The 2019 Aloha Classic was not an event that worked out for me. I did not sail that great and it just was not a normal Ho’okipa situation. The wind was very light, there was a lot of current and a huge swell. Even with twenty-minute heats, time would pass really quickly the way it was on the water. From the moment you fell, it could easily take 15 minutes to be back in the lineup. With so much on the line it was hard to start taking risks at the beginning of the heat. It felt like I was out of sync with the conditions. I was waiting for a north peak set and it just never came. After my next wave I was swimming and lost many minutes. I felt like I only caught a few waves all competition. I feel like I hardly sailed at this event. I felt like I was swimming, trying to get past the rocks, trying not to sink or trying to not get a wave on the head. I would go sailing on a day like that, but it was the kind of day you really needed to take time to pick off the cherry waves. Maybe two waves an hour and avoid going on the rocks. The way it was we had to go on anything and risk breaking gear. Twenty minutes felt really short. We had to do it like that. It was not prime and clean Ho’okipa. The girls had a good day and it was ok for the juniors. It would be nice if the pros could have sailed in proper Ho’okipa and not just when it was huge when the other fleets could not make it out. Hopefully next year we get the prime of the forecast. That was nobody’s fault, it was just the weather. I am not complaining. It was good for the sport. I am sure people loved watching the guys go on the rocks in those survival conditions.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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!
