continentseven.com

Wind demons of speed – Australia

Mazatlan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:23:46 +0000

Take one smokin sea gale- add one low tide on the point delivering some super smooth water – and the result is some of the fastest speeds achievable on the West Coast of WA at Point Walter near Perth.

Chris Lockwood did 43 knots on this day.

View on ExposureRoom

Witchcraft Sailboards – An interview

chris — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:54:45 +0000

Bouke Becker has been shaping windsurfing boards since 25 years. In 1993 he came to the island of Fuerteventura and opened his own workshop in Corralejo, where he founded Witchcraft Sailboards, known as one of the most durable windsurfing boardbrands on the market.

We caught up with Bouke to find out more about his high durability boards, Quadfin boards and how things are running at the moment.

Trifins out.

C7: Hi Bouke, you just released your 2010 boards, the Wave V3.0 and the Chakra V2.0. The boards look excellent. What are the highlights of these models?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: The Wave V3.0 has become more radical with the Chakra as an easier wave shape added. We have concentrated mainly on improving the wave riding as that is where the board counts the most. Our progressiv rail shape has changed making it more fluent even if there is a little less added rail rocker as before, therefore we have increased the all over parabolic rocker. Also the outlines have changed a little, the bigger boards have become a little wider, the smaller a little narrower. Tail widths have increased a little to compensate for the added rocker so the board keeps going better at lower riding speeds. The Chakra is our cross over shape from wave to FSW. The tri fin system makes it a very versatile board for use in waves or flat water. The new Chakra has received the same new rail shape as the wave and has a slightly changed rocker line to make it run over chop better. The rest has remained the same. We have added a 71 and 114L board to the range.

C7: Are these two lines produced in production?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: Yes, in our own factory in Bulgaria.

Bouke Becker working on new shapes

C7: Will you realease Quad Boards as well in the near future?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: No, there is no area where a Quad is better as a tri fin, but there are areas where a tri fin is better than a Quad. Versatility is one of them.

C7: When did you start the shaping and repair business on Fuertventura and why?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: I came to Fuerte in ´93 but had been making boards for a hobby since ´85 on Terschelling, a Dutch North Sea island. For 6 months I worked as a windsurf teacher, but had brought my tools from Holland and soon was repairing boards in the evening. So I decided to open my own work shop here in Corralejo.

Windsurfing on Terschelling back in 1987

C7: How long and wide was the first windsurfing waveboard you shaped back in the years?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke:-)) Ha, something like 260×54…..well, the very first I built in ´85 was a Robby Naish replica of 260×60.

C7: How does a Witchcraft board feel when riding it?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: I am the first one to admit I like to get more than my fair share of waves without dropping in on people. So you need a board that planes and goes up wind well. We have a lot of excellent point breaks here but the winds are lighter. Still once you are on a wave you want it to ride excellent as well. So, using basic hydro dynamical laws where ever possible, I have tried to combine various shape details that harm other performances the least. As on average we use bigger boards to get out but do get fast once on a wave. The boards have a lot of grip to be able to keep control and turn tight at speed. This is mainly due to one of the biggest differences in shape to other brands: I make the rails in the back half pretty much sharp. This gives bite, drive, responsiveness, precision and improves planing and upwind ability. Also our tri fin system, which I have been developing since 12 years, gives very good maneuvrability and drive. It adds a lot to the versatility and range of use. In the beginning we built maybe 10% tri fin boards and this has grown to the last 5 years practically 98% are tri fins. I still see many mistakes in other tri fin or Quad boards, which have come on the market now, many of which I made myself over the years. Other stand out features are the inverted V bottom shape and the parabolic rocker line. I am working with parabolic rocker lines since ´87 and the inverted V since 2 years.

C7: Could you develop the brand Witchcraft in a way you planned?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: If someone would have told me 15 years ago where I would be now, I would have adviced him to have his head checked. But on the whole I have always been working on a sustainable business, concentrating above all on quality rather than quantity. My strength is in designing and building boards, not marketing. Had I known a lot more people in the PWA or industry, like Seb Wenzel, things probably would have gone a lot faster. But I am pretty happy with the way things have gone so far like this as well. Full creative freedom without a bank loan or marketing manager on your back is also worth a lot.

Aerial time at Glassbeach in 1997.

C7: Is Witchcraft growing in a shrinking windsurfing boardmarket?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: Growing steadily but surely. Demand has always been a little higher as what we can produce. Slowly we are expanding with our own resources. Due to the crisis we had to put our bigger expansion plans for a new bigger factory on ice as it is very hard to get loans out of banks at the moment. At the moment we produce about 300 boards per year, over the last few years this has grown with about 20% each year. The easy way would have been to go to Cobra but I decided to do it my way. Ha! Maybe we can offer shares to our customers…

C7: Most boardproducers promise high durability! What´s your opininon about durability of windsurfing boards and can Witchcraft deliver more durability compared to other brands?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: We put too much effort into building a board to make “disposable” products. I hate it myself if a board dies unnecesary. And I hate to miss a windsurf day because of avoidable equipment failure. And stuff does not break when there is no wind. It depends on the person how strong a board needs to be. For many people, most production boards are fine if they are carefull. For others they aren´t. Either because they do not like to be overly carefull, sail a lot, use less boards, like a strong board to travel, sail on a decent level or want to save the environment. If someone wants to change their board more often, they will get a higher resale value so it is cheaper to buy a new one. There is a high demand for used Witchcrafts.

C7: What makes your boards so strong? I mean, you give 18 months guarantee on the HDD versions.

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: There are many reasons, quite a few which I like to keep secret. One main reason is the use of Dyneema, the strongest fibre on the market, also used in bulletproof vests etc. I have specialised in working with Dyneema since 14 years. Dyneema is difficult to work with, also simply because it is so strong. But you have to know how it works, you can not simply replace carbon or glass with Dyneema. Dyneema also has less good properties which have to be solved in other ways. Where as we are a small company, in quality, technology and innovations, we are pretty much ahead of everyone. Also our CNC production system is the most advanced in the world.

Working more efficient with the "virtual shaper".

C7: Where do you sell your products mostly?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: Apart from Fuerteventura and the other Canary Islands, Holland has always been a good market, as I am Dutch it has always been easier to get my technical articles published there. But also the UK and Germany have been good markets. Since we started producing our semi custom boards in Bulgaria in 2007, many other markets are growing: France, Italy, Belgium, Scandinavia, Spain, Greece and overseas like Australia and the US even if the exchange rate has not been favourable. The internet helps a lot to spread the word nowadays because with some magazines it can be hard to get something published with our marketing budget, no matter how interesting these articles are for their readers. For those magazines who have published articles unconditionally, I try to give them as much credit as I can and certainly will be the first to be rewarded once our marketing budget can grow.

C7: Your boards look definitely a bit different compared to many other waveboards on the market. Does that mean you seldom have a look to other products on the market?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: I do look at what others are doing. Sometimes I see things I like or it gives me ideas into what direction to go or what to explore. In many other things, I think I am ahead. I am always questioning things and try to find ways to improve the whole, not just one aspect and lose on another. On the other hand, I have certainly also learned from mistakes in the past and who knows what I could do better now? Time will tell, If I knew now I would change it right away. Thanks to our CNC production system without moulds we can put changes through quickly and whenever I want. It also allows us to have a wave range of 13 sizes….

Bouke at Majanicho.

C7: Do you see a revival of custom products in the near future or did it happen already?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: Not really, building (good) boards has become quite technical to learn. You can´t just follow a course to become a shaper. It takes a lot of skill, technical knowledge, talent, experience and years of perseverance, because the first years, often you find you have worked for nothing. And where you are based also matters a lot.

C7: Would you like to see your products on the PWA Tour as well?

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: Yes, but at the moment we can not afford to sponsor these guys. It would be more for my own pride than anything else anyway. For developing I do not really need them. You do not have to be on the PWA to be a good sailor. And any promotional effect would be wasted as well as we could not build anymore boards at the moment either. I think the PWA should lower their price money demands to have more events and should limit the amount of wave boards used in a season to 2 or max 3. Also their scoring system should be changed a little. To me it does count if I would get 2 or 4 waves in the same time. That would force brands to increase the range of use and durability of wave boards. And that is where we have the advantage…….

Thanks for the interview!

Witchcraft Sailboards-Bouke: You´re welcome! Grüße, Groeten, Saludos de Fuerteventura Bouke

- Website Witchcraft

© continentseven.com/ CHP 2010

Winter Windsurf European Cup 2010 Lithuania

medea — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:23:28 +0000

The second Winter Windsurf European Cup event took place last weekend in Vente in Lithuania in cooperation with Extreme-sports. There were races in both disciplines and the competition for the titles is on! WWEC 2009 winner Janis Preiss has not participated yet, but it is about time he gets involved not to loose his title! The conditions were harsh; wind came together with snow – a snowstorm for the first racing day and for the slalom discipline! The contest in slalom was pretty tight, especially for the 3rd place between Mikus Bevalds and Giedrius Liutkus. Mikus with some points missing stayed 4th, but with no doubt he is the leader in Youth group.

This time the winner was Latvian rider Aleksandrs Leontjevs, he was second in WWEC 2009 overall results both in slalom and course disciplines. The second best was Juozas Bernotas, Lithuanian Olympic hope in windsurfing RS:X class.

Result Slalom:

1. Aleksandrs Leontjevs

2. Juozas Bernotas

3. Giedrius Liutkus

It was impossible to run the “Course Racing” with the usual ski-boards due to deep snow. Competing was only possible on ski-sledges. Most of the riders were not prepared for such conditions and only 4 Lithuanian riders had appropriate equipment.

Result Course Racing:

1. Arvydas Moliušis

2. Juozas Bernotas

3. Robertas Berkelis

Evening gatherings have become a pleasant tradition of every WWEC event. Also this time most of the people – riders, friends, sponsor representatives came together at the end of the day for a chat and not only. Lithuanian windsurfing movies, very musical sauna party with the most popular Latvian and Lithuanian songs and some Rock`n`Roll supplemented with the Red Bull special winter drink! Everyone had great time there! Before the event it was said that Lithuanian windsurfers have fallen for the campsite Ventaine in summer… and last weekend we found out that the place is excellent also for the winter season!

More information and photos at www.winterwindsurf.com

SUP Camp in Croatia

medea — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:48:18 +0000

Peter Bartl, Austrian waterman and Fanatic invite you to the first Stand Up Paddle Camp at the coast of Croatia.

Peter Bartl studied science of sport, is very experienced in surfing, River surfing and windsurfing.
Premantura is located at the southern tip of Istria and offers a great playground for SUP, with a lot of tiny islands close to the coast and inlets. There is also a great chance for waves.

Location: Premantura/ Croatia, CAMP Stupice
Date: 27. – 31. März 2010

Costs: 120€ (9h watertraining and 1h theory, including material)
More info: Peter Bartl, bartl@be-training.at Tel: +43 664 736 84 767

Camp Stupice: camping@arenaturist.hr

Windsurf Beauties Camp – a windsurfing camp only for women

Crazy Pete – Leo Ray

medea — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:18:41 +0000

Perfect Crazy Pete by the French Leo Ray in really difficult conditions during the PWA World Cup Sylt 2009.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Winter windsurfing session on land

medea — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:18:40 +0000

Windsurfing on land and in winter featuring UK sailors Mike Archer (K-728) and Adam Sims (K-669) on their TurfDog boards.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Oceanic & Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships

medea — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:02:18 +0000

One final race on the last day of the 2010 Oceanic & Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships bringing the total to 12 races over the four-day regatta. Lighter winds and rain today for the final day of racing at the 2010 Oceanic & Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships at Hawks Nest which allowed the competitors one more race to bring the total to twelve races for the four-day championship.

Wilhelm Schurmann wins the event

Sean O’Brien (Point-7/Gaastra) cemented his second position overall today by winning the last race by a clear 20 second margin becoming the only sailor to beat the Brazilian champion Wilhelm Schurmann (Starboard/Neilpryde) in a race this week.

Sean O´Brian in second and winning the Australian Formula Windsurfing Champion title

O’Brien finished the event on 20 points overall, a clear 8 points ahead of Sam Parker (Starboard/Neilpryde) who made the podium finish and Brett Morris (Starboard/Severne) who finished on 41 points overall.

Event winner Schurmann dominated the event all week, winning 11 out of 12 races with an overall point score of 9 points taking home a new Blackberry smartphone and the winner’s trophy for his efforts. His first time sailing in this part of New South Wales the Brazilian said: “This spot is simply incredible! We had winds every single day, it was just perfect for sailing or any outdoor activities for that matter. Surfing, SUP’ing, we did it all. I’ll definitely be back next year, and bring some friends”.

Nathan Hohnberg (Starboard/MauiSails) surprised a few today following O’Brien in second for most of the race before Schurmann pipped him on the last downwind and finished in 3rd, bringing him just out of the Top 10 for the event in 12th overall.

Ladies winner Allison Shreeve (Gaastra/Gaastra) closed the event strongly finishing a clear margin ahead of her nearest rival Jessica Crisp (Starboard/Neilpryde) to win the event.

A delay of two hours waiting for the wind before the final race allowed the competitors a chance to cheer on their wives, girlfriends and friends in the Windsurf’n’Snow Ladies SUP Race which eventually multiple Olympian Lainey Beashel won taking home the new smartphone handset from Blackberry.

After the event wrapped up competitors enjoyed the Prizegiving Ceremony at the Hawks Nest Golf Club with rock outfit “Afterglow Duo” flying down from Brisbane to provide the entertainment for the night; the festivities extended late in to the evening. Sean O’Brien who finished second overall became the 2010 Australian Formula Windsurfing Champion being the first Australian overall as well as taking the Oceanic Champion title with Allison Shreeve also receiving both titles for the Ladies.

Result Oceanic & Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships 2010

Wilhelm Schurmann
Sean O´Brian
Sam Parker
Brett Morris
Steven Floyd

Best women Allison Shreeve ranked 14th.

- Full Result Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships 2010

Culo into Spock 540° – Kiri Thode

medea — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:12:34 +0000

Absolutely awesome combination by Kiri Thode. Thanks to Caesar Finies for sending it in.

Click here to view the embedded video.

iDO gets third place at the ISPO Brandnew Award 2010

medea — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:54:36 +0000

The iDO, an windsurfing invention by the Italian Dario Oliviero, got third at the ISPO Brandnew Award this year. It is a mast base that limits the lean of the sail, designed for boards 85cm wide or more, and with sails up to 5m2. “With all those hard competitors we got the third place and this is very important for the iDO, but more for the windsurf sport in general”, says Dario Oliviero.

Link to the ISPO Brandnew Award: The iDO

Link to the website of iDO: www.ido-innovation.com

Thommen 2010 Website

Pryde Group Germany is looking for an apprentice

medea — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:22:12 +0000

The Pryde Group Germany based in Taufkirchen, Germany is looking for an apprentice in wholesale and export trades. Because the information was sent out in german language, I guess they are looing for a german speaking person.

German text:

Für September 2010 suchen wir die Pryde Group wieder eine/n Auszubildende/n für den Groß- und Außenhandel mit Schwerpunkt Windsurfen.

Profil:

Erfolgreicher Abschluss der Realschule, Wirtschaftschule oder Gymnasium
MS Office Kenntnisse
Leistungs- und Einsatzbereitschaft
Eigeninitiative & Zuverlässigkeit
Teamfähigkeit
Kontaktfreudig und aufgeschlossen

Im Laufe Ihrer Ausbildung lernen Sie praxisnah die verschiedenen Bereiche unseres Unternehmens kennen.

Die Ausbildung erfolgt in folgenden Abteilungen:

Reklamation
Lager
Verkauf / Einkauf
Marketing
Personalwesen
Buchhaltung

Ihre Ausbildung dauert 2 bis 3 Jahre in Abhängigkeit von Ihrem Schulabschluss und Ihren Leistungen. Interesse in einem engagierten Team mitzuarbeiten?

Wenn Sie aktiver Windsurfer sind, dann senden Sie bitte Ihre aussagekräftigen Bewerbungsunterlagen an:

Pryde Group GmbH

Anna Pfaff

Bergstraße 7

82024 Taufkirchen

Germany

Anna Pfaff, anna.pfaff@pryde-group.de