PIERRE MORTEFON: CONQUERING THE CANARIES!PIERRE MORTEFON: CONQUERING THE CANARIES!When defending world champion Pierre Mortefon was forced to swap his perfectly dialled Phantom and FMX setup for new NeilPryde sails mid-season, it could have been a recipe for disaster. Instead, the French slalom ace turned the challenge into triumph, staying in the Canary Islands to master his new gear and storming to back-to-back event wins in Fuerteventura and Tenerife. We caught up with Pierre to uncover the formula behind his unstoppable run.WINDSURF: How nervous were you having to start racing on NeilPryde sails after you were so tuned before with Phantom and FMX?PM: For sure it was not the best scenario when you are fully tuned, But I had to change gear. First of all, it was cool to discuss a situation with the Pryde Team before the Fuerteventura event started. I wanted to solve the problem before the beginning of the races; to be sure to have efficient time between the event so I could get tunned on the new equipment.I had a chance to try the sail right after Fuerteventura event with Robert Stroj, the sail designer from Pryde (He brought the sail to me personally). Then I decided to stay in the Canaries in between the events. I had a good team with me to help me discover the sail on the water and also spend time on the shore learning how to tune them. We had three days of training before Tenerife started. It was an efficient few days. I knew the sail were fast but for sure situation was not ideal. But I managed to start the event focussed and happy. It paid off with a victory on the inaugural race.WINDSURF: How did the sails work as a combo with your FMX boardswhat sails did you ride in Tenerifeand what size boards and fins etc?PM: Before I made my choice on what sails I would choose; I had plenty of conversations with Finian Maynard from FMX. Neilpryde came out as the right choice they were working great with my boards which I knew were really fast. In Tenerife, I sailed 6.5m with 98L and 118L and 7.4m with the 118L during training. On racing days, I was just using 118L and the 7.4m. To go more in details with the fins I was using 33 FINISH fins on the 98L and 36 on the 118L.WINDSURF: How tough was the light wind racing out there in the swell and waves?PM: On one side it was good to finally race on medium board after two years of extreme strong wind. On the other side, it was sometimes very light and we would have normally raced with big boards and 8.5m in some of the conditions with the previous format.Lighter wind is different; you have less space for mistakes and more of the other racers are as fast I would say. The gybe was super important and not easy. The sea and swell riding was super important and it was good to use the swell and sometimes really hard too. Like I said before, last two years we were sailing in more than 30 knots every day and also, I think during our training at home when its 15/17 knots we are often on foil. We were just not really ready to race in such light wind!WINDSURF: Did you feel like you were one of the fastest on the water?PM: I think I was. For sure to win an event on tour you have to be fast but sometimes the skills can be enough. I think this year I showed again my speed and also showed it can make different at crucial moments. On the other hand, I also had some great gybes around the mark (and some mistakes). What is super important and also what I am proud of, is that I was fast with every single combo I was sailing, in light, medium and strong wind.WINDSURF: How important was reading the waves and swell at the gybes?PM: Reading the swell was more than 50% of gybe! What is not easy is that you can be the best at reading the conditions but if you arrive with the wrong timing under pressure sometimes you have no choice but to go But yes, it was super important to use the wave on the gybes but also on straight line and during the build up to the starts.WINDSURF: You won both events in the Canary Islands. what do you think is setting you apart from the competitiongearskillmental sidestrength??PM: Its big puzzle where you need to place all those cards at the right place at the right moment! Its not easy to win! I have now a lot of experience on dealing with all situations, on preparing for the race and during the event. It is all of these factors making the difference. I also have an important motivation because I am away from home and my little family for long period of time and I dont want to do it for nothing. On top of that, I am loving what I am doing! Competing at the highest level is amazing.WINDSURF: Do you wish you had more racing in Tenerifewe saw a few guys complaining?PM: For sure you always want more, especially when you want to climb in the rankings. We were not so lucky with the conditions and we also know that the Grand Slam events are always tricky in terms of organisation. We know in all honestly that the racing discipline always uses the less than perfect conditions of those weeks of competition. It has been like this since I am on tour and in Sylt for example many times we sailed the worst conditions, while the wave rider had the best ones. Its like this and for sure it can be frustrating and I know the feeling.Mixing disciplines is definitely not easy to organise. Maybe we could have squeezed in one more elimination in total. But again, a validated event with waves and racing discipline on the forecast we had before the event is something incredible.WINDSURF: How happy are you to win in Tenerifewin the world title and do it two years in a row?PM: I am extremely happy and satisfied for various reasons! I think I sailed consistently all over the summer. I made few mistakes, but I sailed fast and dealt once again with some things out of my control. Once again, I love what I do, now its my world title number four and its back-to-back slalom titles! I am proud to offer happiness to my team, my family and sponsors who help me to be here now!SOME QUOTES FROM SOCIAL MEDIAFINIAN MAYNARD FMXNormally I wasnt so involved anymore after my announcement to step back last year. But after 6-months away truth is I started to miss the game and designing/r&d/product creation/team manager. Then things really changed when I got a call from Pierre about his injury before Defi. There was uncertainty to his recovery and it was a race to get fit in time for Fuerte and I wanted to support. His willpower and work ethic were strong and his preparation was complete just before leaving home.Then the news dropped about Phantom and everything became uncertain again. It was around then that I decided to come back into the brand to upgrade the whole collection for 2026. A lot of the motivation was also to help Pierre what I could with this tricky situation. Lots of comms in order to let him compete in Fuerte with the gear he knew knowing that he would have to switch sails for Tenerife. This life dynamic is a hard one to deal with, but he handled it like a champion, always staying cool and collected and ready for the job on the land & water, which he did impeccably, winning both Canaries PWA slalom events. Thoroughly impressed by these achievements, the mark of the man.Then flying into TF last minute and taking a taxi directly to the event site and 10 min. later was the announcement that he won the title, killer timing! The celebration was a lot of fun and it was a real pleasure to be there on-site to watch PM lift the trophy.PIERRE MORTEFONThe last three months have been epic in terms of emotions!After GPE I spent a lot of time training. The Tram was blowing hard, a lot of fun, and everything was ready for the Defi Fin in May. My gear, especially my boards, were working amazingly.2 days before the event I injured my calf. The result: 6 weeks of rehab work. By July I managed to be fit in time for Fuerte PWA, but the plan had to be strict. I sailed a few times at home and was feeling good. Then, the day before leaving, I found out I couldnt use the Phantom sails because of missed payments. After talking with PWA, it was fine for Fuerte, but not for Tenerife. This was not an easy situation to deal with! Luckily, I had strong support at home and from my partners. Along with Finian from FMX, experienced rider, we worked on the best plan to stay strong and keep my Slalom World Title.Fuerte was an intense event, one of the hardest Ive ever sailed, with the conditions, the situation, and coming back from injury! I was feeling stronger with time. A win there was just a dream and I was more than happy! Right after the closing ceremony I was back on the water with the NP sails. With the help of the designer, I got to know my new tools for the next event.Instead of flying home to rest between events, I stayed to train with a great group of French riders. 3 days sailing in TF, I was ready. 1st race, 1st victory! My board/sail combo was perfect, and I was fully in the zone. The plan was clear: keep the title and bring home the cup.Im really proud of these new victories, but even more of the way they happened. I feel great being surrounded by a strong team and loving more than ever what Im doing even if sometimes, its tough!Last day in TF was cool, 1st time for me sharing a podium and ceremony with a brand manager, means a lot about motivation & implications!The post PIERRE MORTEFON: CONQUERING THE CANARIES! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

The post Audi 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Trkiye appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.

The post Charlie Head Embarks on Solo SUP Vortex Crossing to the Faroe Islands appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.

ADAM WARCHOL: SHREDDING IN GRAN CANARIAADAM WARCHOL: SHREDDING IN GRAN CANARIAWatch Adam Warchol tear it up across a variety of spots in Gran Canaria, captured by filmmaker and talented photographer, Jens Hogenkamp. Adam is not only a skilled sailor but also a rising talent youll want to keep an eye on for the future on the PWA world tour.The post ADAM WARCHOL: SHREDDING IN GRAN CANARIA appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Stand-up paddleboarding the ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.Words by Hannah WebbImages supplied by Nicki Douglas-Lee & the DW teamIts no secret that the SUP community has been booming in the last few years. Its popularity has been surging among the paddlesport industry, and so too in the racing scene. With the substantial increase in people racing SUP boards around the world, the ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race added a SUP Class to the race on a trial basis for 2025.Two paddlers entered the SUP class for 2025 Paddy McCormack and Emily King. It was a leap into the unknown for both paddlers, with neither of them having taken on the four-day race before, but despite their lack of experience in the event itself, both completed the four-day event.Given the success of the trial class in 2025, the SUP class has now been added as a formal class for 2026, and as Emily King explains, its a race well worth undertaking for any SUP paddlers interested in marathon racing.Deciding to take on the challengeKings SUP journey began 16 years ago when the first SUP boards entered the UK, and before its popularity boomed. Because I live by the sea, and had been surfing, it was a new toy for me, King recalls. And unlike most of my peers, I could stand up on a board. I took up watersports for the first time at 35 years old when I moved to Wales. Anyone can do anything.After hearing about the ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race or DW as it is affectionately known through a colleague, King had the race firmly on her radar, keeping an ear out for any information about the potential addition of SUP to the stages.And once the DW committee announced that SUPs would be allowed to take part in the race, King immediately started to investigate if it was an event she realistically could tackle.I said to my husband, Id quite like to do this, can you help me make sense of the rule book to see if this is doable? I had to look at whether I could put a training plan in place and whether I could reasonably meet the cut-off times. Did I have the skill set to keep me safe? You have to believe you can do it.Once King decided the challenge of the race was one that would be achievable while pushing her to her limit, it was time to start training for the race.As you know, the water and weather have their own idea about things, King explained. I had to do destruction tests to see whether I could sustain my pace in the worst conditions, and due to the multi-day nature of the event, how well I could recover.It wasnt just about Kings own ability, though. Support crews play a vital role in the DW, feeding paddlers every hour or so along the course. They drive ahead, meet their crew at a portage, provide them with the necessary nutrition, and ensure theyre well hydrated. Once theyve checked that their crew is safe to continue, they drive down to the next stop to do it all over again.Its a challenge in its own right, but with Kings husband and son stepping in to be her support crew, it made it an event that was capable of including the whole family over Easter. My husband and son were my support crew, so it was a proper family event! The crew is equally as important as the paddlers; its very inclusive.During the raceThe DW takes place over the Easter bank holiday weekend every year. Senior Doubles tackle the 125-mile race in one hit, starting on Easter Saturday and racing right through the day and night until they reach Westminster on Easter Sunday, taking on average between 24-26 hours to complete the race.But the Stages Race is different. The Stages Race is made up of several classes, including Senior Singles, Junior Doubles, Junior/Veteran, Endeavour and now SUPs. They start their race on the morning of Good Friday and race 34 miles to Newbury. Competitors stop overnight and then restart on Saturday, paddling all the way to Marlow on the River Thames, before paddling from there to Teddington on the Saturday. Then on Easter Monday, competitors paddle the final stretch to Barn Elms Rowing Club opposite Fulham Football Club.Its one of the toughest races anyone can do in the UK, and is one of the most unique in the world, being the only race where competitors paddle on canal, river and tidal water in one event. Its therefore natural that paddlers feel a few nerves before setting off, and King was no different.I dont usually suffer from nerves, but this was the one that I did feel nervous about, King explained. I had a brand new board that was only 20 inches wide. You dont really want to change anything on your race day. I also knew that I would have to change my thoughtprocesses throughout the day, which would be difficult.The weather was the biggest factor playing on everyones minds with the addition of the SUP class, and King was also mindful of it.SUPs are made for good conditions, so I was used to being battered, said King. We are effectively a sail, and even on the canals, waves were being pushed up against us. But we train to tolerate the pain.It wasnt just the conditions that made things difficult for King. During the race, competitors need to navigate 77 portages. Given the layout of a SUP board, they arent the easiest things to continuously lift out of the water, with King explaining that, Lifting a 14ft board above my head was hard, especially with the fatigue and tiredness.But despite the hardships, there were several aspects of the race that King absolutely loved. One of the things I am super proud of DW for is that we now have a world-class race in the UK for SUP! So for me, to be able to do that affordably, on my own turf and with a community that has seen me through my journey, filled me with pride, King said.King also acknowledges the ecological nature of the race. Its very sustainable, as it means I can compete in my own country with less travel.Despite being in separate classes, all of the Stages Race competitors end up racing alongside each other as the race unfolds. And King loved racing alongside the Junior Doubles. I adored hanging with all of them, she said. I became their little mascot! Its inspirational to see that energy and bravery; its just extraordinary. DW is also about life skills, how to laugh together and cry together, and they show that perfectly.Moving forward into 2026For 2025s trial class, there were strict restrictions on the type of paddleboard that could be used. All boards had to be hard-shell racing boards, but with the class being formally added to the bill for 2026, amendments have also been made to the types of craft that can be used. Therefore, inflatable racing boards will now also be eligible for the event.And after the announcement, King was keen to give some advice to anyone who is thinking about taking part in the race. All endurance racing is about timing, she said. Building a sustainable plan that you slowly build on is important. If you hope to do the race, start engaging in that now.Kings advice is not just about getting on the water and starting training, though. What really helped her was reaching out to people within the DW community who have a lot of experience with the unique race.Reach out for support, there are people like myself who have done DW who would love to share their knowledge! Anything is doable, you have to be realistic, but anything is doable with enough time and effort. Get the right kit, get the right training, and get involved.The 2026 ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race takes place on 3-6 April 2026. Entries are now open, with SUP entries starting at 265. Head to www.dwrace.co.uk to learn more about the event.

Its less than one year to go until the 2026 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup, taking place on the English Riviera next summer. Head over to the Paddle UK SUPER Festival website. Register your interest in attending: https://superfestival.paddleuk.org.uk/ The event will be held from 24 to 28 June 2026 on the stunning waters of the English Riviera, Torbay, which has become a go-to spot for SUP 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 who will take part in a SUPER Festival of paddling, which will showcase the breadth of SUP from recreational paddlers to elite competition.The SUP World Cup is being backed by local partners and sponsors, including the English Riviera Business Improvement District (BID) Company and Torbay Council, who were in attendance at the milestone event that took place on Torquay Inner Harbour.Cllr Jackie Thomas, Torbay Councils Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events, said: I am proud to be a part of the SUP World Cup one year to go celebration event. It is the perfect way to showcase our beautiful Bay worldwide.As one of the UKs premier coastal resorts, we look forward to offering a warm welcome to the many competitors next year. Were looking forward to welcoming the 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, added, We are incredibly proud to welcome the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup to the English Riviera in 2026, and this is a significant opportunity to showcase the English Riviera to a global audience.This world-class event will not only offer an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get on the water and enjoy our beautiful coastline, but it will also further elevate our international profile as a year-round destination and bring real economic benefits to our local businesses and hospitality sector.Paddle UK was awarded the World Cup event in March, following an announcement made by the International Canoe Federation (ICF).It is the first time that an ICF Stand Up Paddling event of this scale will be held in the UK and the first since Paddle UK was announced as a governing body for the sport in February 2023.Ashley Metcalfe, Chief Executive of Paddle UK, said, I am delighted to be visiting the English Riviera and celebrating the one year to go milestone with our local partners, businesses, sponsors and paddlers.We are looking forward to developing our plans over the next 12 months, to deliver an excellent SUP World Cup and Paddle UK SUPER Festival, that will support our growth for stand-up paddling and promote the English Riviera as a SUP destination.To keep up to date with the Paddle UK SUPER Festival and the 2026 ICF SUP World Cup, register your interest today.

Early this year, Paddle UK launched SUP Starters, a series of videos with the aim of engaging and supporting a new wave of people wanting to try stand-up paddleboarding.If youre looking to get started in SUP, or would like to get your friends and family involved, then these videos are for you. Providing the correct information on safety, kit choices, and basic techniques from a source they can trust.These videos break down some of the fundamental skills, information and guidance into easy-to-digest videos that paddlers can find on our YouTube channel.In the last edition of SUPM, we shared the first three episodes of the series, getting started with the basics like choosing your first board, how to stand up on your board and paddle forwards, plus the best gear for beginners.These videos are available for you to watch on our YouTube channel: Paddle UK (https://www.youtube.com/@paddleuk).Choosing your first paddleboardWhat board do you need? What are the choices? Clair covers the differences between inflatables and hard boards, including their various lengths and widths, and explains what each one is good for.How to stand up and paddleIts called stand-up paddleboarding, so the goal is to stand up, right? Well, only when youre ready to. Sitting is also an option, making it more inclusive. In this video, Clair covers where to put your feet, how to stand up, and how to stay there!SUP gear for beginnersYou have a board, but what else do you need to get going on the water? Here, Clair runs through the essential bits of kit you need to be best prepared for paddling.Whats new?We have three fantastic NEW episodes to enjoy.Mastering the Art of Falling In: Tips and Tricks for a Smooth RecoveryFalling off your Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) is an inevitable part of the sport, especially for beginners. But dont let the fear of falling keep you from enjoying this fantastic water activity. In this episode, youll discover the proper techniques to turn those unexpected dips into graceful recoveries and have fun in the process. Find out more: https://gopaddling.info/blog/tips-and-advice/mastering-the-art-of-falling-in-tips-and-tricks-for-a-smooth-recovery/Mastering Forward Paddling and Turning on Your SUP: A Beginners GuidePaddling forward on a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) may seem straightforward, but it requires a bit of practice and understanding to do it effectively and efficiently. Getting the hang of moving forward in a straight line can be tricky, especially with factors like wind, body positioning, and weight distribution. However, once you grasp the basics, youll be cruising across the water with ease. In this episode, dive into some tips and techniques to help your forward paddling and turn with confidence.Find out more: https://gopaddling.info/blog/tips-and-advice/mastering-forward-paddling-and-turning-on-your-sup-a-beginners-guide/.Avoiding Common Paddleboarding Mistakes: A Beginners GuideFrom setting up your board and pumping it up effectively, to the correct way to hold your paddle and the ideal length. Clair also discusses on the water tips like foot placement, where your gaze should be and how to stay relaxed on your board.Find out more: https://gopaddling.info/blog/tips-and-advice/avoiding-common-paddleboarding-mistakes-a-beginners-guide/.Meet the SUP Starter presenterPresenting this series is Clair Connibeer, a SUP coach and leader who practically lives on her board in Cornwall! Clair is a SUP Ambassador for Paddle UK and has been involved in paddleboarding for several years, so she knows what she is talking about.Want to check out the SUP starter series?The series has launched, ready for the summer season. Its a time when we expect to see more people take up SUP.You can view the series here onhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPnshMnHWb0LUqav6xpmvwQFDChnkjOCHIf youre looking to find out more about getting into SUP or need more paddling-related tips and guidance, then head over to our Go Paddling website and have a read of our blogs: https://gopaddling.info/

The post Starboard Unveils Bold New iGNiTE Wing Foilboard for 2026 appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.