Martin Haglev meets Philip Köster on Gran Canaria

New Marketing honcho of the Starboard Group, Norwegian boardsport expert and ex snowboard pro Martin Haglev, just visited Gran Canaria with his family to have a good christmas time and get some windsurfing sessions done. But it came much better than expected. Unusual wind from south eastern direction showed up and he had great conditions sailing together with the 15 year old teamrider and local hero Philip Köster.

 

C7: Hi Martin, you are just on Gran Canaria. How are the conditions?

Since I arrived on the island mid December the conditions have been firing every single day. Contrary to the north trade winds, that dominates the summer season, we have had some really great south winds in combination with some swell and that has set us up with some pretty sick days. Gran Canaria must be one of the funniest places to sail on, tons of fun every day. If it’s not windy, there are so many good surfspots working in wintertime. Something for everybody!

C7: Which spots did you ride while the last week?

We sailed Juan Grande a lot, but mostly the really windy days. That place reminds me a lot of back home in Scandi with supper choppy mushy side onshore and messy conditions. So much fun sailing there though, and a bunch of smiling locals on the water all the time. Great stuff, great people! The biggest surprise were all the amazing days, which we had at Vargas! When did this pebble filled board breaking side on beach turn into off shore heaven? I could simply not believe my eyes rolling into the Koester family’s “garden” watching the waves peeling perfectly with monstrous periods! Insane! I have been travelling West OZ and Maui earlier this fall but did not score nearly as good conditions as this.

C7: On which gear were you on?

I was switching between 2011 Starboard Quads and 2010 Quads. We are in a heavy R&D period (as usual) and I am on the island testing 2011 boards with Philip. Most of the days the wind was light so we were on 76, 81 & 86 and I used Severne S-1 4.7 m.

C7: There are a few pics of Philip Köster and yourself on the net! Did you sail together with Philip a  lot?

Yes, trying to keep up! Right. Yes, been sailing a lot with Philip for sure. He is a very important key athlete in the Starboard R&D program. We are developing some ultra sick Quads for 2011 and need Philips input to land all our great ideas. For us at Starboard, getting feedback from athletes is super important to test and develop the gear in all the different conditions that our end consumers might end up using our products in. This is “quality control” taken one step further as Philip is charging so hard these days it’s simply unbelievable. Also, as I recently bought a house on the island and will spend a lot of time here in the future when I am not in Bangkok, I use his local knowledge of wind and waves for all it’s worth!

C7: Did he arise his level again since the 2009 Pozo PWA worldcup. Your were there in July and you definitely can compare his skills?

Yes! Coming from the snowboard world I notice the similarities on how “new” young athletes are combining a lot of moves! Super fast grubbies in the wave, planing forward cutbacks into wave, ultra tweaked goiters, list goes on. Just positioning yourself in the “line up” with a onehanded Flaka on a 70 Quad is pretty slick I reckon.. Being 15, and sailing in predominantly north wind I am shocked to see him ripping as hard as he does with south wind.

 

C7: What are his most impressive moves in the moment?

Pretty much all his “new school” wave moves, but even more his style, speed and confidence when he sails. Again, he charges so hard and goes so big, that it’s pretty entertaining just to watch! It is so cool to see the kids pushing the sport their way! It’s the future!

C7: Do you like Gran Canaria more while the wintertime or are the summer conditions unbeatable?

Summer conditions are amazing in the way of how consistent the wind is. Where else in the world do you end up sailing your 3.7 and 4.2 every day for two-three months straight. If you are into high wind sailing with a lot of jumping Gran Canaria is pretty much heaven I guess. Winter is from what I understand more tricky, but after talking with the Moreno Twins, Philip, Bjørn and a lot of the locals here I have the impression winter is quality time! I always end up having a fantastic time here no matter what season it is! The reason for that must be the nice people and the nice climate I think!

 

C7: Which gear would you recommend for a wintertrip and which one for a summerjourney?

For winter I would bring a big wave board and a larger quiver of sails. You would need it to be prepared for more light wind sessions. For the summersessions I always bring the smallest sails and boards I have. This summer I was on my smallest Quad and 3.7 and 3.2 every day for a month and a half. I am light though, 70 kilos! Ha ha, so much fun!

A link to Martin´s blog with his GC stories, check it out!

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Martin Haglev meets Philip Köster on Gran Canaria, 10.0 out of 10 based on 17 ratings