SLALOM X
Windsurf|Issue 435 - July 2024
The new kid on the block - Slalom X - brings back full fin slalom, but with a subtle twist, but what exactly is it?
Scott Harrison
SLALOM X

Put simply it's slalom, but with added features to make it more fun, while being less about speed and equipment and more about normal "beach skills." On the PWA World Tour, the Slalom X events can consist of a maximum of 25% standard slalom races, while the rest of the races must have at least one of the 'special features' per heat, so let's have a look at what these features are...

BEACH START / BEACH FINISH

• Pretty self-explanatory really, you grab your gear, beach start and go! And it’s the reverse for coming in - rather than a traditional finish line on the water, sailors have to run up the beach to cross the line.

FULL OR HALF-FLEET RACES

• Usually slalom consists of 8-man heats, but with this format we could possibly see 32 or 64 sailors all hitting the start line at the same time, which is a whole different kettle of fish. Positioning, space and securing clean air will be crucial to succeed, while possibly requiring different tactics to what has become normal convention.

LONG-DISTANCE

• Again, this one is quite self-explanatory. Whereas normal slalom heats usually last about 3-4 minutes on average and consist of 4 gybes, this would see extended races with extra legs, or extra-long legs. (Think Défi Wind, which has 10km long legs.)

This story is from the Issue 435 - July 2024 edition of Windsurf.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Issue 435 - July 2024 edition of Windsurf.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WINDSURFView All
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