When three World Champions – Traversa, Fernandez and Angulo, are sailing at the one spot, you just know there has to be a story. The three legends share their tales of how they all answered the call of the wind to end up in Portugal and score some sweet sessions south of Lisbon and the renowned Guincho beach.
THOMAS TRAVERSA
Here I am back in Portugal, around Lisbon to be more precise. Before boarding the plane in Marseille this morning, I did a little tour in the airport bookstore, as I like to do. More to loiter than to buy anything, since seeing so many books in one place awakens a desire to read, which I generally satisfy by flipping through a few magazines or reading the back cover of one or two paperbacks. Sometimes however I let go and, with hesitation and decision at the same time, grab a book that I rush to pay for before changing my mind.
Today the latest issue of National Geographic has caught my attention with its catchy title cover: “Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling ... How do you get hooked?” As a passionate sportsman I think I have many addictions, such as physical effort addiction that I calm by running on windless days, addiction to performance that made me the competitor that I am and adrenaline addiction that leads me to sail in sometimes dangerous conditions.
TRAVELLING MAN
There is my addiction to windsurf of course, which I cannot mention without also talking about my need to travel, and the fascination that I have for meteorological weather maps. When I feel a strong desire to travel, I just have to look at different weather maps until I find a corner of the planet where wind and waves seem favourable for a windsurf trip. I usually start with Europe, Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands, and British Isles; why not take a look at Iceland, Norway too? Nothing in Europe, I go to the Caribbean and Cape Verde, the Indian Ocean, Africa or South America, depending on the season.
This story is from the Issue 371 - November December 2017 edition of Windsurf.
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This story is from the Issue 371 - November December 2017 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New School
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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.
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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.
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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!
