The post Starboard Twin fin First Look Its crazy light! appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.

JOSEP PONS: UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIALJOSEP PONS: UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIALFrom learning the basics in Menorca to charging the wind-blasted coastline of Gran Canaria, Josep Pons has spent a lifetime chasing wind and waves. With over two decades of experience on the water and a deep background in sports science, hes not just a world-class windsurfer; hes one of the sports most respected coaches, helping everyone from weekend warriors to professional athletes unlock their full potential. In this interview, Josep shares how it all started, what drives his training philosophy, and why mastering the basics might just be the secret to going big.Tell us a bit about your background, where you are from and how you got into windsurfing?JP: Although Ive been living in Gran Canaria for over 23 years, I was born in Menorca in 1984. As a child, my parents would take me on a Mistral Windsurfer along the islands pristine beaches. When I was 9, I asked them to teach me how to sail, and from that moment on, I went from being a passenger to giving rides to all my cousins in those same waters. At first, I only sailed in summer, but by the time I was 11, I started going in the water all year round. From then on, there was no turning back, I quit all other sports to sail every windy day.Where do you live in Gran Canaria?JP: I live in Playa de Arinaga, just north of Pozo Izquierdo. Its that town you see in the background of Pozo photos, behind the pier. A quiet place, but really close to the action.Tell us about your training and how you got into it?PONS TRAININGJP: Training has always been one of my passions. Since I was 16, I knew I wanted to study Sports Science, and even back at university I was already thinking about how to apply what I was learning to windsurfing. As soon as I graduated, I started giving advanced coaching. Most people came asking about the forward loop, and over time I specialized to the point of even coaching professional riders.Do you train guys both on and off the water?JP: Yes, I combine both. On the physical side, I work on improving the windsurfers or athletes capacities so they can perform better on the water, improve their technique, and sail with more control and less fatigue. The fitter you are, the more fun you have out thee and the lower your injury risk. Most of these training sessions are done online, through a platform that lets me coach people from all over the world.And then there are the technical coaching sessions on the water. We work on everything from stance, early planing, and basic jumps to complex moves like the push loop forwards or doubles. I love helping all levels, from beginners to pros.How would you manage a typical coaching session?JP: Each session is different because I adapt completely to what each person needs. I always start with a short theory section to lay the groundwork. Then we go into the water so I can observe how the client sails and make an initial analysis. From there, I build a plan with specific drills to improve their technique, both in and out of the water.We often go back to the basics first in order to progress more efficiently. We also film the session so I can provide real-time corrections, and at the end, I give all the clips to the student to review and visualize at home.Getting out of the water, analysing and then going back in is key to improving. Many people think stepping out is a waste of time, but thats actually when the biggest breakthroughs happen.What are the main skills you are teaching your clients?JP: Most people come to learn the forward loop (around 80%), about 15% for the back loop and the rest to improve their wave riding or general sailing. But regardless of what theyre looking for, I always work on overall sailing technique: from stance and planning, to jibes and tacks. Sometimes I think theyre going to get sick of all my corrections, but in the end, they appreciate it! Hahaha.How does it work with the microphone on the rider, what sort of tips are you giving?JP: I use a system called BBTalkin, which allows Bluetooth communication up to a nautical mile. Both the student and I wear microphones and headsets, so we can talk throughout the entire session.It allows real-time interaction: I can correct technique, suggest which wave to catch, or guide them from the outside with a clearer view of whats happening. Its like having a coach right next to you at all times; it really builds confidence.How long have you been riding for Point7?POINT-7 | The Darkside of WindsurfJP: Since 2019. Im super happy with them, both the team vibe and the sail performance are top-notch. Its a very close and professional team.Are you also involved in the design and testing?Windsurfing Wave SailJP: Yes, Im in charge of testing wave gear. I work directly with Andrea, giving feedback and helping fine-tune the gear until we find the right balance between control, comfort and reactivity. We want the sails to work for both newcomers and those chasing radical moves.What are the main events you compete at personally?JP: Id love to do the whole tour, but right now I cant manage everything. This year, I plan to compete in Pozo and if Tenerife is back on the calendar, Ill be there too.Do you have ambitions personally as a windsurfer?JP: Absolutely. Im always looking to improve. If I can do a move higher, cleaner, or smoother, Ill work hard to make it happen. And as a coach, my goal is to help windsurfing grow, to get more people into it and to help the pros push the level. Id love to be part of taking windsurfing to the next level.What are your favourite manoeuvres and why?JP: If I had to choose between jumping or wave riding, Id go for wave riding but in Gran Canaria, with so much wind, you end up jumping more.I love a good turn on a critical section with side-offshore wind. But I also love it when you go in for a bottom turn planning to hit the lip, and you end up launching an aerial off the lip instead thats epic.When it comes to jumping, I focus a lot on getting height so I can throw more powerful moves. One that really gets my adrenaline going is the stall double at good height pure stoke.Do you get asked by a lot of pros for coaching?JP: Yes, they always have. For a few years, when I was doing the full tour, I stopped offering it, because in the end, it felt like I was shooting myself in the foot. But now that Im no longer competing in every event, I really enjoy being able to help others improve. I honestly love it.Throughout my career, Ive worked with riders like Marc Par, Jaeger Stone, Robby Swift, Marcilio Browne, Moritz Mauch, Julian Salomon, Mike Friedl, Sol, Pauline, and many more.Marc Par is a true example to follow. A full-on athlete, dedicated, focused and with a clear vision. He does everything he possibly can (and more) to keep improving. Years ago, I helped him with the double forward. Now he lands it better than I ever could hes a phenomenon! If I remember correctly, we also worked on the push loop forward. This year, I helped him out at a few events, specifically in Tenerife and Sylt. Mostly in a caddie role, but always analyzing everything; his technique, how to polish his wave riding, etc. Truth is, hes got everything very much under control, but he always appreciates having an outside perspective to keep pushing.Robby Swift and Marcilio Browne are also great examples of hard work and dedication. When they came to Gran Canaria for the event, they liked to keep up with their physical training, and on several occasions they trained out of the water with me. It was an honour to support them.Jaeger Stone, whos no longer on the full world tour, is another great example. He was always one of the first to get in the water; super focused and committed. He trained hard and paid attention to every detail. At that time, he was struggling to land the double forward and the push loop forward, and he asked for help. I remember perfectly how much progress he made in just a couple of sessions. That year, at the Pozo event, he did really well. He landed one of the best push loop forwards of the whole competition. A rider with a great mindset and a real hunger to keep learning.Last year, Mike Friedl senior returned to competition and joined the Masters World Tour. He has always taken great care of his physical training, but he wanted to win the world title, and he asked for help to improve his windsurfing on the water. And he did itcongrats to him! After a year of hard work, both technically and tactically on the water and outside of it, he improved a lot. Were still working together this year, always with the same desire to progress.There are many more riders Ive helped throughout their careers, but the list would be too long. I hope they all continue to improve and enjoy this incredible sport that is windsurfing.Thanks to all of you for your trust!What are the most common wave sailing mistakes you see from wannabbee wave sailors?JP: The most common one is wanting to run before learning how to walk. Many want to try forwards or back loops without having solid control of the basic jump. Others want to surf waves without knowing how to tack or gybe properly. Even I, still keep working on my gybes and basic jumps to improve more advanced manoeuvres. Going back to the fundamentals is always key to making real progress.How important is the training off the water to help you with your skills on the water?Training with Josep Pons | BLOG | POINT-7JP: Its very important. The truth is, many people dont give it the value it deserves, but solid off-the-water training makes a huge difference when youre out there sailing. And this becomes even more evident as the conditions get tougher.Its essential to work on strength, cardiovascular endurance, and mobility, always with a program adapted to your specific needs. A well-structured training plan will not only make you feel more agile, fluid, and confident on the water, but it will also help you prevent injuries. Youll have better control over your gear and, most importantly, after a physically demanding manoeuvre or situation, youll recover faster and be ready to keep performing at your best.For example, after a long and powerful wave ride, a heavy wipe out, or any situation that pushes you to your physical limit, your heart rate spikes and you feel maxed out. But if youre well-conditioned, youll recover more quickly and be ready to paddle back out, hit another jump, or simply continue sailing more comfortably.Thats why I created an online training program specifically designed for windsurfers. Through it, I help riders improve their physical condition so they can feel a real difference when they hit the water.Theres also one aspect of off-the-water training that I consider key: dry-land technical work. Im talking about both visualization and specific exercises to learn the technical movements of different manoeuvres. Its not just about watching yourself in videos or studying tutorialsits about training the movement itself. I focus a lot on this in the programs I offer, many of which are online, allowing me to coach riders from anywhere in the world.Tell us about your windsurfing camps?JP: Sure! Its a part of my job that I truly enjoy. Being surrounded by people who share the same passion for windsurfing creates a very special energy. While I share all my knowledge and experience with them, I also learn a lot from each participant. Their enthusiasm is contagious.I usually run three-day camps with small groups of up to 10 people. Although the levels vary, that actually enriches the whole learning process. Everyone works on their own goals and manoeuvres but also learns by observing and listening to the feedback given to others. Often, tips on how to improve something like planing, a jibe, or more advanced moves like the forward or back loop are helpful for the entire group.The structure of the camp is very complete. We always start with a meeting where we break down the manoeuvres each person wants to improve. I explain the technique in detail and use video analysis to help them understand each movement better.Next, we do dry land practice. This is a key part of the process. If you cant perform a movement correctly on land, its very unlikely youll manage it in the water. These exercises help me identify common mistakes even before the riders hit the water, which saves a lot of frustration later on.Then we go to the water to apply everything weve worked on. During the session, I give each rider personalized feedback and record them on video to review later. The video analysis is done as a group, and its a very enriching experience. We often have discussions, questions, and different perspectives that help everyone learnnot just the riders, but also myself as a coach.Each person learns in their own way, so my goal is always to adapt and make sure everyone fully understands what they need to do. These camps are three intense days, but also highly motivating and transformative. Its a real learning experience, on and off the board.The post JOSEP PONS: UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

BAREFOOT: DUDU LEVIBAREFOOT: DUDU LEVIExperience the raw and personal journey of Dudu Levi as he navigates a challenging chapter in his life. At the height of his career, Dudu was unexpectedly called back into military service for five months; only to suffer a broken foot during competition shortly after. Grappling with physical and emotional setbacks, he eventually found healing in the wind and waves of Jericoacoara. Barefoot is the powerful documentary he created from that period in Brazil; check it out!Dudu Levi:BAREFOOT The Full MovieAt the end of September 2023, I came back home from a long windsurfing trip. I was at the peak of my career, windsurfing better than ever. But on the darkest and most painful morning of October 7th, without any warning, everything changed. All my plans were gone, and I was called back to the army for five months The hardest and saddest chapter of my life. I believe it was the same for most Israelis. After that, I decided that once itll be over, I would travel again, windsurf as much as possible, and clear my head. I entered a windsurfing competition and broke my foot. Once again, all my plans changed. When I began to recover, I decided that I would travel to Brazil, Jericoacoara, a place where the wind never stops over the season. I dreamed of living by the sea, eating well, sleeping well, and windsurfing every day. Thats how the story for this film came together. The idea for the film was born from the collection of videos I had gathered during my trip, amazing shots by Felix Volkhardt. I started playing around with the footage, mixing with some moments from the past year that eventually led me to Brazil. So heres the film. I hope you enjoy watching it Remember, the most important thing is to love, to share love, and never fight against it.Thanks Starring: Dudu Levi Directed and written by: Dudu leviMain filmer: Felix Volkhardt additional footage:Timothy Cowen Mothy Media Adam Sims AALVAA media Merlin Libicky Maarten MolenaarAnimation: Nadav VofsiVoiceover record: Oran LoyferThe post BAREFOOT: DUDU LEVI appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

GET DFI READY WITH JORDY VONK!ARE YOU READY FOR IT?: THEDFIWIND 2025!GET DFI READY WITH JORDY VONK!Get set for one of the worlds most intense and exhilarating windsurfing events; the legendary Dfi Wind Gruissan is fast approaching! Pro rider Jordy Vonk takes us behind the scenes with exclusive insights on what to expect, his go-to gear setups, and how to mentally and physically prepare for 40km of relentless racing on the water.We also hear from Franck Roguet, who has been involved in organizing the Dfi Wind since day one. He shares expert tips, insider knowledge, and what participants can look forward to at this years epic edition of the event!Photos: Courtesy Jean Souville, Dfi Wind and Jordy Vonk.GET DEFI READY: JORDY VONKWHAT TO EXPECT!Jordy VonkBe ready for sore muscles and goosebumps. Windsurfing alongside 1,400 people is an unforgettable experience, and for me, a must-do event for any windsurfer in the world. I dont just do it to chase a result; I do it for the vibe. The energy of theDfi is proof that windsurfing is very much alive. The event will kick off in a few weeks on May 25th to the 1st of June, with the windsurf races on the 29th-1st!HOW MUCH GEAR CAN YOU BRING?As much as you want! I usually prep several boards and sails to stay ready for the ever-changing Tramontana winds. The Defi allows gear from any discipline or era, so bring whatever works for you. With 1,400 riders on the water, youll see every setup imaginable.THE RACEIts a one-hour countdown announced on the stage in the event area. After that, check-out is open: you go through a gate on the beach with your transponder, meaning youre heading out on the water. Forget this and you wont get a result! I always recommend preparing your gear before the countdown or skippers meeting, because this hour can pass quickly when youre under stress.Once you head out to the starting line, you realize how hectic it is. 1,400 people on the water is never easy. If youre on a foil, I recommend starting low. That makes the first reach easier to manage, as youll be going slightly upwind. If youre on a fin, start in the middle or higher. What matters most is having speed. Its better to start a little later or higher or lower than planned, but try to be planing, rather than floating in a group of people waiting for the boat to pass.I always like to push hard on the first reach to break free from the pack. Never too much, of course, or youll suffer later in the race. I usually push on the second, third, or fourth reach at critical moments like when I need to pass a lot of people or deal with a wind hole and I relax when Im in free wind and water.Besides that, I always stay alert to avoid collisions. Know the basic rules (starboard and port tack), and remember: if youre faster, its your responsibility to keep clear. At the gybe, make sure you dont gybe into someone else and try to maintain your speed. Its better to go a little farther to get clear wind and water, rather than gybing directly around the mark or boat, unless you clearly have the opportunity, in which case thats the fastest way.Once your race is done, drink a beer to celebrate. (Okay, maybe not if theres another race coming up!) Drink electrolytes and eat something, this will fuel you for the next race!FRANCK ROGUETThere are few people who have more knowledge about the Defi than Franck Roguet who has been with event organizer Phillipe Bru as part of his team throughout the Defi Wind history. Francky gives us his top five tips for riders taking part in the 2025 Defi!TRAMONTANAThe local dominant wind in Gruissan is Tramontana. Tramontana is a strong NW off-shore wind, It never blows light, expect anything from 20 to 45 knots. You have either no wind or Tram that starts straight away above 20 knots. That is the wind minimum to start a race at Defi to make sure every participants have potential to have fun full planing with 1400 sails around. You dont need to bring big gear unless you want to take part to unofficial fun races if the wind comes from the wrong direction, easterly. In that case, its a light on shore breeze that raises immediately non stop waves with short period.RABBIT STARTAll racers start together on the same starting line. A 60 minutes countdown is given at the briefing when Tramontana materialises. The goal is to start full speed when the rabbit boat opens the starting line at 00:00 flying from the pin end to the upwind side of the 800 meters long line. It takes approximately 45 secondes to open the entire line from the outside to the beach mark. Use the full length of the run up to start from a distance a get clean wind. Do not stand on the line waiting for the count down to roll. The best riders will cover the distance in about 40 minutes, the last ones in more than 3 hoursSTARTING OPTIONSIf you want to start sharp at 00:00, youll have to sail outside where it is well choppy with a touch of tight reach to mark 1 which is 10 km away. Youll be with the most of the pros who want to have clear wind and away from the crowd. If you want to take it easy and sail on flat water, stay on the upper side of the startline. Youll have to set your clock to 61 minutes to avoid starting too early which would be a complete disaster: in any case, you better be 30 seconds late planing than 5 seconds early, having to stop and ending covered by a massive curtain of a thousand sails for 5 minutesGEARIt is a long distance. Reaches are never-ending on the same leg. It burns! Go on the water as soon as the countdown is given to try the conditions and your gear. Come back to the beach, drink, relax and make sure you are not late to join the starting area. If your goal is just to complete the distance, take easy going gear and sail on energy saving mode. If you want to beat your mate, take freerace gear but nothing too powerful. In a light wind Defi (20-25 knots), expert on slalom gear will go with 6.5, 67 wide board/110 liters and 32 cm fin. Sometime, the Tramontana shifts North or West which means you may have to point upwind on one tack. In that case, choose a 34 cm. A real Defi runs in 35-45 knots: go as small as you can!CHECKSWith strong off-shore wind, youll have to follow some safety rules. Any competitor leaving the beach to start a race must sign in to enter the race, and sign out as soon as back on the beach, wether finishing the race or abandoning. Youll be equipped with a chip not a tracker that locates you through multiple gates: leaving the beach at the check in station, at mark 1, on the finish line, and at the check out station on the beach. Organisers keep a strong eye on all entrants and want to make sure everybody is safe back on the beach. Last but not least, make sure your gear is in good condition, most of the rescues on the first race are due to equipment failure such as broken UJ. Check your harness lines, ropes, When every details are sorted, youll enjoy even more your races and more than anything, the traditional evening beer torrent!GEAR CHOICES FOR DIFFERENT WIND SPEEDSJORDY VONKThis year, Ill be racing on fin only. Heres my setup for different conditions:20 knots: 7.8 sail + 116L board25 knots: 6.8 + 116L30 knots: 6.8 + 99L35 / 40 knots: 5.8 + 99L45 knots: 5.0 + 99L50 knots: 5.0 + 90L!DEFI SETUP TIPSComfort = Speed.Trim your gear so the sail feels light in your hands and the board flies smoothly without going wild.KEY SETUP TIPS:Harness Lines: Use adjustable lines. If the wind picks up mid-race, lengthening them gives more control.Mast Track: Move it slightly forward. This reduces aggressiveness while still keeping the board airborne over chop.Outhaul System: A must-have for free-race / slalom gear. Loosening increases power; tightening gives control.Fin Choice: Dont go too small! The race often involves upwind angles, so use your regular fin or even 1cm bigger for better control and positioning.FITNESS & TRAININGIf this is your first 40 km non-stop race, it will be tough! Start building up your endurance now: train with long sessionsaim to hit 40 km in one go, take a break, and do another 40 if possible. No wind? Hit the gym! Strength and endurance work will pay off massively to handle the Defi.WETSUIT & SAFETY GEARI recommend a short-arm wetsuit, it keeps you warm while reducing fatigue in your lower arms. For cooler days, I use a 4/3 short-arm, which is always warm enough in South France this time of year.HELMET OR IMPACT VEST?A helmet is mandatory for foiling, optional for fin, but I recommend both. With so many people around, they offer peace of mindand that can boost your performance.DUOTONE IDEAL RIG SETUPSAMATEUR FREERIDERBoard: BLASTSail: E_PACE SLSThis combo is fast, stable, and super comfortableperfect for enjoying the race without stress.EXTREME WIND CONDITIONS (40+ KNOTS)Board: ULTRA FREEWAVESail: DUKEAt this stage, its about survival, not performance. This setup prioritizes control when the wind is howling.SEMI-FAST AMATEUR FREERACEBoard: JAGSail: S_PACE (3-cam free-race sail)The JAG is incredibly fast and less aggressive than a full-on race board. Pair it with a slightly smaller free-race sail for easier handling over long distances.PRO FIN & FOIL SETUPFin Division: FALCON + WARPFoil Division: FALCON FOIL + WARP FOILThis is the gear capable of winning the Defi Wind. If youre aiming for the top, this is what youll neednow its up to you to deliver!WANT TO BE FULLY PREPARED?We still have 23 spots open for the Defi Wind Experience!Train, tune, and race with us: https://surf-center.com/defiwindOfficial website below:THE DEFIThe post GET DFI READY WITH JORDY VONK! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

SIMMERSTYLE FLYWAVE G7, OMNIA AND WAVE SAIL RANGE: REVIEW WITH MARC PARSIMMERSTYLE FLYWAVE G7, OMNIA AND WAVE SAIL RANGE: REVIEW WITH MARC PARMarc Pare visited the Surfers Varberg shop in Sweden to give his in depth insights on all the latest Simmerstyle equipment including the Flywave G7 the new Omnia and the 2025 Blacktip and Evoq wave sails.We where honoured to have Marc Par in the shop talking us through the Flywave G7 and the brand new model Omnia Freewave wave boards as well as the new wave sail range!SIMMERSTYLE FLYWAVE G7 & OMNIA 2025 REVIEW WITH MARC PARSIMMERSTYLE BLACKTIP & EVOQ 2025 REVIEW WITH MARC PARSimmer Style | Windsurfingwww.surfers.seVarberg, SwedenThe post SIMMERSTYLE FLYWAVE G7, OMNIA AND WAVE SAIL RANGE: REVIEW WITH MARC PAR appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

2XS: UKS NO1 WINDSURF AND WINGFOIL RENTAL CENTRE2XS: UKS NO1 WINDSURF AND WINGFOIL RENTAL CENTRELooking to ride the latest 2025 windsurf and wingfoil gear at one of the UKs top south coast spots? 2XS at West Wittering is your go-to destination for premium rentals, perfect conditions and top-notch facilities. More details below:At 2XS West Wittering we have the best hire gear for windsurfing and wing foiling in the UK!Our Centre has a full line up of brand new 2025 gearGoya Windsurfing boards and sails; Ezzy sails; Duotone foils, wings and boards; KT foils and boards and Axis foils. We have a flat-water trench for blasting at low tide; and waves at mid and high tide. We have at the 2XS Club which has changing rooms with showers, rescue service, lifeguards and West Wittering has been awarded a Blue Flag beach for the last 20 years for water quality.We have rentals by the hour and hire packages for the season which is the cheapest way to use our 2025 gear.https://www.2xs.co.uk/club/hire/Call us on Tel: 01243-513077Email: tuition@2xs.co.ukThe post 2XS: UKS NO1 WINDSURF AND WINGFOIL RENTAL CENTRE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

MOROCCO MADNESS: LUCAS MELDRUMMOROCCO MADNESS: LUCAS MELDRUMJoin Lucas Meldrum as he heads out to Morocco to take part in the epic 3 Star Moulay Wave Classic in Morocco. The conditions were wild and the action was off the scale, so get ready for some rocket airs and massive hits!Lucas Meldrum: Headed to Moulay, Morocco with Valter Videnieks for the 3 Star WWT PWA. Conditions were epic, watch to find out whatt happend. Enjoy The post MOROCCO MADNESS: LUCAS MELDRUM appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

ANTOINE ALBERT: FREESTYLE IN PARADISE!ANTOINE ALBERT: FREESTYLE IN PARADISE!Summer in stunning New Caledonia has been nothing short of spectacular, and Antoine Albert is here to prove it with an epic recap video showcasing some of his best freestyle sessions of the season. Crystal-clear turquoise waters, radical tricks, and boat trips to uninhabited atollsLifes looking pretty sweet when youre living the dream in paradise! And just when you think it couldnt get any better, word has it Antoine just scored an unforgettable wave session out on the outer reefs. Now we are jealous!Antoine Albert: Recap video from a summer at home filled with plenty of freestyle training sessions around Noumea!The post ANTOINE ALBERT: FREESTYLE IN PARADISE! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.