So far 2019 has been a really good season for waves in Tahiti. For 4 months in the prime season there was many big and clean swells. There is not many options with these kind of swells, as only a couple of breaks can handle that size with tow-in surfing sessions for those that want to chase the biggest waves! The wind has been not too bad with a good synchronicity with the peak of the swells. Not a lot of windsurfing sessions, but most of the time unforgettable days – quality not quantity.
Usually May and June are great and July and August a bit stormy, but there was not too much of that this year. September started out super well with an out of control big windsurfing session on the first week. I’ve had some memorable moments this year like an unsuccessful mission out at sea with Kevin Pritchard, the biggest wipeout of my life and many other good days with friends, but the highlight was a crazy day in August, that day I will never forget!
MASSIVE
I was hungry for a massive Teahupo’o day and during the second week of August the forecast really picked up. Thursday was set to be huge with a very west swell and stormy winds and then Friday more fun, with the swell going down a bit. I work as physiotherapist and osteopath and I have my own business; I had a lunch break on Thursday just long enough to go to ‘Chopes’ (a.k.a Teahupo’o). Going for a big windsurf session at Teahupo’o during your lunch break is a nerve-racking experience and to stand any chance of success, everything would have to be perfectly prepared.
SETUP
So on Wednesday night, after a long day of work, I rigged my magic 4.7 Goya Fringe in the garden and checked my special big wave custom board by master shaper Keith Teboul, the perfect combo to tackle big Teahupo’o.
Denne historien er fra Issue 391 - November December 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 391 - November December 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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!
