CODE RED GWITHIAN!CODE RED GWITHIAN!When the charts go red and the swell period jumps into the mid-teens, you know its not just another winter swell. This was one of those days.On an unpredictable morning, Gwithian lit upraw, heavy and pushed into the territory where hesitation becomes your biggest enemy. A stacked crew featuring Timo Mullen, Lucas Meldrum, Ian Black, Ian Ross, Ian Whittaker, Andrew Fawcett, Steve Thorp and Jan Sleigh were on it, each weighing up the same question: commit to hit it, or not to hit it!.Because on days like this, theres no halfway!Photos: John CarterBest Viewed on the big screen!!! Click any pic to enlarge and scroll.JOHN CARTERDILEMMAS!Nobody move weve got another Code Red forecast incoming. The non-stop barrage of winter swells has been relentless. This time last week, things started to get hectic, with charts lining up for a serious pulse hitting Ireland, Cornwall and even the south coast of the UK.Timo and I were stuck in the midst of a huge dilemma. Do we head to Ireland on Monday for the biggest waves (7m at 16 seconds), or take the easier option and score two solid days at Gwithian, Monday (3.2m at 17secs ) and Tuesday ( 2.4m at 14 secs)?I started seriously stressingI just couldnt make a decision. Do we go to Ireland or Cornwallthat was the question I filled in my flight details on EasyJet five different times for Belfast, but for one reason or another, couldnt pull the trigger. Then came an even crazier idea: Timo sails Ireland on Monday (until 4:30pm), we gun it to Belfast airport for a 9.55pm flight, fly back to Gatwick and then we drive straight to Gwithian for Tuesday. All that extra hassle for 2-3 hours at Magheroartycrazy but in our mad world doable!So many options were flying around, I didnt know if I was coming or goingliterally. Timo had already booked his Ireland flight but then had the added puzzle of sorting dog care, plus work commitments. We were spinning plates and getting nowhere.In the end, some kind of logic finally broke through. Timo cancelled his flight and we committed to Cornwalla plan that was a hell of a lot easier logistically, and a whole lot less stressful. But he already had FOMO about Ireland before wed even hit the road.You cant be in two places at once thats life.I headed over to Poole on Sunday night. The plan was simple: leave early and catch the afternoon session at the Bluff on Monday.LOSING THE PLOTEverything was going smoothly until we hit Honiton.The sat nav had us rolling into the Bluff at 1pmperfect timing with the tide. Then we hit traffic and stopped. Completely.Half an hour later, we hadnt moved an inch. Cars were turning around, drivers were out of their vehicles and nobody had a clue what was Fu** was going on.To cut a long story shortthree hours and a maze of country lanes later, we finally made it to the Bluff having completely missed the best of the wind.And just to rub salt in the wounds, the updates from Ireland started coming through. Photos, reports absolute carnage. Magheroarty was apparently too big to sail.Timos only response: I would have gone out.Brilliant.Now I was firmly in the doghouse, as it was largely my call to stick with Cornwall. I might never be forgiven for this oneespecially if Cornwall was a dud!To make matters worse, Timo tried to sail at the Bluff, but the wind completely backed off, and he didnt catch a single decent wave. The swell was solid, but nowhere near as big as expected and the forecast for the next day was showing a significant drop.This was shaping up to be our worst call of the season.Had the Motley Crew finally lost the plot?That was the questionWe spent the evening trying to stay positive and met up with Ian Whittaker in St Ives for dinner before hitting Hayle Travel Lodge to hit the sack. Lets see what tomorrow will bringThe fate of this trip was now all in the hands of the weather gods!BIG TUESDAYI was up at 6am, already checking the webcams. Timo, on the other hand, had been grinding away since 4am trying to wrap up some work projects. Waiting around for him to finish was a bit frustrating, but sometimes youve just got to roll with it. We finally made it to Gwithian around 9:30amand, as it turned out, the timing couldnt have been better. There was one guy already out on an S2 Maui sail, while everyone else in the car park stood watching, sizing things up. The conditions? Big. Gnarly. Wed been expecting a clean, head- to logo-high swell, but instead the sets were heavy, hollow and pretty brutal. Sure, the crew would go outbut whether theyd actually smack the lip or not was another question entirely.Ill hand things over to the rest of the crew to talk through their individual sessions.PHOTOGRAPHY FAIL AND FRUSTRATIONFrom a photography perspective, though, it felt like a bit of a shocker for me. One of those days where you track one rider, only for someone elsejust out of frame, to pull off the move of the day. Classic. Did you get that massive air? Uh yeah, I think so knowing full well you either missed it completely or your camera locked onto the wave in front. It just goes like that sometimes. You try to reset, refocus, get back in the zone, but those missed, once-in-a-day moments start to get in your head. The boys were launching off huge lips; all I had to do was press the trigger. In the end, I got enough shots to scrape bybut I cant say I was fully happy with it.As far as Gwithian goes that was as good as it gets for me. Heavy waves, a solid crew and some decent spells of sunshine to put the icing on the cake.BUTLooking at the forecast it wasnt over yetThe next day was calling for east winds and another dose of Code Red long period swell. As we were already in Cornwall it seemed rude not to stick aroundBut that is a whole other story.Stay Tuned!TIMO MULLEN As with all Motley Crew trips, the Cornwall mission wasnt exactly straightforward. We had two or three different plans running at the same time, because the forecast for northwest Ireland the day beforeMarch 16thwas absolutely pumping. Were talking six to seven metre swell at 17 seconds. Thats big anywhere in the world.Logistically, though, it was going to be tough. Wed have had to fly Monday morning, which always leaves you tight. Youre not getting to somewhere like Magheroarty until midday and that eats into your window straight away. Then there was my dog, Freddiehe comes everywhere with me. If we went to Ireland, I could only really leave him for part of the day, which meant wed have to fly back that same evening.FRUSTRATIONSo, we made the call. I cancelled my Ireland flight and we committed to Cornwalldrive down Monday, stay overnight and score Tuesday.Then the wheels started to come off.The drive down was a nightmare. We left in good time, checked the webcamit looked like there was some decent swell, but then hit roadworks and traffic like you only ever see in summer and we never go to Cornwall in summer. Apparently a lorry carrying cattle had turned over and there were loose cows running down the A30! We had to turn round and go cross country and our journey ended up taking nearly five and a half hours.We missed our window completely. Instead of getting there at one, we rolled in closer to three-thirty. By the time we reached the Bluff, the swell was a decent sizelogo to mast high, but the wind had dropped. Everyone was coming off the water saying it was super light.I still went out. Ive got gear that works in nothing, so I didnt listenjust drifted out. It took me about 40 minutes to get to the back, and there was literally no wind. I caught one wave on the way in, didnt really do anything, and that was it. Game over.We packed up, met up with Whittaker, grabbed some food in St Ives, and just hoped the next day would deliver.We made a plan to get to the beach early. I was up at 4:30am getting work done, knowing Id be on the water most of the day. We got there around nine and it was pumping.THE SESSIONNot crazy huge, but for Gwithian, anything over mast high is bigand this swell had real energy. You could feel the period in it. Anything over 12 seconds there and it starts to get serious.It didnt look super windy at first, but I could see it building, so I rigged a 5.0 and went for a smaller boardmy 94L quad. When its gnarly, you need something you can trust to hold a rail. Big boards are great, but not when its mast-high and sucking out.TO HIT OR NOT TO HIT!I guess I would call Gwithian the best wave sailing beach in the UK for consistency. I actually own a house there and have been windsurfing there since I was 18 years old.One thing I know about Gwithian is that when its big, youve got to go for it. If you hold back or dont approach the lip fast, you just get nailed. Knowing the wave really helps when its biggeryouve got a lot more confidence.On this particular day, it was low tide, which is when it gets as heavy as it possibly can. I wouldnt say its the best conditions, but its definitely the heaviest. I remember launching and getting pretty smashedthree attempts just to get out because the wind was quite offshore.Right in the impact zone there wasnt much wind, which made it really tough.Eventually, I made it out the back. You should always try to pick the biggest set, partly because you wont get hammered as badly on the way back out since youre in sync with the sets, but also because, well, you want to hit the biggest wave.I lined up on one, and the line I saw looked good. I remember thinking, This is a good one. The lip looked like it was going to hold up. At that point, theres only one thing to dogo as hard as possible and as fast as possible toward the lip and try to get as much projection out in front of the wave as I could.Honestly, the best feeling in the world is hitting one of those chunky Gwithian lips. It really sends you a long way. To me, it didnt look like that serious of a wave, but everyone on the beach said it was one of the biggest sets of the day. It was a pretty hardcore lip to hit, but what I saw was a makeable, hittable section.In the end, youve just got to go for itand thats exactly what I did.I knew if I didnt hit it, I was going to get destroyed. So, I went for ithit the lip, went for a big aerial, landed flat and that kind of set the tone for the whole session. At least I knew I had a killer wave in the bag! JC better not have missed it or he would be getting the train home!I think once everyone saw that, it clickedthose lips were hittable. It was on.It turned into one of the best days of the season. No crowds, just the local crew, Blacky, Whittaker, all the boys. Proper old-school session, everyone going hammer and tongs for waves.And the best part? It was sunny and hardly anyone broke any gear. All-time day.IAN BLACKIt was one of those days that we all live for. I literally pulled up in the carpark to see Timo steam along the top of a mast high low tide dredging bomb and clock one of the airs of his life or in fact anyones existence. I went to Steveo and Fawcett, Fu** me, did you see that, its Fu**ing On, its going off!. They laughed, heads rolling back, they were not so sure!Apparently, the beatings leading up to his moment of utter glory had been monumental. At that a mast and quarter death close out unloaded. Okay, now I wasnt so sure. Weve all been therelow tide Gwithian on a pushing swell can be horrific. After watching the continuous onslaught for another ten mins or so continue there was no option, reach for the trusty Severne 5.6m S1 Pro and get on with it. Yeah, it was howling, but when its like that you cant be hanging around. I was a little stressed that I was going to be blitzed and felt that sense of relief flying down my first wave. No-one panic Im in vague control, my rail just holding in by a whisker. I reckon it was just as good as it gets, full power, 8-10ft peeling left-handers, sunny as you like. Myself, Timo and Fawcett had a like a half hour in sync spell on the main peak that was just like the good old days.Theres something special about just ripping the lid off a sick wave, kicking out into the channel only to see two of your best mates and age-old sparring partners flying down back-to-back mast high beauties knowing theyre just about push it to the max and do the same. What a day!Shout out to Steveo and skater boy Glenn, both of them went next level.yeahhhh!ANDREW FAWCETTI was riding my Witchcraft Serum 74L and a Witchcraft slayer 4.5m.It was a decent session, got a few, missed a few and should have stayed out longer but was shattered. I wish we had more days like that.Moment of the day.Probably Timos massive aerial, I just saw it out of the corner of my eye.Cant remember any of my waves, it all seems a bit of a blur. Just nice to be out in some good swell and not freezing cold!IAN WHITTAKERLooking at the forecast, it looked like two solid days Bluff on Monday and Gwithian on Tuesday. After rushing from work in West Wittering to catch the late session, it turned out Monday didnt happen so me JC and Timo had a couple of beers and dinner in St Ives. We were not expecting it to be that big on Tuesday as all the long period swell was forecast for Monday.I woke up Tuesday to mast high waves at high tide and as the tide started to move out the wave started to get really hollow. Timo said he was going out and I was a little bit reluctant looking at brutal mast high sections.Next thing I know Timo smacked a solid mast high set and landed in the flats perfectly, he totally inspired me to get out there. My second wave, I will never forget!I picked this monster swell up out to see by the rock. You know when its going to be a good one when it is peeling by the rock.As I was heading into the beach, it got bigger and started to shape up further out so starting my journey down the line, I had to be quick as the wave was about to throw it looked so heavy and gnarly I was about to head straight to the beach away from the lip but thought Im going to hit this.Then the next thing I know, I hit it perfectly and as started to leave the wave a 30 knot gust to hit me that was blowing up the wave. The rest is history. What a great feeling!The rest of the session carried on the same way.All the Cornish crew were out to ripping and we had John Carter on hand to capture the day. What an epic session!LUCAS MELDRUMIts only after looking back at the pictures and videos from that day I realised Gwithian was pretty much going off. I feel like I am in the moment, when its good I dont really realise until after. Its not an easy spot to sail and getting out can be a challenge so you never have to relax and reflect on the conditions.It was a full-on last-minute trip for me. I had been eyeing up the forecast for a few days. It seemed pretty stable and a perfect wind direction for classic Gwithian. The plan was to get some shots with my new gear, only problem was I didnt have any of it! My North sails were scheduled to arrive on Monday and then I planned to do a quick turnaround.Pack the vandrivepick up my Quatro boards from Bubbledrop some sail to Tris for Windsurfer Magazine testing, then get to Cornwall ready for Tuesdays forecast. Luckily my sails arrived in the morning which was a relief because I had some custom issues previously. Then got my boards from Bubble (still unboxed).By the time I was set with everything it was late afternoon and I was still a few hours away. No plan on where I was staying that night and hadnt organised a videographer yet. As I said very last minute I did have an emergency sleeping bag and JC was already down so that meant at least some guaranteed epic pics. I quickly managed to organise a guy to film and I was able to crash at a friends place for the night. All was set.I pulled up to Gwithian at 9am Tuesday. It was kind of pumping, windy and sunny! It was bigger than expected. Logo to mast sets, some breaking heavy as it was close to low tide. On the one hand it was perfect for shooting but on the other hand it would have been nice to try my new gear in some easier conditions just to get tuned up and used to it.After a bit of the usual chat, I decided to pull out my Quatro Pyramid 75L and North Wave 4.7m. It looked like a day to break lots of kit which wasnt ideal with a full set of brand-new equipment! First run out, I was fully planning and sure enough on the first wave I was already feeling a bit overpowered. Its hard to get it right at Gwithian, if you rig too big its easier to get out and move around the spot but lack a lot of control and handling on the wave. After a few waves I wasnt that stoked with my sailing, so I came in and changed to bigger fins and moved them around. Theres always a fair bit of tuning when you get new kit especially when its a completely new brand. Second sesh and I was feeling a lot more comfortable already.When theres decent swell at low tide I always like sailing up in front of the rock to the left of Gwithian. You can get a nicer peeling left and the current takes you away from the rock normally. In general, Im always looking to prioritise turns when wave sailing, when you get a couple linking ones its super rewarding then if a section presents itself for an air then I go for it of course. Some spots its just a close out so the only thing you can do is it hit the lip. This can be equally as satisfying in a more fu** yeah sense but also more consequenceAs I was stalling on a particular wave, down the line there was a section was waiting to be hit. As I hit it a gust blew me slightly off course, I came down a bit higher on the wave than intended and landed pretty hard on my niggling knee. I suddenly got a lot of pain bending it and came in. Ive had tendon problems for over a year, unfortunately it flared up on the day I really didnt want it to.As I rested a bit, I was watching Timo and Whittaker downwind sending it on some gnarly closeouts. Timo is one of the best guys at hitting big airs and he landed some solid ones on this day however Whittaker took the send it award on this day. I watched as he launched into a huge one, lifting him up high then down into a munching closeout! It definitely pumped me up but I felt it was best to hold back with my knee.I tried holding onto 4.7m but it was too much and I went back out on 4.2m and was way more comfortable. I was really impressed how crazy light the North 3Di sails felt with a really nice soft power in the heavy gusts.The tide was now hitting the sweet spot and there were some epic peelers in front of the lifeguard hut. Some were breaking quick and some slow, so it was hard to time but if you got it right it was all time. By the time the tide hit the cliffs most of the guys had gone in.My knee was hurting pretty bad after a little air, so I decided to pack it in and get up the goats track before the water was too high. I was feeling a bit deflated about my knee but after looking at some of the pics I think it was mission complete. Looking back at the clips the gear also looked like it was working well!The next task was to work out what to do for the following day. A long period south swell paired with rare easterly winds meant some different spots could light up, with more opportunity to score some epic conditions. After more forecast checks and debates JC and I made the decision to book a nearby hotel room and wait for the morning to decide on the next moveIAN ROSSMy friend Grant called asking about the forecast for Tuesday with the plan to drive down with his mate, Ryan. Looks like a fun head high day at Gwithian! Do it, itll be fun!, was my reply.Turned out to be quite the heavy head high to mast high resulting in Ryans sail ripped in halfOooops!As soon as I pulled into the carpark I saw Ian Whittaker smashing the aerial of a lifetime! The old gang of Blacky, Andrew Fawcett, Jan Sleigh, Thorpy, Colesby and Timo were joined by the youngster Lucas Meldrum. Lucas was picking some choice waves and every time I looked Ian was attacking the lip like a maniacIm amazed he made it out in one piece! Timo was also on a missionhe rips! I rigged a 5m Simmer Blacktip and a 72L Flywave.It was way heavier than Id expected but I blasted straight out the back without any problems and I had a few good waves, a few scary moments and a few swims! But I always look back and contemplate doing a better turn here, a 360 there, or hitting the lip instead of running away! If Id known JC was there maybe I wouldve gone biggermaybe next time!STEVE THORPI woke up for a really early start as it looked like I could score two really good sessions, on the drop, then on the push. I had visions of a fun size day and drove down practicing Goiters and 360s in my head, I think it was supposed to be 7@13seconds or something like that. It looked ok from the carpark, if a bit light, so I hit the water at 7.30am without much messing about!. I was on my 78L Flikka and my trusty 4.7m Ezzy Wave. It soon became apparent Gwithian itself was a tricky prospect. The waves which didnt look so big were actually pretty powerful and hard to time, lumbering in and then sucking up and dumping quickly. Very rippy too.At one point whilst water-starting I was sucked upwind 30ft across the front of the rocks on the left, Ive never had that before. A lot of water moving about! After half an hour I gave up looking for diamonds in the rough and headed down towards Godrevy. This was better and actually a lot bigger, over mast high, but still not lining up that well for decent turns or airs. Good fun though and made getting in early worthwhile, even though there were no other takers. Fingers crossed for round two!Whilst Id nipped home for some lunch, everyone else had been scoring a low tide session and sending it! Id left my kit rigged on the beach, so got straight back out into the action. I think I was having something of an off day though. Still a bit shaky from earlier perhaps, a broken harness hook which kept trapping me hooked in (one side snapped at the weld it turns out is bit of a death trap!) and maybe Id missed the sweet spot.Sometimes Gwithian can feel dreamy to sail, even when its massive, nice bowly peaks rising up and inviting you to smack them, lips launching you into airs that you can T up from half a mile away and almost sail off them in slow mo.. this was the opposite. Its all good fun though, even the tricky days are a fun game of chess. Great to see so many rippers out, hope everyone had a great time!JAN SLEIGHThat Tuesday had a great forecast, wind and swell all day. Lighter wind earlier on as the tide dropped out and then stronger wind from midday onwards and the pushing tide.I had to work so I got to the beach early to be able to set up and work from my van. Then, if everything lined up, Id be able to get an hour or so in from around midday and the strongest wind.I think Lucas and Timo were first out. I saw Lucas taking some nice waves to the left near the rocks and then Timo punching out a huge aerial. I noticed Ian Whittaker and Andrew Fawcett out next. Andrew made my jaw drop as he took one of the big outside waves and bottom turned around the rock in the middle of the bay he and I had been talking about it earlier while watching the first few waves. That was all I really saw as I had my head in my laptop!My windsurf window stayed open, so I was able to get out at noon as the wind picked up slightly.I was on a 5.6 Naish Force 4 and my Naish Global. Gwithian is always a tricky spot to windsurf as the wind is always gusty, especially when it is slightly offshore, and with bigger wave the current running is stronger too. But I had plenty enough wind to plane off the beach and made sure I went between sets.I was super happy with my first wave as it opened up nicely for a few bottom turns, then the rest of the session was a bit hit and miss with waves being difficult to read I got a couple of bigger ones that didnt open but overall, it was an epic day. I broke my boom trying to forward off the lip on my last wave a sign to wrap up the session and I wasnt too sad about the boom as it has lasted 5 years. It was great to see so many smiling faces in the water and the level of wave riding from everyone was amazing.The post CODE RED GWITHIAN! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

Ian Haywardwww.goosejuice.co.ukInstagram: @goosejuice_adventuresYouTube: @Goosejuice_AdventureFacebook: Ian HaywardNorfolk adventurer prepares for solo kayak circumnavigation of mainland BritainA Norfolk paddler and retired teacher is preparing to take on one of Britains toughest endurance challenges: a full circumnavigation of mainland Britain by sea kayak.Ian Hayward, 58, who lives in Norfolk, plans to depart from Lowestoft in late April 2026, aiming to paddle more than 4,000 kilometres around the British coastline in a journey expected to take four to five months.The expedition, titled Britain by Kayak 2026, will see Ian navigate some of the UKs most demanding coastal waters including tidal races, exposed headlands and remote stretches of shoreline entirely under his own power.A highly experienced outdoor leader, kayaker and former educator, Ian has spent the past year preparing both physically and mentally for the challenge. His training has included long-distance paddling, endurance conditioning and expedition testing in both the UK and Spain.I dont need to be ready to complete the whole journey on day one, Ian says.I just need to be ready to start. The rest is about adapting, learning and making good decisions in a constantly changing environment.The expedition is as much about mindset and resilience as it is about endurance. Ian reflects openly on lessons learned during training including managing fatigue, reassessing risk after difficult surf conditions, and refining equipment, safety and communication systems.Alongside the physical challenge, Ian is supporting Movember and Surfers Against Sewage to raise awareness of mens health and environmental issues affecting Britains coastal waters. He also hopes to spend time listening to people who live and work around the coastline, capturing their experiences, hopes and concerns.The expedition will be documented through his GooseJuice Adventures platform, with regular updates, live tracking and video content shared online.Ian has a long kayaking history, starting out in Scouts and progressing to competition in slalom, marathon, including DW events, and white water. He is now focusing more on open canoeing and sea kayaking while maintaining his marathon training at Norwich Canoe Club. Ian is also active in Scouting and the Duke of Edinburghs Award.Departure: 26 April 2026 (weather dependent confirmed ~48 hours prior)Start/finish: Lowestoft, Suffolk (Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club)Distance: ~4,000 kmDuration: 45 monthsExpedition philosophy: Solo and unsupported although Ian welcomes the occasional cup of tea, slice of cake, or offered shelter from those he meets along the wayCommercial sponsors:Tindall Brewery (producing a GooseJuice IPA supporting the charities)Reed Chillcheater Ltd (paddlesport clothing, Devon)Oxygen Advantage Ltd (breathwork training organisation)Community partners:Norwich Canoe ClubNorwich School

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IAN WHITTAKER: THE LONG WAY BACKIAN WHITTAKER: THE LONG WAY BACKUK sailor Ian Whittaker has spent his whole life chasing wind and waves, from his early days at a gravel pit in Chertsey, to his home spot at the Witterings, as well as seasons spent in Maui and Australia. Five years ago, a brutal accident in Moulay, Morocco, left him with a shattered leg, multiple surgeries and the real possibility he might never windsurf again. What followed was an 18-month battle through pain, setbacks, frustration and ultimately, a hard-earned return to the water and windsurfing. This is Ians story, in his own words.Photos: John Carter / Henning Von Jagow / Ian WhittakerEARLY DAYSI got into windsurfing through my dad. Back in 1979 he took on a gravel pit at Chertsey, right by Thorpe Park and turned it into a windsurfing lake. I basically grew up there.I started when I was seven years old and just hung around the lake the whole time. By 15 I was working there, teaching, taking the rescue boat out, pulling beginners out of the bushes when they drifted off course. It was just part of life.Dad later got a beach hut on Hayling Island that was linked to the lake membership, so once I started driving at 17, Id head straight down there whenever I could.Not long after that, a mate and I drove down to Tarifa for two months in an old Vauxhall Midi van. We slept in it and sailed every day.That was mostly flat-water sailing, we scored some wave sessions around Los Canos de Meca, and that lit the spark.HOOKED ON WAVE SAILINGWave sailing really took off when I started going down to the Witterings. I was living in North Cheam at the time, so it meant driving down, but it was worth it. Then came trips to Maui. I was with my missus by thenwere still together now and for about four years wed spend winters away: three months in Australia, three months in Maui. Thats where the wave sailing really developed.THE AUSTRALIA YEARSIn 2005 we moved to Perth, Austalia for five years. We built our dream house by a golf course and I worked in construction. We lived in Karrinyup, near Scarborough and sailed Scarborough and Margaret River mainly. It was going really well, I was doing building but eventually we wanted to come back so the kids could be closer to their grandparents.HOME BREAKSWe moved back to the Witterings and later bought a place in Cornwall as well. The idea was to split time between the two, but in the end we mostly stayed put in Witterings and rented the Cornwall place out. Its still a great bolt hole when the conditions line up.Over the years Ive ridden different kit. I used to be on NeilPryde, but these days I ride Ezzy sails theyre bulletproof, which suits me because Im pretty heavy-handed and like getting right up close to the lip. I also get support from Simon at 2XS and he has been amazing. I used to break a lot of gear with other brands. For boards Ive ridden Quatro and Goya, but after visiting the KT factory in Maui and trying a few shapes, I was sold on custom boards. I was like a kid in a sweet shop! Ive got a 100-litre and an 86-litre and absolutely love them. They hardly weigh anything and the rails just feel incredible in the turns.Id say Im more into classic down-the-line wave riding, but I love jumping too, especially at the Witterings in a westerly. It can be ramp after ramp, almost back-loop heaven. Timo Mullen used to nickname me Back Loop because Id throw at least one, every run.MOROCCO 2021Then came the Morocco tripFive years ago, myself Timo Mullen, a mate called Pezza, headed to Moulay on a epic forecast. The first night, an Irish guy called Paddy turned up with a big old bottle of navy rum and we got stuck in. I woke up the next morning with a sore head, no running water in the toilets and a sense the day might not go to plan.BRUTAL (WARNING IF YOU ARE A BIT SQUEAMISH YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP THIS SECTION!SKIP TO REBUILDING PARA)We rigged 3.8s early like 9 am. It was logo- to mast-high and low tide, breaking hard over a shallow section we liked to jump off. A couple of guys had their cameras out Everyone was charging. On my second run I was flying, pretty out of control if Im honest. I hit a steep lip, thought, This is the one, I am going to send this so high and went for a massive back loop.Halfway up I realised how steep and shallow it was. As I released, the wave barrelled over the rail and twisted the board into my leg. My leg just went bang and snapped clean. The rail had flipped into my leg. I still went up, not too high and landed out the back, but my leg was gone. When I hit the water, my foot was pointing back toward the beach, while I was facing out to sea. It was horrific.Timo sailed over, took one look and went white. I grabbed his tail and we went over the falls together. I had to hold my broken leg underwater while getting worked in three big hold-downs. Somehow, I made it in.The whole town seemed to know by then what had happened. By luck, there was a lower-limb surgeon from Canada there on holiday. He splinted my leg with driftwood and duct tape. I was on a concrete slipway at the edge of the water with everyone gathered around. Boujmaa organized an ambulance. I did not get any pain killers for hours. They got me to a local hospital in Essaouira, no windows, blood splats on the walls, corroded taps. A surgeon offered to fix it for 3,000. The X-ray machine looked out of the arc. My tibia and fibula were broken in five places. I could not have broke it any worse.I told the lads to get me out of there. After hours without painkillers, it was Ramadan, so everything moved slowly. I was transferred by ambulance to a private hospital in Marrakech which took three hours. Even that was chaos; at one point the driver forgot to put the brakes on the bed and I slid backwards as he accelerated. I was on my own in the back and it was pretty horrendous.By the time I reached Marrakech it 10pm at night. They called the surgeon back in as he had gone home. He showed me the X-rays and said theyd insert a rod from my knee down to my ankle. They numbed me from the waist down but kept me awake and upright. I watched him drill through my kneecap with what looked like a Black & Decker drill, drive the rod down the bone and lock it in with bolts at top and bottom. My god that was surreal to be watching it all.Five days later I was still in hospital, still in pain and struggling with inconsistent medication, I booked three seats on an EasyJet flight home. My insurance company was no help; I had to pay everything up front and get it back later. My dad and my wife both flew out to Marrakech to help me fly homeif they had not done that I dont know what would have happened.Back in the UK it didnt feel right. A friend whos a lower-limb specialist insisted on an X-ray as I could not straighten my leg. Her boss saw it and said, Get him in now. The rod was too long and about to push my kneecap out. Within hours, at Portsmouth Hospital, they replaced it with the correct size.REBUILDINGEven then, recovery was brutal with the right size rod. I was off the water, depressed, stuck on the sofa. After four months I could finally straighten my leg. I got into water photography, swimming out on a foam surfboard at the Witterings, shooting the lads looping overhead. It kept me sane for about a year. I called myself Anchorman.But every time I tried to surf and stand up, a searing pain shot through my knee. It turned out a nerve was rubbing against one of the locking bolts. There was no way I could windsurf with the rod in. Eventually I pushed to have the rod removed entirely. The surgeon warned the pain might be permanent.Two weeks later lockdown hit. My leg started feeling slightly better, but I wouldnt know for sure until I tried standing up on a wave. One day I sneaked out for a quick surf. I caught a wave, stood up and there was no pain. It had finally settled after the hardware came out. Once the locking nut was out it had taken about a month to heal and feel normal again.WINDSURING AGAINI ran home bouncing off the walls. After a year and a half, I realised I might actually windsurf again. The first flat-water blast was the best feeling ever. I genuinely thought my windsurfing days were over. Getting back into wave sailing was another mental hurdle. Every back loop, as I left the lip, Id think, This is it, its going to happen again. I still get that flicker of fear sometimes, but I managed it. It still feels a bit scary to this day, when I clip the lip when I am launching.It was about 18 months before I was properly wave sailing again. Now the leg feels strong, bigger than the other one where the bones knitted together, but solid. I feel brand new almost!The whole experience changed me. When something you love gets taken away, you suddenly see everything differently. Every session now feels like a gift. I dont get frustrated if Im not sailing well. Im just grateful to be out there. I live for windsurfing!I still check the forecast constantly, first thing in the morning, mid-morning, afternoon, and in the evening. Studying charts, planning where might work in the UK. Mostly, Cornwall and the Witteringswere lucky here.RETURN TO MOULAY: CLOSUREI even went back to Morocco last year on a Boujmaa clinic in a nearby bay. We did one day in Moulay. I was so tense. I did one forward loop, landed hard, felt my neck twinge and I basically thought, I need to get out of here. I sat on the concrete slope for two hours thinking. The local kids remembered me. It felt like closure, but I dont know if Id go back again. It was good I went back and dealt with the closure through!PERSPECTIVEThe accident put life in perspective. When I couldnt windsurf, I filled the gap with photography and stayed in the water. A lot of people said theyd have just sat indoors feeling sorry for themselves. I decided I had to find a way back. A lot of people respected me for getting back to windsurfing after all that. I stayed positive and decided to get on with my life!Now, every time I sail, its with gratitude. I had to get back in the waterthis journey just defines part of who I am.Some footage from the Morocco incident here!Ep -66 Send iT SundayThe post IAN WHITTAKER: THE LONG WAY BACK appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

TABOU DA CURVE 88L REVIEW: WINDSURFER MAGAZINETABOU DA CURVE 88L REVIEW: WINDSURFER MAGAZINEThe latest board to be put through its paces in the Windsurfer Magazine 85L wave board test is the Tabou Da Curve 88L which is the Thomas Traversa Pro Model.The fourth board to be put through its paces in the 85L Wave Test is the Tabou Da Curve 88L, the Thomas Traversa pro model. A surfy feel combined with great versatility. It took a couple of runs to get use to, but afterwards the feel was something to die for.Check out the full video for the verdict!Testers: Scotty Stallman Windsurfer Magazine Head Tester + GA/Tabou Int Teamrider Tris Best Windsurfer Magazine Editor in Chief + TesterDa Curve 2026 Tabou BoardsThe post TABOU DA CURVE 88L REVIEW: WINDSURFER MAGAZINE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

The post SailGP x Armstrong: Pushing the Future of Foiling appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.

FIRST LIGHTNITON FIRES AT DAWN!FIRST LIGHTNITON FIRES AT DAWN!ROSS WILLIAMSWith a nuking north-westerly and a modest groundswell on the charts, this session at Niton on the Isle of Wight was always going to come down to timing. Get it right, and youd score clean lines. Get it wrong and you could be left staring at a howling mess. John Carter looks back on a dawn session at Niton yesterday, where Ross Williams called it perfectly!Photos: John CarterClick and shot to enlarge and scroll.THE CALLWhen you get a message at 6.03 am on a windy day you know its most likely going to be a call to duty. Looking at the forecast it was going to be wild and windy with a stiff 25-30 knot northwest breeze and a small period 1.5m swell on the cards. Nothing epic, but definitely enough to justify getting out of a warm bed just about.Through barley functioning eyes, which were even blurrier without my glasses, I could just about make out the message was from Ross Williams Headed down to Nitoncould be firing!Hmmm, a quick cup of tea later, brewed at maximum strength and I was packed an in the trusty Polo within fifteen minutes. Not bad speed for that early in the morning! I was still barely awake mind youand not entirely convinced this early kick off was going to be worth it.The Polo rasped into lifedam it I had hardly any fuel either, With the latest Trump shenanigans it was going to cost me an arm and a leg to top up with diesel. I soldiered on!Halfway to the beach, the next message pinged through saying that it was small, but Ross was going to give it a try. I made it down the bumpy track at Niton just in time to see Ross Launching from the little harbour at the bottom of the track. The Trusty Polo trundled down the track at Niton and I was just in time to see Ross launching from the little harbour.By now it was 6:45am, and the sun was just starting to break through, lighting everything with a perfect golden glow. Even though it was freezing, that warm light made me feel it was worth the early wake up call.FULL CHAOS, CLEAN LINESThe wind, on the other hand, had skipped the warm-up entirely and gone straight to full chaos mode but at least the wind was a decent direction.NW at Niton does one thing very well clean lines. And despite the chaos in the air, the waves were stacking up nicely into the bay.From behind the lens, it looked borderline epic. Fair play to Ross for the motivation, most sane people would still be negotiating with their snooze alarms at that hour. But Ross is well known to be an early riser and 6am was a walk in the park for him although today was pretty chilly with the NW wind.NW is actually a cracking direction at Niton as the waves are super clean. The wind can be a bit gusty on the inside but today where it was howling windy, so it was not a problem for Ross to navigate in and out through the break.THE WINDOW CLOSESBy 8:30, some lazy clouds drifted in and the waves started to ease off, signalling the end of the session. Ross made his way back up the slipway looking pleased which, if you know Ross, is the real important message here. Hes usually his own harshest critic, so if he reckons, he got a few decent turns in, you can safely assume it was a solid session.ROUND TWOBy 2pm, Ross was back on the phone (clearly not tired enough) and we headed to Niton again. Same spot. Same wind. Completely different story.The tide had filled in, the waves had lost their shape and whatever magic the morning had delivered was long gone. Still windy absurdly sobut without anything to aim at, it felt more like punishment than payoff.Safe to say wed already scored the best of it before most people had even finished their first coffee. As they saythe early bird catches the worm!Ross was riding the 88L TABOU DA CURVEWindsurfer Magazine Test video here:The post FIRST LIGHTNITON FIRES AT DAWN! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

Watch CI's new Solution model fly in the conditions it was created for. This is from two back-to-back raw and uncut sessions of Reef Haezlewood in Japan.

INSANE FUERTE STRIKE MISSION: TEAM PATRIKINSANE FUERTE STRIKE MISSION: TEAM PATRIKThe Patrik wave team has been growing fast during the past winter and what better way to introduce the new team riders than a strike mission to Fuerteventura. Storm Therese provided monster waves on the north shore of the island where the likes of Adam Warchol, Alessio Stillrich, Leon Jamaer and John Skye went all in! Dont miss this!!PATRIK: It all came together on a big forecast when our designer John Skye started to plan a last minute windsurf trip with the new riders on the PATRIK wave team. Watch Adam Warchol, Alessio Stillrich, Leon Jamaer and John Skye score epic waves on the north shore of Fuerteventura. This is just the beginning of our wave adventures. Stay tuned! All stunts were performed by professionals.Dont try this at home. No PATRIK gear was harmed in the making of this video.Footage by: John Skye, Colby Stanley, Moritz Mauch, Alessio Stillrich, Canelo, Muaro FarenzenaThe post INSANE FUERTE STRIKE MISSION: TEAM PATRIK appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.