MARC PARE: JOINS O'SHEAMARC PARE: JOINS OSHEAOShea International has announced a partnership with the incredibly talented windsurfer, Marc Par. This collaboration will see Marc donning OShea wetsuits for the upcoming seasons as he continues to compete at the highest level.Photos: Courtesy Simmer Style,Daniell Bohnhof,Yde Media andMoritz Mauch,Marc Pare, who is without doubt, one of the best wave sailors in the world today, shared the news with his followers on social media:I am excited to announce that I am partnering up with OSheasurf to ride their wetsuits for the upcoming seasons! This partnership feels extra special as this was Farrels brand and he was a huge supporter of mine during the beginning of last season. Together with OShea surf we have some awesome projects for the near future and Im really excited for them to materialize and to carry on Farrels legacy!Head honcho of windsurfing at OShea International , Adrian Jones says Were delighted to be working with Marc, supporting him with the equipment he needs to win events and take on some of the toughest and coldest conditions on his adventures worldwide. Marc is a talented and driven athlete with incredible experience in product development. Were excited to collaborate with him to keep pushing the OShea product line forward.The post MARC PARE: JOINS OSHEA appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

THE ALOHA CLASSIC: DISSECTED!THE ALOHA CLASSIC: DISSECTED!PWA / IWT ALOHA CLASSIC 2024With a huge IWT / PWA tour calendar lined up for the 2025 season, we take an in depth look at the 2024 Aloha Classic Wave finals with candid insights from the key title contenders at the event!Words: Bernd Roediger, Marcilio Browne, Victor Fernandez, Morgan Noireaux, Kai Lenny, Sarah Quita Offringa, Lina Erpenstein and Sarah Hauser.Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries.BERND ROEDIGER: THE SAMURAI STRIKES AGAINWinning the Aloha Classic means more to me than anyone, Im sure. I say that because this is uncomplicated: it is undoubtedly the purest part of my life, the simplest pursuit. Contrasting with every other scheme Ive hatched or wish Ive yearned to fulfil and had postponed or corrupted. Out there on the water, things are clear, the wind chooses the moment, the wave provides the amplitude and the sailor rides in the pocket of this confluence; how does it feel? Like letting go and finding yourself there. I feel there isnt much human error involved, not much choice, save for the choice to bring your awareness to reality, focus on the moment, ride what is there, take what comes. The mind is a battlefield, and on every other front I see the tides ebbing and flowing between the bastions of my peace and hordes of anxious doubts that besiege me. In the water I felt free from distress, I think all sailors feel this and name it freedom. I welcome the pleasure of riding well but take far greater satisfaction in my discerning what is and is not within my scope of control, adjusting my sails to the winds -as it were- and seeing where it takes me. DEALING WITH NERVESAs I said, I am generally a bundle of nerves on multiple fronts. Going into Finals Day, I was taking with me a lot of energy from outside sources and wigging out. It took some time and water therapy but the stoke came, I began watching the waves intently, eagerly because it looked like such fun, and at that point most of my concerns melted.The low point was probably my first heat of Finals Day, again I was stressed going in, and tried to override those feelings with aggression and speed: the shortest path to any desired point. But after a disastrous heat that very well could have been my last in this event, I was able to reset.MUSICAL THERAPY I listen to music from time to time while riding, and I always do so just with my phone speaker, I dont like earphones or waterproof gadgets. I use a drybag that I picked up from some friends developing them in Fiji, theyre called Cyclone bags, it fits across the body very well and keeps my phone safe.I started out listening to Metallica, again I felt I had to hype myself up for some reason, which may have been true, but it was also almost a fail. Then changed to some of my favourite hits from the 80s, as I was feeling happy and nostalgic and really just pleased to be out in the Quarter Finals with the best sailors. Then in the semis I listened to my favourite modern composer Martin ODonnell, I guess I felt I had something to prove there or at least wanted the heat to feel epic. In the final I didnt really feel much need for music, so I instead listened to some very peaceful chanting from Ananda.IN THE MOMENTI guess the music reflected my general feeling that the Finals Day of the Aloha Classic was something for me. For some context my parents werent attending for the first time since I started competing in the Aloha. I am in a very different point in my life, one in which the meaning of these events has changed. What people thought of me, whether my sponsors would be pleased, thats kind of faded. I realized that now I am really going out of my way to be a pro windsurfer and doing it totally because it is what I love, and it is for me and I should really enjoy each moment with that in mind. I am a bit hesitant to admit fully how selfish Ive become, in some ways I think Im hiding it well but in others it is becoming evident, Im doing all this because I feel Ive found my own proverbial pot of gold and every moment I spend doing it is like dipping into that pot and finding it always overflowing.CONDITIONSConditions changed more often than I have ever seen in an Aloha. Wind was up and down, constantly calling into question what gear to take. A few times it felt like the wind was going to fade with a coming squall, but the question was when? It would then die as soon as the heat started, so youd be stuck out there with whatever call you made. Luckily, I had my KS3 Lithium! And this is not a sails pitch but rather a disclaimer I feel I must make. Because these new sails are 30% lighter, and are the lightest wave sails available in the world, theres a bit of an advantage I exploited in these light-air conditions, and well see whether other brands start to fully embrace this new material to keep up. Pair that with a Flikka board, which I still think are the lightest boards on any beach youll go to, and its certainly fair to say I had an upper hand.I think my best move came in the Final, which was nice to really build into a peak at the right moment. Again, I was looking for the opportunity but not trying to manufacture one, it was just a matter of seeing it. Morgan definitely saw his moment with a big 360 in the semis, it just didnt go his way the rest of the time. But I really respect him for throwing the big 3 when the chips were down, because thats what it takes, you have to be willing to shoot your shot and potentially wind up on the rocks; I think that honouring the moments the conditions give you is the embodiment of peak windsurfing and deserves to be scored high.THE TOURI am always going to be happy for myself and all the other riders to have as many opportunities to sail as possible. I think its a great thing for the committed tour guys to have these amazing overall results after a real-world tour. I think its cool for guys like me who kind of cherry pick and have fun in some epic places. Its more windsurfing, whats not to love?MARCILLIO BROWNE: 2024 PWA / IWT WAVE CHAMPIONGoing into the Aloha was a bit stressful, especially with the title race being so close. But I have been in the same situation in the past, so I was more relaxed and tried to stay focused on what needed to be done heat by heat.For finals day, I was mostly on my Goya Banzai 11, 4.5m and 4.7m. In the semi-final heat it was very difficult as the wind fully died and we were all stuck floating on 4.5s. With eighteen-minute heats there was no time to go in, change and get back out, so we all just had to try our best with what we were riding. Instead of going far out I stayed inside and luckily some waves went under the other guys, which I was able to take. There was no room for mistakes, I think I sailed had a total of three waves that heat.TITLE MOMENTI felt a massive sense of relief and happiness when I found out I was world champion. But a moment like that takes a few days for it all to sink in. The initial feeling was more like all that weight coming off WINNING FORMULAI think my success comes down to a combination of factors. Living in Maui we get lots of conditions, so over the past five or six years my training schedule has become lot more organized, focused and productive. In a sense I have become more efficient. On top of that our gear at Goya improved. We made equipment lighter, faster and now I can get away with riding smaller gear in lighter winds, which is huge. Having kids also really made me put things in perspective more and I dont care for the contests the same way I did when I was younger! I still care about winning a lot, dont get me wrong, I think and train for it every day, but i am not as nervous as I used to be when I was younger! The change happened after i had kids. Obviously, there are ups and downs, some events I will get more stressed than others, but I have more ways of dealing with it now.THE FINALS DAYConditions in the final were solid, with plenty of wind and waves but for some reason I had a hard time lining up any decent waves. At least for me they were either closing out or not having too much wall to work with! Camile and Bernd rip and they are always favourites here, so it was cool to share the final with them.The level this year, every rider was ripping hard. The level In Maui has raised once again I would say. Especially during the quarters finals, I felt like the conditions were the best all afternoon, Levi Siver and Kai Lenny had some of the best heats of the event in my eyes. It was amazing to watch. Their turns were so late and committed, and they were combining that with longer rides and tricks that was incredible sailing.I was also stoked to see Liam Dunkerbeck making his first final. It only seems a few years ago he was just a kid, now he is one of the best in the sport, that is great to see.Now the Aloha is over I will have a bit of a vacation on Maui now and enjoy my family. I would love to take kids for a snow trip, so will see if we can make that happen. Then I will get ready to compete again next year.VICTOR FERNANDEZ: 2ND OVERALL 2024DUOTONE WINDSURFINGThe event went well, conditions were challenging, especially on finals day with the wind changing a lot, it was very difficult to come back to the beach and change gear with the offshore winds, so it was key to be on the right gear specially when the wind dropped drastically. Considering the conditions I am very happy with my performance and the result. My semi final was my worst heat as I was not in the rhythm with the sets.The level was great from all riders. I was feeling good and calm, I had an awesome year and am having so much fun at this stage in my career. I am also very happy how my gear is working specially in wave riding conditions. I had some fun heats and felt good riding good size Hookipa, my low point was not being able to put a better heat in the semis, but I know this can happen, it is part of competition and we normally get tricky conditions when competing. I had some decent big airs and vertical turns, which are my favourite riding to do. I almost landed a good forward off the lip, but my foot came out of the strap. My favourite moves of the event were a very critical turn from Marcilio and some crazy rides from Kai Lenny and Levi Siver.COMPLETE TOURI like the variety we had this year, side onshore wave riding in Japan, sick down the line Chile, nice fun onshore jumping and riding in Pozo and Tenerife, crazy onshore on Sylt and sick down the line starboard on Maui, it is a proper wave tour and most complete overall sailor wins.Yes, I am very happy, it is my seventh, Vice World Championship in my career beside my three World Tittles. My plan is to keep windsurfing and learning and enjoy next season. I go home in five days to see my family in Almerimar, I will be there for a month and after I go to Cape Verde, one of my favourite places on earth for wave riding.MORGAN NOIREAUX: 5th OVERALLDISSAPOINTMENTHonestly, Im really disappointed with my result at the Aloha. I won every one of my heats up until the semis and sailed really well in each of them but sailed a really poor semi-final. I was out of rhythm and had poor waveselection. Saying that though, I still nailed a decent first scoreand ended the heat with the best wave 360 of the event which only scored a 7. Watching the heat back Im really confident in the fact I should have gotten through but obviously that is my own personal very biased opinion and leaving it up to the judges was my own fault. I ended up 5th whichis a decent result but here at home if Im not winning, Im not happy and its been two years in a row whereIve finished 5th in the event. In addition, finishing5th in the Aloha means I finished5th in the world again for the 2nd time in a row as well. Had I reached the final I had a great chance of jumpingup into 3rd overall. Whats done is done though and Im moving on to next year with a lot of motivation!I think it was impossible not to have nerves, but I felt comfortable leading up to the event. Ive put in so much time at Hookipa. I put in way more hours than anyone besides maybe Braw and I honestlyjust work really hard at being the best windsurfer I can be year-round. I was just telling myself to be confident after all ofthe time and effort I put in and that helped calm a lot of the nerves I was feeling. The event itselfwas awesome. We had some epic conditions and if the conditions are firing, its a lot harder to complain. From a riders perspective itfelt like theevent ran smoothly compared to last year, which was really nice.HIGHS AND LOWSMy high point was my round five heat. I was against my friends Julien and Vincent, and we just had a blast. I think three-man heats should be more common. It feels like everyone gets way moreopportunitiesto catch waves. The wave riding takes the front seat as opposed to wave catching tactics. Low point was obviously my semi-final. I really felt like this year was my year and when I landed that 360 in the last 30 seconds it gave me that little bit of hope, which ultimately didnt lead to anything. Its just windsurfing though so I cant take it too hard, but it was a bit of a difficult pill to swallow.The conditions were great. We had logoto over mast high waves every day. The wind was lighter the first two days but super contestable and we finished off with a pretty windy day. There were some tougher heats conditionswise, but I was fortunate in that aspect and got great waves and wind every time. I rode my 5.0 Combat and 89Ultimate wave the first day. Same the second day and on finals day I sailed on my 4.7 and 89 in my first and then switched down to 4.2 and 85 in my last heat. All of my gear felt amazing, so I was really happyabout that.WAVE 3My best move was my wave 360 in the semis. I saw a goiter from Kai that I thought was really cool. Really vertical rotation off a section I dont think anyone else would have thought of doing a goiter off.This year I think the number of events was perfect. Id love a bit more starboard tack representation, but I think that might be a bit of a pipe dream ha-ha. Next year it almost seems like we will have the issue of having too many events. Everyones budgets are small and keep getting smaller which makes it hard to go to these events. If were going to have a problem, too many events, is probably a good one to have though.SARAH QUITA OFFRINGA: PWA OVERALL WAVE CHAMPIONNormally I would have arrived in Maui a lot earlier before the contest, but Sylt ended pretty late and I still wanted some days at home in Aruba, so I only arrived about six days before the event. Lina Erpenstein arrived the day after me and we found a place to live in Haiku. Weve stayed together for the past three Aloha Classics, and its always been fun. Thankfully, I got to sail a lot before the event. I actually over did it a bit and after day four of sailing, I could hardly get out of bed. I was so exhausted. There were some really fun early morning and evening sessions with the usual suspects out at that time like Maria Behrens, Takuma Sugi, Maria Andres, Lina and Pauline Katz.I was so psyched to be back in Maui and also to be in the position to fight for the title. We scored a never-ending forecast so I could sail my heart out and get dialed in. I had two sessions a day every day for a week there was really nothing else I wanted to do than sail!COACHING PAYS OFF!My mindset was a bit less focused on competition and a bit more on learning as much as possible, so to make the best out of it I connected with Graham Ezzy to get some coaching and local knowledge. And I feel like in four to five days I learned heaps. His comments and observations kind of gave me a different perspective on wave sailing and what I need to look for to improve on different levels like reading the wave, setting myself up to get the most out of the wave and bottom to top turn technique. Ive learnt everything intuitively over the years with some tips here and there, but it helps so much to have someone to analyze this stuff with. That was a good experience. It would be cool to see what the future holds in terms of professionals on tour having coaches.MINDSETI had so many good days on the water before the contest that I was just really keen to compete and for the first time ever I was actually excited to ride a big swell if that was going to be on the menu. Usually, I get a bit phased by the bigger waves and thats the toughest challenge at Hookipa, but after Fiji something has switched for me, and I was actually looking forward to some solid swell. I will never forget seeing Coco Foveaus face in Fiji after a massive wave and I could only see pure joy. I could not relate at all at the time, but something changed and I understand this excitement and rush 100% now and I was looking forward to it!So, all week before the event I was in a really good headspace, on the first competition day I felt happy and free on the water and loved the conditions. Then we had a few days break before final day and thats where I had a harder time to stay relaxed and happy. Because I started thinking a little bit more about the possible outcomes of the heats, it was quite a struggle mentally on the days that we were on hold before finals.FINALS DAYThe finals day was a little bit rough! The wind kicked in early and after watching the first heats I was sure I was going to be on my 4,2m for the rest of the day, and after the first round of strong wind we saw it disappear to almost nothing. I guessed that that this was going to happen all day. So, I basically ended up rigging4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0 and my 5.3.I would never have imagined sailing a heat at Hookipa on 4.7m and not being able to bottom turn being too overpowered to close the sail. Crucially my first heat of the day was the deciding heat for the title, and I actually went back to the beach to switch my 5.0 to my 4.7. I think I would not have been able to get the scores I needed being even more overpowered on the 5.0!For the next heat I was just trying to read the wind. Usually looking upwind, you could see if there was more wind coming or not. Finals day felt pretty tense for me, looking back. More so because knowing that I would face Lina in the Semi-final and that Id have to stay ahead of her if I wanted to win the title. Besides that, as soon as everyone realized how tricky the wind was going to be you could feel that riders were a little bit more indecisive on what gear to take. Unfortunately, it was really hard to choose the right sail and I think that cost some people their heat.ALL-IN!The way the year turned out I really didnt have a choice but to go all in. I couldnt make it to Chile, which in the beginning was fine, but then some other events on the calendar that I planned to go to were not happening. So, all of a sudden, I had zero breathing room and all the events I did mattered, so that brought a lot of pressure. Pozo, Sylt and Maui were all go hard or go home situations. After Sylt I had 2 x 1stplaces in the pocket, so I was mostly just grateful that I got back into the title race, but that still meant I couldnt miss Maui.And since I made it so far, I really wanted to end the year winning that title. Because Maui is a starboard tack spot felt like that gave me a bit of an advantage because its my natural stance. My main goal was to be patient and pick the ride waves and just trust my riding.TEARS OF EMOTIONMannwhen I found out I had won the title I just started crying, I felt so much relief, and the tension just left my body. I felt like Jello. I still feel like Jello two days later. I still have mixed feelings about it. Especially realizing afterwards that it was my last wave in the last seconds that made that difference.I had such a strong motivation to win the title coming from behind but at the same time Lina is one of my best friends on tour and I love training with her because I feel like we really push each other. She won the Chile event and her sailing in Tenerife was so solid and I just felt extremely happy for her performance this year. She definitely would have deserved the title this year! So winning was a relief, but at the same time I felt a bit heartbroken for her because it was SO close. Ive done some trips with her over the years, and I just know how badly she wants it and Ive seen her put in the hours. Ive seen the progress and it all really did come together this year for her. She came up to me quite quickly after the heat and we both had a bit of a cry but soon also a little laugh on the beach. She told me not to feel bad and that shed get me next time. I hope she feels proud of her achievements this year, especially juggling her final year in medical studies. Its inspiring.I still really wanted to win the final! I knew that Sarah Hauser as local rider was the one to beat. I chose the right sail size; I felt I actually sailed well and was patient enough to get on the bigger waves. I had two beautiful rides, which I felt were up there, but in the end it wasnt enough. I think Sarah Hauser did some great sailing and she reads the waves well. Ultimately, I think it was the better way to end for me because I was happy with my sailing, which doesnt happen all the time. And since that wasnt enough to win it means I have some things to work on, and that keeps the fire burning to keep pushing for the next time around. I cant wait!GEARFor board I sailed the KP (Kevin Pritchard) model from a few years back. My Starboard KP model board that I won the Aloha on in 2019 was damaged and because Hookipa is so specific and the event was do or die for me, I didnt want to compromise, and I asked Kevin if he still had his. He did. And it was a great choice. Feeling comfortable on your gear means everything and it really allowed me to focus on just riding. I sailed my 5.3, 5.0 and 4.7 combat. Im so happy with the NeilPryde sales this year, they feel softer and well balanced! Because I didnt have so much time, I didnt try anything else but would love to get more into the pure down the line sails and give the Zone a try in Maui.CELEBRATIONI have not really been able to celebrate yet. Its like Im still processing everything. Its my 4thwave world title, but also my 3rdtitle this year. One in every discipline. Thats surreal. I feel like such a load came off my shoulders, but I have also landed in an after-contest dip. I am off to Brazil after Maui for the usual end of season sailing. Ill take some time to figure out what I want to do next year!SARAH HAUSER ALOHA CLASSIC WINNERBUILD UPI was a little anxious before the event because I thought it would be really cool to win the Aloha Classic with the unified fleets. When the PWA sailors come to Maui I feel like we learn from each other. It pushes everybody and makes us better athletes. Because my chances at an overall podium were pretty much gone with my counter performance in Chile (9th) and the Fiji event being cancelled, I wanted to put a little pressure on myself, so aiming for a win at the Aloha felt like a solid goal. But as we know, anything can happen at Hookipa, and the competition is fierce in the womens fleet.This year we had stormy conditions with lots of rain squalls creating massive wind fluctuation. As a competitor, its a nightmare, it feels like flipping up a coin when you decide to go on big or small gear. I had rigged my 3.4, 3.7, and 4.0 Goya Banzaii Surf Carbon and had 61L, 63L and 68L custom Quatro boards ready for action. I picked my smallest equipmentfor the semi-final as the wind was nuking and that went well. Then I picked my medium size equipment (3.7 / 63L) for the final and the wind completely died at the beginning, so much that I was not even at the peak when the heat started (I was still trying to make it out). MAKING IT COUNTLuckily there were some remnants of the east swell, and those waves broke far into the channel so I was able to get a score at the beginning, but the wave faded quickly and I could only get two solid turns and a third ok turn. I spent the rest of the heat catching the same type of waves and I knewit probably wasnt enough to take thelead. Five minutes before the end I was finally able to find a wave that opened, and I gave it my all. I stayed in the pocket and somehow managed to execute six decent turns on that wave. That said I had seen great turns here andthere from the other women in the heat, so I had no idea who was leading until I got back to the beach.Then I saw people cheering and I wondered if it was for me. When I realized it was, Ijust threw my hands up in the air and felt this huge relief and joy. I got carriedon the beach by Adam and Casey and I was just trying to slow down time to stretch this happy moment.LINA ERPENSTEIN: 2nd OVERALL WAVESWORK AND PLAYI was leading the tour for a long time this season which is a success for me. This year I did full time medical studies so most of the year I was working in a hospital or with a GP. I did not have much time to train. Windsurfing was my second priority this year and I only really did the competitions. I finished second overall, so I am happy with that and now I am hungry for more. I am always a bit nervous going to Maui as I am a bit intimidated by big waves and we never know what we are going to get, it is cool how quick you get used to bigger waves, once you get to sail them.HIGHS AND LOWSThe high point for me was the semi-final, even though I lost, I felt like I sailed a solid heat. My starboard sailing is not as strong as my port tack sailing so I was happy with what I could show. I guessed my sail sizes wrong twice on the finals day. The wind was so up and down we had no idea what sail size to choose. It went from 5-30 knots. I was just concentrating on doing decent top and bottom turns. 2024 was a great year for events, we had a great variety of conditions with Chile, some awesome European events and finishing in Hawaii. The tour is a lot more versatile now and I was stoked to compete in so many different spots.KAI LENNYREFLECTIONSThe Aloha Classic this year was super fun! It is always amazing mixing it up with the worlds best. I was stoked to receive a wild card into the event. It would have been great to make the finals, but the level is incredibly high and from quarterfinals on, every hear could or been a final.The board I was riding this year was a collaboration I did with Quatro. I designed / shaped the board, and they built it in an ultra-light construction. It is the closest thing to a surfboard I could make and it allowed me to draw lines Ive been dreaming about. At the end of the day, I am competition you need ride the way the judges like to score. I could have or should have done more of that, but I was having too much fun riding the way my new board allowed me to.The post THE ALOHA CLASSIC: DISSECTED! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Britt breaks down Eco Carbon Tech (ECT) with Pipe Pro champ Barron Mamiya. ECT is a new type of carbon hand-lamination that will level-up your performance by providing a board that is livelier, stronger, familiar feeling underfoot, and more environmentally responsible.ECT boards are hand-built by the same crew of surfers that have been crafting your boards for years. Available in PU/PE and EPS/Epoxy constructions, ECT can be custom ordered on any boardallowing your board to be built just for you and never leaving you stuck between sizes.For those wanting to take their surfing performance to the next level, look no further than Channel Islands ECT built boards.LIVELIER- Eco Carbon Techs (ECT) construction creates a Livelier PU/PE or EPS/Epoxy board- ECT construction uses a carbon resin that allows for a more traditional feeling flex pattern, albeit a more dynamic one that enhances any boards performanceSTRONGER-15% stronger than standard lamination-Performance of a single layer of fiberglassdurability of twoFAMILIAR- ECT is more familiar feeling than other type of carbon build- Most carbon-built boards are quite stiff, and dont dent on the deck, which creates a rigid shell around the boardmaking its flex foreign feeling.-ECT enhances the level of performance youve been accustomed to from your standard shortboard constructionECT GLASSING-Stock: Single 6oz deck/4oz bottom (Pro Light)= Strength of 4+4 deck/4 bottom-Team: Single 4oz deck/4oz bottom (Team Light)= Strength of 6 deck/4 bottomSMALLER FOOTPRINT- Uses 90% less energy than virgin carbon fiber- Recycled carbon saves waste from going into landfillsFind at a surf shop near you or cisurfboards.com

GOYA TEAM: CUSTOM THRUSTER AND QUAD EXPLAINEDGOYA TEAM: CUSTOM THRUSTER AND QUAD EXPLAINEDFrancisco Goya, Marcilio Browne, Adam Lewis and Keith Teboul talk through the line up of Goya wave boards!GOYA WINDSURFINGThe post GOYA TEAM: CUSTOM THRUSTER AND QUAD EXPLAINED appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Follow Perth Standlick as he takes on the 7.5km Sydney city beaches run from Maroubra to Bondi, reaching speeds of up to 42 km/h. Riding a hydrofoil connected to a SUP, he uses wind chop to [&hellip... Read More

JULIAN SALMONN: MY BUCKET LIST, EL CONFITALJULIAN SALMONN: MY BUCKET LIST, EL CONFITALJulian Salmonn has to pay his dues, but eventually the stars align to allow him to cross off the infamous and dangerous El Confital from his bucket list.Words: Julian Salmonn // Photos: Benjamin Boerez @photomedanoTENERIFE AN ADOPTED HOMEThe Canary Island of Tenerife has been my adopted home and training ground for over 10 years now. The World Cup spot of El Cabezo offers almost perfect conditions year round, but should you seek it, Tenerife has some extreme challenges in store for windsurfers.BUCKET LISTThe wave in El Confital is right at the top of my windsurfing bucket list, but it is quite fickle as it only works with a south swell, while the wind is almost never coming from the right direction to sail it, add to this that the spot is predominately dominated by surfers and bodyboards and you quickly realise just how much luck you need to be able to make a dream, a reality.CONSEQUENCES Despite its close proximity to the World Cup spot of El Cabezo, this spot needs and provides a very different setup. El Confital is a much more challenging/dangerous wave compared to El Cabezo as it possesses a serious amount of power often with a pitching lip that is more than ready to claim any unsuspecting passengers. If you fall here, you must be prepared for the consequences of being washed over a razor sharp molten rock reef. However, when all the elements and risk taking align, you can be rewarded with simply fantastic conditions, even if only for a brief window.Even when El Confital is producing these few and far between perfect moments, it presents a real challenge for windsurfers to be able to score it due to everything needing to fall into place at exactly the right time the wind, the tides, local bodyboarders/surfers, to even start to contemplate daring a session.ENTIRE AT YOUR OWN PERILAt low tide the spot is so dangerous that even the bodyboarders avoid the peak because even the small waves suck the reef completely dry and the wave then breaks directly onto the rocks for want of a better word it is unsurfable!NO TIME TO LOSEThe Friday in question, I received a call from a friend of mine, who told me that he thought the spot could work, however, given the fickle nature of the spot, we would need to hurry. Without even a moments thought, I hurriedly began packing my equipment, eager not to waste even the slightest opportunity of sailing this spot, while my friend, and photographer, Benjamin, needed absolutely no convincing about joining this impromptu mission.WEAPONS OF CHOICEWith no time to waste, I quickly selected my trusty GUNSAILS 5.0 and Bruch Boards 94L as my weapons of choice, before we attempted to scurry down the rocky entry, which was the first of many challenges throughout the day.The spot certainly isnt easy to read from the water the very beginning of the wave breaks directly onto the rocks, so here, the most you can do on this very short section is a turn, or an aerial, as the second half of the wave hammers directly onto the reef, which is exactly why there were no bodyboarders or surfers taking their chances on that day.EASING MY WAY INWith this treacherous setup in mind, I initially decided on taking a slightly smaller wave for a warm up as my game plan. Of course, I also had the photographer in mind, and I wanted to show him exactly what was possible here. However, on just my second wave, I couldnt resist trying an aerial, but I was a little too deep to make it over the section. For the first time I realised just how much this spot punishes even the smallest of mistakes. There really isnt much margin for error, as I quickly found out while stood in ankle-deep water on the reef, wondering what Id gotten myself into.IMPACT ZONEWhen my board hit the rocks, I was then catapulted forwards, and soon found myself between the sail and the reef in shallow water. Not exactly an ideal situation shall we say. Fortunately, I escaped without injury, but the same couldnt be said of my board as the reef had more than left its mark on it. After a quick regroup, I gathered my equipment and scrambled over the rocks for the first time, but not necessarily the last.PERSEVERANCEDespite a tricky start, my motivation to achieve some great photos from this session didnt wane in the slightest. In fact, if anything, it only spurred me on. I adamantly approached my equipment once more, ready for another crack at it, but the reef had different ideas in mind once again as it visibly snared at me with its razor sharp teeth. On this occasion, the wind deserted me exactly when I needed it the most, which left me without drive, but even worse, in the most critical section of the wave, which I was already becoming far too familiar with. With not much time, nor options, I begrudgingly made the decision to ditch my equipment, while trying to save myself. However, due to the sheer force of the water, and the precariously shallow nature of the reef below me, I was powerless but to watch my sail being almost immediately dismantled into its individual components.A MOMENT OF LUCKHowever, this time around, lady luck was on my side. At first, my gear looked as though it was going to be washed on to the rocks (not so lucky), before it was was sucked into a tiny channel by the vicious current. By the time I reached my equipment, after another lengthy swim, I was further out to sea than I had imagined, so I decided to make the most sensible option, which was to derig what was left of my rig, before paddling back in.Despite more than a few setbacks, I was still unperturbed and simply refused to give up. I wanted to ride this wave and come out unscathed at least once. So, with my 5.0 now trashed, I grabbed my 5.3m and ventured out again. Finally, the elements were on my side, and I was able to ride this unforgiving and challenging wave until the daylight began to fade with a combination of turns and aerials.After many trials and tribulations over the course of the day, I eventually exited the water just before nightfall, more than satisfied that I would finally be able to cross El Confital off my bucket list although I hope to meet you again someday soon. For now though, its back home to my trusty and ever reliable El Cabezo.The post JULIAN SALMONN: MY BUCKET LIST, EL CONFITAL appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

FIN MELLON: FATHER AND SON ROAD TRIPFIN MELLON: FATHER AND SON ROAD TRIPFin Mellon takes us on an spontaneous road trip through Irelands stunning landscapes as he shares a solid windsurfing session at a hidden gem in Kerrywith his dad along for the ride!Fin says:Dad and I head off on another windsurf road trip! Did we score ?, not entirely a score for what this place can produce but we had fun so that makes it worth the drive!One of my favourite things about windsurfing is the fact I get to share it with my Dad, Niall.. Although this day we didnt actually sail together (we took turns filming) these days are still memorable. I am pretty lucky to be able to share these moments with my dad right !? Want to sail great waves and places like in this video, Join me on one of my Irish Wave camps or hire me as a private guide for the week. More info https://sites.google.com/view/finn-me My sailing level wasnt quite where i wanted it to be! I felt pretty weak to be honest from the food poisoning so that didnt make it very easy ha. Once again apologies for the pretty poor sound quality. I didnt bring the mic with me haha, one day ill get it right lolGOYA WINDSURFINGQUATROThe post FIN MELLON: FATHER AND SON ROAD TRIP appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Jan Ptz from the Indiana Foil Development Team introduces the new Monobloc Frontwings Condor M and S. These front wings have been designed with a focus on stability, efficiency, and responsiveness on the water. In this [&hellip... Read More

MARC PAR: WINDSURFING DILEMMASMARC PAR:WINDSURFING DILEMMASThe Epic, the Awkward, and the HilariousLife is full of tough decisions, but nothing compares to the drama in a windsurfers life. Have you ever promised your partner a candlelit dinner, but then the forecast for gale-force winds at the weekend scream your name? Or you have missed filming your partners best ever move while you were busy scrolling through Instagram! Do you take the moral high ground with these dilemmas or do you tell a tiny white lie? Tough decision right!Fear not! Marc Par is here to help navigate these stormy seas of moral quandaries and awkward moments. Grab your notebook to take some notes, while we dive into some of the most relatable situations every windsurfer has facedor pretends they havent!Photos:Carter/pwaworldtour.com andBenot Lgier.Epic ForecastThe weekend is fast approaching and the swell is supposed to be pumping with side offshore winds at your local! But you have promised to go for a romantic meal with your girlfriend far away from the epic conditions! Do you go for the meal and sit there miserably looking outside at the trees waving in the wind or come clean and tell her you would rather be windsurfing and hope she doesnt throw her soup in your face.Marc Par I am definitely not missing out on an epic day of windsurfing to go on a romantic meal, no chance! Being a surfer herself, I think my partner would most likely understand and even make use of the waves coming with that forecast to enjoy some water time herself! Windsurfing for the win!Missing the MomentImagine youre filming your partners best session ever, and suddenly, she lands her first forward loop. The scream of victory rings out across the water. But at that very moment, youre scrolling through Instagram, completely missing the action. Do you pretend you nailed the shot, but blame a corrupt memory card later, or come clean and admit you were checking Alice Arutkins latest post?Marc ParI would definitely blame it on that corrupt memory card, otherwise it could be a murder scene ha ha. But I have to admit that, in reality, I am the one who get angry, if my girlfriend misses any footage or clips of me Its that windsurfer ego kicking in. It is a top priority for my girlfriend not too miss any moves and action when she is filmingshe know that!Change Mix-UpYoure heading to the beach and stop by the store to pick up some aprs sailing snacks. You hand over a crisp 20 note, and when you check your change, the shopkeeper has mistakenly given you the change for a 50. Do you keep quiet and walk away with some extra beer money for later, hoping karma doesnt catch up with you, or do you give back the cash back and head to the beach with a clear conscience?Marc ParGood question I dont think I could keep a clear conscience, so I think I would give it back. I dont want Karma to kick me in the ass afterwards!The Pub vs. Family DinnerIts 4:30 PM, youve just had one of the best wave-sailing sessions of the season, but you promised your partner youd be home for dinner with the in-laws at 5. The lads are heading to the pub for post-session beers. Do you fake a flat battery excuse and head to the pub for more banter, or take the hit and endure an evening of polite smiles and overcooked vegetables, while everyone else is at the pub laughing at your absence?Marc ParThat sounds like a familiar situation which I experienced recently. Unfortunately, that one time I just had no way around it (even though I tried) so I had to go for the meal! Maybe I just need to work a bit more on my excuse book for the next time!Competition QuandaryYour mate just finished a heat at the local windsurfing championships and insists he crushed it. But you know one of the other competitors was tearing it up and stole the show with a killer wave 360 in the last seconds. Do you hype up your mates performance, blaming it on corrupt judges later, or do you tell him the truth and let him know he got schooled?Marc ParI think Id tell him the truth but in the smoothest way possible. Being a competitor myself I know how it feels when you lose a heat. It is important to analyse objectively what happened to learn from it and move forward! Everyone can have an awful heat or an amazing heat and still get beaten, so you gotta embrace both whenever it happens, as annoying as it is!Wave Snake!Youve had a rough day on the water, but suddenly a perfect set comes in. Only problem: a local kook is deep down the line and its obvious the wave is his. Do you let him have it, cheering him on as he totally wastes the best set of the day, or do you pretend not to see him, steal the wave, and make a show of shredding it, sending your spray in his face?Marc ParTough one In normal circumstances Id feel too bad about taking someones wave, so I wouldnt do it. But if Ive had a horrible session and Im just fuming, theres definitely the chance that I would lose my head and it could happen ha ha. I just hope if that was the case, the person would appreciate the riding and wouldnt get upset. But, like alwaysdont do what you dont want to happen to yourself!Mast Track MishapYou move your mates mast track to the front of the board as a joke. Sure enough, on his first wave, he goes over the handlebars and totally destroys his sail. Do you own up to the prank and help pay for the repair, or do you let him think it was just bad luck?Marc ParIf that was to happen, Id feel completely awful ha ha. I would most likely offer to help if he went over the handlebars because of the base being in the wrong spot. Ive had someone tamper with my rig as a joke before and it got me really upset. With that, I learnt to always double check your rig before going out.and to not trust anyone! Ha ha!You Missed it!You just scored an all-time epic session for the last hour but then all of a sudden the wind dropped to zero and swung onshore.at that precise moment another local rocks up and asks you how it was?Do you rub it in his face and tell him it was all time and he missed it completely (as he would most likely do to you) Or would you be the nice guy and tell him it was garbage when you arrived and he did not miss anything!Marc ParI would 100% tell him how epic it was and probably explain a couple of the amazing waves I just rode! Its the classic situation, whenever you rock up at a spot and there was someone already sailing, its always epic before you show up!SIMMER STYLEOSHEAFOAM LIFEThe post MARC PAR: WINDSURFING DILEMMAS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.