Redefining Expectations
Windsurf|Issue 392 - January/February 2020
In windsurfing, the hunt for versatility in performance is nothing new. Ever since the excitement and freedom of short board windsurfing (or funboarding as it used to be known) took hold, the desire to find a board for all conditions has become an eternal quest. There have been some notable exponents along the way, and as new disciplines emerge, new directions in design have crystallised. There is of course always the risk that, in asking too much during the design brief stage, a product becomes the master of its own demise, fulfilling the undesirable motif of “Jack”, being ‘okay’ in all trades yet a master of none. It’s a place that will ultimately only lead to an end destination of mediocrity and historical obscurity.
Tris Best
Redefining Expectations

For 2020 the crossover category is as well contested as ever, with some fantastic boards available in this year’s lineup. The one notable omission is the JP Freestyle Wave - a board line with category-defining heritage. Unfortunately it just wasn’t available in time for this test, but watch out for the catch up test online at windsurf.co.uk in the near future. In years past we’ve written at length during this test intro about the crossover classification. Are these boards in actual fact all freewave designs? Is freestyle-wave still possible, or it is a misnomer in today’s accepted design statutes? Without extending this intro out into a lengthy narrative, we thought the best way to open was to define some categories. So here goes:

Freeride: The largest discipline and ultimately the most important for the sport’s longevity. The most important attributes of freeride design are very simple - ease of use, forgiving nature and most of all fun, demanding little technical input from the rider.

Wave: Arguably the most iconic discipline, making it where most want to get to! In general, the more curvature in a board’s outline and rocker-line, and softness in its rails, the stronger its turning credentials, but to the detriment of its early planing, speed and straight line stability.

Freestyle: New-school stunts and tricks done on any water state from flat water to waves. Popping the board clear of the water to execute a freestyle transition is very different to jumping for height in the discipline below. f Bump and Jump: A term used for a long, long time in the sport. There are not many better feelings in the sport than getting long floaty air-time. Speed and control are the key ingredients for achieving height when the ramps are asking to be hit!

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 392 - January/February 2020 من Windsurf.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 392 - January/February 2020 من Windsurf.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WINDSURF مشاهدة الكل
New School
Windsurf

New School

Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Changes
Windsurf

Changes

Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
THE LAST WAVE
Windsurf

THE LAST WAVE

Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Windsurf

STILL IN THE GAME

After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
Windsurf

MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT

This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Windsurf

SOUTH' KIPA

Nik tweaking it over home waters.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
A NEW NORMAL
Windsurf

A NEW NORMAL

On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Windsurf

TACKING – THE SEQUEL

Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Windsurf

‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *

Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Windsurf

REDEMPTION DAY!

Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020