I remember the moment vividly, it was late May 2011, and I sat in the pristine white sand of “Fisherman’s Huts”, overlooking layers of turquoise as the sun set into the Caribbean Sea. I sat facing the dying rays, alone, feeling blue and oblivious to the beauty around me. My heart had already sunk somewhere deep inside me. I felt hunger, exhaustion, and yes I’ll admit it, I even felt cold. It was the end of a long succession of PWA World Tour competitions, and this last one in Aruba got to me. I windsurfed terribly, had one of my worst results, and I couldn’t recall a minute I enjoyed from the entire week. My confidence and motivation were trampled upon like never before. Not only did I hope to never compete in Aruba again, I also vowed to never return.
So why 6 years later am I the awkward last passenger standing at the luggage claim at Queen Beatrix International Airport wondering through which doors my oversized board bags will appear? Perhaps my alternative lifestyle doesn’t lead to rational decision making. Maybe it was whispers of intriguing Aruban beach names like Boca Grandi and Barcadera that lured me in. Or I put too much faith in my wind-chasing gut instincts. Either way, what’s done is done. Time to grab my board bags, drag them out the front door of the airport, and give Aruba a second chance.
PERSPECTIVE
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 387 - August 2018-Ausgabe von Windsurf.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 387 - August 2018-Ausgabe von Windsurf.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
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.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
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.
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!
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.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
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.
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.
‘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.
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!