8M MULTI CAM SAIL TEST 20248M MULTI CAM SAIL TEST 2024BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT MODERN CAM SAILSWith a reputation of being somewhat cumbersome, our Test Editor sets about busting some of the myths associated with modern cam sails, while highlighting their cutting-edge performance, which make them a must for any flatwater quiver.TEST EDITOR: JAMES HARDY // PHOTOS: OTC // LOCATION: HAYLING ISLAND & PORTLAND HARBOUROVERVIEW Big cambered sails always tend to split opinion in the general windsurfing community you see at the local flatwater spot. Why? Well, you mention the word cams and I can guarantee almost immediate thoughts of heavy, difficult to rig, too performance-oriented and the cams are just too difficult to rotate, all spring into peoples minds and is quickly written across their faces. Well, this test definitely squashes some of those myths and facts that have unfortunately been passed on through generations of windsurfers.Personally, I have never been a big user of cambered rigs, and I was neither here nor there when it came to starting this test category. However, just like the 120L freeride board test a few issues back, I have gained an appreciation for what the cambered rig has to offer, which has 100% sparked up my interest again.The sails within the category deliver the whole spectrum when it comes to what a cambered sail has to offer the rider from super easy rigging and accessible performance that comes with a 2 cam rig, all the way up to 4 cams, which offer top performance, while allowing you to nudge yourself into as much performance as you desire. This category has something that will either interest, or at least leave you wondering why you havent added a cambered rig to your flatwater blasting quiver yet.What was present across the board of all the rigs is the weight all the rigs shared a nice weight to them, of course some were noticeably lighter than others, but generally when picking up the rigs, at no point did the thought or feeling of this is a bit heavy spring to mind or left our lips. The rigging is also easier than ever, the two cammed sails in the category were exceptionally simple to rig, even the more performance orientated 4 cammed sails had a simplicity to them when it comes to rigging. If you dont believe me, go and learn how to rig one, its really not as long winded or arduous as you may believe, and if its going to allow you to access a whole new level of performance and enjoyment when it comes to your riding then surely, its worth it.Predominantly tested in what I would describe as champagne conditions on Hayling island low tide and sunshine accompanied by a cross-off northwesterly wind, with flatwater and a noticeable range between the gusts and lulls which comes with this wind direction. What was surprising on the days testing was that there were no other windsurfers out, instead there was a lot of wingers that would occasionally run into the sand bar, but I knew that I was the one having the most fun on the water blasting back and forth at speed.So, lets get to it!First up in the lineup we have the ultra-usable and comfortable GUNSAILS SPECTRO, feeling like a conventional rotational sail, but with the added benefits of twin-cam stability, a simmering power delivery and a decent low end. Moving over to the Goya Mark 2, which hits with obvious bold power at the low end that delivers quick acceleration together with fast and easy rigging. Sticking with the easy to find power and exceptional low end we have the Duotone S-Pace, which provides power on tap that requires a little tuning attention at the top end of its wind range. Handling like a freeride sail, the PATRIK GT3 FRC relishes a little more active input to really let its personality shine with good speed, quick acceleration and stability at the top end. Sticking with stability the Loftsails Switchblade is a real champion here allowing you to access performance easily as the Switchblade works for you through the gusts and lulls. Moving into the last two in the category, and towards the more performance end of the spectrum, the North Freerace will take your blasting up a notch, remaining stable, rapid and making gybes effortless. Lastly in the category we have the Severne Mach 7 which is a total engine that desires its character to be matched in order to reap the rewards of lightning quick acceleration, superior upper end stability and speeds that will always impress.THE LINEUP Duotone S-Pace 7.8mGoya Mark 2 7.8mGUNSAILS SPECTRO 7.8mLoftsails Switchblade HD 7.8mNorth FreeRace 7.7mPATRIK GT3 FRC 8mSeverne Mach 7 7.5mThe post 8M MULTI CAM SAIL TEST 2024 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

The new Monobloc connection system is perfectly streamlined and extremely stiff. This gives the Foil a very direct feel which results in more confidence pushing the foil. The tail is an essential component for the Indiana [&hellip... Read More

Jim MillerWords: Jim MillerPhotos: Jim Miller, Kirsten Petrie & Eleri SpencerTo cross deck or not cross deck on a SUP, that is the question! It is a question that comes around now and then, with some people very set that cross deck is not really a thing on SUP, whereas others are the entire opposite. So why is this the case?When we first learn to SUP (for some of you reading this, you might have to think back to your first few days on a SUP), it is commonplace to switch sides because you wish to keep going in a straight line, make turning easier, not build an imbalance of muscle on one side of the body, or your stroke simply isnt efficient enough yet to stick on one side paddling But what is interesting is that SUP paddlers swap sides more often, unlike canoeing, where people find their preferred side and stick with it.One of the many huge benefits of SUPIs this ingrained in us from when we learnt? Or is there more to it than that? So, one of the huge benefits of SUP is the ability to move more easily on the craft than any other craft but this also comes with a downside when swapping sides in certain circumstances. When we first learn to SUP, we usually learn in the square side on stance this allows us to change from one side to the other easily, and we dont have to move anything other than the paddle.Once we start to paddle more complex white water environments, we tend to adopt a surfing stance with our feet in an offset stance, as it is often referred to. This makes swapping sides slightly trickier as we also need to move our feet to get into position to paddle efficiently on the other side. But this also makes the cross deck slightly trickier, and we would also want to move our feet still if we wanted to maximise efficiency.A dominant sideLets explore this, once we start to paddle far more challenging rapids and more complex whitewater, or simply paddling at whatever our max capacity is, we tend to favour a dominant side. Much like surfing, skateboarding or snowboarding you tend to have a preferred foot forward where you feel more balanced.In whitewater SUP, this is the exact same once you start to push the sport, you find your preferred side now imagine you are in a gnarly rapid and dont wish to fall but need to put some strokes in on the other side to move that way/turn or avoid an obstacleThe cross-deck strokeSwapping the paddle side takes slightly longer and means moving your hands on the paddle and back to your dominant side. Swapping feet is probably a no-go in the moving water as its likely too gnarly for us to want to lose our balance cue the cross-deck stroke, and when it comes in really handy. It is quicker; you dont have to move your feet if you are only doing one or two strokes so long as you havent got a crazy wide surfing stance on the board anyway yes, not moving your feet makes for a less efficient stroke, but when it is only half strokes you dont notice much of a difference.One of the most common occasions we lose balance in white water SUP is on the eddy lines again, imagine you are in a big gnarly rapid and need to make an eddy but dont want to swim it. This means keeping your dominant foot position for balance, and again, the cross deck now comes in handy. We often see SUP slalom paddlers using cross-deck strokes to make eddies and turn around the gates efficiently it saves time and minimises your loss of balance on the board.So, we might cross-deck because your paddle stroke is on the side you need for balance/more control as you cross eddy lines or need to drive through a feature. You can more easily control the edges of the board in the manner you wish i.e. making an eddy you want an upstream paddle side edge as you carve across the line this lifts the downstream edge and allows the board to glide across the eddy line.If you were to not cross deck or swap sides, then the downstream edge would catch, and you would end up going for a wee swim. Admittedly, swapping sides works well as well it just takes a little longer and adds things into the mix, like moving your hands on the paddle.Realising the potentialSo why is it then that not a huge number of paddlers on SUP use cross-deck strokes? Well, in all honesty, there probably arent enough people pushing the sport yet to truly realise the potential for them. And you dont need them unless you are operating at that point where balance is crucial, and swims are not necessarily wanted, or time is of the essence, i.e. making a tight eddy at the last minute. So, the majority of people dont really need to cross-deck. They can paddle on both sides and are probably all the better for it.A third optionBut there is a third option this option comes with neither swapping sides nor cross decking and instead thinking more about edge control you could shift your hips or your weight distribution through your feet to edge the opposite side to the board you are paddling which can help to cross eddy lines easily this option is one that can help to balance you much like a swap of side or cross deck (because those options both engage the opposite edge to the board as well). But it does not help with board drive necessarily as if you wanted to use the paddle for stability on the side of the board, it would be slightly less efficient on the opposite side of where your weight distribution is. And in all genuine honesty, it can look a little weird if you take your hips to the opposite side of the board than you are paddling on.Intermediate to advancedIn short, in the authors opinion, cross-deck is definitely a stroke that is good for SUP, but it isnt necessarily all that great for beginners. It is more of an intermediate to advanced paddler technique, which comes in handy when we are operating at max capacity in the river or when we want to swap the edge control/minimise swim time.About Jim MillerI began my love for the outdoors nearly 30 years ago when being taken up mountains, onto rivers and to the sea as a child. I would regularly run ahead into the mountains, sit on a rock and admire the views and this helped me to develop a true passion for the outdoor environment.I regularly engage in all disciplines of paddlesports and have the privilege of being a national trainer for white water SUP and other disciplines as well as sitting on different discipline and technical committees. I am a provider in different SCA/BC awards which I deliver in canoe, kayak, SUP and rafts. I am currently on the Hala and Werner (System X) SUP teams for white water paddleboarding and love pushing the limits of what is possible. I am keen to share my passion and enjoyment with as many as possible and I love being on a SUP a huge smile just crosses my face. I hope to see you all on the water at some point!

Details regarding membership are available on the Arctic Club website www.arcticclub.org.uk or email membership@arcticlub.org.ukPlanning a kayaking expedition to the Arctic?Why not join The Arctic Club?The Arctic Club was founded in 1932 by Sir James Wordie famous for his journeys to Svalbard, Greenland, Jan Mayen and Baffin Island. One of the benefits of belonging to the Club is the ability of Members to share a wealth of high latitude knowledge.To become a Full Member of the Arctic Club you must have overwintered in the Arctic or taken part in two significant expeditions. This obviously precludes those who are planning their first expedition who could benefit greatly from the skills and knowledge that the Full Members possess.Therefore, we felt it would be helpful to draw attention to another category of membership called Associate Membership. This category is open to Scientists, Artists and Authors who can demonstrate an enduring interest in the region, but it is also open to those intrinsically involved in planning an expedition. Members of the club lead or participate in Arctic Expeditions every year and are always willing to share their wealth of knowledge which could be of invaluable use to those venturing to the region for the first time.For those who have been on one expedition but hope to go on more, they could apply for Aspirant Membership.With a membership joining fee of just 10, plus 10 per year, the Club represents fantastic value.

3 min read Intro If you didnt know, June 15th 2024 is this years International Surfing Day. In this post well be taking a closer look into what this surfing holiday is all about and why its becoming increasingly important. Here are the areas well cover 1. What is International Surfing Day? 2.

We decided to go on a little road trip. Starting in San Diego, Anthony and I headed up the Californian coast catching some surf, through Oregon exploring some fantastic rivers along the way, landing in Portland. There's so much i want to tell you...

STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024The Verdict Bigger rigs bring the Foil Freeride to life. Commit to the width and remain in the straps and the Foil Freeride will reward you with ultimate control when flying. The Foil Freeride is forgiving with touch downs and provides a smooth gybe. Paired with a race foil the Foil Freerides outline would keep you in contention.The Lowdown Available in two constructions, Starlite Carbon Technology provides value and quality, while Starboards Wood Sandwich offers light weight together with their lowest carbon footprint. Provided in the wood sandwich for the test, light-coloured wood, where the natural grain of the wood is visible, runs from the nose to the front footstraps, before blending into a dark blue and bold contrasting red. The deck pads are colour-matched and well-cushioned, while the straps provided are extremely comfortable. The Foil Freeride is going to offer some comfort for the rider, even as they push their foiling limits. On top, it holds a fairly boxy outline that looks suited to larger, well-loaded rigs, tapering in ever so slightly at the tail. There isnt a huge amount of rocker on the Foil Freeride, which in the air should be more aerodynamic. Its nose is reduced in length, which reduces swing weight, while its concave track will add control. Overall, the deck is appealing and doesnt appear to be overly complex for a foil board. However, roll the Foil Freeride over, and you are greeted with a plethora of exaggerated bottom shapes and cut-outs. Sharp, crisp rails run forward and a vee double concave runs the length of the board, but the vee sits very proud, especially upfront under the nose. The foil box sits proud on its own with a very slight vee on it, a cut-out blends forward into the hull, and substantial wingers sit under the rear straps and taper forward to the front straps. All of these details are to keep the width to increase leverage and control over the foil as its used with well loaded rigs, but also to reduce the surface area to allow you to break free from the water. The Foil Freeride appears to offer comfort and usability on the top, but well-placed and hidden performance on the bottom.Brand Claim Setting new standards and consistently surpassing expectations, these boards offer unmatched versatility and exhilarating performance. With a perfect blend of balance and control, effortless take-offs and exhilarating flights are simply second nature. Elevate your freeride foiling to the next level.PerformanceImmediately feeling stable, the Foil Freeride provides ultimate confidence to the user to move around the board with ease, not requiring superior balance or balletic technique. Preferring to be powered and/or driven by larger rigs, the Foil Freeride builds speed and releases well, slipping onto the plane, accelerating gently, while generating lift. The front strap is easy to find, sitting there open for you to place your foot. Its foil box placement in relation to the back straps, which are slightly offset, makes coming up and out of the water a very rider-led affair. With the back foot in the strap, the rider has ultimate control in rising out of the water; it offers ultimate control in ride height. Its width naturally suits and helps you to manage well-powered and larger rigs by placing you outboard to commit to the power. In the straps, the riders position automatically sheets the sail in, providing continuous power and setting you to the apparent wind, which allows you to lever against the foil to drive as fast and as hard as you want. Touchdowns are managed for you as the Foil Freerides bottom shape works in your favour with its pronounced vee doing a fantastic job dispersing water and popping you back up. Meanwhile, its thick, well-engineered tail shape with cutouts, wingers, and edges shed excess surface area to keep the foil the number one priority. The Foil Freeride is capable of being used with smaller rigs, but a more mobile rear foot is required, or the use of the inboard rear strap position, if you want to load up and lock in. Through the gybes, the Foil Freerides width is managed with a positive step over to the opposite rail to control the radius of your choice. Its flatter deck shape makes it an easy and usable area to find your way through the all-important foot change. The Foil Freeride offers a really nice ride thats all about putting the rider in as much control as possible, while still being able to go full power.www.windsurf.star-board.comSTARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024VITAL STATSPrice: 2149Volume (Quoted): 160LLength: 208cmWidth: 85cmBottom Shape: Vee Double Concave throughoutWeight (Naked): 10kgSail Range (Quoted): 6.0-9.5mSizes Available: 130, 160OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TESTExocet Freefoil V3 AST 132LGoya Bolt 4 Carbon 129LSeverne Alien 145LBACK TO TEST OVERVIEWThe post STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

The KNALU, a downwind specialist for SUP, wing, and light wind wing foiling, is our most performance-driven foil board yet. It offers exceptional stability and effortless porpoising before pop-up, delivering a fluid and responsive ride with [&hellip... Read More

The English Riviera is set to make history on 31 August 2024, as around 1,000 stand-up paddle (SUP) boarders gather for a world record attempt in the Great Big Paddle Board Parade, raising funds for the RNLI, Above Water and Rowcroft Hospice.Gliding across the clear waters of thestunning South Devon coastline, participants will not only be contributing to a noble cause but also showcasing the English Riviera as the UKs leading destination for stand-up paddleboarding. This is just the beginning of an exciting lineup of SUP events that promise to elevate the regions status in the international paddling community.Following the world record attempt, the English Riviera will host the inaugural SUPERCHAMPS event from 27 to 29 September 2024. This groundbreaking festival is the first step in a five-year vision to establish the English Riviera, as an international destination to SUP. The event promises a vibrant celebration of stand-up paddleboarding, catering to everyone from beginners to elite athletes.The SUPERCHAMPS will feature a diverse range of races and activities designed to engage participants of all ages and skill levels. From the thrilling 150m sprint to the junior and first-time races, theres something for everyone. For those seeking more of a challenge, longer technical courses will be available, along with timed events that push the limits of endurance. The Championships will also host the official SUP Water Polo Tournament, adaptive SUP sessions, and opportunities to try the latest gear, ensuring a truly inclusive and exciting experience.Evenings during the festival will come alive with presentations, films, and talks by the UKs top paddlers, who will share their inspiring stories and world-record achievements. These events aim to foster a deeper connection to the sport and the community that surrounds it.Brendon Prince, a nine-time World Record Stand-Up Paddleboarding Champion and ambassador for the event, expressed his excitement: Partnering with the SUP governing body PaddleUK to bring these championships to the English Riviera is a significant step toward elevating the sport. Were not only focused on creating an exhilarating lineup of activities but also on promoting water safety and drowning prevention, which are at the heart of our mission.Prince continued, Our goal is to position the English Riviera as a premier destination for international SUP. The next five years will be crucial in establishing a strong foundation with the support of our commercial partners, ensuring the region becomes synonymous with world-class paddleboarding.For more details about the English Riviera SUP Championships and how to participate, please visithttps://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/stand-up-paddle-superchamps-english-riviera-championships-.

SUMMER 2024 ISSUE 78 CONTENTSALSO AVAILABLE ON JOOMAG AS A DOWNLOADABLE PDF: https://joom.ag/FOtdA chat with Chris ReedBy Peter TranterAmazon Challenge 2024By Caroline DawsonUsing sideslips for canoe freestyleBy Tim BurrisA chat with Huw ButterworthBy Peter TranterPensioners on the River SpeyBy John R. DeanPaddle UKPaddle UK Summer 8-page feature#PaddleSafe this summerA summer safety campaign for all paddlersDevelop your safety skillsPaddle UKs five key safety messagesMeet our Paris Games athletesThe Olympic and Paralympic Games teamsThe SUP SuperChampsBy Brendon PrinceShePaddles festival at TrywerynBy Del ReadCon La Positiva a Patagonian adventureBy Mathew SchweizerA Welsh circumnavigationBy Margarita FelixbergerSUP: Cross deck Vs switching sides Vs edge control whats best?By Jim MillerThe Olympics I did it my wayBy Corran Addison36 top tips for sea kayak expeditionsBy Jim MillerReviews:Ainsworth Carbon Crank Shaft SUP paddleBy Helen NightingaleMustang Survival Adelphi UV hooded topBy Sarah ThornelyHelly Hansen Womens Odin 9 Worlds Infinity Shell JacketBy Hannah SteedAinsworth Paddles Ocean crank paddleBy Rachel HudspithDryrobe waterproof hooded ponchoBy Sarah ThornelyHelly Hansen Skagen F-1 Offshore shoesBy Peter TranterHelly Hansen Unisex Foil Shell SmockBy Peter TranterSEAR plugsBy Sarah ThornelyRoarsome childrens wetsuitsBy Dale MearsCover: Chris Smart sea kayaking in Norway.Photo: Ollie Sandeman (Head of Paddlesport PYB).Additional thanks to: Dale Mears, Sarah Thornely, Plas y Brenin, Helen Nightingale, Hannah Steeds, Robert Carroll, Rachel Hudspith, Jane Carley, Amazon Challenge, SUP Lass Adventures, Jim Lewis, Halvor Heggem, Lachie Carracher, Andy Kettlewell, Kalob Grady, John Haines, Neale Brown, Tom Clare Photography, The Round Wales Team, Kirsten Petrie & Eleri Spencer.The International magazine for recreational paddlersDownload the full magazine in PDF format for free: