Harty ponders if history lessons in our sport should be compulsory for all windsurfers?
History in the making. Speed record holder Fred Heywood in 1982 going slower than most recreational sailors today – but using a ‘wing’ mast, that was the inspiration for both rotational and camber induced rigs.
My old friend Mark Wood took his son to Vassiliki last summer for a windsurfing holiday. On day one he grabbed some kit from the Club Vass racks, threw it over his head and strolled to the shore. But before you could say ‘beachstart’, an eager young instructor intercepted him with some stern advice, “No no no sir – we don’t carry the equipment like that – let me show you.” What the poor youth didn’t know was that Woodsy was once on the Tiga international team; he was the first Brit to win a race on the PBA (now PWA) tour, beating Naish et al; won multiple national championships and the highly prestigious Production Board Worlds (and the even more prestigious Vass Class event). Being the humble chap that he is, he did not deliver a ‘have you any idea who I am?’ speech, made no mention of his portfolio of brilliance, but did what he was told and carried his kit in a more RYA approved manner. Admittedly Woodsy had gained pounds and lost hair since his halcyon days – but surely such an icon of the sport would, and should, be recognised and lauded eternally by the next generation? I told this story last week to 15 year old Finn (who knows Woodsy), a tasty freestyler who spends his summers in Vass – and joked that it was like him not knowing who Bjorn Dunkerbeck was. “Who?”, he said.
“If you don’t know history, you’re like a leaf that doesn’t know it’s part of a tree.” Michael Crichton
Bu hikaye Windsurf dergisinin Issue 386 - June 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Windsurf dergisinin Issue 386 - June 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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!