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#437 SEPTEMBER 2024WINDSURF MAGAZINE #437 SEPTEMBER 2024Dreams: Fuerteventura PWA Freestyle & Racing; Olympic Heartbreak For Emma Wilson & Sam Sills; Thomas Traversas Transition; Duotone Young Guns in South France; Flo Jung Shares his Ultimate Safety Checklist; 25 Years of Harry Nass; Tenerife PWA Report & Peter Harts Wave Masterclass.Subscribe andreceive your copy in either premiumPrintorDigitalformat.(Prices include delivery anywhere globally 10 times a year.)The Digital Edition is available now, and the print edition will be in shops and with subscribers soon.CoverVictor Fernandez slicing through a Hookipa lip! PhotoJohn CarterBIG JUICY READSTRANSITIONINGBig wave guru, Thomas Traversa discusses a potential midlife crisis, winning the PWA Wave World Championship and Red Bull Storm Chase in the same year, and the implications of sailing Nazar.2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMESCandid reflections by Emma Wilson & Sam Sills after two heroic efforts at the Paris Olympic Games, who did themselves and Team GB proud, but narrowly missed out on their dreams.FUERTEVENTURA MAKING THE SWITCHOver five days of brutal racing, some of the worlds best sailors tried to conquer switching between Foil Slalom and Slalom X. We hear from a selection of top sailors about how they copedFUERTEVENTURA FREESTYLE SHOWDOWNSotavento provided the worlds best Freestylers with the ultimate all-around test as they had to deal with anywhere from relatively light 20-knot winds to howling 40-knot offshore winds in their opening event of the year. We hear from the mens and womens top three.A MEDITERRANEAN STORM CHASEJohn Carter joins a crew of Duotone young guns as they chase an epic forecast in the south of France, where the infamous mistral wind was whipping up a storm.TENERIFE PWA WORLD CUPThe Tenerife PWA World Cup returned for the first time in five years and El Mdano reinforced its reputation as one of the best wave sailing spots in Europe. We hear from a selection of the top sailors.THE ULTIMATE CHECKLISTWith Europes autumn storms just around the corner, German wave sailor Flo Jung draws upon his years of experience to share with us his Ultimate Checklist for a safe and successful windsurf session.25 YEARS OF HARRY NASSJohn Carter tracked down Harry Nass who has been running world-class windsurfing centers in Dahab, Egypt since 1999, and more recently Hurghada, to find out how it all started, what makes his centers so special, and how he stays passionate after 25 years in the game.EQUIPMENT GARAGECATCH UP TEST: LOFTSAILS WAVESCAPE 5MJames Hardy shares his thoughts on the Loftsails Wavescape 5m.TEKKERSPETER HART MASTERCLASS FIRST TIME WAVE HEADSOf all the steps in the wave sailing journey, the first one is the hardest. With the help of folk who have recently made that journey, Harty answers the key questions and tilts you in the right direction.BOARDSHORTSLATEST & GREATESTThe best and latest selection of windsurfing news and products.UKWAScott Harrison looks ahead to the third UKWA Slalom event of the season, which will take place in Weymouth between 5th and 6th October.SITTIN ON THE DUNNYEDITORIAL DREAMSThe ed. discusses whether the current Olympic system finds the best sailor.AFFAIRS OF THE HART THE HAPPINESS DELUSIONOlympic windsurfing. Has the desire for jeopardy trumped fairness?Get yourPrintorDigitalcopynow!The post #437 SEPTEMBER 2024 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Exploring the untouched alpine lakes of the Italian Alps, Wim Pyl and his team set out to stand-up paddleboard in some of the most remote and pristine waters on Earth. This journey wasnt just about adventure; [&hellip... Read More

Pembrokeshire family paddle boardingWords & photos: Tez PlavenieksWhilst Im in the water right through the seasons, I look forward to summer and getting the rest of my family amongst it. With only a smattering of days gone by applicable to kiddy water time, more opportunity comes with the arrival of summer.Time to get goneNow, well all be aware of how damp the Welsh weather can often be. Travelling anywhere in the UK can be a gamble concerning the weather. But in the last few years, weve lucked out and enjoyed simply stunning conditions in Pembrokeshire. The irony!Saundersfoot baseWithout harping on too much about the weather, our base of Saundersfoot, on the east-facing Pembs coast, has been chosen for various reasons. It is a resort in its own right, not far from the bustling Tenby, with a nice beach right out front and a micro-climate. If the weather will be decent anywhere in Pembrokeshire, its here.Saundersfoot itself can be thronging during public holidays. It has that typical coastal resort vibe with a hint of surfy beneath the surface. Its sandy beach, growing considerably at low tide as it links with other expanses of the golden stuff, is excellent for SUP. Primarily flat water, its fantastic for kids and general salty shenanigans. Now and again, with a big pulse of swell, you get a wave here. It can also be cracking for foiling or SUP surfing when this happens.Other options close byRight next door to Saundersfoot is Amroth (with a couple of other beaches in between). Amroth can offer respite from the Saundersfoot crowds. Its often much quieter. With (low and behold) plentiful parking almost unheard of at other coastal venues during peak times in the UK!Amroths beach starts to come into its own once the tide starts to recede. At the Telpin end, theres a headland to explore by paddle board when its calm. Or stay on the flats right in front of the sea defences (which are pretty steep to get down, it should be noted). As with other east-facing beaches, occasionally, you get a SUP and SUP foil-friendly wave here which we did during our last visit. It can be great for paddling and those beginning their wave journey.The wild Pembrokeshire WestOne of the great things about the far-flung west of Wales is that locations arent that spread out. It only takes a short while to drive between spots. Heading from Saundersfoot to the west-facing beaches, you have the staples of Manorbier, Freshwater West, Newgale and Whitesands.There are also lots of off-the-beaten-track put-ins. One is Marloes Sands, a stunning beach accessible via a steep cliffside pathway. The walk-in keeps things quiet. Its worth a look, as it can be spectacular in the early spring sunshine. Watch out for high tide as its sketchy to access, with Marloes mostly disappearing when the sea pushes in.Newgales crowning gloryFor us as a family when looking for more rugged yet accessible spots Newgale is the one. An hour or so away from Saundersfoot Newgale is a choice wave beach that also works at lower tides. The shore dump onto the large stones at high tide can be significant.As with everywhere in Pembs, there are other beaches close by. Newgales low-tide sandy expanse links with Broadhaven, so theres plenty of space. Surf-wise, it can get chunky here. But more often, its mellow and easygoing. If quite exposed to the wind. Wing foiling can be awesome though!Our favourite Pembrokeshire beachesDuring the last few visits to Pembrokeshire, weve had the opportunity to explore many different beaches some of which weve made frequent sojourns to. These are some of our favourites from all those weve experienced. There are plenty, however, we havent even discovered yet!Saundersfootis a family-friendly beach with a large expanse of sand at low tide. Its right next to a harbour, so be wary of that. It also gets busy. Great for flat water SUP, wing foiling if breezy and general beach shenanigans.Amrothis quieter than Saundersfoot. Amroth is just along the coast and, at low tide, has lots of sand to play on. Some tidal pools form for splashing about in as well. Offering mainly flat water paddle boarding, it can sometimes serve up a friendly wave.Tenby South golden sands, stunning views and a riviera feel give Tenby South a distinct personality. The beach does shelve fairly steeply, but on calmer days, it can be fun for paddling and swimming. Its also suitable for waves if theres a solid swell pulsing.Newgale our fave Pembrokeshire beach for surfing is best at lower tide as the water recedes from the large stones. Newgale is very exposed but can be pretty mellow nonetheless.Freshwater Westis one of the premier surfing beaches in the area. If there are waves, ensure youre up to the challenge, as it can be testing. Especially for wee ones. Worth a look, though.Marloes Sandsis a picturesque and out-of-the-way Pembrokeshire beach thats great when you fancy respite from the crowds. It does get surf, but being isolated, you need to make sure your skills are up to it. Its best at low tide.Depending on what youre after as a family, plenty of other beaches and paddle boarding/watersports locations exist.Other things to doIf SUP and watersports arent doing it for you, plenty of stuff keeps your family entertained. In particular, the Welsh love a castle practically one on every corner. As such, exploring and discovering these ancient monuments is an easy activity that takes some time. But theres more, too.Mooch around Tenbys bustling seaside town, followed by a boat ride toCaldey Island. Explore the islands 1500-year-old history.Head toPembroke Castleand discover what it was like living in such a place. Other castles are available.Spend the day atDinosaur Park, Tenby. This is quite a mellow theme park thats perfect for younger children.Get up close and personal with birds of prey courtesy ofPembrokeshire Falconry. These guys can often be found at locations around Pembrokeshire putting on events.Explore the smallest city in the UK St.Davidsand its cathedral. Whitesands Bay is close by for some beach action.The above barely scratches the surface of whats available. Have a search online to find more.Eats and drinksThere are lots of choices for eating and drinking options. Pembrokeshire has all the usual artisan stuff youd hope to find. For families, however, the following is what Id suggest.The Amroth Armsis a chilled, family-friendly beachfront pub in Amroth. It gets busy in summer, so get there early. There is no option to book as its first come, first served.The Angel part of a hotel in Narberth- has a slightly upper-market restaurant thats still family-friendly. Narberth itself is a quaint, small town with other eateries as well.The Boars Headis another higher-end bistro-style pub. The Boars Head at Templeton is worth a look. It also gets busy on the main road to Narberth, so reservations are essential.Dragon Palace a popular and authentic Chinese restaurant just outside of Saundersfoot. If you like Chinese food, this is recommended.Fish and chips on the beach plenty of fish and chip takeaways, depending on your location.As with everything in Pembrokeshire, theres a wide range of choices depending on what youre after. These suggestions are just a few of what weve experienced as a family.Summing upPembrokeshire has something for everybody. You dont need to be a paddle border to enjoy the wild west of Wales. Its an excellent location for families and one well undoubtedly return to. If youve never experienced Pembrokeshire, Id highly recommend it.For more info, visit https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/

Words: Margarita FelixbergerMargarita FelixbergerPhotos: The Round Wales TeamThe Round Wales TeamA Welsh circumnavigationWe were sitting in a static caravan in Prestatyn, refreshing the weather forecast yet again. The storm had finished, but the swell was still large, and we were about to venture into the treacherous Dee Estuary full of shifting sandbanks.Mumbles near SwanseaTwo weeks before, our team of paddlers had set off on a circumnavigation of Wales from the Mumbles near Swansea. We had started off making good progress, but the weather had forced us to sit out a few days, and we were keen to get going again.Some might ask how you circumnavigate Wales, considering it is not an island. Well, it is surrounded on three sides by coast and the north coast can be connected to the south coast via canals and rivers. The inland section route requires paddling from Chester to Wolverhampton on the Shropshire Union Canal and then continuing on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Stourport-on-Severn. From Stourport, the Severn flows south, bringing you to the south coast.Our team consisted of Tavi, a seasoned expedition paddler with an Ireland circumnavigation and a Roof of Britain circumnavigation under her belt; Russell, who had dreamed of a Wales circumnavigation since he was 14; Margarita, who loves local adventure and was easily persuaded to join; and expedition novice Alison, who wanted to paddle as much of the coast as possible in the limited time she had available.So, how do you plan a big adventure like this?We spent ages discussing different start locations. However, there are so many variables that making detailed planning in advance is difficult. In the end, we printed 1:50k OS maps of the route and annotated the coast section with tidal flows and the inland section with portaging information.Calm weatherAnticipation, excitement and fear of the unknown mingled as we set off from the Mumbles in early May. Our strategy was simple: paddle hard when the weather is good and sit out adverse weather. So, we made as much progress as possible while the weather was calm. This meant long days of paddling across bays or estuaries to get as far around the coast as possible. We didnt intend to beat any records, so while the weather was bad or the wind was against us, we did shorter paddling days or rested altogether.We were lucky that our start coincided with five days of sunny, calm weather and spring tides. This allowed us to get around Pembrokeshire, with its strong tidal flows and committing headlands, in just a few days by braving some long crossings. A real highlight in this section was watching pods of porpoises play near our kayaks.By then, our paddling fitness had not entirely caught up with our ambitious paddling, and some of us were nursing blisters and tight back muscles. This meant we were not too upset by having to sit out a bad weather day after New Quay, especially as the wonderful Gareth and Alix Bryant of Llandysul Paddlers were able to accommodate us in their bunkhouse.Feeling rested, we continued north along Cardigan Bay for a few days, debating when to cross to the Llyn Peninsula. We decided to go from Shell Island, making this a 26 km crossing, thinking it would take us maybe 4-5 hours. However, the weather had other plans, and an unexpected headwind slowed us down, which took us six hours instead. Mentally, this was one of the more challenging days as you prepare for a certain crossing duration, and any delay seems to make it go on forever.Team spiritThese harder days did foster our team spirit. We did not know each other well at the start, but we were beginning to gel by now. We had open and frank conversations addressing some issues like differences in paddling speeds or how to share the tidal planning. We were fortunate that we got on very well. We had different opinions and preferences, and each paddler had their quirks, but we were accepting and supportive of each other.We really enjoyed the coastline of the Llyn Peninsula. The tides forced us to have a few shorter paddling days to and through the Menai Straits, which gave us more time to enjoy the beautiful wild camping sites we found.Soon, we were on the less paddled north coast of Wales, where Alisons time ran out, leaving three of us to continue. Then, the largest storm of our trip made us seek shelter in a static caravan in Prestatyn. We were keen to get going again once the wind and rain had abated. However, after refreshing the forecast yet again, we took the safe option and decided to spend the next day in a caf waiting for the swell to die down. We finally left Prestatyn on the evening tide for a short hop to our next camp spot on the Dee Estuary en route to Chester.Many portagesOnce on the canals from Chester onwards, our progress was less dependent on the weather, but what slowed us down now were the many portages. We had trolleys, but we needed to get the loaded sea kayaks out of the canal and onto the trolleys, wheel them around obstacles like locked gates or right-angle bends, and then launch back into the canal.Sometimes, the locks were bunched together, and although it was tough to pull a kayak uphill for a few kilometres, at least it got many locks done simultaneously. It was worse when the locks were spaced one or two kilometres apart, and we paddled just 10 or 20 minutes before we had to repeat the portaging process yet again.After 3.5 days on the canal, the Severn was a relief with its flow and manned locks. Then, half a day on the Gloucester Canal brought us to Sharpness. We were glad to be near salty water again. Back in familiar territory, friends and family were able to support us with overnight accommodation, and we had a wonderful welcome back into Wales by Seren Dwr club members! By now, we knew we would be able to finish our circumnavigation. Before bad weather loomed again, we paddled hard for a few last days before landing on the same slipway we had set out four weeks before.Would we do it again?It was a fantastic experience. The mixture of coast, inland, and estuaries made the journey varied and interesting. The four-week expedition made it feel like a proper adventure, but it still fitted in around work responsibilities.Some of us are already planning the next big trip, while others will stick to shorter, more leisurely expeditions.Our highlights:Getting on so well within the team.Finding amazing wild campsites by potluck.Making the most of strong tidal streams and courageous crossings to cover more distance than planned.Getting back to our starting slipway after having paddled around Wales!Statistics:27 elapsed days.Three storm-bound days without any paddling.12 km paddled on the shortest day, just a short hop to shelter before a storm.52 km paddled on the longest day, with speedy assistance from a strong spring tide.950 km total distance covered.Over 2000 was raised for the RNLI using our JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/russell-scaplehorn-1714402085376.We documented our progress on a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558924147898Tips:Do not plan too far ahead. Wild camping allows you to be flexible, making progress when you can or abandoning it when the going gets tough.Do not pack too much. Our kayaks were very heavy to start with. Every time we met friends or family, we reduced our kit until the boats were a lot more manageable at the end. The problem is always packing everything you need while not having anything essential missing. Being able to offload stuff on the way is very useful, as by then, you know which items you really need.Ensure you are comfortable in your boat for hours, but dont stress too much about the paddle training. You dont need to be super fit to start an adventure. If you want to paddle less each day, just allow extra days or choose a shorter challenge. Your paddling speed does not matter if the team is matched or if the faster paddlers are happy with a slower speed. You will get fitter as you go along.Do practise your camp skills. You might think the paddling is the hard bit, but camping life can also be a challenge. Eventually, we got quicker at setting up and breaking camp. We cooked delicious meals on our Trangia, which we occasionally supplemented with pub food.Please check the firing times of the military ranges on the Pembrokeshire coast. We chose our start point to clear the military ranges on the weekend when there was no firing scheduled.

Planning a staycation and want some inspiration?! Weve got your back! The UK is a fantastic place for a kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard holiday. From meandering countryside rivers to historic city canals and family lake adventures. Whether youre looking for a fully active holiday or just a day out doing something different well []The post Paddling Holidays and Staycations appeared first on Go Paddling.

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