STORM INGRID: K-BAY GALLERYSTORM INGRID: K-BAY GALLERYWith strong SE winds forecast for K-Bay and a monster 4-metre swell at a solid 16-second period, a hardy windsurf crew rallied for what promised to be an all-time day of action. The weather, however, had other ideas. Too much south in the wind put a dent in the classic down-the-line dreams.Not to be derailed by this minor glitchcross-onshore winds and gnarly conditionsthe crew dug deep, made the most of what was on offer and braved the elements for a solid mid-winter session.Photos: John CarterThe crew get ready!Time for actiona bit cross onshore but plenty of wind and waves!The were a few decent wave to be had at least!After the session vibes!The post STORM INGRID: K-BAY GALLERY appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: BACK DOWN UNDERMACIEK RUTKOWSKI: BACK DOWN UNDERAfter the final race event of the season in Japan, Maciek Rutkowski took the opportunity to take a small detour to Perth Western Australia before heading home. This was his first trip down under for 13 years and regardless of the driving involved he was determined to make the most of it!WAVE DETOUREvery year after the racing season I try to go to some place with good waves. Most years its the highlight of my year and the further into the season (meaning the more time without seeing waves) the more I dream about it. The more competitive you are the more intense the emotions you go through when fighting for world titles, podiums etc. No matter how long and physically intense the season is, at the end of it Im absolutely mentally drained. All you normally want to do is go home and rest. But this year I finally had an epiphany. Were already in Japan. Its half way to so many good wavesailing and surfing locations! Hawaii, Indo, Australia, New Zealand just to name a few! So.why go home and then fly all the way back across the world 2 weeks later (which is what Ive done most years) when you can go direct.EQUIPMENT OVERLOADThe only issue, as usual, is the slalom gear. So, I booked a roundtrip to Tokyo and then a roundtrip Tokyo-Perth. It was a much cheaper option too, as the Tokyo-Perth bit was only 400 euros and pretty decent for excess too! Only pain in the ass? Gotta leave the 4 bags of slalom foil gear in Tokyo somewhere, and then pick it up and the way back west.GNARLOO CALLINGAnyway, if youre going to West Australia in November theres one place you constantly check the forecast for Gnaraloo. I know the locals are gonna hate me if they read me raving about it, but I feel like its very far from a secret spot having starred in like 5 windsurfing movies, countless magazine features (blame JC! Ha-ha), having a WindGuru forecast, being all over Instagram every Australian spring etc. And its an absolute mission to get to, 1100km from Perth, middle of the desert, need a van to stay in, no shop, no internet, millions of flies, sharp reef, the odd shark and full on Jeckyll and Hide wave super playful up to logo high and absolute freight train of a barrelling beast above mast high.So, I dont see it getting Pozo crowded but who knows Ive been wrong before! Generally I feel like Australia has fallen off the windsurfing map a little bit. Ive only been once before, in 2012 and remember a super vibrant scene with quite a few European pros visiting for the winter, a bunch of local contests with high level and very full car parks. Maybe its because I came early in the season, but even places like Coronation Beach which is an all level consistent windsurfing skatepark were pretty empty! And if there is a mini crowd its almost always tourists or foreigners that moved to WA. Its insane how little actual local windsurfers there is in one of the best windsurfing regions in the world!AUSSIE GUIDEAnyway, upon landing (thank Premo for the pickup!), I got my Turo rent-a-car (which like an Airbnb app for cars super useful!) and headed north for Geraldton. The first drive Im buzzing, excited, so it flies by Perth area, the Lancelin dunes, the red dirt full of iron ore on the side of the road Im taking it all in. Get to Geraldton, meet up with Paul van Bellen, whos as good of a guide as it gets. He really wants to you to have the best possible time and shows the things he considers fun. And because hes probably the person second most passionate about windsurfing on the planet right after me, we hit it off instantly, despite knowing each other only online, mostly from doing a few podcasts together. If anyone lives under a rock Pauls comedy account on Instagram is pure gold, highly recommended.GNARLOO BOUNDWe organise ourselves for Gnaraloo Aussie style, which means turtle pace, chatting up every person we meet (which isnt many in West Oz but still!) but making sure we enjoy every step of the way. Then have a fiery negotiation what time to set off. Despite the forecast being kinda mediocre I want to sail all day so Im proposing 5am, Paul 8. We settle for 6, but actually leave at 7, so I floor it to make up for the Aussies faffing about. The forecast is only about 3 foot, but around 1pm we get there and its solid head high with some logo high sets. I hardly remember being this excited! Tombstones is as fun of a wave as I remembered from 13 years ago. At that size its the perfect speed and power for windsurfing, forgiving on timing, multiple sections which allow aerials, manoeuvres etc and if you crash you swim in 25 degree water.FIRST SESSIONWe sailed well over 5 hours and because there was enough wind to plane on the way out my wave count must have been close to a 100 that day. Due to all the slalom stuff on the way to Japan I could only take one wave board and wanted something that floats me so took the JP Ultimate Wave 101. I was really worried that in small waves Im not gonna be able to bottom turn it tight enough or that when it gets windy its gonna feel massive but I had the time of my life! That board is so easy and forgiving that even after not sailing proper waves for months I felt right at home from the first wave and could actually forget about the gear and just enjoy the conditions! I know Im old and heavy but when conditions are so fun I turn into a total kid, trying stuff I have no business landing or even trying. Tweaked airs, takas, goiters and the cool thing about Gnaraloo is that its the one place I might actually have a chance at landing some of it! I dont know what it is, but it just somehow makes your windsurfing better, that place.SUNDOWNAs the sun sets we come in and start raving about how fun it was. Paul has seen the place absolutely epic mast and a half barrelling but he either really enjoyed it too or doesnt want to brake my enthusiasm. I suspect the former as he sailed all day just as I did. As a bonus we saw a few kangaroos and emus on the way back to the homestead. Waking up the next day to a smaller swell I admit I feel slightly broken. Seems thats even more the case for the 47-year-old who doesnt windsurf for a living so, I hear the one sentence Id never thought Id hear from any windsurfer: I think I wont go today Ill film you instead.And so, the next 3 days pass with the swell getting smaller and smaller and the wind stronger and stronger until its starting to look like Fuerteventura during the Slalom World Cup. Im sailing all day everyday, and Pauls being more selective with the deteriorating conditions. Regardless, we leave with a ton of fun had and a bit of surprisingly good looking footage, given the conditions we filmed in. The drone just gives infinite options of positioning the camera, depending on the light, the wave etc. And Paul is able to fly so low he can also get the beach angle, just slightly better, because everything looks more dynamic, more 3D on a shorter focal length.PERTHI drop Paul off in Geraldton and continue to Perth, as my girlfriend is landing that night. Aussies generally avoid driving at night due to all the animals that just love crossing the road and causing crashes. Kangaroos seem to get attracted to the light and jump out from the bush last second to make sure you have absolutely no chance of avoiding them. So, after 4 days and a total of close to 20 hours of windsurfing, driving slow and alert for 11 hours might be the last thing you wanna do. But if you want to have a ton of fun windsurfing and not end up single sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.But guess what? A new swell was coming, so after cruising around Perth for a day we were on our way back up. This time the drive felt twice as long. We decided to make it as much of an adventure as possible so we stopped for sandboarding in Lancelin (which sadly wasnt great for windsurfing that day, but can be super fun), had a fun little session in Coronation Beach, which on its day can be possibly the best place in the world to learn jumps, second maybe only to Pozo if you prefer small sails.BACK TO GNARLOOOff north with breakfast at the legendary Billabong Roadhouse, quick detour to Shark Bay and by afternoon Im riding perfect waves at Gnaraloo again. This time solid mostly logo with the odd mast high set. Its funny, there is this size (and tide) somewhere around mast high where the wave turns from a slow, open, super friendly windsurfing wave to a fast barrelling beast. And when you catch the swell out in the ocean you dont really know if this wave is gonna be 3.4 or 3.7 meters on the face.So, I cant even count the amount of times I got closed out on and then the following wave slalom sailed down the face just to find I completely outrun it and then went slower on the next wave again to get closed out again. That was actually the trickiest day, despite in theory forecast looking the best! Philip Kosters coach and caddy Jorge Vera was there and it seemed like his favourite thing to do was making me miserable. Every time I would crash a goiter he would be on the next wave and nail a perfect one, or two. The few times Id sail out of a taka he would be on the next wave and nail a perfect air taka. Hes probably the best windsurfer no one really knows about. My fellow countrywoman Justyna niady was also there, selecting the best waves with her local knowledge (after living in WA for the last 10+ years) and somehow sailing in a 3/2 full-suit when I was boiling in board shorts!HEAT WAVE40 degrees on the thermometer meant summer was coming and it was time to head down south. Quick stop for another session at Corros (the Aussies are notorious for abbreviating every word possible: Coronation is Corros, McDonalds is Maccas, Tombstones is Tombies, Margaret River is Margies etc etc) with a massive bushfire in the background. We asked around and it turns out its mostly farmers controlled fires that get out of control that cause those. Youd think theyd know better then doing a controlled fire on a 40 degree, 30 knot day but apparently it happens few times a summer. Actually, the local legend and one of worlds most stylish windsurfers Jaeger Stone works as a firefighter now so I didnt dare to ask him if he was going windsurfing that day.Its a shame I never got the chance to ride the other spots around Geraldton like Sunset or Spot X, but more often then not if theres a swell around Gero (another Aussie abbreviation) its also good in Gnaraloo so knowing how good the latter is it would be pretty crazy to stay around to be honest!CLOCKING UP THE MILES- MARGARET RIVERAnyway another drive on the number 1 highway and I was nearing a total of 5000 kilometres on the trip. The 3-hour Margaret River drive felt like a trip to the supermarket. Except a pretty beautiful one. After Gnaraloo everything is green, but the Margies region is just next level in terms of nature. Everything is super raw, wild and BIG. The trees, the caves, the waves, the sharks too. Sightings are almost daily and despite a pretty solid warning system with helicopters patrolling the coast and alarm speakers on almost every beach you still dont feel 100% at ease entering the water.Luckily a windsurf board is pretty big and generally they wont attack something bigger then them, but I love a good swim with broken gear so its always in the back of your head. Specially after that attack on a winger in Gwarabup, which is the next beach upwind of Margaret River Main Break, where the contest is and everybody sails. We didnt really score anything great down there as spring tends to be still a bit more onshore and you really need it to be side-off to be epic, but its always fun windsurfing this incredibly raw and powerful wave. It doesnt maybe look like much in the pictures, because it doesnt barrel top to bottom but it might be heaviest windsurfing wave I can think of. And the bad news? Theres not much more to do than hit the lip there. Youre (or at least) not gonna try tricks youre not sure you can land, turns are not the most fun thing to do, so you gotta hit it. And you better hit it perfect, otherwise youre in for a long swim with Bruce in the back of your mind.Whos Bruce? Thats the question Federico Infantino dared to ask the locals first time after 3 years he moved to Margaret River. Every morning, they paddled out and kept asking each other have you seen Bruce?, did Bruce say hi this morning already? etc. So, after hearing this for years poor Fede finally asked who Brucey was. The answer? The bronze whaler shark that lives in the bay and is super friendly with the local surfers. Maybe thats who put him up to eating the wingdinger..?TOURIST MODEAnyway the area is absolutely awesome for just being a cruisy tourist with loads of natural landmarks and possible activities, good food, even better wine. Happy wife happy life was way easier to achieve there then in Gnaraloo for sure, but this is a windsurfing magazine and Ive babbled for ages already so Ill save you the details. Over 6000 kilometres later and another epic barbie (grill not doll) at Premos in Perth we were reluctantly ready to leave. Ive promised myself to travel to a new place every year, but I have a feeling I might break that rule for Western Australia. The mix of super fun windsurfing, super laid-back vibes, unique nature and great hospitality just makes me want to go back asap. Hopefully thatll be sooner than 13 years this time!The post MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: BACK DOWN UNDER appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

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FPT BOOT DSSELDORF 2026 TOW-IN WORLD SERIES HIGHLIGHTSFPT BOOT DSSELDORF 2026 TOW-IN WORLD SERIES HIGHLIGHTSThe first event of the 2026 Freestyle Pro Tour season was off to a flyer at the 2026 Boot Dsseldorf. Yentel Caers and Maaike Huvermann walked away with victories after an exciting three days of tow-in action. Take a look at the full event highlights to find out how the action went down and follow the battles that took place!The post FPT BOOT DSSELDORF 2026 TOW-IN WORLD SERIES HIGHLIGHTS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

SEND IT SUNDAY, CAPE TOWN: WINDSURFING TVSEND IT SUNDAY CAPE TOWN: WINDSURFING TVBen Proffitt and Colin Dixon are back in Cape Town with their Send it Academy crew and it looks like they are having a blast with their crew of brave senders. Look out for poor Ollie, son of Ian Gregorelli from Boardwise who forgot to put on his sunscreen and paid the price! Sun, wind and waves and lots of good times by the looks of thingswe are not jealoushonest!The post SEND IT SUNDAY, CAPE TOWN: WINDSURFING TV appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

Rolo (Rolando Montes) enjoying an easygoing day in Bali on the Dumpster Diver 2, built with Spine-TekAbout the Dumpster Diver 2: The idea for this board came when Dane Reynolds was riding his original Dumpster Diver while filming the Out of the Rafters edit for Chapter 11 last year. He was tripping on how tiny and short the Dumpster Diver felt and wanted to build a longer, modernized version that still tapped into the magic of the original.The DD2 features a wider nose and tail, increased nose and tail rocker, and a more subtle single concave. These updatesalong with other refinementsallow the board to perform across a wider range of conditions and let you surf as hard as you think you do. Dane also designed a dedicated fin set for the DD2, offering a slightly 2+1 feel and working well across other designs. Ride the DD2 1-2" shorter than your Better Everyday.Find more on the Dumpster Diver 2 here:https://cisurfboards.com/products/dum...

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ION STORM COAT REVIEWION STORM COAT REVIEWWe take a look at the unisex ION Storm Coat which is the perfect jacket to handle pretty much any conditions through the seasons. The cosy jacket is designed for winter days by the water, when warmth and comfort matter most. Whether youre changing in the carpark, warming up after a cold-water dip, or simply staying dry during stormy conditions, this coat has got you covered. Cosy, waterproof and effortlessly practical, it wraps you in warmth when the weather turns and lets you focus on enjoying the moment, not battling the cold.Words: John Carter Photos: Roger Turner and Lars PetersonJohn Carter: I have been wearing the ION Storm Coat throughout the UK Winter. I took it on trips to Magheroarty, Ireland, as well as on a cold, wet day shooting at Kimmeridge and it has genuinely impressed me. As a photographer, Im often standing still in the elements for long periods in harsh coastal conditions and this jacket kept me consistently warm and completely dry throughout.The weather in Magheroarty was classic Atlantic, cold and windyyet the Storm Coat handled it effortlessly.The waterproof and breathable fabric with fully taped seams kept rain, sea spray and wind out without that clammy feeling you sometimes get from waterproof layers. Even after hours outside, I stayed comfortable warm and dry.The fleece lining makes a huge difference, especially when temperatures drop. It feels more like a warm outer layer than just a technical shell and the fleece-lined hand pockets were a lifesaver for cold fingers between shots. The generous cut is also a real bonus, it gives plenty of room to move and stuff my spare camera inside to keep it dry. The fit of the jacket also makes it easy to throw on over layers or change underneath when needed. There is also a handy pocket on the inside where you can keep your phone, spare batteries and your keys safe from the elements.The durable front zipper with its easy-grip puller is clearly designed for real conditions; its easy to use even with cold hands or with gloves on. Everything about the jacket feels well thought out and built for purpose.Whether I was checking locations in the freezing cold, standing on exposed cliffs in the driving rain, or packing down after a long shoot, the ION Storm Coat proved itself as a reliable, warm, and weatherproof companion. For anyone spending time outdoors in demanding conditionsespecially around the coastthis jacket does exactly what it promises.After the session in Kimmeridge I gave the jacket to Timo Mullen who had been on the water for three hours and he was immediately toasty and warm and able to change without freezing in the carpark. Thumbs up all round.Warm, dry and comfortablethis is an excellent all round jacket to keep your warm and dry through the winter.MORE DETAILS HERE:Surf Poncho Collection | ION Quick-Dry, Cotton & Storm CoatsKEY FEATURES:Waterproof (8K) & breathable materialTaped seamsEnhancing durability, water resistance and style all at the same time.Durable zipperEasy grip zipper pullerFleece hand warmer pocketsMATERIALSMAIN FABRIC: 100% Polyester (Recycled) LINING: 100% Polyester (Recycled)COST: 164.99 incl. VATfree shipping!COLOURS: Black, Sage Grey and Ink Blue (as used)The post ION STORM COAT REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

GEORGE GRISLEY: EMPTY VIETNAM WAVESGEORGE GRISLEY: EMPTY VIETNAM WAVESGeorge Grisley packed his wave board alongside his usual Duotone freestyle quiver on his latest trip to Vietnam. While the spot is known for its world-class freestyle conditions, an outer reef also delivers surprisingly fun waves. In this video, George brings his freestyle background into the surf, learning and linking wave-sailing manoeuvres like takas, goiters, and wave 360s. A fresh take on wave ridingdefinitely worth a watch.The post GEORGE GRISLEY: EMPTY VIETNAM WAVES appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.