SUP International
The Way Of The Dragon
The two-day, Red Paddle Co Dragon World Championships is an event like no other. It involves teams of four from across the world battling it out on a mighty 22-foot inflatable ‘Red Dragon’ board to be crowned the ultimate victors.
5 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
The Endeavour
7 miles from shore with the end at last feeling possible, I found myself in a spontaneous, unspoken race with Alan Stokes and Ben Skinner. Both career professional surfers, both still in their prime, and both still with a competitive fire that the previous 25 miles had apparently not quelched. They were both quick! I will remember this as the most painful hour I’ve spent on a paddleboard, including the time I broke ribs on the Isle of Harris.
6 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Get Psyched #12 Expedition Red Lines.
Your paddle skills are in place, you’re tuned into your lovely touring board and those distant horizons are calling you in. It is time to go on an expedition! But before we strap the boards on the roof and head for the nearest coastline, what does it actually mean to go on ‘expedition?’
5 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Life Learning
To foil, or not to foil, that is the question. Finn Mullen muses on what he has learnt in trying to find the answer.
2 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
On The Pulse
It’s the end of September, and my working season is over and after few winters spent in the Canary Islands, I decided to take a trip to Indo.
5 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Ten Storm Force
A yacht supported downwinder in open water Mediterranean is up there with heli skiing Whistler, or being towed into empty G-Land. But if the numbers are saying 50 knots and 6 metres, how much do you think you could stand?
4 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Long Haul Trucking
In the searing early summer continental heatwave, Tuetonic power couple Paulina Herpel and Valentin Illichmann resolved to cross Germany from Dresden in the south east to Hamburg in the north west. Their modus operandi would combine the traction of the locomotive engine with the propulsion of the paddle.
6 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Change For Good
Finn Mullen explains why if you want to keep improving your performance, then you have to keep changing your game and why variety rather than specialisation in training, is now recognised as a positive attribute.
9 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Flow State Interview: Ginnie Betts
I first met Ginnie on a sup instructor training course, though I knew her name from her victory at the 2016 Battle of the Thames. Two things were immediately apparent – firstly that Ginnie was a naturally rapid paddler, though she might deny that herself, and secondly that she was incredibly modest about her ability. See point one, QED. Since then we’ve paddled together, and crossed paths plenty of times and Ginnie is currently sitting 12th in the APP women’s overall race ranking, but I realised I still didn’t really know what had made Ginnie so quick. So, in between races and work, we caught up with Ginnie to find out the mindset, skillset and toolset behind her performance….
9 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
A New Perspective
In the interest of field research, we’ve been conducting an experiment on an unwitting participant. You might know that we edit this magazine from a clifftop lair overlooking the Atlantic Ocean which also serves as an instructional base for ocean sports, and recently, we’ve tasked one of our new coaches, young Frankie, with paddling every single day after work regardless of conditions.
10+ min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
Applied Force
Whether you’re paddling into a relentless headwind, sprinting to catch a race leader, frantically digging for a set wave, or even towing clients back to base, there’s the same dominant factor working against you: the force that pushes back against your blade as you paddle through the water.
2 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
SUP International
A Forgotten Place
At sea for a year and a half on our sailboat Maloya, an Océanis 411, we are sailing around the world in search of ideal spots to enjoy our favourite watersports of SUP, kiting and windsurfing.
4 min |
Issue 25 - Mid Summer 2019
Windsurf
50 @ 50 With Bjorn
Bjorn Dunkerbeck was born on July 16th 1969 and during his illustrious career has achieved legendary status as one of the greatest windsurf competitors of all time, racking up an incredible 42 world titles! John Carter caught up with the big man in Gran Canaria during his 50th birthday celebrations for an appropriate return of the ‘big 50’ interview!
10+ min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
True Champion
Victor Fernandez is one of windsurfing’s good guys. His third PWA wave world title may have come in strange circumstances in 2018, but it was thoroughly deserved nonetheless. Known for his unassuming demeanour on land, but a complete competitor on the water, his windsurfing skills are testament to both a unique talent and a relentless work ethic. Victor normally lets his sailing do the talking, but we managed to get an insight into his life with these candid words from the man himself.
10+ min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Windsurfers' Rights
The RYA tell us of their work in promoting and protecting windsurfers’ rights.
3 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
The Big Stuff
Tenerife has become the winter go-to spot for slalom sailors, but let’s not forget Tenerife in winter can also offer huge Atlantic surf on more exposed parts of the island. Visiting Polish PWA racer Maciek Rutkowski took a break from training round the buoys to sample the big stuff.
8 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
The One Hour Classic
The ‘One Hour Classic’ is a unique windsurfing race held in Lake Garda and 2019 marked its 30th anniversary. The aim of the race is to reach in 1 hour the largest number of laps around a course defined by two marks positioned on opposite sides of the lake. John Skye flew the flag in the event for the UK and his sponsor RRD; he recounts his experience of the event.
10+ min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
New Foil Army
The advent of foiling on the PWA tour has brought a new group of men and women racers to the fore, John Carter takes a look at the Olympic windsurfers upsetting the rankings and asks the PWA elite for their opinion of the new contenders.
9 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Back Up And Riding
Harty tells us why Dave ‘Whitey’ White, 2 years after a stroke, takes resilience to a new level.
5 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Starboard Supercruiser Foil And Foil X Board
When Starboard released what they called, “Our easiest foil ever”, the “SuperCruiser”, we heard that there was actually a top secret new design of foil board in the works too. Starboard’s head of brand and design, Tiesda You, gives us the lowdown on both their new 2020 Foil X board and SuperCruiser foil.
4 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Stance
Getting your stance right is a bit like eating your vegetables. We know it’s important and done right could have a dramatic impact, but it’s maybe not as exciting as other things we could be getting stuck into! However, stance is the one bit of windsurfing that joins every single move together, so if you get it right it will allow a huge amount of progression. It’s also the most important thing for sorting your entry to moves, which is where most issues occur.
4 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Pushing For Victory - The Push Tack
This month Peter Hart dissects an old favourite, the push tack. It’s vaguely functional, happens on, rather than above the water, but still introduces elements key to many new skool stunts.
10+ min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Energise
“The key that unlocks energy is desire. It’s also the key to a long and interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within ourselves, we have to get excited.” Earl Nightingale
4 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Guadeloupe
John Carter and 2016 PWA slalom Champion, Matteo Iachino, head out to explore the windsurfing paradise of Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean. Hosted by fellow Severne and Starboard world tour racer, Tristan Algret, and avid local sailor Bruno Kancel, the planned itinerary was to windsurf as many of the island’s best locations in a mere six days. John Carter reports!
10+ min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Foil Racing UK
2019 has witnessed an explosion of UK Windsurfing Association (UKWA) foil racing; Rod Davis of the UKWA gives us an insight into the competition series.
2 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Big Cornwall
John Carter muses over the dilemma that many of us face when weighing up weather forecasts. Do you go out searching for that pot of gold, or do you stay at home in your comfort zone, but spend the day fearing that your mates are scoring a session you are going to live to regret missing?
8 min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
2019 Winter Travel Guide
Need help planning your great winter getaway? Life can be tough enough, let alone having to figure out what corner of the planet is warm and windy. It’s like trying to pick a favourite child …or biscuit. Fear not though, in your greatest time of need, we are here, sometimes, unless it’s above 12 knots then we are very busy finding excuses to leave the office. But regardless of our dodgy work practices, let us park your thinking cap and relieve you of your burden with our specially designed pages of winter travel information, wit and wonder. Well, maybe just information, but it’s the thought that counts. So if you fancy swapping your booties for board shorts then read on as Jane Faughnan from Sportif Travel and Marcus Bull from Planet Windsurf pick their favourite winter destinations and we provide micro-guides to a selection of windsurfing spots that don’t need seven layers of neoprene for a session in January!
10+ min |
Issue 389 - September 2019
Windsurf
Starboard Hyper Nut 4 In 1 7'4
WEB SUP.STAR-BOARD.COM PRICE £1325
3 min |
Issue 388 - August 2019
Windsurf
Sealion WINGS 7'6
WEB WWW.KAISPORTS.CO.UK PRICE £1599
3 min |
Issue 388 - August 2019
Windsurf
Waves Anyone? Entry-Level Wave Sailing
Peter Hart has been leading courses into swells for a few decades. Backed by comments and reflections from clients who’ve taken on the challenge, he describes the true nature of the game. Here’s a clue – it’s not all about the wind but about preparation and revisiting the most basic skills.
10+ min |