday during the season? FFREDDIE: My family is coming out in July for a couple of weeks, which will be great. I had a mate come and visit me a couple of weeks ago for 4 days which was really nice, and I have another group of friends coming out in August.WINDSURF: How many days a week do you work and what do you do on your day off?FREDDIE: We work six days a week. Half of the beach team is off on Saturday and the other half is off on Sunday. I am off on Saturday so I usually spend the morning sleeping off Fridays legendary Club Vass BBQ. If its windy in the afternoon I go windsurfing and if not we find something in the area to. There are a lot of nice beaches near by and they are very quiet in the off season so it is nice to visit these and swim.The post NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: FREDDIE SARGENTS FIRST SEASON AT CLUB VASS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

LUCAS MELDRUM UPDATELUCAS MELDRUM UPDATEWe hear what Lucas Meldrum has been up to since he switched to North and Quatro. From designing the upcoming edition of Windsurfer Magazine, to his trip to Cape Town and some epic UK sessions, it has been a busy few months for Lucas!Been a little while since I posted so this is a bit of an update into whats been going on and the story with my new sponsorship! Cover Image By John Cater Ive been working on the new Windsurfer Magazine Yearbook with the rest of the team. It will be coming out imminently so if you have not already pre-ordered your self a copy here or full subscription! https://shop.windsurfer.co/The post LUCAS MELDRUM UPDATE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

NAVELA - POZO WORLD CUP 2025 - PART 1NAVELA POZO WORLD CUP 2025 PART 1With Pozo 2026 fast approaching, the latest Navela documentary looks back on the story of the womens fleet competing in Pozo in 2025. This is part one of a four part look back behind the scenes of last years competition. Hear the stories of the girls overcoming their fears and how they brave the nuclear winds of Pozo and compete at one of the toughest destinations on the world tour!Footage by Rafasoulart / Alberto SorianoNAVELA Episode 2 | The Pozo World Cup Part 1 The Womens Wave Tour arrives at one of the most iconic and demanding windsurfing spots in the world: Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria. This first episode from the 2025 Pozo World Cup takes you behind the scenes of the event, following the worlds best female sailors as they prepare to compete in extreme conditions. Beyond the spectacular action on the water, discover the stories of fear, commitment, resilience, and the evolution of womens windsurfing through the voices of the athletes themselves. This is Part 1 of a four-part series following the Pozo World Cup 2025. Stay tuned for the next episodes as the competition unfolds and the battle for the podium intensifies. About NAVELA NAVELA is a documentary series following the Womens Wave Tour throughout the 2025 season. From Chile to Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Hawaii, the series captures not only world-class windsurfing, but also the inspiring stories, personalities, and journeys of the athletes behind the results. Whether youre passionate about windsurfing, sport, or powerful human stories, NAVELA offers an inside look at one of the worlds most spectacular sporting tours. Edited by Rafasoulart Directed & written by Sarah-Quita Offringa & Pauline Katz Voiceover by Sarah Jackson Footage by Rafasoulart / Alberto Soriano Music by Epidemicsound / Artlist Sound Design by Rafasoulart FEATURING Alexia Kiefer Quintana, Cori McFarlane, Daida Ruano Moreno, Elena Dominik, Julia Meijer, Justyna Sniady, Line Bang Wittrup, Lisa Wermeister, Lisa Kloster, Lizzlotte Schilling Andrew, Maria Schlin, Maria Morales Navarro, Maria Behrens, Milanka Linde, Natsuki Wakasa, Pauline Katz, Sol Degrieck, Sybille Bode, Sarah-Quita Offringa, Fumi Akita, Trine Gobisch, Lale Helena Derya, Emma Miron, Frida Miron, Isabel Van Noesel, Marcilio Browne, Victor Fernandez, Robby Swift, Dieter Van der Eyken, Lennart Neubauer, Bjorn Dunkerbeck SUPPORTED BY Severne Windsurfing Starboard Windsurfing MB Boards PozoWinds LPWS FOLLOW US Instagram: navela_theproject (https://www.instagram.com/navela_thep) Youtube: NAVELA_TheProject (UCcnRfYHMOxa2GKZ1k8TA2Uw) Support the project: navela.theproject@gmail.comThe post NAVELA POZO WORLD CUP 2025 PART 1 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.