FINN MELLON CHILE WAVE CAMP: LAND OF ENDLESS LEFTS!FINN MELLON CHILE WAVE CAMP: LAND OF ENDLESS LEFTS!It looks like the lucky guests on the 2026 Finn Mellon Chile guided wave camp scored big time. Finn has compiled an awesome video featuring some of the highlights of the trip, which obviously includes the obligatory crash section!Finn Mellon: Hello hello, This year was my first year of the guided Chile Wave Camps. We had an absolute amazing time on and off the water. Scored some really incredible windsurfing conditions in some of the most beautiful spots in the world. I already cannot wait for next years camps in Chile.Sign up for next years Wave Camp https://www.finnmellon.com/chile-campThe post FINN MELLON CHILE WAVE CAMP: LAND OF ENDLESS LEFTS! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

PWA UNPACKING THE BOARDBAGS: JUSTINE LEMETEYERPWA UNPACKING THE BOARDBAGS: JUSTINE LEMETEYERThe latest episode in the excellent PWA Unpacking the Boardbags series delves into the mindset and hard work behind Justine Lemeteyers world titles. Worth a watch!PWA: When you become Vice World Champion in only your second event on tour, heads turn and to call her the French Phenomenon is no understatement! Following this up with winning 6 out of 7 eliminations at the next event consolidates the legacy. Justine Lemeteyer might be young, but with two World Titles and 4 Vice World Champion Titles, its clear she is a generational talent destined to continue the French domination in the racing discipline. But becoming such a machine doesnt happen without serious amounts of hard work and we dive into this with Justine as well as the emotional rollercoaster she went on in the quest for her first World Title in 2024. We also discuss growing up in France, Olympic aspirations, mental coaching, travelling and competing with your best friend and the reward she gave herself after winning her first World Title. Filmed during Fuerteventura World Cup in July 2025, as the season progressed, Justine went on to become a 2 x World Champion. Stay tuned to the PWA Channels for all the action and updates! The post PWA UNPACKING THE BOARDBAGS: JUSTINE LEMETEYER appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

R.I.P. MARK KASPROWICZR.I.P. MARK KASPROWICZMark Kasprowicz, former editor and publisher of Windsurf Magazine, sadly passed away on April 7th, 2026, after a short illness, aged 78.For many years, Mark was a popular breakfast-time presenter on BBC Radio Oxford, where his voice became a welcome companion to listeners across Oxfordshire.Mark discovered windsurfing in the early 1980s after borrowing a board and rig in France, and he was immediately hooked. That single day sparked a lifelong passion, leading him to help out at a sailing club in order to access equipment that was otherwise financially out of reach.He later began contributing to several windsurfing magazines, initially Boards and then Windsurf, eventually becoming editor of Windsurf Magazine before taking the opportunity to purchase the title. Under his leadership, the magazine became a trusted and inspiring voice for windsurfing enthusiasts around the world.Mark wrote articles, took photographs, and served as editor of Windsurf Magazine for several decades, before handing over the reins. He remained as publisher until 2025, when the changing landscape of the industry meant that continuing as a physical magazine after 35 years in the business, was no longer viable.A strong character and widely respected within the industry, Mark will be sorely missed by all who knew him.The post R.I.P. MARK KASPROWICZ appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

BEYOND THE PODIUM: WHAT BRANDS REALLY WANT FROM RIDERS!BEYOND THE PODIUM: WHAT BRANDS REALLY WANT FROM RIDERS!Andrea Cucchi from Point 7 gives his take on what makes a rider worth sponsoring.In modern windsurfing, sponsorship is no longer just about podium finishes. With social media and constant digital storytelling reshaping the sport, the role of a professional rider has evolved far beyond simply winning races. Few people understand this shift better than Andrea Cucchi, founder of Point-7 and a man that has sponsored world champions, as well as lower ranked riders that put in the grind.Having worked with world champions, rising talents and some of the sports biggest personalities, Cucchi has spent decades deciding who earns a place on the teamand why. In this conversation, he shares his honest perspective on what brands truly look for in sponsored riders today, why passion still matters more than statistics and how the balance between results, visibility and value for customers has changed. From letting top riders go, to building long-term partnerships and developing sails with the worlds best, Cucchi gives a candid look at the realities of sponsorship in modern windsurfing.Photos: Inna Bru / Point 7 / PWA CarterWINDSURF: When you sponsor a rider what do you look out for when picking a sailor to join the team?ANDREA CUCCHI: Effort, results and media used to be our focus. At least two of these three points had to be fulfilled. Today it is even harder for riders.Now the real question is: why should a client be interested in following this rider? What will he give to our clients? With all the channels available today, whether you finish first or last you can still produce your own content and be visible. The rider who can tell his story better and create more interesting content for the clients will be more valuable for the brand.Why do we sponsor? To sell more, to give extra service to our clients and to bring value to the brand. If you win but remain invisible, give nothing back to our clients and do not put the same energy into the project as the rest of the team, then it is far from the mentality required to be part of the project.WINDSURF: You seem to have a knack for spotting potential of future top-level ridershow do you get to spot the potential of a new rider?ANDREA CUCCHI: It is quite simple. You need to see that he truly enjoys windsurfing. I love windsurfing, if it is windy I cannot work. I need to go on the water to test, train, feel the sport. Its still part of my job, but of my fun too. 10 minutes can be even enough if I really have no time. Then later Im happy to work even till 3am to recover time spent on the water. Often in my session, I saw kids who stayed till last gust, or like the parents angry with them as they cannot get off the water in the darkthey come out from the water with fire in their eyes these are the right guys.If someone starts talking about how many sessions he did in one day, how many hours he spent on the water, or how tired he is after the gym, usually it means he did not enjoy it. No fun means no success. Some athletes do sports because they love the competition or the idea to be a pro, but they might not actually enjoy the sport itself. That is the wrong mindset if you want to become strong, either on YouTube or on the racecourse.WINDSURF: What do you expect a rider to do for the brand and what will you do to help them?ANDREA CUCCHI:If I do not see effort, I completely lose interest and I would not give one minute of my time. That rider will not stay longer than one year on the team does not matter if they are champions or not. My team in the office and behind the scenes works without looking at the hours they do. They feel they are part of the brand and part of the project to make Point-7 the best. This is how we all work. I cannot have a team rider who gets paid and does not respect their work. The rider has to feel the same. If their priority is to do four PWA events and then disappear for the rest of the year, we have no interest. The rider should be excited to do as many events as possible because he enjoys them. He should want to promote the sport, bring fans closer to windsurfing, motivate them to improve and spend more time on the water, not just promote his own ego. If their effort is there, we are the first to give more budget, gear, technical support, more development to their feedback. In the past, personally, I gave up my racing at the event and started caddying as they deserved the extra help to go get that title they worked for. I jumped in the car and drove 2400 km to give them the chance to test the latest prototype to have them feel safe with the changes. Its give and take. No first ladies.WINDSURF: How important is it that they are a solid ambassador for the brand on social media etc?ANDREA CUCCHI:It is about one third of their job, but what matters most is what you post. Of course we are happy to see riders windsurfing, but we can also see that from our friend next door. A photo of the gear on the beach is something anyone can post. The content needs to bring something more to the community.WINDSURF: Would you rather have a champion like Johan Soe or an exceptional social media / You Tuber like Nico Prien promoting the brand on the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:When we had Johan Soe on the team, he was the young talent who surprised everyone by beating champions in the events he entered. This created a lot of noise and great visibility for the brand. Later he decided to focus on IQ and his Olympic campaign and roads were not the same anymore. For our brand this made him less visible to our audience, because of course he had other priorities. So we stopped sponsoring him, even though we knew that if he showed up at an event he could beat almost anyone we might sponsor. For brand to sponsor such a champion is a high responsibility and hard work, as the gear performance needs to support his level.Nico Prien, on the other hand, constantly creates value. He shows new spots, promotes his gear daily, gives tips, organizes clinics and takes clients behind the scenes at events. All these projects create continuous engagement. His great skills, make his videos, tips and communication very reliable to clients, and a brand has a high responsibility to take advantage of his great work.Winning events is great. But at the end of the day we have to ask who gives more value to the clients and fans of the brand. Johan can make users proud to use the product. Nico gives useful content that enriches windsurfing knowledge.WINDSURF: How much do you rely on your team riders to help develop new sails?ANDREA CUCCHI:It is very important to have their feedback. They are the ones pushing the sails to the extreme and they can explain what could be improved. Then its in my case my responsibility to test the product myself, understand what they mean, and transfer this feeling into the change to be done in one exact point in the sail on the cad files. But the feedback needs to be precise. If they say, that they need a faster sail, thank you, who would not want it that is useless feedback. If they explain what disturbs them or what they feel while sailing, then I can work on improving the sail and make them more comfortable, which ultimately makes them faster. Very few riders can give really good feedback. Sometimes less talented riders have a better feeling for their equipment because they rely more on it to improve their performance.WINDSURF: Has the whole business of sponsorship changed recently now there is a bit less money involved in the sport?ANDREA CUCCHI:It depends on what the rider offers. As I said before, you can win, but if your victories do not increase sales, it becomes difficult to justify paying good money. The same applies if your media presence does not generate sales. If your results excite customers, if your videos attract people who want to buy the product, if your clinics or YouTube content convert views into participation and sales, then you become more valuable. The riders business, its now working for the brand to generate sales. I once had sponsors outside windsurfing who told me clearly: you want 10,000 euros free tickets, help us sell 20,000 euros tickets to your community. Very far from getting up, 6 hours on the water 2 in the gym and racing. It is give and take. Today sponsorship is not only about image. It has to convert into sales.WINDSURF: How does it feel when one of your riders wins a race or a world title?ANDREA CUCCHI: The first time a rider wins with your sails it is an amazing feeling. It means you found the right synergy, the right harmony and both sides respected the work that was done. Winning a second title is even harder. Everyone who came close wants revenge. They will study your equipment and your moves, so you need to raise your level even higher. But success is not only about titles. Sometimes finishing tenth with a lot of effort can be more meaningful than finishing second without pushing hard, especially if the rider was twentieth the year before.WINDSURF: How tough was it to let a top rider like Johan Soe leave the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:Personally, I had tears.When you work together with a rider for years, checking every detail and putting a lot of time into the project with the same passion, it is very hard to let them go. You become friends and spend a lot of time together on the beach and on the water. You both give everything to make success possible. Often this success also involves other people behind the scenes and the support of the rest of the team. But eventually you need to be realistic and ask if the collaboration still transfers into sales and value for the brand.WINDSURF: For Point 7 how many riders do you ideally like to have on the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:We can have many riders. It really depends on what they bring to the brand and to our clients. Some riders help our clients improve their fitness. Some coach clients to improve their technical level. Some create YouTube content. Others mainly focus on product development. In recent years there were not many events for pure competition, so having one rider per discipline worked well. But if racing grows again we would be happy to bring more riders per discipline on board.WINDSURF: Do you feel like many sailors can make a career out of being a pro windsurfer these days?ANDREA CUCCHI:Yes, but they need to diversify what they do. Results and prize money are not where the money is anymore. Counting only on prize money actually blocks the possibility of becoming a professional windsurfer. There are still a few riders with strong support from brands, but that will probably become even rarer. That does not mean riders cannot earn a living. They just need to build income through coaching, media, events and other activities around the sport. There are influencers who are nobody on social making amazing money. Sure, it takes skills that might not be liked or against the philosophy of I want to train and winand f. the rest.WINDSURF: Do you expect your team riders to all the events on the PWA tour or can local events or events like the Defi work just as well?ANDREA CUCCHI: The PWA season starts at the end of July, when the sales season is almost finished. From a sales point of view, it has limited value today, which is a pity. I really hope things will change. Events like the Defi are fantastic. They connect fun racing, professional riders and our clients. You have exhibitions, parties and the whole windsurfing lifestyle around it. This kind of event is what keeps the sport alive and helps it grow. Wasnt this what windsurfing was about. I remember when I started PWA in the 90s, each rider was very special. They all had their strong crazy looks, style, imageit all kind of died and become flat. Yes, also party animals, and the next day I could not believe how fit and focused they were. I dont make names, but Im sure we can all think of many names.WINDSURF: Are sailors getting paid as much these days as the old days?ANDREA CUCCHI:The platforms that used to promote racing results are not as strong as they used to be. Because of that it is harder for riders to earn good money purely from competition. Some youtubers get more than those making results. So the few who do both are those who make still ok money. I understand the frustration, because in the past winning events could bring strong financial support with only one focus. Unfortunately, things have changed.WINDSURF: What advice would you give an up and coming rider who is looking to approach a brand for sponsorship?ANDREA CUCCHI:When I was twenty, I was sponsored by ONeill and they gave me a book on how to be a good promoter for the brand. At that time, I had to send weekly reports with photos, stories and results. I fought to be on the magazines, tried to give back what was given to me. Many of those things seemed normal, but today they often do not happen anymore. Contracts are hardly respected, in my times we had big fines in the contracts.Nowadays some riders almost feel offended if the brand does not ask how things are going. The mindset should be the opposite. Be proactive. Be part of the brand. Bring ideas, feedback and opportunities to your sponsors. The brand should not have doubts why the sponsor you.WINDSURF: Describe the perfect team rider?ANDREA CUCCHI:Taty Frans. He loves windsurfing. He is smiling all the time. He is having fun on the water. He cares that the gear work and is good for his clients, followers, his racing and to feel proud that his sponsors offer the best gear. Available to travel, test and race any events because he loves the windsurfing vibe and challenges no matter the level. He does not post his energy and love for the sport that gives motivation to go on the water and jibe like he does. He has his centre, he has his clients test our gear and pushes client to discover the brand.Riders need to love windsurfing and share that passion with the windsurf community through content that people find useful, motivating and inspiring. We have a lot of riders like this. Josep Pons, Sasha, Cookie, Bob, Matteo, Arxon, Tycho, Temu, Jimmy, Eric and many more.WINDSURF: Do you think the money you pay for sponsored riders actually comes back in sale or is it all about brand awareness?ANDREA CUCCHI:Depends on the riders and on the discipline. Now that PWA needs to restructure, for sure we prefer to focus on riders who are able to bring back in sales, as they offer the information and support the clients need.WINDSURF: Have you ever seen a correlation between having a world champion and an increase in sales / new customers or a drop in sales after a rider has left the brand? ANDREA CUCCHI:Not at all in both cases. There are a lot of ingredients which build a brand. We had Matteo Iachino who won the world championship, but at that time we were not able to grow our brand due to other structural organization points we had to be ready with, so we could not take advantage of the situation. We took out Johan Soe as he decided to share his time also with IQ racing, and due to innovations and services we were able to offer, we increased sales even if he left. Sometimes you align many points and you have an increase of sales. Most important is to stay sharp on the product you offer and services to make your clients feel supported and loved. Credibility is important and this is why we focus only on windsurfing rigs, without losing focus. For our brand is also a bit different as Im a super active windsurfer with a strong team on top of the riders, I stand behind the development myself in and out of the water, so we have a very steady and strong brand, which is not depending purely from riders.WINDSURF: Can a brand survive without sponsoring any riders or without a flagship big name on the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:Today there are many more marketing options than in the past. But a sport without competition, without riders and without racing becomes much less interesting and exciting.You need competitions and you need riders to keep the sport alive. They create motivation for people to follow the sport, get on the water and try to improve.We have also seen brands disappear when they stopped supporting riders. And honestly, it would also make our work a lot more boring.WINDSURF: How come you did not continue with Amado Vrieswijk this season?ANDREA CUCCHI: We decided not to continue the sponsorship with Amado, as logistics and objectives were no longer aligned with both our needs and his. At the moment, the PWA is going through a transitional phase and will likely need a couple of years to confirm stable growth in terms of events.For this reason, sponsoring established top 5 riders whose main focus is competing in the PWA to secure podium results is not a priority for us right now. The uncertainty around the calendar and organization makes it difficult to justify that type of investment.Instead, we are shifting our marketing budget towards riders who are more actively involved in supporting product development and working closely with us to improve what we offer to our customers.This direction is clearly reflected in our recent developments. We have introduced a full range of Qbond body seamless production sails, the first of this kind on the market, along with a completely new construction also applied to our stitched sails. We have also launched new models such as the Rush-1 and the 9+ and implemented many practical improvements across our rig components.This approach allows us to focus on innovation and deliver real value to our clients.At the same time, we remain open to supporting young talents who are willing to work hard, as we have always done over the years. Looking at todays top 10 riders, many of them have grown within our program from a young age.We currently have a strong group of young riders who are also contributing significantly to product development, such as Bob and Matteo, among others. The selection of young talents happens naturally: those who are committed and willing to put in the work grow within the team, and their results follow accordingly.WINDSURF: Would you rather have one big hitter like Kai Lenny on the brand or a team of solid workhorses with mediocre results?ANDREA CUCCHI: We always go back to the same question: how much does the flagship rider engage with the clients? How visible are they and what activities do they do to promote the products?The difference between a top rider who might achieve top results at four events a year and solid workhorses who work every day for the brand makes the choice quite clear. If a big name does not only focus on racing but also supports the brand through other activities, then that can be gold.However, if the riders name becomes stronger than the brand itself, it can sometimes take over the spotlight and that can become a disadvantage.For clients, having a top rider using a brand used to be like a stamp of approval that the product works. But over the years we have also seen top riders switching brands more for financial reasons, so this has lost a bit of credibility. Often this is even the first comment you hear on the beach.In the end, I think the best solution is a combination. It also depends on what the brand needs at that moment, how many events are on the tour and how good the top rider is at multitasking beyond competition.POINT-7 | The Darkside of WindsurfThe post BEYOND THE PODIUM: WHAT BRANDS REALLY WANT FROM RIDERS! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

By David Partridge. Photos: Sari Wildsmith, Oliver Harding, Ainy RubioThe Devizes to Westminster (DW) is seen as the Everest of long-distance canoe races in the UK. The first DW was in 1948. Canoes and kayaks compete in the race nonstop or in Stages, racing the course over four days.In 2025, two SUP entrants proved that paddleboards could complete the course within the marshals time limits. Since SUPs travel at slower speeds than canoes, this was a significant milestone for the discipline. Patrick McCormack (leading Irish paddler) and Emily King finished the four-day course in 23 hrs 17 min and 28 hrs 11 min, respectively, both riding hardboards as required by the 2025 regulations. For SUP paddlers, these times underscore the endurance and pace required, especially since the fastest boats complete the distance in around 15 hours. The 2025 daily breakdowns are visible here: Devizes to Westminster Entries Thrudark Devizes to Westminster 2025In 2026, the event welcomed more SUP entrants. Emily returned to set a course record on a hardboard, while three others, including Africa Calzon Garcia, Sari Wildsmith, and me, opted for inflatablesmainly because of the 77 portages, which required easy board handling. Using inflatables, though typically slower, made it easier to manage the frequent carries that are unique to the SUP experience. All four of us finished, as the organisers tailored the event to support SUP participation and provided a reasonable 10-hr cutoff per long day (about 60km per day). This SUP-focused approach made it more accessible for paddleboarders.With those early experiences in mind, you might be wondering how the event works for SUP entrants and what key details to prepare for. Throughout my registration and planning, the organisers demonstrated outstanding support and encouragement from the moment I signed up.The Start and PrepThe Start is more formal than most SUP races. While canoes and kayaks must comply with specific safety checks, SUP paddlers also undergo mandatory kit inspection. This took place one hour before our 7 am start, requiring SUPs to be prepared with all gear ready by 6 am in Devizesoften in darkness. Bring a head torch to accommodate this early start.The kit list was detailed: spare clothing (a jacket), board lights, glow sticks (including one tied to your buoyancy aid), a waist leash, a foil blanket (I had to buy one on race morning), and water and energy gels. Pack as light as possible for the many portages, most of which are on the first day.In a massed start, you are timed on leaving, and start times are determined by progress on the course, with the slowest (us!!) going first each day. Our start was at 07:00, and we lined up, starting a few minutes apart.We all trained with long paddles, but given the timing of Easter, gym or cross-training was also helpful. I also practised portages on canals to get familiar with moving the board around locks, which was invaluable. A couple of 30km paddles before the race helped.I created a SUP-focused course crib sheet that marks which side to exit (red for left, green for right) and lists portage distances. This was vital for quick transitions. The organisers provide camping at each overnight stop, or you can use their hotel booking site for discounted accommodations near the routemaking it convenient for tired SUP paddlers.Day 1 Good FridayFrom Devizes, a long stretch of canal with no portages. Wayfinding is easy, and my crib sheet tracked bridges, key portages, and arrival targets. At portages, boards and kits are carried, but you can eat en route. My daily nutrition included salty snacks, cheese, energy bars, mini pork pies, and at least 3 litres of water.After the first lock, there are a further three or so, each less than a km apart, and then the Bruce Tunnel, which, at 750m, required a head torch. By this time, of course, the canoes and kayaks are catching up, but there is no overtaking rule in the tunnel. I was serenaded by a youth team singing at the top of their voices just behind me.After the tunnel, a long flight of locks at Crofton, sometimes its quicker just to carry the board further. Supporters, easily identified, cheered and passed on moral support or snacks at tough spots.The route is sheltered, so despite Storm Dave and gusts of 40 knots, we were hunkered down in a tree-lined gully, occasionally getting a push or sometimes an eddying side or headwind. A few swans made life interesting. There cannot be a worse sound than a fully grown swan, wings beating, feet paddling and splashing getting louder, dead behind you. I ended up bracing for potential engagements, but by avoiding nests, I avoided direct confrontation. All of us feared the swans!The day continues through Hungerford, Benham, with a total of 35 locks coming thick and fast every km or two until you start to see Newbury and the finish. There is little or no flow, but after the Bruce tunnel, all the portages are downhill. Despite what should have been a cross- or tailwind, we didnt realise any advantage because of the tree shelter.Day 2Easter Saturday arrived, and after another early start at 07:00, we quickly left Newbury behind, heading through Greenham.The scenery shifts from a rural, quiet canal to a wider canal, and soon youre paddling through a cityscape, passing shopping malls. The scenery shifts from rural canal to urban landscape, soon passing malls, coffee shops, and fast-food places as you approach Reading and the Thames. Onlookers here are mostly strangers, less engaged than supporters. (For a lock, but for fun!). This was at Dreadnought Reach, and it was an opportunity to visit the portaloos and take on fluids and food. The frequency of locks on the Thames reduces and they are more complex with weirs and uncertainty: Marsh Lock; Exit R then cross bridge left then put in below on R. I had been daunted by all the instructions and the detailed diagrams on the website: DW+portages+page+1-combined.pdf, but actually the navigation was easier than expected, and of course the growing army of supporters provided go this way, run that way advice!I think, in many ways, day 2 was my favourite: canal, river, countryside, town, small locks and portages, huge Thames locks, and a wonderful finish in Marlow.Day 3 Easter SundayIts suddenly dawning on all of us that we are going to do this! We had set up a group chat, and although we rarely paddled in sight of one another, we had encouraged one another and shared tips and topics each day. Mostly chat about man-eating swans. From Marlow, you head down the Thames to Henley, paddling through the town and along the classic boat race mile (and yes, it is windy!) The river is also wide and starting to become busier with Easter holidaymakers trying to speed past with maximum wake in their boxy cabin cruisers. Gentler, beautiful Edwardian wooden motor launches seem to offer a much more pleasant etiquette.I was blown off my board! A big gust caught me unawares just as two conflicting wakes peaked together in front of me. I was wearing leggings and a Lycra top when a gust and conflicting wakes knocked me off the board. Despite no wetsuit, I dried quickly. I may have swallowed river water, but recovered soon, recalling the advice to try flat Coke if needed. to be directing planes directly overhead, and there was a sense of getting closer as their altitude dropped. It is odd how, after three days on the water, you get attuned to quite esoteric markers of progress. It must be fantastic for the non-stop paddlers heading through here at night, watching the planes headlights marking the way.With only 15 Portages on day 3, we felt a bit shortchanged, though some were very long. It was also fun approaching rollers used to manhandle boats up and down the locks. We had to be careful walking around these, as they were very slippery and, with the wind, often acted like a huge sail, trying to crash into onlookers and supporters.Chertsey, Runnymede, Shepperton, Pharoe Island, Sunbury and eventually Teddington. The scenery was changing, becoming more urban, but still surprisingly green and verdant. The wind was also starting to haunt us. You are nearly there Indeed, we were, but the final push from Teddington, now on the tidal Thames toward Thames Young Mariners, our last stop, was in a hugely strong headwind. I am sure the board was going backwards despite a 10/10 effort at times. Finally, the finish line, cheering marshals, cheery supporters and a climb up a wet and greasy bank. The no-support rule ends with the finish signal, and I have never been so grateful to the wonderful volunteers who unclipped us and carried my board up to the top of the bank.Day 4 Easter Monday No more locks! Tidal Thames, so the organisers wait for high tide then launch u. Its a terrifyingly early start by 05:00, 300 crews are in their pens waiting for a final kit check. The Port of London Authority ensures safety, so lights, a yellow safety hat, head torches and spray decks are all rechecked by the friendly marshals.There is a long, cold wait pre-dawn. I had ice on my board! The delay, apparently in part because a canoe capsized and supporters fell in trying to aid it. The dangers of the Thames cannot be ignored, so the PFD, safety and other rules make sense. The dangers are amplified in the cold and dark. Eventually, you walk down a series of slipways into a pool area separated from the Thames by a gate. You wait and then, on the signal, paddle out into the Thames.We are welcomed at dawn by spectacular steam rising off the river. Emily has shot off riding the outgoing tide, ticking off bridges. I was worried about this section, tides, wind, traffic, but actually, the paddling was amazing, and we were blessed with calm winds and slowly increasing flow.Bridge after bridge, the sights of London, and soon Hammersmith and the Stages finish at Nine Elms Boat Club just above Putney Bridge.The final day is a sprint all over in under a couple of hours. As you come toward the finish markers, the noise and cheers grow louder and louder, and then suddenly you are on the steps up to the clubhouse, medal around your neck and being interviewed by the DW media team.How was it?Amazing, and it was, absolutely amazing. What a challenge, what a great event and what fantastic organisation.Would I recommend it for SUPs? Yes, absolutely, in reach of anyone who has paddled the Trent 100 or Race to the Castle or many other events. Some elite paddlers, I am sure, could take on the non-stop, and hopefully the organisers will consider this as an option in the future.Its a race, but for all of us, this was a challenge. The times are useful for anyone considering doing this: Devizes to Westminster Entries Thrudark DW 2026 Stages Race.Emily, of course, smashed it and set a new female record. I was happy to be the first ISUP to make it down the route, especially so, as my board was a secondhand bargain bought back in 2021 (a Sic 14 foot X 26), which has been down the Trent four times, crossed the Great Glen and made the Broads Ultra, so a real testament to sustainable paddling.Africa Calzon Garcia has summed up her experiences:Id like to share my gratitude and experience, the DW race is an amazing and unforgettable experience, 100% recommended!The organisers, volunteers, participants, and each crew team share a common goal: To finish the race. However, this race is an individual challenge, where you fight your own battles, like the solitude of hours paddling plus every day challenges, the 77 portages, the weather conditions, the aggressive swans, the lack of rest and excessive fatigue, but all of that makes you value the achievement even more, day after day.My first obstacle was finding someone for my land crew, being a foreigner with no family in the UK and Easter weekend!! Emily King advised me to ask for help in the paddleboarding community. The reaction and support I received were amazing. My Hero suddenly appeared, Ainy (Ainara Rubio), who offered to be with me for the entire race. This experience we shared will stay in my heart forever. Another great pillar in this race was Ewa, who made my entire diet and brought it to different locations. I will be forever grateful to these two people for their unconditional support, because without them, my crazy idea would have remained just a dream.I would also like to thank the two paddleboarding clubs that have supported me: Dittons Paddleboarding (DPS), including Brett, Clare, Tessa, and Richard, who were cheering me on and offering their support, and Frangipani, especially Anni Ridsdill Smith, who supported me through her social media. Thanks to Jane Yelloly, who lent me her head-torch and followed me on her bicycle along the river.It would be very difficult to name everyone who has supported me, but I would like to express my gratitude to all the volunteers, management and organisers who were there from the beginning to the end, helping and supporting me, as well as all the participants and teams who supported me with their cheers and jelly babies when I was crossing the locks.Africa Calzon Garcia was fundraising for The OLLIE Foundation) helping to prevent suicide in teenagersSari Wildsmith was a starShe found Day 1 in the wind really tough, but gritted her teeth and really dug deep to keep on paddling, Taking part in @dwcanoerace125 was one of the most memorable and special experiences.The support from everyone, from family and fellow competitors to the army of marshals keeping me well fed, to the paddle community cheering us all on, was incredible.It was a tough thing to completeAnd Emily:I am absolutely delighted to have completed the Devizes to Westminster Stages Race.It is such a tough event, with 125 miles over four days and 77 portages across the course, so just getting to the finish feels very special.My overall time was 24:36:16. Im incredibly grateful to have been part of it.A huge thank you to my three fellow paddlers for all the encouragement and inspiration throughout the race. It was brilliant to share the event with such amazing paddlers. And a massive thank you to the organisers and everyone involved behind the scenes. The amount of work, time, and effort it takes to put on an event like this is enormous, and it is so appreciated. Finally, thank you to everyone who supported, encouraged, and helped me along the way. It really meant a lot and kept me moving!Very happy, very tired, and very proud to have made it to the finish.The SupportSupporters are key to this race. You want to travel light with 77 portages, so carry only the mandatory water and gel. Refuelling is easy at the portages. Should your crew miss a stop, getting caught in traffic or failing to get a parking space, someone will give you a brownie or a Haribo. The race is as much a competition for the crews as it is for the paddlers, as you have to leapfrog down the course following your paddler on the excellent tracking website and intercepting them at chosen portages. The camaraderie between supporters was brilliant, with advice on routes, parking places and top tips. There is also a degree of competition with some of the school teams (I enjoyed the walkie-talkie Crew 1 coming in, they want Brownies and Paracetamol. Crew 2 not far behind, remember shes gluten intolerant).The hotel choices were great. You finish in the afternoon, check in, shower, prepare overnight oats, then find food and get an early night, ready for the early start. You can leave boards at the overnight stops and can camp there if you wish (its mandatory for the many junior crews racing canoes). During the afternoon and early evenings, you often bump into fellow DW travellers seeking an early dinner or stretching tired limbs. It was also fun meeting so many in the hotel lifts at 5 am.I am so grateful to Maria, who was a star throughout. Feeding me cereal at 5 am, water bottles at every stop, on schedule at the 16 designated portages we had chosen for fueling stops.The atmosphere at Nine Elms was wonderful, over four days, new friendships had been forged, all the supporters had a vital role in preserving the calm and maintaining the morale, and everyone of them just had this mantra of well done, great paddling. The officials, volunteers, and marshals were beyond brilliant.For the four SUPs, we also had the, You must be mad doing it on a SUP.We might be a bit mad, but definitely Happy Mad!Dont forget your light sticks and pack a survival bag. Its a medal you will cherish! You can get all the details and book in here: Race Info | Discover Race Details DW Race

THE BLITZ EXPLAINED: DUOTONE WINDSURFING TECH TALKTHE BLITZ EXPLAINED: DUOTONE WINDSURFING TECH TALKJordy Vonk talks us through the technical side of the new sporty and performance orientated Blitz, which replaces the Blast in the 2026 line up. The Blitz features double step cut outs, a deeper recessed deck and multiple foot strap options. If you are looking for a board for maximum performance with minimum effort, that will also grow with your level, the Blitz could well be for you!The post THE BLITZ EXPLAINED: DUOTONE WINDSURFING TECH TALK appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

By Lisa Drewe2. LONDON, LIMEHOUSE CUT AND OLYMPIC STADIUM (10.5KM RETURN)A loop through East Londons waterways linking the Limehouse Cut with the Bow Back Rivers around the Olympic Stadium. Historic canals, industrial relics and Olympic landmarks combine on this distinctive urban paddle.This route begins on the Limehouse Cut Londons oldest canal before threading into the Bow Back Rivers, a network of channels revitalised for the 2012 Olympics within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.Start at Limehouse Basin, joining the Limehouse Cut. Pass Ropemakers Field on the right before going under a railway bridge and Kings Wharf Park. Continue straight, flanked by apartments, warehouses, and bridges, heading toward the A12.At the canals bend, stay left at Bow Locks, avoiding the locks and entering the River Lea Navigation under road and rail bridges. Pass Bow Free Wharf. Before Old Ford Lock, turn right under the footbridge to follow City Mill River around the London Stadium. Look for the ArcelorMittal Orbit and London Aquatics Centre, then pass City Mill Lock into the Bow Back Rivers.After St Thomas Creek footbridge, turn sharply left under the A118 to rejoin the River Lea and follow your route back via Limehouse Cut.After exploring Londons waterways, head north to the industrial heart of Birmingham.Licence:Required, included in Paddle UK membership.Starting point:Limehouse Basin, Pinnacle Way, E14 7PB (TQ 363 810; 51.51193, -0.03651).Launch:From the north side, off the concrete platform by the lock, into Regents Canal.Pitstops:Quirky caf Great atmosphere and food. The Yurt Caf. Short walk from Limehouse Basinwww.rfsk.org.uk/yurt-cafe.Special points:In summer, invasive weeds can slow progress. Always wash gear thoroughly before entering other waterways to prevent the spread of invasive species.Note:There are no locks to portage.Getting there:From Limehouse DLR, exit Branch Road, turn left, and follow the arches 250m to the canal launch.Full route map:www.islandeering.com/paddleboarding-limehouse-cut-and-olympic-stadium/Lisas BioLisa is an award-winning outdoor writer, paddler and guidebook author, best known for her Paddleboarding book series published by Wild Things Publishing. She has explored hundreds of routes across Britain by paddleboard and kayak and writes regularly for outdoor and paddlesports publications.https://www.islandeering.com

LIFE OF A CLUB VASS WINDSURF INSTRUCTOR: DAN BARRINGTONLIFE OF A CLUB VASS WINDSURF INSTRUCTOR: DAN BARRINGTONWe caught up with Club Vass instructor senior instructor (Pro Coach) Dan Barrington, who has been working at the legendary destination for five years. From epic freestyle sessions on the water to late night parties at the beach bar, Dans story is about progression, passion and memorable moments at Club Vass. In this interview, we venture behind the scenes with Dan as he looks back on his coaching journey, the community at the Club, some unforgettable parties and why one season somehow turned into five.Photos: Miles / PROtography OfficialWINDSURF: How did you get your job at Club Vass, and why did you want to work there?DAN BARRINGTON: I was working for another centre in Vass and was a bit in awe of what was happening at Club Vass, especially the freestyle scene. It felt like the place to be if you wanted to push your sailing and be surrounded by really high-level windsurfing.There was also a personal connectionmy dad used to do Club Vass seasons back in the 90s, so I grew up hearing all the stories. Working there always felt like a bit of a dream.I asked Ollie Scott if I could do some work experience at the end of a season and did enough to earn myself a full-time beach role the following year.WINDSURF: What qualifications did you need and how did the application process work?DAN BARRINGTON: To work at Club Vass you need your Start Windsurf Instructor qualification, RYA First Aid certificate and a Powerboat ticket, but also some experience and a real passion for the sport and for teaching it.One of the great things about the club is that its a real training hub. Over the seasons Ive always taken every opportunity to gain more qualifications and tickets. Theres a strong culture of progression, both as a coach and as a sailor.WINDSURF: How easy is it to get qualified as a windsurf instructor? How much does it cost and where do you do it?DAN BARRINGTON: Its actually much easier than people think. You dont need to be an advanced windsurfer, just confident with the basics. The standard route is to take a Start Windsurf Instructor course.You can do this in Vassiliki with Watersports Nomad, who run excellent instructor programs. Alternatively, most major watersports centres in the UK offer the qualification. I did mine in Poole Harbour. A few weeks later I secured my first season job!At the time, I could barely windsurfso dont let ability hold you back.The course cost me around 500600, and its paid for itself many times over since.WINDSURF: What about boat qualifications and first aid? How long do those take?DAN BARRINGTON: Most instructor pathways combine everything into one intensive week. You need a 2-day Powerboat Level 2 course (great fun and very straightforward). An RYA First Aid course (widely available across the UK). Many centres package these together so you can complete all required qualifications in one go.WINDSURF: How fired up are you for the upcoming season?DAN BARRINGTON: Very! A good winter rest makes a huge difference. Its always exciting knowing youll be back with familiar faces & sharing sessions together.WINDSURF: When does your season start and finish?DAN BARRINGTON: The season usually starts in early April. The first couple of weeks are all about building the centrerigging new kit, prepping the powerboats & getting the beachfront ready. It runs through to mid-October; roughly six months in total.WINSURF: Can you make good money working as an instructor, or is the experience all about the lifestyle?DAN BARRINGTON: It definitely starts as a lifestyle job, but it can become more than that. The more seasons you do, and the more qualifications you add (plus progression into senior or management roles), the more you can earn and save.Its true that some instructors spend their whole wage at the bar but others save for winter trips and things like that, itswhat you make of it.WINDSURF: When you first headed out for a season, what were your goals?DAN BARRINGTON: My goals have definitely changed season by season. In my first year I was probably mostly focused on learning how to flaka and trying to impress girls. These days Im thinking less about my own windsurfing and more about how to run the beach as well as possible and give guests the best experience we can.WINDSURF: What was it like when you first started coaching?DAN BARRINGTON: I started coaching when I was 18 and in my first season I mostly taught kids. Pretty quickly I became completely obsessed and started teaching adults as well.I definitely made plenty of mistakes early on, but my enthusiasm for the sport usually made up for it. I cared a lot, and that goes a long way when youre learning to coach.WINDSURF: What levels do you teach, and do instructors switch around?DAN BARRINGTON: At Club Vass you teach a bit of everything. Were really lucky because we coach well beyond the standard RYA syllabus. Its pretty normal to be running a forward-loop clinic for 15 people, which makes for a really entertaining and varied job.Most instructors switch around a lotfrom kids clubs and pro kids, right through to specialist weeks like Speed Week or Diva Week.WINDSURF: What are most clients hoping to gain from the experience?DAN BARRINGTON: I think what makes a Club Vass holiday special is that guests get top-quality coaching while still being on a relaxed, social holiday.I hope they enjoy the social side of Vass as much as the windsurfing. Roger and Tony have created a real aprs-surf sceneprobably helped by the fact that the bar is literally in the middle of the windsurf school.Theres just something in the air in Vass. Its infectious, and once youve experienced it, you usually want to come back.WINDSURF: Whats a typical day in the life for you at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: It all depends on the forecast, but most days start with some kind of exercisestretching, gym, biking or a swim.We then have the beach team meeting and morning lessons usually run in the onshore winds, which are perfect for beginners. Everyone breaks for lunch, then the wind kicks in for the afternoon sessions.After that its free sailing time, we shut up around dark, and most evenings end with a chilled beer with the guests at the beach bar.WINDSURF: Whats the best part about being a coach at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: The people, without a doubt. The friendships you build and the memories you make over a season are hard to beat.Going to work on a beach every day with all your mates is pretty special. It doesnt really feel like workeven though we definitely put the hours in.WINDSURF: How do the coaches work together as a team?DAN BARRINGTON: Everyone has different manager roles within the team. On your first season you might be bin-bag manager, but if you do a good job you might get promoted to sunbeds and so on.More experienced staff look after the important things, like the powerboats. It keeps things light-hearted but also makes sure everyone takes responsibility.WNDSURF: Do you still get time to windsurf and party yourselves?DAN BARRINGTON: This is one of the things that really separates Club Vass from other companies. We windsurf as much as the guests, and that keeps staff motivated, happy, and sharp. When instructors are sailing a lot, their coaching and customer service improves massively. And yes, the younger staff definitely still party as well, especially on Tuesday and Friday nights.WINDSURF: Is it a seven-day week or do you get time off?DAN BARRINGTON: You work six days with one day off, which you can use to explore the island. Not many jobs let you windsurf at work, so I dont think thats too bad at all.WINDSURF: Were there many highs or lows from last season?DAN BARRINGTON: Mostly highs. The only real low is when the season comes to an end and you have to figure out what youre doing for the winter.DAN BARRINGTON: How do you stay motivated when a new group arrives each week?DAN BARRINGTON: For me its easy, because so many guests come back year after year. Even when its a new group, youre often coaching the same faces for the second or third time.WINDSURF: Who is your boss, and how is performance monitored?DAN BARRINGTON: Ollie Scott is my boss. He checks in with us regularly and helps make plans for what we can improve or progress, whether thats our personal windsurfing or our work on the beach.WINDSURF: What do you love most about working at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: Were really well looked after, and that comes directly from Ollie and the owners. I signed up for one season and somehow ended up doing five, which probably says it all. In short: good vibes, happy people and strong wind!WINDSURF: What do you do in the off-season?DAN BARRINGTON: Im really lucky. Ive been able to do a few different things that keep me busy and living the dreamcoaching skiing and teaching on Bonaire, which Ive been doing for the last few winters.WINDSURF: How big are the groups you usually coach?DAN BARRINGTON: It varies week to week, but usually anywhere from six to twenty people, with three or four instructors.WINDSURF: How tiring is a full season at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: It is tiringbut youre only young once. You dont really notice it until the end of the season, when it finally catches up with you!WINDSURF: Do you have any funny stories from the infamous Friday night parties?DAN BARRINGTON: One of my first real welcome to Club Vass moments came during the traditional Friday night if I were not upon the sea, theres something else Id rather be song. Every season the staff perform it in front of all the guests, and on my first year I was properly nervous. Id been practising all week in the apartment after work, convinced I had it nailed.Come the big night, I stepped out in front of everyone and completely forgot my lines. Total mind-blank. I just froze. Luckily, everyone assumed I was playing it up for a laugh, so the crowd started laughing and cheering, which somehow made it worse and better at the same time.Thankfully Max Rowe and a few of the others started shouting the steps at me from the side, and I managed to recover before doing anything too memorable. It was equal parts terrifying and hilarious and probably the moment I realised that at Club Vass, if you mess something up, everyones laughing with you, not at you!WINDSURF: It sounds like working at Club Vass is a lot of fun both on and off the water?DAN BARRINGTON: Yes Another lesson I learned fairly quickly was that Im much better suited to teaching windsurfing than working behind a bar. One particularly busy Friday night, I offered to help out at the top bar. It was busy, and I got a little too enthusiastic about my new role as bar staff rather than a windsurf instructor.The guests were enjoying it and kept buying me drinks, which may have influenced my decision-making. After giving away too many free beers, Ive since been firmly banned from working the bar on Friday nights.The post LIFE OF A CLUB VASS WINDSURF INSTRUCTOR: DAN BARRINGTON appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.