KING POWER: ANDY KINGKING POWER: ANDY KINGAndy King is one of the most dedicated wave sailors in the UK, constantly chasing the best conditions, while balancing life as a family man and a Police Officer. We caught up with Andy to find out why his motivation stays so high, what conditions he likes to hunt down and all about the equipment he likes to ride.Photos: John CarterGOYA WINDSURFINGMOTIVATIONRight from the first time I moved forward on a windsurf board I loved the fact that I was being propelled by the wind alone.I did a lot of off-road motor biking as a teenager, which I loved but it was noisy, hot and smelly i.e. fumes / exhaust and worst of all very restricted to where and when you could ride.Add in the constant maintenance of old bikes and the cost of fuel / oil etc and the thought of a power source that was virtually silent, free and clean just hooked me.With hindsight the downside is how infrequent high winds are in the UK, but perhaps thats why we dont get bored of it because we have to wait.When its windy there are no limitationson what you can do, no speed limits, no no-fly zones! The only limitation is your mind, youre self-preservation and youre kit. Better still you can crash hard time and unless you are very unfortunate injury risk is a lot lower than land-based Moto or cycle sports. I still want to improve my sailing and have a list of moves I want to land or land more consistently. Some may be less achievable as I am getting that bit older, but Ill keep trying if and when conditions and mindset allow.I love the freedom of windsurfing. Being out in the ocean, in the wild seas. The ability to move through the break in minutes avoiding the of crowds of competition if I was just surfing. I love the fact you have the ability to jump and wave ride and the peace and quiet while you are sailing!THE DRIVEI am reluctantly beginning to except I am an aging ex UK wave sailing pro fleet competitor, turned free rider. I guess you could say, I am a jack of all trades and master of none!I like to sail hard and capitalise on good conditions when we get them as they are relatively infrequent here in the UK! If I dont have work I like to windsurf until I can no longer hold on anymore through cold or exhaustion! I hate leaving a windy beach and will always try to get another session in when I can.I like jumping above all else, port tack, starboard tack or onshore, I dont care. I have this saying with my very understanding wife, that if I can land a single back loop, that it was a good session. I dont mind wobble and ride if needs must, but to me windsurfing is at its best in full planning wave conditions with both jumping and riding! I mean full Moto X style. I still have a list of higher level jumps I want to try, but I never seem to get the conditions I need or want, and often find too many excuses, so tend to rely on the main stay.WORK HARD PLAY HARDI prioritise windsurfing first and foremost, when I run out of leave and it is windy, I suck it up and reluctantly turn up at work to deal with fallen trees and flooding etc.The one advantage of shift work as a Police Officer is that you can juggle water time and sleep and can usually still get a session in. I assume this is the same for many of us but looking forward to a good forecast gets me through the worst parts of work and a good windsurf, cleanses away the emotional baggage that might linger after the particularly traumatic or unpleasant incidents we deal with.CONDITIONSWe dont have that much choice in Cornwall! Usually, I find the wind direction and or tide state, dictates it for me. I definitely favour windier conditions if available, even if means a compromise in wave quality sometimes! I enjoy bigger wave conditions, but I wont risk destroying kit or myself, if it is too light and gnarly. Theres an expression frequently thrown around at work when considering risk: is the juice worth the squeeze!.I like both jumping and wave riding, but I think I adapt to what I feel is most rewarding at the time. If the waves are hard to find or difficult to read, then I will change to focus on jumping alone.WEAPONS OF CHOICEI ride Goya Quads 84L and 94L along with the Goya Banzai Max X pro sails and Goya rig accessories. Ive been riding Goya from virtuality the beginning of the brand. I think the kit speaks for itself and its ease of use and high performance is reflected in my own sailing. Ive not windsurfed outside of the UK in 11 years! Yet Goya gear not only performs but excels here in UK conditions, allowing me to maintain a high standard of sailing without weeks / months spent abroad in more favourable and consistent conditions. Ive dropped to slightly lower volume boards this year, the 84L, 89L, 94L and 104L! So far so good.ALL ABOUT SPEEDThe new 2025 Goyas are fast boards! Top speed wasnt at first, top of my priorities but now I am used to it l cant wait to launch it of a solid ramp as that board will fly to the moon. The new boards are light and reactive! I tried the thruster, which was really good too, but I like quad because of the way I can drift the tail easier and they are what Im most used to now. I like the looser feel of the quad. For sails I swapped to the Banzai Max X Pro this year as I wanted a change of colour as everyone kept mistaking me for Brawzinho (ha ha!). No seriously, I just wanted a change. The sails perform incredibly well. They arefast to plane and they are super manoeuvrable.STORM SAILINGDont overdo down haul or over outhaul even in 40 knots! You still need the correct shape in your sail. Dont be scared to sail fast and use the full force of the wind. Huge floaty rocket airs can go so high in these storms if you can get good board speed and can launch with no fear!IDEAL QUIVER (3 boards, 4 sails)84L, 94L and 104L3.7m, 4.2m, 5.0m and 5.5mFUN OR SCARY CONDITIONSIts a close call but Id say Mazza! I could sail there for weeks without breaking my kit or myself. The margin for error on heavy waves is thin and you need to be so focused. A few hours of that and you start making costly mistakes as you tire. It isnt that I dont like heavy conditions.In fact, my only UKWA pro win was at Gary William Point reef break, which although it wasnt huge it was heavy and super high consequence if you made any mistakes. I wasnt that keen to sail it initially but loved every minute once I was out there including eventually getting absolutely worked across the rocks Luckily, my Goya gear stayed in one piece, and I continued in the final heat.COMPETITIVE STREAKI dont think I was ever very competitive; on reflection I just wanted to windsurf as I still do today! Competitions were just a means to an end to get an excuse to windsurf more and avoid getting a proper job!I never thought I was better than anyone else, I just wanted to progress my own sailing. I would sail harder free sailing than I ever did in a heat because it soon became clear you had to hold back and play it safe to get scores on the board.If it was windy at a comp, I hate sitting on the beach watching so I just sail all day anyway. Obviously outside the sailing area! There is nothing better if you lose a heat having not done lame wave wiggles on white water, than busting way better jumps than those in the finals just 50 ms up wind!!I personally really dont like windsurfing trying to emulate surfing i.e. riding only when there is enough wind to jump! Surfing is surfing, other water sports, whether it is windsurfing, kiting, SUP, wave ski or wave kayaks, winging etcThese sports need to recognise their own identities and unique selling points. Windsurfings is being able to jump and wave ride. If you choose to take out the jumping, you reduce the unique selling point by 100%! Obviously if you theres not enough wind than you have no choice then you have to opt for riding only.I like sailing with other like mind people who want to push their progression and have fun, so contests are an opportunity to go to new spots and sail with others. You just need the wind and waves to cooperate to make it come together.The post KING POWER: ANDY KING appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Highlights from an epic second day at the 2025 FPT Cape Town. Relive the best moments from the Double elimination in the waves in Cape Town. Produced by AALVAA Media with additional footage by TM Media Lab

https://peakuk.comPlanning approval secured for Peak UK s new kayaking HQPlanning & Design Practice Ltd is pleased to announce that Peak UK Kayaking Co Ltd has been granted planning permission by Derbyshire Dales District Council to redevelop the former Cromford Garden Centre into a new headquarters, community hub, and activity base called Carrwood Mill. This development will enhance opportunities for children to engage in kayaking while supporting local heritage and sustainability initiatives.Located adjacent to the Cromford Canal, the site will also accommodate PaddlePeak, Peak UK Kayakings charitable organisation, which promotes youth participation in kayaking and coordinates environmental conservation efforts along the River Derwent.For over 30 years, Peak UK has been at the forefront of kayaking apparel and equipment manufacturing, supplying elite athletes, including Olympians. As demand for its products has grown, the company has sought to expand its operations, selecting the former Cromford Garden Centre as an ideal location for its next development phase.This initiative will reintroduce textile manufacturing to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, aligning with the regions industrial heritage. The site, which had remained vacant and overgrown for over a decade, will be revitalised, contributing to the local economy and environmental sustainability.Given the sites brownfield status within a World Heritage Site, careful planning and heritage considerations were essential. With extensive experience in heritage-related projects, James Boon Architects led the architectural design. In collaboration with Planning & Design Practice, comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessments followed ICOMOS guidelines to ensure the proposal respected the locations historical and environmental sensitivities.The design, which was presented at a public consultation at Cromford Mills in August, received positive feedback. It incorporates sustainable materials such as local stone and wooden cladding, along with low-energy lighting and air-source heat pumps, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.This development will enhance local infrastructure and create 12 new jobs. The high-quality facility will contribute to the sites long-term environmental sustainability while fostering community engagement through kayaking activities and conservation initiatives.We are delighted to have been involved in this significant project and look forward to seeing Carrwood Mills positive impact on the local area.

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SUB ZERO: MARC PARSUB ZERO: MARC PARMarc Par talks us through his latest session in Cold Hawaii and how he deals with sailing is Denmark in the midst of winter!In early February, I went to Sweden to the Simmer Style HQ, to pick up some prototypes and work on some R&D projects. On the way back I decided to take the ferry across to Denmark with all the gear and give my girlfriend a visit.Unfortunately, we didnt get much wind, but the surf was pumping, so we had some great days on the water paddle surfing. On the day with the biggest swell, after an epic surf session, the wind started picking up.Despite being freezing cold (0C), I decided to head out on my 5.3m prototype, 90l Flywave and of course suite up with my OShea wetsuit. The wind was really offshore and with the pack of surfers sitting right in the middle of the line up it made it quite tricky to catch the best waves. Nevertheless, I caught a couple really fun waves and as conditions like that are rare in Denmark, it was definitely worth going out.During the session I kept on trying to keep my hands warm, which was mission impossible. Plus, every time I managed to get my blood flowing back to the fingertips, it felt like someone was cutting them off! I guess its just part of winter sailingIf the conditions are good, I will sail. That day it was zero degrees. But there was swell and wind. My fingers were dying but warmth wise in the body I was fine. The wetsuits we have now are plenty good enough to keep warm when it is freezing so I have no excuse not to sail if it is on. It is not my body that is cold. It is more the hands and feet that suffer.Normally I have two or three wetsuits ready for a cold day like this. I was surfing in the morning and then I went home, had a hot shower and got changed so I was warm again. I then had another wetsuit ready for later in the day. Some days I change right at the spot but I have been realizing it is sometimes better to get into your wetsuit at home. When it gets that cold, all the locals in Denmark get changed before they go to the beach with the wetsuit on. In the morning when I went surfing my hands were freezing while I was getting my gloves on. I normally have two sets of gloves, boots and a couple of hoods so they are not wet or frozen from the previous session.In summer time, sometimes I will leave a wetsuit in the back of the van but during winter, you have to be meticulous and always put your suite in a dry room. I always leave the wetsuit boots, gloves and hood in our bathroom to dry out.The new OShea suits are super nice actually. They are really stretchy and really easy to put on, which is important for me. Some wetsuits are tricky for people just to get them on. The OShea suits with the front zip are really easy to get on. They use this limestone neoprene, which is very stretchy. So far, they have been keeping me super warm in Denmark, so I am happy with them!The post SUB ZERO: MARC PAR appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

The Free Rivers Fund has announced its 2025 grantees, supporting 12 projects dedicated to protecting free-flowing rivers worldwide. This years selection includes initiatives from New Zealand to Nepal, featuring kayakers, citizen activists, and environmental advocates. Learn [&hellip... Read More

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CORNISH COLDWATER CLASSICCORNISH COLDWATER CLASSIC WARMS UPIt was a hectic day on the water at theCornish Coldwater Classic sponsored by Duotone UK! Gwithian was head to logo high with strong SSW wind up until the early afternoon. The call tomorrow is for skippers at 8am tomorrow with the first possible start at 8.30am! The forecast for 9am, is 30-50 knots with a 4.6m swell at 14 seconds. Good luck to all the competitors!The post CORNISH COLDWATER CLASSIC appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

BOARD TALK: VICTOR FERNANDEZBOARD TALK: VICTOR FERNANDEZNext up in our Board Talk series we have multiple world champion Victor Fernandez to tell us about the boards he rides, what conditions he uses them in and how he sets them up.Victor FernandezFor reference, I am 1.84 cmtall and weigh 84 kg!When it comes to wave sailing, having the right board setup can make all the difference. As a professional windsurfer, I am constantly testing and fine-tuning my gear to adapt to different conditions and get the best possible performance. In this breakdown, Ill share my insights on the latest Grip 4 and Grip 3 models, my preferred setups for different spots around the world, and what to expect from future designs. From board construction to fin placement and mast track positioning, heres everything you need to know about my go-to quiver and how I dial in my gear for ultimate control and speed.CONSTRUCTIONThe D/Lab uses the Innegra construction, which is stiffer and lighter and the SLS are glass construction, which are still light but less stiff. I prefer the D/Lab construction personally because it feels like riding a custom board, they feel super light and alive, but they are still extremely strong.GRIP 4The 2025 Grip 4 D/Lab stays with the same shape as the 2024 model, the same as the Grip 3 D/Lab. We will bring a completely new shape by the summer / autumn of 2025.The Grip 4 is an amazing all-round shape, I usually use it for strong onshore winds such as Pozo or Almerimar, but also in light side offshore as Cape Verde or Maui. I usually use the Grip 3 in onshore medium / light winds or side shore. The best conditions for the Grip 4 for me are side onshore strong winds or normal / light side to side off wave sailing.SIDE SHORE / SIDE OFFAt Hookipa I would normally ride on 4.7m sail with the Grip 4 87L. In Cape Verde I have been using my small Grip 87L and my biggest Grip 4 93L. Mostly I ride the 93L on 5.0m and 5.3m sails. I can use even a bigger board for extreme light winds such as the 99L. I love it when the wind is super light, because it really feels like surfing.POZOI have used everything in Pozo over the years, from single, twin, quad and last year the thruster.I feel like the quad is giving me more control in strong choppy winds, but we are developing a new Grip 3 shape that might be a good option for Pozo as well.SYLTMy most important board for Sylt is the Grip 3 D/Lab 95L for the light onshore 5.3m weather, followed by the Grip 3 D/Lab 85L and Grip 4 D/Lab 76L for nuking winds.FINSWhen I get a new board, I try to set up my fins after a few sessions of testing and when I find where my favourite place is, I mark the boxes. After that, I always leave them in these positions. I am riding on my Grip 4s with 9cm front fins and 14.5 back fins in most of the sizes, but sometimes 8cm front fins on the smaller sizes such as 76L and the 81L. On my Grip 3, in spots like Sylt I use a 19cm back fin and 11cm front fins on my 95L. In Tenerife or Almerimar I use 18cm back fin because there is less current and the board is more forgiving. On my Grip 3, 85L and 79L,I use 10cm front fins and a 17.5 cm back fin.FOOT STRAPSI tend to put my stance quite wide, as I like to ride low and it helps me to put more rail on the water and I also use my straps quite loose to have my foot right in, so my feet can also go in and out of the straps easily. I normally use the first screw position for the front and the second screw starting from the tail.MAST TRACKI normally put my base always in the same place, same as the fins, when the board is new, I try to find the best position and I mark it. I have it on the Grip 4, a little bit further forward compared to the Grip 3.CHILE QUIVERFor a trip to Chile, I would take; Grip 4s D/Lab 81L and 93L and the Grip 3 D/lab 85. Fins thrusters; 10cm front and 17.5 cm back, fins for Quad: 9cm front and 14.5 cm back.GRIP 3The Grip 3 is a safe bet for spots like Almerimar and Tenerife where you have waves with good sections in front of you. The thruster allows me to go very vertical and get tonnes projection through the air moves and it also goes upwind easily.If the wind is very offshore, I would go for a quad, it allows me to be more in the pocket of the wave but if it is side shore or side on the thruster is my choice right now with the boards we have!The thruster keeps amazing speed through the turns and it gives a lot of lift and projection for the jumps. I normally put my back fin 1 cm away from the front of the box and the side fins almost all the way back. I ride with 17.5cm and 19cm back fins, and 10cm and 11cm front fins. That is all I use.WEIGHTIt is super important to have light boards, especially in light winds, it allows me to try moves and get more speed quickly, so everything is more fun and effortless.DESIGNI am always in contact with Kai Hopf and the rest of the team to give my feedback on the boards, sails, fins or any other parts of the kit. It is very important for them to know how much time and at which spots I windsurf to get knowledge of how much the gear lasts and my feelings and feedback about the performance.FOUR BOARD QUIVERIf I had to choose four boards, they would be the Grip 3 D/Lab 95L, the Grip 4 D/Lab 76L, The Grip 4 87L and the Grip 4 93L.WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026?We will have completely new shapes on Grip 3 and Grip 4, I am super excited for the change.The post BOARD TALK: VICTOR FERNANDEZ appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.