R.I.P. MARK KASPROWICZR.I.P. MARK KASPROWICZMark Kasprowicz, former editor and publisher of Windsurf Magazine, sadly passed away on April 7th, 2026, after a short illness, aged 78.For many years, Mark was a popular breakfast-time presenter on BBC Radio Oxford, where his voice became a welcome companion to listeners across Oxfordshire.Mark discovered windsurfing in the early 1980s after borrowing a board and rig in France, and he was immediately hooked. That single day sparked a lifelong passion, leading him to help out at a sailing club in order to access equipment that was otherwise financially out of reach.He later began contributing to several windsurfing magazines, initially Boards and then Windsurf, eventually becoming editor of Windsurf Magazine before taking the opportunity to purchase the title. Under his leadership, the magazine became a trusted and inspiring voice for windsurfing enthusiasts around the world.Mark wrote articles, took photographs, and served as editor of Windsurf Magazine for several decades, before handing over the reins. He remained as publisher until 2025, when the changing landscape of the industry meant that continuing as a physical magazine after 35 years in the business, was no longer viable.A strong character and widely respected within the industry, Mark will be sorely missed by all who knew him.The post R.I.P. MARK KASPROWICZ appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

BEYOND THE PODIUM: WHAT BRANDS REALLY WANT FROM RIDERS!BEYOND THE PODIUM: WHAT BRANDS REALLY WANT FROM RIDERS!Andrea Cucchi from Point 7 gives his take on what makes a rider worth sponsoring.In modern windsurfing, sponsorship is no longer just about podium finishes. With social media and constant digital storytelling reshaping the sport, the role of a professional rider has evolved far beyond simply winning races. Few people understand this shift better than Andrea Cucchi, founder of Point-7 and a man that has sponsored world champions, as well as lower ranked riders that put in the grind.Having worked with world champions, rising talents and some of the sports biggest personalities, Cucchi has spent decades deciding who earns a place on the teamand why. In this conversation, he shares his honest perspective on what brands truly look for in sponsored riders today, why passion still matters more than statistics and how the balance between results, visibility and value for customers has changed. From letting top riders go, to building long-term partnerships and developing sails with the worlds best, Cucchi gives a candid look at the realities of sponsorship in modern windsurfing.Photos: Inna Bru / Point 7 / PWA CarterWINDSURF: When you sponsor a rider what do you look out for when picking a sailor to join the team?ANDREA CUCCHI: Effort, results and media used to be our focus. At least two of these three points had to be fulfilled. Today it is even harder for riders.Now the real question is: why should a client be interested in following this rider? What will he give to our clients? With all the channels available today, whether you finish first or last you can still produce your own content and be visible. The rider who can tell his story better and create more interesting content for the clients will be more valuable for the brand.Why do we sponsor? To sell more, to give extra service to our clients and to bring value to the brand. If you win but remain invisible, give nothing back to our clients and do not put the same energy into the project as the rest of the team, then it is far from the mentality required to be part of the project.WINDSURF: You seem to have a knack for spotting potential of future top-level ridershow do you get to spot the potential of a new rider?ANDREA CUCCHI: It is quite simple. You need to see that he truly enjoys windsurfing. I love windsurfing, if it is windy I cannot work. I need to go on the water to test, train, feel the sport. Its still part of my job, but of my fun too. 10 minutes can be even enough if I really have no time. Then later Im happy to work even till 3am to recover time spent on the water. Often in my session, I saw kids who stayed till last gust, or like the parents angry with them as they cannot get off the water in the darkthey come out from the water with fire in their eyes these are the right guys.If someone starts talking about how many sessions he did in one day, how many hours he spent on the water, or how tired he is after the gym, usually it means he did not enjoy it. No fun means no success. Some athletes do sports because they love the competition or the idea to be a pro, but they might not actually enjoy the sport itself. That is the wrong mindset if you want to become strong, either on YouTube or on the racecourse.WINDSURF: What do you expect a rider to do for the brand and what will you do to help them?ANDREA CUCCHI:If I do not see effort, I completely lose interest and I would not give one minute of my time. That rider will not stay longer than one year on the team does not matter if they are champions or not. My team in the office and behind the scenes works without looking at the hours they do. They feel they are part of the brand and part of the project to make Point-7 the best. This is how we all work. I cannot have a team rider who gets paid and does not respect their work. The rider has to feel the same. If their priority is to do four PWA events and then disappear for the rest of the year, we have no interest. The rider should be excited to do as many events as possible because he enjoys them. He should want to promote the sport, bring fans closer to windsurfing, motivate them to improve and spend more time on the water, not just promote his own ego. If their effort is there, we are the first to give more budget, gear, technical support, more development to their feedback. In the past, personally, I gave up my racing at the event and started caddying as they deserved the extra help to go get that title they worked for. I jumped in the car and drove 2400 km to give them the chance to test the latest prototype to have them feel safe with the changes. Its give and take. No first ladies.WINDSURF: How important is it that they are a solid ambassador for the brand on social media etc?ANDREA CUCCHI:It is about one third of their job, but what matters most is what you post. Of course we are happy to see riders windsurfing, but we can also see that from our friend next door. A photo of the gear on the beach is something anyone can post. The content needs to bring something more to the community.WINDSURF: Would you rather have a champion like Johan Soe or an exceptional social media / You Tuber like Nico Prien promoting the brand on the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:When we had Johan Soe on the team, he was the young talent who surprised everyone by beating champions in the events he entered. This created a lot of noise and great visibility for the brand. Later he decided to focus on IQ and his Olympic campaign and roads were not the same anymore. For our brand this made him less visible to our audience, because of course he had other priorities. So we stopped sponsoring him, even though we knew that if he showed up at an event he could beat almost anyone we might sponsor. For brand to sponsor such a champion is a high responsibility and hard work, as the gear performance needs to support his level.Nico Prien, on the other hand, constantly creates value. He shows new spots, promotes his gear daily, gives tips, organizes clinics and takes clients behind the scenes at events. All these projects create continuous engagement. His great skills, make his videos, tips and communication very reliable to clients, and a brand has a high responsibility to take advantage of his great work.Winning events is great. But at the end of the day we have to ask who gives more value to the clients and fans of the brand. Johan can make users proud to use the product. Nico gives useful content that enriches windsurfing knowledge.WINDSURF: How much do you rely on your team riders to help develop new sails?ANDREA CUCCHI:It is very important to have their feedback. They are the ones pushing the sails to the extreme and they can explain what could be improved. Then its in my case my responsibility to test the product myself, understand what they mean, and transfer this feeling into the change to be done in one exact point in the sail on the cad files. But the feedback needs to be precise. If they say, that they need a faster sail, thank you, who would not want it that is useless feedback. If they explain what disturbs them or what they feel while sailing, then I can work on improving the sail and make them more comfortable, which ultimately makes them faster. Very few riders can give really good feedback. Sometimes less talented riders have a better feeling for their equipment because they rely more on it to improve their performance.WINDSURF: Has the whole business of sponsorship changed recently now there is a bit less money involved in the sport?ANDREA CUCCHI:It depends on what the rider offers. As I said before, you can win, but if your victories do not increase sales, it becomes difficult to justify paying good money. The same applies if your media presence does not generate sales. If your results excite customers, if your videos attract people who want to buy the product, if your clinics or YouTube content convert views into participation and sales, then you become more valuable. The riders business, its now working for the brand to generate sales. I once had sponsors outside windsurfing who told me clearly: you want 10,000 euros free tickets, help us sell 20,000 euros tickets to your community. Very far from getting up, 6 hours on the water 2 in the gym and racing. It is give and take. Today sponsorship is not only about image. It has to convert into sales.WINDSURF: How does it feel when one of your riders wins a race or a world title?ANDREA CUCCHI: The first time a rider wins with your sails it is an amazing feeling. It means you found the right synergy, the right harmony and both sides respected the work that was done. Winning a second title is even harder. Everyone who came close wants revenge. They will study your equipment and your moves, so you need to raise your level even higher. But success is not only about titles. Sometimes finishing tenth with a lot of effort can be more meaningful than finishing second without pushing hard, especially if the rider was twentieth the year before.WINDSURF: How tough was it to let a top rider like Johan Soe leave the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:Personally, I had tears.When you work together with a rider for years, checking every detail and putting a lot of time into the project with the same passion, it is very hard to let them go. You become friends and spend a lot of time together on the beach and on the water. You both give everything to make success possible. Often this success also involves other people behind the scenes and the support of the rest of the team. But eventually you need to be realistic and ask if the collaboration still transfers into sales and value for the brand.WINDSURF: For Point 7 how many riders do you ideally like to have on the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:We can have many riders. It really depends on what they bring to the brand and to our clients. Some riders help our clients improve their fitness. Some coach clients to improve their technical level. Some create YouTube content. Others mainly focus on product development. In recent years there were not many events for pure competition, so having one rider per discipline worked well. But if racing grows again we would be happy to bring more riders per discipline on board.WINDSURF: Do you feel like many sailors can make a career out of being a pro windsurfer these days?ANDREA CUCCHI:Yes, but they need to diversify what they do. Results and prize money are not where the money is anymore. Counting only on prize money actually blocks the possibility of becoming a professional windsurfer. There are still a few riders with strong support from brands, but that will probably become even rarer. That does not mean riders cannot earn a living. They just need to build income through coaching, media, events and other activities around the sport. There are influencers who are nobody on social making amazing money. Sure, it takes skills that might not be liked or against the philosophy of I want to train and winand f. the rest.WINDSURF: Do you expect your team riders to all the events on the PWA tour or can local events or events like the Defi work just as well?ANDREA CUCCHI: The PWA season starts at the end of July, when the sales season is almost finished. From a sales point of view, it has limited value today, which is a pity. I really hope things will change. Events like the Defi are fantastic. They connect fun racing, professional riders and our clients. You have exhibitions, parties and the whole windsurfing lifestyle around it. This kind of event is what keeps the sport alive and helps it grow. Wasnt this what windsurfing was about. I remember when I started PWA in the 90s, each rider was very special. They all had their strong crazy looks, style, imageit all kind of died and become flat. Yes, also party animals, and the next day I could not believe how fit and focused they were. I dont make names, but Im sure we can all think of many names.WINDSURF: Are sailors getting paid as much these days as the old days?ANDREA CUCCHI:The platforms that used to promote racing results are not as strong as they used to be. Because of that it is harder for riders to earn good money purely from competition. Some youtubers get more than those making results. So the few who do both are those who make still ok money. I understand the frustration, because in the past winning events could bring strong financial support with only one focus. Unfortunately, things have changed.WINDSURF: What advice would you give an up and coming rider who is looking to approach a brand for sponsorship?ANDREA CUCCHI:When I was twenty, I was sponsored by ONeill and they gave me a book on how to be a good promoter for the brand. At that time, I had to send weekly reports with photos, stories and results. I fought to be on the magazines, tried to give back what was given to me. Many of those things seemed normal, but today they often do not happen anymore. Contracts are hardly respected, in my times we had big fines in the contracts.Nowadays some riders almost feel offended if the brand does not ask how things are going. The mindset should be the opposite. Be proactive. Be part of the brand. Bring ideas, feedback and opportunities to your sponsors. The brand should not have doubts why the sponsor you.WINDSURF: Describe the perfect team rider?ANDREA CUCCHI:Taty Frans. He loves windsurfing. He is smiling all the time. He is having fun on the water. He cares that the gear work and is good for his clients, followers, his racing and to feel proud that his sponsors offer the best gear. Available to travel, test and race any events because he loves the windsurfing vibe and challenges no matter the level. He does not post his energy and love for the sport that gives motivation to go on the water and jibe like he does. He has his centre, he has his clients test our gear and pushes client to discover the brand.Riders need to love windsurfing and share that passion with the windsurf community through content that people find useful, motivating and inspiring. We have a lot of riders like this. Josep Pons, Sasha, Cookie, Bob, Matteo, Arxon, Tycho, Temu, Jimmy, Eric and many more.WINDSURF: Do you think the money you pay for sponsored riders actually comes back in sale or is it all about brand awareness?ANDREA CUCCHI:Depends on the riders and on the discipline. Now that PWA needs to restructure, for sure we prefer to focus on riders who are able to bring back in sales, as they offer the information and support the clients need.WINDSURF: Have you ever seen a correlation between having a world champion and an increase in sales / new customers or a drop in sales after a rider has left the brand? ANDREA CUCCHI:Not at all in both cases. There are a lot of ingredients which build a brand. We had Matteo Iachino who won the world championship, but at that time we were not able to grow our brand due to other structural organization points we had to be ready with, so we could not take advantage of the situation. We took out Johan Soe as he decided to share his time also with IQ racing, and due to innovations and services we were able to offer, we increased sales even if he left. Sometimes you align many points and you have an increase of sales. Most important is to stay sharp on the product you offer and services to make your clients feel supported and loved. Credibility is important and this is why we focus only on windsurfing rigs, without losing focus. For our brand is also a bit different as Im a super active windsurfer with a strong team on top of the riders, I stand behind the development myself in and out of the water, so we have a very steady and strong brand, which is not depending purely from riders.WINDSURF: Can a brand survive without sponsoring any riders or without a flagship big name on the team?ANDREA CUCCHI:Today there are many more marketing options than in the past. But a sport without competition, without riders and without racing becomes much less interesting and exciting.You need competitions and you need riders to keep the sport alive. They create motivation for people to follow the sport, get on the water and try to improve.We have also seen brands disappear when they stopped supporting riders. And honestly, it would also make our work a lot more boring.WINDSURF: How come you did not continue with Amado Vrieswijk this season?ANDREA CUCCHI: We decided not to continue the sponsorship with Amado, as logistics and objectives were no longer aligned with both our needs and his. At the moment, the PWA is going through a transitional phase and will likely need a couple of years to confirm stable growth in terms of events.For this reason, sponsoring established top 5 riders whose main focus is competing in the PWA to secure podium results is not a priority for us right now. The uncertainty around the calendar and organization makes it difficult to justify that type of investment.Instead, we are shifting our marketing budget towards riders who are more actively involved in supporting product development and working closely with us to improve what we offer to our customers.This direction is clearly reflected in our recent developments. We have introduced a full range of Qbond body seamless production sails, the first of this kind on the market, along with a completely new construction also applied to our stitched sails. We have also launched new models such as the Rush-1 and the 9+ and implemented many practical improvements across our rig components.This approach allows us to focus on innovation and deliver real value to our clients.At the same time, we remain open to supporting young talents who are willing to work hard, as we have always done over the years. Looking at todays top 10 riders, many of them have grown within our program from a young age.We currently have a strong group of young riders who are also contributing significantly to product development, such as Bob and Matteo, among others. The selection of young talents happens naturally: those who are committed and willing to put in the work grow within the team, and their results follow accordingly.WINDSURF: Would you rather have one big hitter like Kai Lenny on the brand or a team of solid workhorses with mediocre results?ANDREA CUCCHI: We always go back to the same question: how much does the flagship rider engage with the clients? How visible are they and what activities do they do to promote the products?The difference between a top rider who might achieve top results at four events a year and solid workhorses who work every day for the brand makes the choice quite clear. If a big name does not only focus on racing but also supports the brand through other activities, then that can be gold.However, if the riders name becomes stronger than the brand itself, it can sometimes take over the spotlight and that can become a disadvantage.For clients, having a top rider using a brand used to be like a stamp of approval that the product works. But over the years we have also seen top riders switching brands more for financial reasons, so this has lost a bit of credibility. Often this is even the first comment you hear on the beach.In the end, I think the best solution is a combination. It also depends on what the brand needs at that moment, how many events are on the tour and how good the top rider is at multitasking beyond competition.POINT-7 | The Darkside of WindsurfThe post BEYOND THE PODIUM: WHAT BRANDS REALLY WANT FROM RIDERS! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

THE BLITZ EXPLAINED: DUOTONE WINDSURFING TECH TALKTHE BLITZ EXPLAINED: DUOTONE WINDSURFING TECH TALKJordy Vonk talks us through the technical side of the new sporty and performance orientated Blitz, which replaces the Blast in the 2026 line up. The Blitz features double step cut outs, a deeper recessed deck and multiple foot strap options. If you are looking for a board for maximum performance with minimum effort, that will also grow with your level, the Blitz could well be for you!The post THE BLITZ EXPLAINED: DUOTONE WINDSURFING TECH TALK appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

LIFE OF A CLUB VASS WINDSURF INSTRUCTOR: DAN BARRINGTONLIFE OF A CLUB VASS WINDSURF INSTRUCTOR: DAN BARRINGTONWe caught up with Club Vass instructor senior instructor (Pro Coach) Dan Barrington, who has been working at the legendary destination for five years. From epic freestyle sessions on the water to late night parties at the beach bar, Dans story is about progression, passion and memorable moments at Club Vass. In this interview, we venture behind the scenes with Dan as he looks back on his coaching journey, the community at the Club, some unforgettable parties and why one season somehow turned into five.Photos: Miles / PROtography OfficialWINDSURF: How did you get your job at Club Vass, and why did you want to work there?DAN BARRINGTON: I was working for another centre in Vass and was a bit in awe of what was happening at Club Vass, especially the freestyle scene. It felt like the place to be if you wanted to push your sailing and be surrounded by really high-level windsurfing.There was also a personal connectionmy dad used to do Club Vass seasons back in the 90s, so I grew up hearing all the stories. Working there always felt like a bit of a dream.I asked Ollie Scott if I could do some work experience at the end of a season and did enough to earn myself a full-time beach role the following year.WINDSURF: What qualifications did you need and how did the application process work?DAN BARRINGTON: To work at Club Vass you need your Start Windsurf Instructor qualification, RYA First Aid certificate and a Powerboat ticket, but also some experience and a real passion for the sport and for teaching it.One of the great things about the club is that its a real training hub. Over the seasons Ive always taken every opportunity to gain more qualifications and tickets. Theres a strong culture of progression, both as a coach and as a sailor.WINDSURF: How easy is it to get qualified as a windsurf instructor? How much does it cost and where do you do it?DAN BARRINGTON: Its actually much easier than people think. You dont need to be an advanced windsurfer, just confident with the basics. The standard route is to take a Start Windsurf Instructor course.You can do this in Vassiliki with Watersports Nomad, who run excellent instructor programs. Alternatively, most major watersports centres in the UK offer the qualification. I did mine in Poole Harbour. A few weeks later I secured my first season job!At the time, I could barely windsurfso dont let ability hold you back.The course cost me around 500600, and its paid for itself many times over since.WINDSURF: What about boat qualifications and first aid? How long do those take?DAN BARRINGTON: Most instructor pathways combine everything into one intensive week. You need a 2-day Powerboat Level 2 course (great fun and very straightforward). An RYA First Aid course (widely available across the UK). Many centres package these together so you can complete all required qualifications in one go.WINDSURF: How fired up are you for the upcoming season?DAN BARRINGTON: Very! A good winter rest makes a huge difference. Its always exciting knowing youll be back with familiar faces & sharing sessions together.WINDSURF: When does your season start and finish?DAN BARRINGTON: The season usually starts in early April. The first couple of weeks are all about building the centrerigging new kit, prepping the powerboats & getting the beachfront ready. It runs through to mid-October; roughly six months in total.WINSURF: Can you make good money working as an instructor, or is the experience all about the lifestyle?DAN BARRINGTON: It definitely starts as a lifestyle job, but it can become more than that. The more seasons you do, and the more qualifications you add (plus progression into senior or management roles), the more you can earn and save.Its true that some instructors spend their whole wage at the bar but others save for winter trips and things like that, itswhat you make of it.WINDSURF: When you first headed out for a season, what were your goals?DAN BARRINGTON: My goals have definitely changed season by season. In my first year I was probably mostly focused on learning how to flaka and trying to impress girls. These days Im thinking less about my own windsurfing and more about how to run the beach as well as possible and give guests the best experience we can.WINDSURF: What was it like when you first started coaching?DAN BARRINGTON: I started coaching when I was 18 and in my first season I mostly taught kids. Pretty quickly I became completely obsessed and started teaching adults as well.I definitely made plenty of mistakes early on, but my enthusiasm for the sport usually made up for it. I cared a lot, and that goes a long way when youre learning to coach.WINDSURF: What levels do you teach, and do instructors switch around?DAN BARRINGTON: At Club Vass you teach a bit of everything. Were really lucky because we coach well beyond the standard RYA syllabus. Its pretty normal to be running a forward-loop clinic for 15 people, which makes for a really entertaining and varied job.Most instructors switch around a lotfrom kids clubs and pro kids, right through to specialist weeks like Speed Week or Diva Week.WINDSURF: What are most clients hoping to gain from the experience?DAN BARRINGTON: I think what makes a Club Vass holiday special is that guests get top-quality coaching while still being on a relaxed, social holiday.I hope they enjoy the social side of Vass as much as the windsurfing. Roger and Tony have created a real aprs-surf sceneprobably helped by the fact that the bar is literally in the middle of the windsurf school.Theres just something in the air in Vass. Its infectious, and once youve experienced it, you usually want to come back.WINDSURF: Whats a typical day in the life for you at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: It all depends on the forecast, but most days start with some kind of exercisestretching, gym, biking or a swim.We then have the beach team meeting and morning lessons usually run in the onshore winds, which are perfect for beginners. Everyone breaks for lunch, then the wind kicks in for the afternoon sessions.After that its free sailing time, we shut up around dark, and most evenings end with a chilled beer with the guests at the beach bar.WINDSURF: Whats the best part about being a coach at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: The people, without a doubt. The friendships you build and the memories you make over a season are hard to beat.Going to work on a beach every day with all your mates is pretty special. It doesnt really feel like workeven though we definitely put the hours in.WINDSURF: How do the coaches work together as a team?DAN BARRINGTON: Everyone has different manager roles within the team. On your first season you might be bin-bag manager, but if you do a good job you might get promoted to sunbeds and so on.More experienced staff look after the important things, like the powerboats. It keeps things light-hearted but also makes sure everyone takes responsibility.WNDSURF: Do you still get time to windsurf and party yourselves?DAN BARRINGTON: This is one of the things that really separates Club Vass from other companies. We windsurf as much as the guests, and that keeps staff motivated, happy, and sharp. When instructors are sailing a lot, their coaching and customer service improves massively. And yes, the younger staff definitely still party as well, especially on Tuesday and Friday nights.WINDSURF: Is it a seven-day week or do you get time off?DAN BARRINGTON: You work six days with one day off, which you can use to explore the island. Not many jobs let you windsurf at work, so I dont think thats too bad at all.WINDSURF: Were there many highs or lows from last season?DAN BARRINGTON: Mostly highs. The only real low is when the season comes to an end and you have to figure out what youre doing for the winter.DAN BARRINGTON: How do you stay motivated when a new group arrives each week?DAN BARRINGTON: For me its easy, because so many guests come back year after year. Even when its a new group, youre often coaching the same faces for the second or third time.WINDSURF: Who is your boss, and how is performance monitored?DAN BARRINGTON: Ollie Scott is my boss. He checks in with us regularly and helps make plans for what we can improve or progress, whether thats our personal windsurfing or our work on the beach.WINDSURF: What do you love most about working at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: Were really well looked after, and that comes directly from Ollie and the owners. I signed up for one season and somehow ended up doing five, which probably says it all. In short: good vibes, happy people and strong wind!WINDSURF: What do you do in the off-season?DAN BARRINGTON: Im really lucky. Ive been able to do a few different things that keep me busy and living the dreamcoaching skiing and teaching on Bonaire, which Ive been doing for the last few winters.WINDSURF: How big are the groups you usually coach?DAN BARRINGTON: It varies week to week, but usually anywhere from six to twenty people, with three or four instructors.WINDSURF: How tiring is a full season at Club Vass?DAN BARRINGTON: It is tiringbut youre only young once. You dont really notice it until the end of the season, when it finally catches up with you!WINDSURF: Do you have any funny stories from the infamous Friday night parties?DAN BARRINGTON: One of my first real welcome to Club Vass moments came during the traditional Friday night if I were not upon the sea, theres something else Id rather be song. Every season the staff perform it in front of all the guests, and on my first year I was properly nervous. Id been practising all week in the apartment after work, convinced I had it nailed.Come the big night, I stepped out in front of everyone and completely forgot my lines. Total mind-blank. I just froze. Luckily, everyone assumed I was playing it up for a laugh, so the crowd started laughing and cheering, which somehow made it worse and better at the same time.Thankfully Max Rowe and a few of the others started shouting the steps at me from the side, and I managed to recover before doing anything too memorable. It was equal parts terrifying and hilarious and probably the moment I realised that at Club Vass, if you mess something up, everyones laughing with you, not at you!WINDSURF: It sounds like working at Club Vass is a lot of fun both on and off the water?DAN BARRINGTON: Yes Another lesson I learned fairly quickly was that Im much better suited to teaching windsurfing than working behind a bar. One particularly busy Friday night, I offered to help out at the top bar. It was busy, and I got a little too enthusiastic about my new role as bar staff rather than a windsurf instructor.The guests were enjoying it and kept buying me drinks, which may have influenced my decision-making. After giving away too many free beers, Ive since been firmly banned from working the bar on Friday nights.The post LIFE OF A CLUB VASS WINDSURF INSTRUCTOR: DAN BARRINGTON appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

JORDY VONK: THE NEXT CHAPTERJORDY VONK: THE NEXT CHAPTERJordy Vonk isnt just joining Tenerife Windsurf Solutionhes stepping in to shape its future. The IFCA World and European Champion and PWA Slalom X podium finisher has officially become Co-Owner, bringing in his fresh energy, deep connection to El Mdano and a clear vision for what comes next.Together with Harco-Jan Folkerts, Vonk will lead both Tenerife Windsurf Solution and the Duotone Pro Center Tenerife into a new erabuilding on their global reputation while pushing both operations to the next level. We catch up with Jordy as well as look at the official press statements to get the full story behind this new chapter!PRESS STATEMENTTenerife Windsurf Solution, one of El Mdanos and internationally well-known windsurf centers, together with Duotone Pro Center Tenerife, the flagship of the Duotone Pro Centers, offering premium lessons and rental, proudly announces that Jordy Vonk has joined the company as Co-Owner.Jordy will now be part of the management team alongside Harco-Jan Folkerts, leading the centers into their next chapter. Jordy is a professional windsurfer with many years of experience, IFCA World and European Champion and 3rd place finisher in the Slalom X PWA World Tour ranking of 2025. His passion for windsurfing is not the only thing connecting him to El Mdano. For the past 13 consecutive winters, Jordy has spent his time here, working at the TWS center when Harco-Jan purchased it in 2013, writing his university thesis at the center, managing the TWS Pro Slalom Training program, and hosting numerous clinics. Jordy has been connected to the center from the very beginning, making this step feel less like a new start and more like a natural progression.WINDSURF: Tell us about your relationship with the TWS over the years, how did you first start working with them?JORDY VONK: Harco-Jan bought the center 13/14 years ago and when he realised he couldnt be there the first week he searched for a solution. I was training for the first time in Tenerife that winter and as he briefly knew me, he asked if I could extend my stay a little bit. To work a couple weeks for the previous owner, check out how its being run and then transfer this info to him!Thats basically how it started: working a couple weeks in the center doing my university thesis for the center (writing a strategic marketing plan) for the TWS organising the TWS Pro Slalom Training for 3 years running a lot of clinics and now stepping in as Co-Owner!WINDSURF: What is your university background and how will you be applying these skills to the new role?JORDY VONK: Ive studied commercial economics/sports marketing, especially at the beginning of the study you learn a wide range of skills in business management, commercial calculations, marketing and more useful things which I can all apply in my new role.WINDSURF: Will you be taking over a lot of the business side of the business as well as the day to day running and promotion of the centres?JORDY VONK: Ill be basically increasing my involvement steadily through the next couple of years. Starting with Marketing/Sales now, as thats where I have most experience already, to running the complete business in a couple years. I believe this is the best way for everyone. Im still having plenty of things to learn, which I can perfectly do from Harco and he was not searching for someone to take over the keys at day one, but he can slowly takes things easier with me getting more and more involved although I think it will mainly mean more energy to bring things to another level!WINDSURF: Are you going to be moving to Tenerife full time and is this your long-term plan for the future after you eventually finish racing on the PWA?JORDY VONK: Yes, I will be moving full time to Tenerife with the whole family after the PWA there in August. Levy, my oldest son, is registered for school there and we actually cant wait to make the move. Massive credits to my wife whos open to do this, but I believe family wise it will improve a lot of things for us. I wont have to travel as much anymore as I can train, test, shoot right where we live. While now in Austria I have to travel regularly between competitions as well.WINDSURF: Do you have some new ideas for the centres or are you going to keep the successful formula as it is?JORDY VONK: My vision is to keep the successful formula as it is, but I have plenty of ideas to improve things further! So, I dont want to step in and be conservative, I want to improve things further, implement ideas and make sure people have an even better time than before!WINDSURF: How much hard work is it going to be doing this and the tour and how are you going to juggle the two?JORDY VONK: + my 5.5 years and 8-month-old son feels like Ive got to juggle three things!Until September I expect to be in full power mode for a couple months, which will be tough for sure. Afterwards things will get more settled when we live in Tenerife full time. I also have to say I think the people that know me, know Im already since a couple years not 100% dedicated to training for the tour.Ive been always busy with other projects (all windsurf related; like clinics/sustainability/PWA management board) so its nothing new to work on the side for me. Sometimes its hard of course, last year I saw some guys posting their total distance windsurfed in a year and it was 3 times more than what I did. But I take a lot of confidence out of the fact that now I know what I will do after my career as a competitor and my future is planned.WINDSURF: How is your relationship with Harko and do you admire him as a businessman?JORDY VONK: Its a really good relationship, otherwise I wouldnt feel confident to step into such a project with someone. Im very grateful that he offered me this opportunity and Im looking forward to learn a lot from him. I think what hes done in El Medano is really impressive and cant be denied its an amazing job done by him. So, it feels like learning from the best, which will help me develop as a businessman in short time as well.WINDSURF: How excited are you to get the ball rolling now and what are the plans once you move to Tenerife full time?JORDY VONK: Im excited to make the ball grow and make it roll faster than ever before. I dont want to rely on the success of Harco but really show my value in make it even more successful and Im super excited for that. While Im working on the background now, I cant wait to be around at the centers to support and be surrounded by the amazing staff we have on daily base and bring everything to another level!JORDY VONK (OFFICIAL PRESS COMMENT)When the opportunity arose to take over the centers and shop, I became very excited and basically wanted to start right away. El Mdano has always felt like home.As I slowly started thinking about the future and what I would do after my professional windsurf career, this opportunity was one I simply had to take. With my university background and passion for water sports, it feels like a perfect fit. Im definitely not planning to end my professional career yet, people can still expect to see me on the starting line at the World Cups. From September onward I will move full-time to Tenerife, giving me the perfect playground to train year-round while working daily at the centers to create the best possible experience for all clients.HARKO JAN VOLKERTS (OFFICIAL PRESS COMMENT)I didnt want to sell the company but was looking for someone who would continue this company with passion, energy, and fresh ideas. Someone who truly understands what we have built and who has the drive to take it even further. The success of TWS, the TWS shop, and the Duotone Pro Center is not only about the equipment we offeras good as it isnor only about our unique location here in El Mdano, where you can practice all board sports at every level 365 days per year.Our real success lies in the people. In their energy. Their commitment. Their passion. The way they connect with our guests. They make the difference between a good day on the water and an unforgettable one. That is exactly why I wanted a future-proof solution. Someone who understands the DNA of the company. Someone who knows the culture. Someone who truly values the team and Jordy ticks all these boxes! The structure of the centers will remain the same, ensuring returning clients will feel just as welcome as before, while the team also looks forward to meeting many new visitors. As the sport continues to evolve, both centers will keep developing as well, always aiming for even higher levels of quality, efficiency and client experience.The post JORDY VONK: THE NEXT CHAPTER appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

CALL MY BLUFF: EPIC CORNWALL SESSIONCALL MY BLUFF: EPIC CORNWALL SESSIONAfter weeks of relentless swell and wind, it would have been easy to sit this forecast out but something didnt feel right about letting it go. The charts were lining up, the period was there and the Bluff was in the firing line. For John Carter and Ross Williams, it meant committing to a long-haul mission from the island with no guaranteesjust the chance that it could all come together. Some days you play it safe and some days you go all in and see what shows up. With the Bluff holding all the cards and serious swell on the table, it was time to stop overthinking it, back the call and find out if the Atlantic was bluffing or not.Photos: John Carter and Steve ClarkeClick any shot to enlarge and scrollBest viewed on a big screen!JOHN CARTERThe UK had been on a ridiculous run of wind and pumping swell, so naturally I thought yeah, maybe Ill just stay home this weekend. But then my gut feeling was telling me that this could be the last big session of the season.The forecast was calling for a 5m swell at 16 seconds with west winds swinging southwest by midday. In other words, it could be Bluff gold. One of my favourite places to shoot when it decides to behave which isnt often. As always, you never know if the forecast is going to do what it says on the tinComing from the Isle of Wight this was quite a risky trip and we just had to put our faith in what was promised.TWENTY SEASONS!Timo had been banging on about this Twenty seasons theorybasically reminding us were not getting any younger and wed better stop pretending weve got endless chances left. That was all the convincing I needed. Staying home suddenly felt like a terrible idea.After scoring an epic south coast session earlier in the week, I rang Rossfully expecting him to say no to another mission off the island. Instead, he didnt even hesitate. That shouldve been the first warning sign.The plan was simple on paper and ridiculous in reality: 7:30am ferry, four-hour drive to Cornwall, sail/shoot all afternoon, then turn around and leg it back for the 10pm ferry. Easy. What could possibly go wrong?By the time we rolled into the Bluff, it was already firing. Proper wind, proper waves and a car park full of people either nervously rigging up or quietly questioning if they had the balls to go for it. I prefer to be there early when things buildbut this time wed arrived straight into the chaos.Within half an hour it went from pretty wild to Off the scale! The wind cranked, the swell jacked and suddenly I could barely keep the camera steady as 30-knot gusts tore down the cliffs. Meanwhile, mast-high sets were detonating way out the back like the ocean had something to proveit looked like carnage out there.Most people were already packing it in just as I was getting startedperfect timing as always. Luckily, Timo, Ross, and Blacky were on the same program and hit the water right as it turned properly mental.Timo may have missed out on the south coast session on Tuesday and it looked like he wanted to leave no regrets behind and hit pretty much every lip that presented itself. It wasnt exactly user-friendly out there. Big, hollow sections, tide dropping and the kind of closeouts that were do-or-die. Timo, unsurprisingly, decided this was the moment to hit everything in sight. One absolute bomb stood up, threw a heavy barrelling lip and he went straight at it like a man with nothing to lose. A bloke walking past just looked at me and said, I hope you got that.I broke out in sweat while nervously check the camera to check focusNo pressure!Ross and Blacky found their rhythm in between the carnage, throwing in some solid turns and a few well-timed airs when the ocean briefly allowed it. But after an hour, everyone looked equally fatiguedand slightly relieved to be back on the beach in one piece.Round two was a different story. Fewer people, more wind and somehow even less control. Ross was hanging on to a 4.0m for dear life, while Blacky was still bravely (or foolishly) clinging to a 5.m.By 5pm, we were all completely cooked, ironically the wind was just dropping and it was cleaning up but we were all toast. Bodies were wrecked, brains were fried and we had a four-hour drive still ahead of us. Somehow, we made the ferry, and in a rare moment of lucky planning, rewarded ourselves with a couple of well-earned beers on the crossing back to the island. It was a long day with some questionable decisions. But absolutely worth it.And if Timos right about those twenty seasons Id say we have used this one pretty well. No regrets!TIMO MULLENSo, Ive been kind of playing catch up since getting back from Ireland and missing an epic day on the south coast. Yeah, that didnt hurt at all.So, if people didnt know, I have an Airbnb house in Gwithian Towans that I used to live in when I worked in Cornwall. And now I rent it out almost as a full-time Airbnb. So, if youre a keen windsurfer and want a cool place to stay, check it out.But one of the downsides of having an Airbnb is you have to clean it every week. And I do all the cleans for my Airbnb. And in the winter-time, it normally coincides with either good surf or good windsurfing. This whole winter, its coincided with epic windsurfing.So, I saw this forecast coming for the weekend and actually the Friday looked amazing as well. Friday evening Gwithian had a pretty solid, long period swell and south-southeast winds, which is very offshore. So, I got down that evening, late afternoon I guess, and I pulled into the carpark, and it was just pumpingsolid, solid, solid Gwithian, like as solid as you can get and super cross-off, so just huge barrels.Actually, as I was going into the waterI saw one of the best surfers at Gwithian get one of the craziest barrels Ive ever seen. So, I went out on my big board and caught about 7 waves, but some of the heaviest, gnarliest lips Ive seen. I hit pretty much every lip I went for.Got destroyed on a few, made a few, but I knew that I didnt want to stay out too long because the next day was going to be super windy and even bigger, but it was a good practice session.So, I stayed in my van like I normally do because the house is taken by guests. And then got up super early the next morning. The swell wasnt there yet. I let JC and Ross knowtheyd just got off the ferry, making their way down and the swell was only like 2 to 4 ft when I got up in the morning.So, I went down to Hayle river mouth, scored a sauna. There is an amazing sauna down there. I had the sauna at 8am in the morning, got all the laundry done and then it takes me three hours to do the Airbnb clean. So, by 1 oclock, I was ready to go and that was kind of like the best tide for the Bluff.So met up with the boys. Ross had just gone out on a 4.4mit looked insane. Super sunny, but not that huge. By the time I had got my gear and walked down to the beach, it had gone from being 4 ft to 8 ftit was absolutely crazy. Some of the best Bluff waves Ive seen, maybe since the Storm Chase. I rigged 4.5m on my 94L quad.I was psyched up!Ive been loving boosting big airs lately. Well, I always have loved big airs, but lately its like the lip is a magnet to me. This day was setting up perfect for just big one-hit airs because the long period swell was making it close out.It was a 4-5m swell, so it was pretty heavy and I got some pretty sick ones. I did not feel it was really lining up too well for turns and stuff, so the only thing you could do really was hit it.To be fair, there were a lot of people out for it being so big. I dont know if everybody made it out the back, but it was windy.I was overpowered straight away on my 4.5m. I could have been on a 4.0m the whole session which is pretty scary when youre charging down the line heading towards mast-high lips. I survived about an hour and a half session, nailed some good hits, then came in, grabbed some lunch and then grabbed my 4.2m, where I should have really grabbed my 4.0m because it got even windier.The second session, I didnt really do much. I was just so overpowered. Ross scored a sweet spot for about 20 minutes. Ross got some of his better waves in that time. Blacky was ripping as usual, but he was on a 5mwhat the hell!I use a 5m when theres no wind. He was using it and it was 40 knots, sobut I guess he can lock it down. We finished up by 5:30pm.I had to get home to pick my daughter up and yeah, all in all, it was an absolute epic session at the Bluff. Maybe one of the best sessions weve ever had there.!Extreme-wise, it was as extreme as it gets. But yeahwhat a day. Thank you, Bluff.ROSS WILLIAMSI was pretty confident we were going to score some conditions, but already as we rocked up, it was already onlike, it was already beyond on. We thought we had the timing right, but we could have probably been there a little bit earlier and maybe caught the wind before it got super out of control.There were huge waves and solid wind rolling in and in that time that we walked to the beach and then back to the car, got the gear rigged up and made it to the water, it had gone next level again as well. The waves were even bigger.The wind was even strongerI was totally overpowered already on my choice of sail, which was a 4.4m. I am blaming Carter for persuading me to go bigger!I kind of thought its rare that I use a smaller sail than 4.4m for wave riding, but after about an hours worth of sailing, I could tell I could not hold on much longer to it. I also couldnt catch the waves I wanted because I was just getting blown out the sides and over the top of them.So, I had to do a strategic change of sails, which takes a little while there because youve got a long beach. Youve got to walk up, rig in the sand, then go up to the car park, which takes, you know, 1015 minutes to get up there and back down again and then rig again. Its all a bit of a kerfuffle.But I rigged up the 4.0m, it was definitely a lot bettermuch more controlled.It kind of got a little bit better towards the end of the next session. I guess people already had their fill of sailing because theyd probably done 2 or 3 hours and were packing up and leaving, and the crowds were thinning out. I think there was only me, Timo, Blacky and maybe a couple of others in the end.The wind started to ease off, and the waves began to reel down the line a bit more rather than just closing out. The waves were sickits such a beautiful spot to sail. When its good, when you have the right size sail and equipment, and youre bottom turning with a nice line on a wave, its really an amazing place for wave sailing.So yeah, it was a full mission4 hours of driving, 3 hours of sailing, and then another 4 hours back to the island. I was toast by the end of the day.But I kind of feel like it was worth it. Its just nice to be out in the water. The water is a little bit warmer down thereits the first time not using boots instead of having to wear gloves, boots and wrap up fully. Its nice having bare feet in the straps.And yeah, its amazing to sail with Timo, Blacky and all the locals down there. Its a solid crew of lads who are all frothing on windsurfing. It is also cool to have an iconic shot with St Ives in the background and boosting an airit makes the whole trip worthwhile.So yeah, two trips off the island in a weekthats pretty unheard of for me in the last five years. It feels like breaking the rules, but now Im like, thats itIve got to do it. I cant just stay on the island anymore. Ive got to branch out and sail some of the spots I really want to around the UK.Im a little bit disappointed in my standard of sailingits definitely not the level I used to be at, but thats what I mean. Ive just got to keep plugging away at it, and hopefully I can still get some nice shots, have some good rides and enjoy my sailing, which I absolutely did.IAN BLACKJAN SLEIGHYesterday was fun but savage! I arrived early afternoon and it looked pretty friendly in the sunshine.Ben Harbour and Mike Cunliffe had just finished the morning shift and described an epic session. With the NW swell hitting Hayle river-mouth head on and predicted to build to 5m at 16 seconds I knew things were going to get lively!The wind was strong too! I started on 4.7m but had to rig down to 4.5m after a few runs as I was stacked. The de-rigging, trip back to car park and re-rigging wasted a bit of sailing timeand when I got back on the water the waves had jumped in size. It was pretty tough getting out, although the wind was strong it was offshore and there was a football field of distance to cover to get out back.There were big holes in the wind usually right in the impact zone. I had so many swims. But I also scored some pretty solid waves. On one run out I saw Timo pull a huge aerial right in front of me. Next level. It was great to See Ross Williams too. While Andrew Fawcett and I were catching our breath on the beach, we saw him bottom turn under a huge section and do an insane cutback full surf style super impressive buckets of water spray. Overall, I had a lot of fun, but I had a couple of big crashes too and I am paying the price now!IAN ROSSWhen the wave breaks here, dont be thereor ya gonna get drilled! This quote from Turtle in the 80s surf film North Shore (look it up, its a classic!) has always stuck with me, because its funny and true and sometimes not funny! Well Friday and Saturday I managed to get myself there in just about every way possible, and I got drilled!Fridays forecast looked epic for Gwithian and I thought we were going to have a special session with just a couple out. It was really hard! I couldnt get in position, and when I did, I felt like I was getting sucked up the wave and just couldnt figure it out. There were some big heavy waves which started small but ended up as quick breaking dumpers! On one wave I tried to bail a turn and get over the back of the lip only to get sucked over the falls, down the mineshaft and into oblivionthis is fun right?!My head was out of the game after being there and I struggled for breath. I was done! Timo went out as I was walking back up and straight away smashed a massive aerial! Mind you his next few waves ended up with insane crashes on mast high waveshes mental!I wasnt expecting Saturday to be up to much, probably in part due to the beat down I had on Friday. I pulled up next to Mark Meardon and we both commented on how windy it wasI thought it was meant to be 20mph, but it was howling and we both figured it was 4m weather.Andrew Fawcett and some others were already out and it looked fun. Shout out to young local, Joe Trinder, who was getting some sick waves. I was surprised how many people showed up and was even more surprised when JC pulled into the car park being chauffeured by Ross Williams.Three weekends in a row, in Cornwall, for a windsurfings photographer must be a record! He was joined by Steve Clark who returned to photo duties after some illness. It was a good session, the best the Bluff has been in a long time. I had some moments including an aerial that was pretty high and out of control with a huge gust and lots of sprayI crashed, but I love a crash!And at least I had the confidence to hit the lip. I cant remember much else except for making a rookie mistake with a mistimed lip hit, followed by a direct hit from the wave behind (when the wave breaks here!). I havent been hit that hard in years and regretted being there, getting drilled!When I surfaced my mast extension and mast had snapped. I was way out the back and had a long swim in with my kit doing its best to drown me. I dragged my broken ego and broken gear up the beach just in time to see Ross doing the best turns Ive seen, on a perfect pealing wave in glorious sunshine. I guess Ive paid my dues now and maybe I can get a decent turn next time!JOE TRINDERWhat a day that was on Saturday at the Bluff! Equipped with my 4.0 Simmer Blacktip and 85 Flywave, I headed down to the beach, all charged up and ready for it like a Duracell Bunny! Walking down getting more and more excited watching others enjoy the conditions! After cranking on the down-haul, I headed out. It was okay in between the sets if you timed it right, so that was great. However, my first run was the opposite, met with a big set and thinking I was bigger! I wasnt.After a brief swim all was okay and shortly made it out, the waves were absolutely pumping and enough for everyone. The highlight of the session would definitely be dropping onto this one wave I thought was only logo high, then to realise the power and size of it being over mast high, having already committed you just gotta send it! The atmosphere on the water was amazing watching everyone catch sick rides and wanting to make the most out of every wave!In particular this session meant a huge deal to me as its the first proper wave session Ive had since my dad passed away a few weeks ago, he was an incredible wave sailor and loved a good cross-off Bluff session!ANDY KINGI spent most of the session either swimming, brutally overpowered or wobbling around in the lulls with very little in between.After just coming out of injury, The Bluff was not ideal for my ankle hitting anything too heavy. I just yet so figured Id get out whilst I was still in one piece! Mazza was great fun sailing later but not any special conditionsjust windy, easy stunt ramps and fun cross on waves!The post CALL MY BLUFF: EPIC CORNWALL SESSION appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

WILD WEST FAMARA: BALZ MULLERWILD WEST FAMARA: BALZ MULLERBalz Muller puts on a masterclass of freestyle in the waves on his latest mission to Lanzarote to sail Famara in a west wind storm. There is some epic drone footage from Kurosh Kiani!Balz: Westwind Storm in Lanzarote. What a fun and unique freestyle session in Famara.Drone/Clips by Kurosh KianiThe post WILD WEST FAMARA: BALZ MULLER appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

SIMON BASSETTS 2XS STORY: LIVING LIFETOO EXCESS!SIMON BASSETTS 2XS STORY: LIVING LIFETOO EXCESS!Few people have shaped British windsurfing like Simon Bassett. From launching 2XS at West Wittering back in the 80s, to running legendary wave events and teaching generations to love water sports, Simons story is one of pure passion.We caught up Simon at the 2XS Wave Classic to talk about bringing competition back to the South Coast, the roots of 2XS and a lifetime spent chasing wind, waves and living life too excess! As Simon says, Dont just scroll Instagramgo live it. Be the one doing it.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So, first of all, the 2XS Wave Classic is back. What was the inspiration behind getting an event back on the south coast?Simon: Well, wed been thinking about it for a couple of years, and when I heard the Cornish event was on in February of 2025, I decided to drive down there and meet Willy McLean and have a chat about the reality of running an event. We ran an event for probably 10 or 12 years back in the day.As an event organiser, you get frustrated with the issues its expensive to runso we ran our course and decided to stop. But watching the Cornish event, there were 80 people there, the rain was pouring down, it was horrendous to be on the beach as a spectator, but the conditions were amazing and the riders were incredible. The last time I saw waves like that, I was at Hookipa watching sets rolling in. It was inspiring to see that in Britain.Ive not been up to Tiree or Rhosneigr or the Welsh events, but seeing it live reminded me how amazing windsurfing is. So yeah, we thought wed bring it back.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Back in the day it was some epic events and memories to look back on?Simon: Yeah, there were a lot of great riders who came here the late Danny Seals, the Bakers, Jamie Hawkins, Stu Holland, Nigel Howell, Julian Anderson, Chris Audsley, Neal Gent, Billy Wheaton and Bel Stanley there was a big crew of people really into windsurfing. For 2XS, windsurfing is what weve been about since we started, so it was right up our street to get back into it.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: We see that you love all that nostalgialooking back on the epic days and windsurfing history?Simon: I think so. I started windsurfing in 1976my dad got into it in 74and we went windsurfing whenever we could. Back in the 70s, windsurfing was this new, weird sport no one had seen before. We were on big long boards, seeing pictures of Robbie Naish, Mike Waltz, Thor Horgen and the Schweitzers in Hawaii. That was the dream. We were inland at the time, but it was the inspiration to get on and do it.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So, when did you move to West Wittering?Simon: I moved here in the mid-80s. I worked down her for Dee Caldwell on the beach, and thats when it all started.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: And how did the whole 2XS get started?Simon: A friend Id met in Vass in 83 84 came up with the branding of 2XS. I asked him to come up with some nameshe said, Ive got two: Uber or 2XS. We chose 2XSUber was a bit German for us, and 2XS could morph into different sports. It wasnt based around my namejust a cool idea: take it too excess.We registered the trademarkeven had a legal fight with Walmart, who tried to take it from us. That took a couple of years, but one of our members, James Mellor, helped us resolve it. Weve kept it goingit works well.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So when did the shop start?Simon: In 1989. We started in West Wittering, we rented half a shop next to a baker. As business grew, we took over the whole shop, bought the building and went from there. It was hard at firstinterest rates back then were 15%. We got a Princes Youth Business Trust loan, which came with a mentorJack Chapman, a local businessman. I knew about windsurfing, but nothing else, so he somehow helped stop me spending all our money on more boards!WINDSURF MAGAZINE: What sort of boards were you selling back then?Simon: At first, Lodey and Alpha, then F2, Lightwave, Mistral and Tiga. We imported boards too Naish customs, Jimmy Lewis boards and Quatro when they started. We always tried to get the lightest, best, coolest boards stuff that worked. Production boards were good, but back then the customs had that special edge.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So, you were a keen sailor yourself?Simon: Yeah, I was semi-pro for a while. I knew I wouldnt win everything, but I was usually in the top 15 or top 10 in wave and race events. I did 15 years of longboard racing in the original windsurfer class, Division 1. Then came funboard events wave boards, slalom speed and race boards we all had huge roof racks full of gear! It was a lot of fun.Looking back, we went through so much gear because it didnt always work properly, but it looks great on the wall now!IWINDSURF MAGAZINE: Youve got all those old boards here at Witterings are youre a bit nostalgic about them?Simon: Definitely. When you bought a custom board, you could smell the foam dust and fiberglass. The shapers were artistseach had their own belief in design, pushing limits to find what worked. Back then, people went wild with ideasnow shapes are more uniform, but back then it was crazy creative.Youd open a magazine or go to France or Maui and see designs 10 years ahead of what we had. I travelled a lot and managed to get connected with shapers and designersit was an exciting time.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: When did the beach club come about?Simon: I took over the beach club in 91 at West Wittering. The local estate was going to ban windsurfingit was huge back then, 150200 people out on busy days. There were collisions with swimmers and nearly a million beach visitors during the summer.The estate said we could keep windsurfing if we delivered safety zones and management. It was hard work at first, but in 32 years weve had no serious accidents between windsurfers and swimmers. Our safety record is because of the club, our system, and our teamit works well.WINDSURF MAGAZINE: How important is your team?Simon: Your team is everything. The right people make the right decisions. Theres one of meand my wife Jane manages the business too, but our beach team (Sam, Tara, Rob, Ted, Arthur and others) do an amazing job. Both our daughters, Holly and Daisy, help out on a part time basis tooWINDSURF MAGAZINE: What does the club offer?Simon: Members can windsurf, kite, or wingfoil year-round. We provide full safety from March to Octoberweve got a jet ski and sled, all trained for rescue. We can launch and be on the water in under six minutes. If you called the RNLI, it could be 40 minutes.The clubs also social people come down, meet friends, sail together. Weve got changing rooms, showers, coffee and tea, broadband (so you can pretend youre working!), and loads of new kitbeginner boards, surfboards, Goya, Ezzy, Duotoneall top-end. We replace it every year, so its like being at a rental centre abroad!WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So your whole lifes has revolved around windsurfing?Simon: Yeah. I left home at 17, determined to become a pro windsurfer. I never really did, but windsurfing became my career. I wanted to spend my life on a beachand I did! Not paid to sail but paid by the sea. Ive spent the last 30 years looking at the ocean. Cant complain!WINDSURF MAGAZINE: And this years eventthe 2XS Wave Classic it mustve been satisfying to pull that off?Simon: Absolutely. Seeing the photos felt like a renaissance of windsurfing. Its always been my single goalno plan B. Watching everyone out there. doubles, aerials and the energyIt was inspiring.Everyone was committed: riders, photographers, safety crew. Were not in it for cashjust passion. Even Nik Baker was out. Old friends like Julian Anderson made trophies. Theres a magic to it all.Chris Audsley was hereinjured, but still came down and told me before I could answer: Youre running it next year. And yes, we will. I just wish we could control the wind wed do it more often!WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Whats the most satisfying part of your job?Simon: Teaching. Watching little five-year-olds go from scared of the sea to loving windsurfingthats special. If you teach people the right way early on, it becomes a lifetime hobby.Next year will be my 50th year of windsurfing. My dad introduced me, like so many dads and mums do. I know what its given me.and Id tell anyone: dont just scroll Instagram, go live it. Be the one doing it!Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, SUP, Surf Equipment Shop 2XSBRIEF HISTORY:SIMON BASSETTSimon learnt to windsurf in 1976, aged 11 (before a lot of the rest of the 2XS team were born!) He competed in Windsurfer Class Div 1, UKBSA, Johnnie Walker Speed Events, Smirnoff and the South West Funboard Cup. He became the Production Board Speed record holder in the UK on a Klepper 272! He was an IWA (International Windsurfing Association) Instructor at 16 and then became an RYA Level 5 Windsurfing Instructor.He co-founded the British Speed-sailing Association was a committee member for the BWA. He was the test editor of On Board and Windsurf Magazine and a Carlsberg/Mistral team member, one of the first pilots/sailors of a wind glider (a hanglider/windsurfer crossover) called the wind weapon.He has worked in Vassiliki and Tarifa as an instructor and has travelled to some of the best windsurfing and SUP spots on the planet including Ireland, Cabarete, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Barbados, Egypt, Fuerte, Maui, Hawaii, California and Baja, Mexico.Simon set up 2XS in 1989 with wife Jane and started selling mountain bikes, windsurf gear, snowboards and power kites.Simon:We had a grant from The Princes Youth Business Trust and a superb PYBT business advisor called Jack Chapman. We came second in a national business contest and received an award from HRH Prince Charles. We took over the Windsurf Club at West Wittering in 1991 when windsurfing was nearly banned on the beach and set the first beach zoned windsurf safety system in the UK. Since then, we have added kitesurfing to this.2XS moved its entire operation online to www.2XS.co.uk in 2005 and sold the freehold on the shop site.Simons involvement in watersports has been extensive, he was one of the first paddlesurfers in the UK in 2006, cofounded BSUPA and has been Joint Head Coach and Chairman. Simon did a team world record attempt channel crossing in 2010 on an SUP to raise money and awareness for Surfers Against Sewage charity and raised 10,000. Simon has also co-written, with Andy Gratwick, the BSUPA teaching scheme which has over 100 schools and more than 20,000 students a year completing BSUPA courses. The BSUPA syllabus and safety information has been taught to the now 100,000 clients who have completed a BSUPA course.Simon has been a trustee and works with Dan Charlish, Julia, Andy Gratwick, Chris Bull, Lewis Crathern and his team on the Virgin Kite Armada and the SUP Armada as charity fund raisers (raising more than 120,000 to date) and has notched up 4 Guiness World Records as an event organiser and competitor (SUP).In 2018 Simon wrote a book in conjunction with Fernhurst booksStand Up Paddleboarding: A Beginners Guide.Simon has been at the forefront of the foiling crazes, being an early adopter of windsurf foiling, and then moving quickly across to wingfoiling right at the beginning when the discipline emerged. Simon now teaches plenty of wingfoiling, and is both an RYA and BKSA Wing instructor and is currently training to become a WING trainer. Simons newest ventures include learning SUP & downwind foiling.The post SIMON BASSETTS 2XS STORY: LIVING LIFETOO EXCESS! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

GOYA CUSTOM QUAD 8 88L: WINDSURFER MAGAZINEGOYA CUSTOM QUAD 8 88L: WINDSURFER MAGAZINEThe latest test from the Windsurfer Magazine test team is the Goya Quad 8 88L! The team reckon it was one of the most versatile and all round boards they have tested. Take a look at the video for the full review!The sixth board to be put through its paces in the 85L Wave Test is the Goya Quad 8 88L. Perhaps one of the most versatile and well rounded out of the boards we tested. Check out the full video for the verdict!Testers: Scotty Stallman Windsurfer Magazine Head Tester + GA/Tabou IntTeamrider Tris Best Windsurfer Magazine Editor in chief + TesterGoya Windsurfing Boards Custom Quad 8 Pro CarbonThe post GOYA CUSTOM QUAD 8 88L: WINDSURFER MAGAZINE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

FOIL V FIN: MARIO KUMPELFOIL V FIN: MARIO KUMPELThe Foil Hype Is Over & Classic Windsurfing Comes Back! But Why?Mario Kumpel has some interesting takes on fin versus foil. He is suggesting the foil hype is over and that classic windsurfing could be on the comeback!Mario: Fin windsurfing is making a comeback, as many windsurf foilers start to re-explore the light-wind fascination of fin sailing, once again, including myself!The post FOIL V FIN: MARIO KUMPEL appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.