THE CONCEPT
The European Pro Windsurfing Tour is all about making competitions around Europe for riders that are talented and want to see a future within windsurfing. Mostly it is for the young guys coming into the racing scene, who may not have the money to travel to places like Japan or New Caledonia. On this tour they can look forward to a bright future where they can drive in their van, bring their friends and travel together with the minimum of costs. That side of it is very important for me. That reminds me of the time when I was young. I just wanted to compete, but of course couldn't afford to travel everywhere or anywhere. When I could afford to go, I just loved that. I can see the fire in the eyes of these new kids on the scene. A lot of these young guys are training really hard, but in reality, what are they actually training for?
THE IDEA
Two or three years ago I came up with the idea that we needed a European Tour. Something affordable and accessible to the majority of the riders. In reality, unfortunately, there isn't that much money in the sport and it's expensive! Windsurfing isn't for everyone, Formula One isn't for everyone and all the expensive sports are just not for everyone, but we can try and make it less expensive travel wise by having a tour in European spots like here in Denmark, Germany or Lake Garda. It will be a tour with four day events to also help keep the cost down. As you can see here in Denmark, it is also very important that we can entertain the people on the beach. Otherwise, it is just a closed party for the windsurfers. We want to entertain the people on the beach with a huge live screen and with Ben Proffitt as the commentator. It is really important for us to engage with the audience and make the sponsors happy. I don't want that at the cost of the windsurfing quality.
Denne historien er fra Issue 438 - October 2024-utgaven av Windsurf.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 438 - October 2024-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!
