MASTERS PERSPECTIVE: CORNISH COLWATER CLASSICMASTERS PERSPECTIVE: CORNISH COLWATER CLASSICA few weeks ago, the Cornish Coldwater Classicevent, saw competitors battle powerful swells, shifting winds, and the ever-unpredictable UK weather. Among them was Ivan Causer, competing in the Masters Division, who shares his first hand experience of an event that had everything, from jaw-dropping pro performances to intense heats and legendary post-sail socials. Heres his full recap of an incredible competition weekend.IVAN CAUSERWhat a weekend in Cornwall!!The Cornish Coldwater Classic wave sailing competition was a triumph, held in some of the most spectacular conditions ever seen in a UK competition!Id entered the Masters Division after always wanting to sail Gwithian / St Ives Bay on a good day. I had very low expectations of progressing but Ive had a fun time at a couple of previous BWA Rhosneigr competitionsand it felt just great just to be part of these events. I was well chuffed to end up finishing 6th!DAY ONEArrived at Gwithian at 8:45 to see the early Pro heats.just wow! The driving rain didnt make for easy spectator conditions, although the lee of the vans and Joes horsebox gave some shelter. But what a view from the carpark! From above, it actually looked doable for mere mortals, with wide gaps between waves and no long closeouts. You had to go down to the beach to appreciate the size and power of what you had to get out through and the consequence of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then there was the high tide inside wind shadow to consider. Err, maybe not! Whilst down there, I watched Jamie Howard get an absolute bomb, with a great aerial to finish you could sense the stoke, which was confirmed in the pub later!The Pro final (2 waves to count, no jumps) was brilliant, but not easy to call for us watching in the car park. How would the judges measure the size and length of wave / number of turns / spray thrown / aerials / turns in the pocket? Legendary head judge Duncan Coombs explained more at the Prize Giving ceremony and Phil Horrocks (with his vertical approach) was crowned worthy winner still the man to beat! Ben Page sailed fantastically to get 2nd and Andy King got some brilliant long, fast rides for 3rd. Current Tiree champ Lucas Meldrum was 4th, coming back from injury also sailed brilliantly and no doubt will be hungry for the next opportunity.After that, the call was for other fleets to go to The Bluff for the comp resumption, where the waves were smaller and the wind more offshore. It was dropping as the sun started to appear and after running one heat in float and ride conditions for the Pro ladies, the comp was put on hold for the day.I free-sailed for a bit (5.0/92) but in truth got zero rides in tricky light, very off windsMy session finished with a swim after the kit, getting pearled on a pitching set wave. Ah well, time for the pub!St Ives Brewery Tap Room proved a perfect venue. I knew a few people there already, but it was also great to meet other fellow competitors and organisers and chat to some of the pros after their epic earlier experiences. The beer was flowing with the prospect of light winds the next day Meor and Hayle Pale come highly recommended!SATURDAYSaturday was gorgeous, warm and sunny, feeling like the first proper day of spring. Feeling slightly tender myself, to blow the cobwebs away I started with a run along the beach via Hayle and the Bluff to Sunset Cafe and back through the dunes. The waves had definitely stayed overnight! What a stunning beach with spectacular views. Despite no sailable winds, it was also great to check out the Bluff, Marazion and Praa Sands afterwards. Then all back at 4pm for the comp briefing and rugby at the Tap Room. Could be dangerousAfter another great social, I showed enough restraint this time to get to the hotel at a decent time.SUNDAYThe wind and rain were back with avengeance on Sunday, with an 8am start at Sandy Acres (Mexicos), a mile upwind of Gwithian. Clean, well-spaced waves, overhead high on the sets and cross off.Keen to make rapid progress with all fleets (Pro and Am Ladies, Youth, Ams and Masters), Duncan had elected to run a dingle format, with simultaneous upwind and downwind heats of 12mins 3 judges for each, with some of the pros stepping in. 1 wave to count for the first rounds and 2 for later ones.This worked brilliantly, getting loads of competition in in a short space of time with minimal time hanging around on the beach.I sailed a total of five heats, on a 3.8m sail and the faithful 92 Twin (ditching the 75 after heat 1), doing plenty of swimming and not getting many scoring waves. But I got lucky on a couple that stayed open for a few turns and was surprised and stoked to do just enough to finish in 6th place and get in the prizes!! A very nice Boom Windsurfing hoodie and Finistere hat and socks.Ian Gibson, who had driven from Scotland, won my last heat and shortly afterwards won the 4-man final too! He sailed a blinder, including a superb long, 8.5 scoring waveIt was also great to see Rob Loescher reach the Ams final after a poor first heat (his words!) I used to sail with Rob up north (Rhossi, Redcar, Fraisthorpe, Barmston) before he moved to Cornwall. I get why!After all fleets had nailed a result, they ran a 20mins Expression Session for the Pros for a cash prize in the still-improving waves. What a show! Goiters, 360s, forwards off the lip and huge back loops and stalled forwards. Inspirational stuff. Andy King won with a huge back loop but there were plenty of other contenders, like Steve Thorp with his massive aerials.After that, it was time to hump all the kit back up the monster sand dune; a killer after such exhausting sailing conditions. But the view from the top was fantastic, with lines to the horizon being ripped up by some of the best sailors in the UK.The Prizegiving was great too, with speeches, superb trophies for the top 3 in all fleets and plenty of great prizes from the event sponsors.What a brilliant job the organisers did: Joe Vernon and his crew- all just keen, local sailors who got a taste for BWA competition. And of course, the judges and plenty of others in support too.But nothing would have happened without Willy Maclean, now BWA Chairman, for all the organising beforehand and then driving down with son Eddie (who won the Youths!), towing a trailer, from home on Tiree!! Wow! He and the BWA also deserve massive credit for establishing a proper UK wave tour for 2025, with future events planned in Northeast Scotland, South Wales, Rhosneigr and Tiree and potentially another one tooBut the success of wave sailing events is ultimately down to the one thing no one can organise: the weather. Ideal conditions dont come around often and its one of the things that makes this sport so special.This was special.The post MASTERS PERSPECTIVE: CORNISH COLWATER CLASSIC appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Interview: Peter TranterPhotos: Clare Rutter, Mike BlanshardClare is a SUP, canoe, kayak instructor and leader, an RNLI Ambassador for Water Safety and a guest speaker From Stick to SUP: Clares Journey An Inspirational Journey from Brain Injury to Paddlesports Instructor, amongst many, many other roles. Where do you find the time we asked?Take it away ClareBefore we start, Clare, please tell our readers a little about yourself, your background, your family, etc.Im Clare Rutter; Im 43 years young, an avid paddler since I was six years old, raised on the west coast of Wales and have always been a keen outdoors and sports person through country living, which was further encouraged and facilitated through the Girl Guides and the Scouts. Enjoying all that the outdoors has to offer runs through my familys veins with my parents, aunties, uncles and grandparents who also enjoyed paddling, camping, hiking, cycling and youth hostelling.Outside of paddling, the main outdoor activities I enjoy are camping, wild camping (always permitted), geocaching, mountain biking and club archery. I work for the British Red Cross, for whom I also volunteer as a UK wide Emergency Responder and events team, as well as volunteering for Paddle UK on the #ShePaddles programme and other collaborative projects, the Scouts as a Scout Leader, the RNLI as a Water Safety Ambassador, Archery GB for safeguarding and first aid, community LGBTQ+ as coordinator and more recently, for AquaPaddle as part of the support crew. Through work and volunteering, I can be anywhere from the west coast of Wales to South Wales and the west of England and beyond, depending on requirements and demand! They all certainly keep me on my toes, but I wouldnt have it any other way! Volunteering is just a way of life for me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it since I was 14.Tell us about the start of your SUP journey.I started SUP in 2019. I honestly wasnt very taken with it, having paddled kayaks and canoes from a very young age, which seemed like the norm to me, so I took a bit of convincing! My first experience was volunteering at an outdoor activities centre after my brain injury rehabilitation. Having had plenty of prior paddling experience, I found it pretty easy, and skills and knowledge easily transferred. The more I did, the more I found myself really enjoying it and getting an ever-increasing adrenaline kick out of it each time!The first Covid lockdown got me heavily into it with a huge passion. When we were on a stay at home lockdown, I decided to invest in a SUP and focus on SUP as a skill to build and boost my associated knowledge. At the time, we were able to travel up to five miles for exercise in Wales, and I was really fortunate to have both the coast and the local river to practice within that zone. It was a great opportunity that ultimately led me on an incredible and exciting adventure full of opportunities and fantastic experiences, most notably with Paddle UK through to where I am now in the wonderful world of paddlesport, sharing my adventures and pursuits, raising the profile of paddlesport and raising awareness of key paddling related matters.Youre heavily involved in the safety side of SUP paddling; how did that come about?Having grown up on the coast and near rivers, water safety awareness was just very normal from a young age, from seeing lifeguarded beaches, seeing the RNLI and Coastguard out and about on operations and through TV adverts and guest talks throughout primary and secondary school. Having paddled from age six, I remember that water safety was always just a very normal part of canoeing and kayaking. I was lucky to have some great instructors who rightly prioritised it over those years.As I went through childhood and into my teen years, I became repeatedly aware of multiple news reports of people getting into difficulty in various bodies of water with some unfortunately not making it out the other side. From my early experiences, I always wanted to encourage fun but safe water use as I realised that not everyone had had those same water safety awareness sessions and experiences and that it wasnt just the norm for others as it had been for me. Each water-based accident or news report I ever saw gave me and still motivates me to keep campaigning and raising awareness of the risks of being in, on or near water.Through my role as a Paddle UK #ShePaddles Ambassador, I had a platform to focus on promoting water safety. This topic meant so much to me, and I felt that through my work with Paddle UK if my promotional messaging could save even one life, it would be worth it. From a young age, Ive personally known people who have had either a dice with death or have sadly passed from a water-based incident, so it has also been a very personal subject close to my heart with the aim to try to prevent it for others. Ive always believed that as an island nation with plenty of blue spaces further inland, we should all be super aware of water-based risks, but as we know, many continue to hit the news with reported incidents.I continue to work with Paddle UK to raise awareness. I do so through my own social media and chat with people in water-based environments, pointing them towards useful resources such as those produced by Paddle UK, the Coastguard, and the RNLI.How did you become a #ShePaddles Ambassador for Paddle UK, and what did you take from the experience?I saw an advert for the role online and saw it as an excellent opportunity to help bring women and girls into and stay in the sport, promote water safety, promote health and wellbeing benefits, and raise awareness of environmental issues through paddlesport. The women and girls in sports aspect, in particular, was important to me growing up in the 80s and 90s as I found that it was the men and boys that were directed more towards sporting endeavours than women and girls and personally endured a great deal of bullying through primary and secondary school due to being a Girl Guide and later a Scout. I obviously stuck to it, though, as I enjoyed it so much, and thats how youre reading this today! On becoming a successful #ShePaddles Ambassador applicant, I gave everything I had to the role, living and breathing #ShePaddles. I gained so much more knowledge, skills, qualifications, contacts, colleagues, friends and acquaintances through doing so.Four years later, Im still out there doing my thing paddling, raising awareness of all these matters that were and are important to me, promoting the outdoors, collaborating with brands and media channels, guest speaking, and through the internet, TV, radio, podcasts, and written articles.Having sustained a brain injury in 2017, I thought at the time that my life was over, but paddlesport and most notably through becoming a #ShePaddles Ambassador, gave me the best life Ive ever had and much more active than I ever thought possible than when I was laying on a trolley in hospital, on my own in a foreign country seriously injured, dazed, confused and scared. The role helped build my fitness, skills and knowledge, but most of all, my confidence, self-esteem and self-worth as a person, now post-injury with multiple disabilities. It still seems crazy to think that sustaining a brain injury was the best thing that ever happened to me! Its no joke, though, and I still struggle a lot, but I count my blessings and never take anything for granted, seizing every day that I am blessed to open my eyes once again.You are an incredibly busy woman within and outside of paddling. How do you manage to balance all your activities?I honestly have no idea, haha! Well, its said that if you want something done, ask a busy person! I get asked this question a lot, though. It comes down to the fact that everything I do brings me so much joy and leads me to many wonderful opportunities that fill me to the brim with happiness. My injury on that fateful day could have been game over, so every day, hour, minute and second is a second chance. With my post-injury, functional neurological disabilities, I definitely have to keep a diary and write lists upon lists (upon lists!) of things that I want or need to do. I love being busy and actually struggle when I have nothing to do crazy,I know, but its my way, and I adore giving back to people and organisations that have invested time, money, effort, and trust in me. Its who I am and what I believe I was put on this earth for having been given that second chance.There is tremendous enthusiasm amongst women for SUP why do you think that is?For many women, SUP is accessible, sociable, and great for health and fitness. A big draw is not having to lug big and heavy kit around or relying on others to help make it happen. Many only paddle in the warmer months, so the fact that typical comfortable, gym-style clothing can be worn instead is a bonus without having to invest in extra, expensive gear that many women may find uncomfortable and restrictive. Budget can also be a factor, especially as the cost of living steadily increases, where following initial outlay, it can be an inexpensive sport. It also appeals greatly to women wishing to participate in something with their children or friends while they are at school. I think online social media and online support sources are also a huge factor, especially for those who may not have as much confidence in person. Im sure celebrity endorsement also helps. In the online SUP groups, Im a part of and manage (Facebook All Wales SUP Paddle Boarders and Paddle UK Members Group), females outnumber males, and it keeps growing yearly! The ladies are most definitely leading the way!How do you keep the SUP stoke going and motivate others to get involved?Personally, I share all my paddles online along with various safety and knowledge messaging to help people to clue themselves up, know where to find the right sources of information, knowledge and training and feel inspired for their own paddle plans and desires. Wherever possible, I take part in online discussions, share photos and stories, and comment on where people are looking for support or answers to questions. Its all about being friendly and supportive and keeping the conversations going. Online platforms can be notorious for negativity, which doesnt help anyone we all began somewhere with little to no knowledge, and there is never a stupid or pointless question. We should always look to help and support people on their own journeys but also be mindful that there are always things that we can learn too! Learning never ends!Which brands do you work with, and how do they specifically help you?This year, on the paddling side of things, Ive mainly worked collaboratively with Paddle UK and the RNLI on summer safety messaging and with Paddle UK and LifeJacket Skin Protection. Water safety is a topic very close to my heart, so working with Paddle UK and the RNLI has really helped both in general and for me to push vital information out, not just to paddlers or those new to the sport but to people from all walks of life and leisure pursuits through various community groups and online channels. Through Paddle UK and LifeJacket Skin Protection, Ive been able to raise awareness of the very real issue of Melanoma Skin Cancer, the deadliest of all skin cancers and as paddlers were at real risk of it and need to protect ourselves. With this collaboration, Ive had access to LifeJackets range of products that have helped protect me from (hopefully!) another dose of Melanoma Skin Cancer, a very scary time in my life that I do not wish to repeat! I already used their creams anyway but had the opportunity to try others that I havent used before but certainly will from now on! Having tried and tested these products, I can highly recommend their rash vest, daily SPF moisturiser and chafe bar! Paddle UK members also get a 10% discount.Whats the one interesting, non-SUP-related fact that we might not know about you?I have a collection of model toy cars and other vehicles; some vintage, some sporty, and some somewhere in between and most have a story behind them. I also have two remote controlled cars that I love to take to the beach or on a forest track! Im just a big kid, really!Which paddling locations in the world would be on your bucket list?Having just returned from a six-day paddling expedition and wild camping in Sweden, I feel this country is on my bucket list! Norwegian fjords are another must do adventure. Greece is definitely on my list; the paddling looks absolutely idyllic there! Staying closer to home, having done two paddle expeditions in Scotland this year, I really want to paddle more there and I would love to finally hit the Norfolk Broads and some more of the River Thames.In general, anywhere and everywhere, as long as there are no Crocs or anything else that will eat me whole, then Im there! Having done the River Spey Descent this year by canoe, I would definitely snap up further opportunities for whitewater fun! Multi-day expeditions are where its at for me, so any linear route with quiet and beautiful natural scenery and amazing wildlife spotting opportunities is a win-win! Answers on a postcard, please!Besides SUP, what else do you paddle, and do you have a favourite?I paddle kayak and canoe as well as SUP. Its a difficult choice to have a favourite, though! For expeditions, the canoe is the one and only choice for me! Canoeing grabs my attention like nothing else; I think its the one that I feel the most independent and adventurous using, and I love the fact that there are all manner of seating positions and paddle strokes that can be used to get to where youre going or achieve an aim and of course great to easily carry all the gear you want or need. I particularly love SUP for coastal paddling; for me, the magic of this is standing and seeing into the water below for all its wildlife when conditions are flat and calm; these paddles mesmerise and enchant me! Oh, and sea caves! I love a good sea cave!Name just one thing we can do as paddlers to improve our environment.Paddle pick-ups! When paddling on your local river or canal, take a bag and a grabber. Retrieve some litter even just a little, it all helps! It shouldnt be there, and whether its been dumped or blown in, its contributing negatively to the water quality, wildlife and ecosystems, as well as visually. If we can each play our part, we can help protect these areas just a little more. I know the problem is bigger than this, but its a good start!Whats the most enjoyable encounter with wildlife that youve had whilst paddling?I was paddleboarding on the coast during the most beautiful West Wales sunset and saw dolphins! It was a truly incredible, unforgettable experience! The sea state was pretty flat, and a mother and her calf surfaced for around 30 minutes just before me. I just floated on my board with my heart full of wonder and happiness. It was during the first Covid lockdown when we still had restrictive measures, so it was even more remarkable considering we had been unable to be out in nature for so long to appreciate it and have these moments! Fortunately, I can relive this experience over and over again as I filmed it; its a very cherished memory in my life.QuickiesWho would it be if you could paddle with anyone, dead or alive?I would love to go paddling with Dawn French. I love her wit and intelligence, but Im sure Id cry with laughter most of the time!Pick two celebrities to be your parents.Again, Dawn French for the comedy, conversation, and life lessons and Bear Grylls for the outdoors and survival skills aspect!Which famous person would you like to see play you in a film?Heather Peace from her Londons Burning and Ultimate Force days!Do you have a mentor?Unfortunately, my best mate Neil passed away suddenly six years ago when he was 33, but some things he said to me will stay with me forever. Whenever I feel like I need some words of wisdom, I think about some of the things he said to me, and it always gets me through whenever I feel theres an issue, unsure about something or Im going off track or even needing some positivity. He was a great soul and friend even beyond the grave! Thanks, Neil!An ideal night out for you is?Pub grub and a pint (or two!). A mixed grill or a steak with all the trimmings and some real ale, thank you very much!What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?My survival knife the tool of all tools which brings and gives so much more!What would I find in your fridge right now?Welsh mature cheddar cheese is life!What would you prepare for us if we came to your house for dinner?Garlic and chilli prawns starter with buttered herb ciabatta, sirloin steak with all the extras and homemade peppercorn sauce for the main and homemade sticky toffee pudding with Joes Welsh ice cream for dessert. Beverages Montepulciano red wine / Brains SA Gold ale followed by a cup of Taylors ground filter coffee. Yum!Who are your paddling buddies?Craig Jackson and Denyse Lane (SUP Shropshire), Mike Blanshard (SUP Yorkshire), Nigel Startin (Snow and Paddles) and Jo Moseley.If you could be a wild animal what would it be?An eagle would love to be able to fly and have superb eyesight!Any final shoutouts?Big up to Paddle UK for all the amazing collaboration and media opportunities once again this year and to Nigel Startin of Snow and Paddles for four incredible canoe expeditions this year, paddling the Great Glen Canoe Trail, River Spey Descent, River Wye and central Sweden lakes and rivers! There has been so much fantastic travel, fun, laughter, learning, and skills development. Also, I want to thank my uncle, Ben Edom, who I promise I will return to the Fishguard Bay Ocean Race next year. Sorry canoeing expeditions got in the way this year!Whats next for 2025?More paddling (obviously!), expeditions, adventure, guest speaking and more volunteering. I am currently confirmed to be heading back to Scotland for a five-day multi-craft expedition from Loch Awe to Oban via the River Awe, Loch Etive and the famed Falls of Lora. The rest remains to be determined. Open to offers and suggestions!Anything else?Im now taking Winter 2024/Spring 2025 bookings for my guest speaking spot From Stick to SUP: Clares Journey An Inspirational Journey from Brain Injury to Paddlesports Instructor. Contact me via any of my social media channels for further details:Facebook: www.facebook.com/clarerutter.DBAInstagram: clare_rutter.ba.honsX: clare_rutterTikTok: clarerutzrutterYouTube: clarerutzrutter#clarerutterwherenextadventures

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THE RETURN OFAFFAIRS OF THE HART!THE RETURN OFAFFAIRS OF THE HART!Drumroll pleaseJust when you thought the wind had settled, the tides had turned, and your monthly fix of Affairs of the Hart had gone forever; guess what? Due to popular demandPeter Hart is back!Like a rogue gust on an otherwise predictable forecast, Affairs of the Hart returns to shake up the scene and enlighten us once more. Peter Hart; our favourite wordsmith and wind whisperer is here to cut through the chop, challenge convention, and remind us why we fell in love with windsurfing in the first place.So, tighten those foot straps, hold onto your booms, and prepare for another unforgettable ride.DONT BE UNCOACHABLE!Hartys experience on the golf course proves that progress may be just a tip away.Just try rolling your right hand in a bit so the V between your thumb and forefinger points at your back shoulder that should stop you closing the club head too soon and help cure your hook. Suggested the earnest young golf instructor as I prepared to spank yet another ball to nowhere in particular on the driving range.Thanks Craig, Ill try that. I said with as much positivity as I could muster, even though my internal ranting monologue went something like:That is the problem with bloody golf and you are part of the problem Craig you take a very simple task to hit a ball with a stick and make it as complex as possible in the hope of selling more lessons at 50 a pop.Getting lessons was not my normal approach. Half the fun of sport, Ive always believed, has been in working it out for myself. But a friend who had just been given the all clear from cancer, wanted to get active and social again after a series of debilitating rounds of chemo, and booked 6 of us for a series of group lessons. We had all played a bit of golf and could use some help and besides it was an excuse to get together and have a beerAnyway with my grip unnecessarily, so I thought, tweaked, I prepared to swingThe Maui Golf PosseIn Maui around the turn of the millennium, I was a member of an enthusiastic golfing group made up from mostly itinerant pro windsurfers. With no windsurfing allowed before 11 am, and with a round at dawn on the public course at Pukalani costing only $15, it was a fun and convenient morning alternative.Our pool of players included such early luminaries as Ant and Nik Baker, Scotts Fenton and McKercher, Jason Polakow, Richie Foster and our esteemed photographer John Carter (JC).In terms of appeal, windsurfing and golf appear to lie at opposite ends of the sporting spectrum. One is embraced by free-spirited thrill seekers with a yearning to cast aside the shackles of sedentary urban life, invite danger and pit their wits against the elements. The other attracts those with criminal fashion sense; and a love of ridiculously complex rules and mind-numbing over-analysis.And yet they are both sports which invite total obsession; where total mastery remains frustratingly out of reach, and where the devil lies so often in the slightest details.Our games were memorable for the mutual piss-taking and golf cart racing but, as you might expect given the background of the players, were also highly competitive. In truth we were all pretty crap but on occasion innate hand to eye skill combined with a burning desire to win, produced the odd (very odd) moment of brilliance.However, what was clear was that we all had bugs in our basic technique, which meant consistency would forever elude us. My bug was bigger than most, which manifested itself as a catastrophic hook. (J.C. reminded me of the day that I sprayed 6 balls onto balconies and through the windows of the million-dollar condos across the road). But we were way too proud to seek professional help.Back to the range Under the watchful eye of Craig I swung as I had always done, more in hope than expectation, and never had I hit a ball so straight and clean. It was surely a fluke. So, I hit another with the same result. My hook had gone or at least had taken a short holiday. Craig explained that given the way Id been holding the club, it was pretty much impossible not to hook.Windy HabitsThats the same, dear readers, with our sport. Feeling fit, using your fav combo in perfect conditions, can combine to give you moments or even sessions of supreme competence. But it only takes one rotten habit a defensive instinct perhaps to prevent you repeating that same performance in lesser conditions and moving to next level.Richard presented himself on a course after a lengthy break. His wish-list read: Im completely self-taught and have probably been sailing longer than you. But Ive always been the slowest to plane at my spot; have never planed out of a gybe and somehow always turn up into wind.At the end of the first session, I pointed out that he sailed with his front foot across the centreline at right angles to it. The angle of your foot determines the angle of your hips. With across the centreline, you tend to turn into the sail and over sheet which makes the board head up and its not in the right place to drive the nose off the wind.He did as instructed. And, and no he didnt, Hollywood ending style, immediately nail a flaka. But he immediately looked better his head, hips and shoulders all opened up to the direction of travel. Many other improvements flowed from that one adjustment.We were both delighted me due to my cured hook and Richard with his remoulded stance and at the same time bitter and angry that wed wasted years of our lives ploughing the wrong furrow.They say with satire, people never see themselves as the target. When it comes to improving technique in any sport, its one thing, knowing about the common mistakes, and the right way to do something. Its quite another to see those mistakes in ourselves and actually do something about it. It takes a dispassionate, well informed third party to point out your misgivings, be it bad breath, a dodgy golf grip or defensive windsurfing stance.This article is not actually sponsored by the International Windsurfing Coachs Association but it might as well be.Peter Hart 11 March 2025Peter Hart has just posted dates and details of his fabulously exotic autumn/winter clinics.27 Oct 6 Nov 25 Jeri Brazil, waves and general skillsThe dreamiest and easiest spot to challenge waves for the first time.23 Nov 3 Dec 25 Mauritius gen skills and wavesParadise for all levels of windsurfer.Lots of details onwww.peter-hart.com2025 MASTERCLASS TOUR25 March 2April Tobagogen skills2 places4-8 May Kerrywaves and gen skillsFULL11-15 May Kerrywaves and gen skillsFULL13-20 June Rhodesgen skillsFULL20-27 June Rhodesgen skillsFULL9-13 Sept Donegalwaves and gen skillsFULL15-19 Sept Donegalwaves and gen skillsFULL21-25 Sept Donegalwaves and gen skillsFULL27 Oct 6 Nov Jeri Brazilwaves and gen skills5 places23 Nov 3 Dec Mauritiuswaves and gen skillsNEW!www.peter-hart.comThe post THE RETURN OFAFFAIRS OF THE HART! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

JOSH ANGULO: CAPE VERDEJOSH ANGULO: CAPE VERDEJoshs Magic! Check out Josh Angulo riding the beautiful waves of Cape Verde!Power, style, and pure passionA true windsurfing legend!Mojo Custom Boards say: Josh Angulo in the league of his own in his backyard. spot: Ponta Preta, Sal, Cabo Verde!Rider: Josh Angulo CV1 Angulo x MOJO Titan 103Camera: Nuno AlvezThe post JOSH ANGULO: CAPE VERDE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

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DAY TRIPPERS: COCO FOVEAU AND MORGAN NOIREUXDAY TRIPPERS: COCO FOVEAU AND MORGAN NOIREUXCoco Foveau and Morgan Noireaux trade their winter base in Guadeloupe for a last minute day trip to explore La Dsirade. With windsurfing on the agenda and adventure in their veins, Cocos vlog captures every epic moment of their island-hopping mission!Coco FoveauApparently, the first and last time I visited La Dsirade, I was still in my moms belly. Today, at 25 years old, I find myself returning, this time with my windsurfing gear under my arm.The decision was made the night before at 8:30 PM. A local windsurfer messaged Morgan and me, suggesting a quick trip because the forecast was perfectly aligned for us to score some great conditions. This pirate of the sea has clients scattered across the different islands of Guadeloupe, and whenever Windguru gives the green light, he takes advantage of his work trips to squeeze in a session at these unique spots. As soon as his work mission is completed, he swaps his dress shirt for a lycra top.The plan was simple: take the 8 AM COMADILE ferry from St. Franois with our gear, walk 200 meters upwind from the dock, drop our bags under a small shelter on a paradisiacal beach, enjoy the conditions until exhaustion, grab a meal at a local restaurant. Then, as soon as we see the ferry approaching the coast, we pack up and board at 4 PM to return to Guadeloupe. A full day of disconnection, putting the routine on hold.With 18-22 knots of East-Southeast wind and an East swell forecasted, it was clearly the long-awaited green light for this little adventure. Sure, these were also perfect conditions to simply stay and sail at St. Anne, Guadeloupes go-to port tack spot, but Morgan and I were craving a change. And so, the night before, we found ourselves booking last-minute tickets.Super excited for the adventure, I brought my 72-liter Flikka board, and since I couldnt decide, I packed both my 4.7 and 4.2 Seal Gunsails to make the most of the conditions.A key detail about me: Im still recovering from a concussion. A year and eight months post-accident, I continue to deal with daily challenges. That morning, I wasnt feeling 100%, but I preferred to go at my own pace rather than cancel everything altogether.The crossing takes an hour, but it was far from smooth sailing. I should have known when I saw the crew discreetly tucking plastic bags into their pockets. Clearly, my body had a flashback to whatever it endured as a fetus on my last visit. But I consoled myself with the thought that the rougher the crossing, the bigger the waves at the spot. First challenge complete, and I can proudly say that I made it to solid ground with my breakfast still in my stomach.Two hundred meters later, we arrived at the beachno one around except a few local fishermen and five windsurfers eager to make the most of the day. The wind was already there: 17 knots, slightly side-on port tack, with shoulder-high waves in the sets. Not a cloud in the sky, a textbook tropical beach scene with white sand and turquoise water. Several waves were breaking, but the one we pickedseemingly the least prone to closing outwas near the entrance buoy of the port. The trip was absolutely worth it; that wave reminded me how much I still have to improve! The timing was tricky to figure out, but once you got it, you had to absorb some chop and open your sail just right to maintain speed for the top turn. Perfecttime for a session of bent knees and side-on wave riding.Then came the intrusive thoughts and seasickness, which I can no longer ignore since my recovery began. My body was calling for a nap. So, I curled up inside the board bag and had one of the best naps of my life in an absolutely stunning setting. Am I trying to put a positive spin on the frustration of not being able to sail as much as I wanted? Maybebut negative emotions arent great for the brain; they just lead to migraines.A little later, some vacationing windsurfers joined us. Understandably, they had sailed until dark the night before and took their time coming back out. Sticking to the plan, we regrouped two hours later at a restaurant for a laid-back meal with friends. But the lively atmosphere was too much stimulation for my brain, and I found myself needing another nap while the others launched into a second session.A little later, I joined them again. A few clouds had rolled in, softening the wind and turning it more side-off. My friends, sensing the impending struggle, started heading back one by one. Eventually, the wind completely dropped, leaving them stranded with no power. But me, being my usual self, I wanted to enjoy every last moment. Of course, the wind died for good, and the current wasnt helping. Just a reminderthe launch spot is UPWIND of the port. So, lets just say I made it back however I could, ending up at a boat ramp a little farther down. But its all goodI walked back just in time to catch the ferry home.The return journey was much smoother, perfect for reflecting on how lucky we are to experience these kinds of adventures. Now, Ive added a new goal to my bucket list: coming back to La Dsirade for several days to camp and soak in the experience even more. And while Im at it, Id love to check out Marie-Galante, another easy-to-access satellite island of Guadeloupe full of surprises.For a different perspective, I also made a small vlog about this triplet me know if youre interested!See you soon for another adventure, CocoThe post DAY TRIPPERS: COCO FOVEAU AND MORGAN NOIREUX appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

MONTY SPINDLER: RACEBOARDBLADESMONTY SPINDLER: RACEBOARDBLADESFor Raceboard Class enthusiasts, Monty Spindler of Loftsails, offers an insight into his racing journey and the evolution of Loftsails Raceboardblades; now a dominant force in the class. He breaks down the range in detail and shares exclusive insights into the Loftsails Raceboardblade One Design.Photos: Courtesy Loftsails.RACEBOARDBLADE HISTORYGoing to doing it standing up from dingy classes, racing around a course was always in my blood. Windsurf racing back then was around yacht-style courses on big boards, which suited me! Working to develop competition raceboard sail designs came naturally. The Garda-developed ART raceboard designs in the 90s were successful as all-round competition sails. In contrast, the early Tarifa-developed Loftsails Raceboardblades were designed to the suit high wind competitions in nearby windy Cadiz.In 2016 the Loftsails Raceboardblade sail line expanded improving theRaceboardblade wind range by expanding low wind performance being the development target. The RBB evolution generated the LW, LW2 and ULW designs, each pushing light wind power without compromise to mid and upper wind range performance.THE RACEBOARD CLASSRaceboardblade competition, most closely reflects classic racing- upwind starts, tactics based on wind shifts, and as always, a premium on speed.Raceboard competitions are on the rise! I love the two raceboard modes: displacement mode (board IN the water- mast track forward, centreboard down) upwind, then a slalom board with a very long nose (board ON the water- mast track back, centreboard up) downwind there is old-school sailing beauty in raceboard windsurfing. Youth are into it stars from the T293 class.The classic sailing-style courses are an attraction, and the ability to race in low-to-no wind conditions. Old school long boards work! There are raceboard fleets growing all over- Cadiz, Germany, Japan, France and other countries.THE TEAMI have been fortunate to work with an extremely strong Loftsails Raceboard Team Joao Rodriguez, Patrik Pollak, Louis Morris and Curro Manchon- this is the raceboard sail designers dream team! Between them they have dominated international raceboard events over the past years using Loftsails Raceboardblades these guys are clear about what they need to win.THE RANGECurrently, the Loftsails current raceboard competition 9.5m2 comes in three versions:Raceboardblade Ultra-Light Wind: 5 battens, 3 cams, 554244, 550 mast rec.Raceboardblade ULW target is winning performance in 0 to 14 knots. The current ULW has more generous profile in the upper sections than earlier ULWs, which goes a step further for the bottom end. Soft; low wind power generator with trim reactivity- extending its competitive edge up into the medium wind range.Raceboardblade: 6 battens, 3 cams, 558244, 530 mast rec.The Raceboardblade 9.5, a 6-batten (3-cam) sail, offers tactical flexibility on the racecourse. Positioned between the ULW and HW sails, it is specifically designed for the middle wind range, providing optimal performance and versatility.Target: winning performance over a large wind range. Slightly firmer than the ULW, the RBB competitive wind range is 7 to 20 knots.Raceboardblade High Wind: 7 battens, 3 cams, 538 x240, 520 mast rec.When the wind picks up, the HW 9.5 sail truly shines. Taking inspiration from the light and durable LW variant, the panel layout has been optimized and the profile finely tuned for a 7-batten (3-cam) frame. The result is a sail that delivers impressive speed and stability in winds exceeding 16 knots.Raceboardblade roots! Superbly stable in a breeze. Firmest of the three, ideal in winds 12 knots and up.Raceboard QUIVERSIf a raceboard enthusiast wants to compete with one rig, I suggest considering theRaceboardblade ULW if in a light wind area, or theRaceboardblade if in a windier location.Two rigs are allowed for registry at raceboard events (3 for women and veterans), should two rigs be registered, building a quiver with theRaceboardblade ULW and theRaceboardblade HW is a powerful race option.With such a strong team, and customRaceboardblade ULWs protos produced at the Tarifa loft, development is on!Loftsails RBB design target: Effective trim sensitivitymaximum performance over the broadest wind range.Raceboardblades trimmed SOFT: deep profile & firm leech: effective 44 performance in extreme light winds. The TekCams stay in place with extreme soft trim with their special straps around the mast.Raceboardblades trimmed FIRM: slim profile & soft leech: slim & slippery for the upper end.Raceboardblademast pocket features the original Blade mast pocket design; the two pocket sides and the interior mast panel are all tensioned by the downhaul. This unique construction- loading the three layers equally- resulting in the firm, easy-rotating RBB leading edge.Raceboardbladebodies: 4mil biax windows, 3.5mil biax lower body panels, 2mil quad-axial upper body, 5mil biax mast panel, SU250 lower mast pocket, dacron upper mast panel.Raceboardbladeprofile is stability-assisted with 3 TekCams, 5 fiberglass tube and rod batten system.Raceboardblades are produced with first-quality light sail making materials and constructions and are built for longevity.Loftsails Raceboardblade One DesignPure Raceboarding CompetitionThe Raceboardblade OD integrates the extensive experience and development of the Loftsails raceboard team, delivering performance in light to medium wind conditions for both novice and experienced sailors in a competitive, light, cost-effective design. The 8.5m sail retails for around 749 at 4Boards and is great value for such a quality product.Based on the Loftsails Raceboardblade ULW range, the Raceboardblade OD retains the key profile and design elements that makes Loftsails RBBs so successful on the racecourse. Available in 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 sizes, the Raceboardblade OD mirrors the ULW range with optimized vertical curves, horizontal shapes, and leech release for excellent upwind and downwind capabilities. The OD material selection is modified to monofilm.While the OD in Raceboardblade OD stands for One Design, this designation anticipates future possibilities should the RBB OD become ubiquitous. Achieving One Design class status involves meeting specific requirements, which are currently not in place but may be pursued based on the products reception and performance.4BOARDSCustomers in the UK can order these sails through 4Boards as well as the Exocet RS V6 Carbon 380 which is a great board to accompany these sails.Loftsails Raceboardblade OD White 4boards4BOARDSLoftsailsExocet RS V6 Carbon 380The Exocet raceboard development team, consisting of Marcos Ruesch, Curro Manchon and Patrice Belbeoch, has created the most advanced and tactical design for any racecourse. Sailors competing in various conditions need the right tools to navigate challenging waters and maximize every bit of wind available. The RS V6 Carbon 380 is designed to provide these essential tools, specifically for raceboarding.Building on the initial success of the Unifiber Proteus hull but seeking to refine the construction method and shape, Marcos and Patrice aim to design a board capable of high and fast upwind performance while maintaining its effectiveness on reaching legs.The hull has been significantly rebalanced by reducing its height and increasing the volume at the stern and bow, preserving overall volume and distribution. The previous design favoured heavy riders upwind and light riders downwind. The new RS V6 Carbon 380 accommodates a wide weight range, aiding heavier riders in planning and giving lighter riders better control upwind.The RS V6 380 retains the daggerboards Pivot System, first introduced in Unifibers Proteus V1, enabling adjustments to its effective length and angle. The daggerboard itself is now longer, providing more power during light upwind legs or allowing for smaller setups in high winds. The daggerboard housing is larger to fit custom setups, and both the daggerboard and mast track have been moved two centimetres forward for better weight distribution.As a final adjustment, the fin box is moved slightly forward, giving the board a better drive when reaching.Designed and tested by passionate sailors, the new RS V6 Carbon 380 is a superbly balanced raceboard that excels in any course and in any condition.Exocet RS V6 Carbon 380LINK TO BUY AT 4BOARDSThe post MONTY SPINDLER: RACEBOARDBLADES appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Paddle UK has been awarded a Stand Up Paddling World Cup event following the International Canoe Federation (ICF) announcement in Hangzhou, China.This is the first time that an ICF Stand Up Paddling (SUP) event of this scale has been held in the UK and the first since Paddle UK was announced as the sports governing body in February 2023.The event will be held from 24-28th June 2026 on the stunning waters of the English Riviera, Torbay, which has become a go-to spot for Stand Up Paddleboarding in England.The five-day event is expected to attract around 200 of the worlds best athletes, as well as up to a thousand other paddlers. They will participate in a paddling festival that will showcase the breadth of SUP, from recreational paddlers to elite competition. The event will allow everyone to get on the water and enjoy the best of the English Riviera.Ashley Metcalfe, Chief Executive of Paddle UK, said: I am delighted that Paddle UK has successfully bid to host an international stand up paddling event within the UK. We know that stand up paddling has grown over the last five years and is hugely popular with our members and recreational paddlers. I look forward to working with key partners and stakeholders on the English Riviera to deliver an excellent event and help support the area to become the number one destination for stand up paddling.The English Riviera Business Improvement District (BID) Company and Torbay Council will support the SUP World Cup event. Cllr Jackie Thomas, Torbay Councils Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events, said: We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting the 2026 Stand Up Paddling World Cup on the English Riviera. Our beautiful Bay enjoys worldwide importance with our designation as the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, and it will be a fabulous backdrop to the events out on the water. As one of the UKs premier coastal resorts, we look forward to offering a warm welcome to the many competitors, support teams and visitors that the event will attract from around the world to our sparkling waters and award-winning beaches.We are sure they will appreciate the results of our work with partners and our whole community to deliver an ongoing exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability, water quality, safety, and beach management across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.Carolyn Custerson, CEO of English Riviera BID Company, said: We are delighted to welcome the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup to the English Riviera in 2026. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our stunning coastline to a global audience and reinforce our reputation as a premier water sports destination in the UK.

BOARD TALK: MARC PARBOARD TALK:MARC PARWhen it comes to high-performance wave sailing, Marc Par is one of the most progressive and powerful riders on the water. Whether hes charging at Hookipa, taking on brutal onshore conditions in Pozo, or testing the latest Simmer Style board designs, Marcs insights into windsurfing gear are invaluable.In our latest edition of Board Talk, Marc breaks down the evolution of Simmers G7 Flywave, shares his preferred setups for different conditions, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the development of new board designs. If youre looking to fine-tune your own gear or simply want to know what it takes to ride like a pro, read on as Marc shares his expertise.Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries / John Carter / CourtesyMarc Par.What is your height and weight?Marc Par:I am 188cm which is about 6 feet 2 inches approximately and I weigh around 82 kilos at the moment.G7 FLYWAVETell us about the G7 Flywave and how it is different to last years model!Marc Par: The new G7 Flywave has the same DNA of the original Flywave but with some some small tweaks in the tail length and the concaves in the tail section. These small changes made quite a big difference in the performance and feeling of the board. It feels more playful and it is also a bit faster overall. I would say the Flywave G7 has gained that extra little bit of easiness and playfulness, but at the same time, it has maintained the main characteristics of the old Flywave.What do you love about this board?Marc Par: The original Flywave was a board that changed the way I wave sailed. I used to look more into onshore riding. I would see Philip Koster riding his twinzers and doing all that spinny stuff. As soon as I got the Flywave, it just opened up more the wave riding, rail turning kind of sailing. The board allowed to place turns into the critical part of the wave and it would just hold in while pushing as hard as you could.That was pretty cool. Whoever has been on the board, they have always loved it. The rocker is a perfect mixture of radical and speed. On the new Flywave G7 Ola managed to keep that special feel but just add a bit more speed and playfulness to it. Theres something really magic about the Flywave design and this is one of the reasons why, even if we work on something new, I dont wan to fully get away from the magic of this shape. That is why I am just doing small tweaks on my prototypes slowly. I dont want to lose the magic we have.In what conditions do you ride the Flywaveanything from side off to onshore?Marc Par: The Flywave is pretty much my go-to board for all conditions unless the conditions are really extremely onshore. It has a very wide3 range of use. So, only by changing the fin set up a little bit, it will tackle all conditions!If I would choose the perfect conditions for it though, it would be when it is side shore, or just slightly on or offshore. Then the board comes alive in its full magic.What size Flywave would you normally ride at Hookipa on a typical day?Marc Par: If it is 4.7m conditions I would ride the 84L model. If it is more like 5m / 5.3m, a bit more float and ride, then I would go for the 90L.What size fins do you typically use and where do you have them in the boxes. When and why would you change any fin sizes and positions?Marc Par: I mostly ride thruster on the Flywave, as I find it fits my style better for most conditions. But I know Ben Proffit and others like the Flywave mostly as a quad. As the board has five boxes so can be set up either way.As a thurster I use between 17cm and 17.5cm at the rear and 10.5cm in the front. The rear sits about a cm from the front of the box, or 1cm if you measure from where the fin starts. I use them about two to two and a half fingers apart from each other. My front fins are normally quite wide in the base, so they cover the whole fin box. They just sit snug. But If I use fins with a narrower base then I would put my fins forward in the front of the box, to still get that drive.Do you use your Flywave in onshore conditions like Pozoand how would it be set up differently?Marc Par: Yes, I do! Its the board I used there for many years! For Pozo, I never really liked using thrusters, I dont know why. I find they dont seem to fit so well for those specific super strong wind conditions. So, in Pozo, I always use a quad. I feel the board sits down a bit better, and it offers a bit more controlled approached during the turns. So the fin set up I would use would be,14.5cm in the rear box and 9cm in the front.For our latest generation of boards, we released the Omnia, which is our new freewave board and the 75L is pretty damn good. So I will most likely be using that board there this Summer!Are there any particular foot strap positions you use when you set up a new board?Marc Par: For my back foot I put my strap all the way to the rear insert. Then for my front foot I put the strap in the middle insert. Thats because the Flywave has a lower entry rocker-line and being pretty tall myself, if I move my stance a little bit back and closer together, the board frees up more in the bottom turn and it becomes more turny and less tracky. But, I think the foot strap positioning is something quite personal as well. I know, for example, a lighter rider using Simmer boards, who I gave my set up to, and he preferred the front strap all the way forward. As he is not as tall or as heavy as me and then, he could dig the rail more forward and get more drive.What about the mast-track position for different conditions? Marc Par: I tend to keep mast base always in a similar position. I have it quite far back. I have the base pretty much, so it is stepping on the square of the track.THE G7 OMNIAMarc Par: From 85L and up the sizes of the G7 Omnia are coming only as a thruster, with power boxes in the rear and slot boxes in the front. The 75L comes with five slot boxes. I think overall I would ride that 75L in onshore windy conditions, like in Pozo.I have also used the 75L in Denmark on a windy day when it was side off, and I found it worked pretty well in those conditions also! I was surprised as it is a very flat board. But it bottom-turned really nicely and the top turn had something special also. That was ridden as a quad.What fin sizes do you use for the Omnia in quad mode?Marc Par: I use my standard quad set up of 14.5cm and 9cm for the Omnia. I set it up with the back foot all the way back and I try to line up the fins as much as I can underneath my back foot. I find with a flat rocker tail, you want to move the fins a bit more forward so the board can release a bit more and gets more loose.G7 QUANTEXWhen would you bring out the G7 Quantex?Marc Par: I would use the Quantex when conditions get really onshore, like Sylt. I had an 85L Quantex last summer and I was using it a bunch in Gran Canaria, when it was 4.5m to 5m weather. It is quite a wide board, so I find you can use less volume for its width, so it has a nice range of use in those conditions. That width, makes it really beneficial to keep speed and landing moves, as it makes it a lot more stable.How much are you involved in the design process?Marc Par : I have been quite involved with the development of the Flywave and all the boards. That is my role in the company and I have been going to the office quite a bit to work together with Thomas and Ola. The first models of the Flywave, were six or seven years ago, when we brought that shape into production. It has been a very successful board. This year we made a bit of an upgrade to it.The Quantex shape was a mix between two boards, that used to be in the range; The Quantum, which was the all-round wave board and the Cortex, which was the compact shape. When they put the Quantex into production I was not on the team at that stage, so I was not involved in it.We have now been working on some pretty cool new designs on the side, which I hope will see light in the near future. Some are based on the current Flywave and some are a completely new design, which makes it super interesting! Right now, the plan is; as soon as the onshore season starts, then we are going to start building some prototypes to upgrade the Quantex at some point in the future!If you went on a trip, what is the typical quiver of boards you would take on your next trip to Chile?Marc Par: I would take my Flywave 92L and the Flywave 85L, just for a training trip. I will take these boards next time I go. I will take some of the prototype boards I am trying also. I want to try them there next to the existing boards in the range. So, I will be taking double sizes lets say.If you had to choose a quiver of four boards to cover all conditions, what would they be!Marc Par: I think I would go Flywave 92L, Flywave 85L and the Quantex 92L and the Omnia 75L. I think that would cover everything for me. The Flywave 85L I can sail it with really strong winds also. With that quiver I cover everything I need.What changes can we expect for 2026?Marc Par: Normally, Simmer work in generations. So now we are at generation 7. This is what is going to stick for a while. Considering that we are working on some pretty interesting concepts, we could see a single product being released in the range. It might still be part of the same generation, but the range might change a little bit. If we come up with something magic, then we might put it in production instead of just waiting.SIMMER STYLEThe post BOARD TALK: MARC PAR appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.