Windsurfing at Fuerteventura’s beaches of Sotavento and the big windsurfing events have a long history and 2015 sees the 30th anniversary. Christian Tillmanns and his team produced a clip for this 30th anniversary. Additionally you can check out some historic pictures and info from the early days at Sotavento. 

1996 was our first time on Fuerteventura. The first Worldcup we witnessed in 2000 and Chris, chief editor of continentseven, started his Slalom career in 2005 at Sotavento.

In 1986 French Pascal Maka set a new windsurfing speed record

In 1986 French Pascal Maka set a new windsurfing speed record at Sotavento, Fuerteventura

 

“In 1986 I convinced the former “Professional Board Riders Association (PBA)“ for the first time to use the outstanding wind conditions in the south of the island for the first “Fuerteventura World Cup” in windsurfing – immediately we crowned the French Pascal Maka with a new world speed record of 38.86 knots ( 71,96 km/h ). Through innovation and expansion for Windsurfing and Kiteboarding this World Cup event has quickly become an integral part of two world tours. Through the outstanding media results with 113 million audited TV viewers in Europe it is one of these events to the main of its kind – especially thanks to the international competitors, who have been doing their best for 30 years in a row.” René Egli, event founder, about the anniversary

 

“It’s nice to see that Fuerteventura is still on and will be there forever.” Björn Dunkerbeck, 41 times world champion

 

30th year anniversary clip

The Fuerteventura Worldcup celebrates the 30th anniversary this year
play-sharp-fill

The Fuerteventura Worldcup celebrates the 30th anniversary this year

 

Gear storage at the tennis court during an early World Cup Sotavento

Gear storage at the tennis court during an early World Cup Sotavento

 

Read more about the event history at Sotavento 1986 René Egli brought the excellent windsurfing conditions at Sotavento to the attention of the PBA (Professional Board sailors Association). This led to the first speed event on Fuerteventura in 1986 and it was during that very first event, where French speed sailor Pascal Maka set a new speed world record in windsurfing: 71,8 km/h. René Egli acted as the local organiser. Thanks to his meticulous organisation and the excellent wind conditions it quickly became an established event.

 

Roddy Lewis on the left, René Egli in the middle and Pascal  Maka at the right hand side, at Sotavento in 1986

Roddy Lewis on the left, René Egli in the middle and Pascal Maka at the right hand side, at Sotavento in 1986

 

 

1995 Roddy Lewis sets a new speed world record (open sea): 81,81 km/h

Slalom racing at Sotavento in 1987

Slalom racing at Sotavento in 1987

 

 

In 1996 a Wave World Cup was held at Risco del Paso for the first time

 

In 1997 the Super Grand Slam was held in Fuerteventura. The Production Speed World Championships, the Speed World Championships and the racing and freestyle events were held within the space of three weeks. In the same year, freestyle was introduced as a new discipline at Fuerteventura.

 

In 2001 a kiteboarding event was hold for the first time in addition to the Freestyle Grand Prix in windsurfing. The freestyle, hang time and best trick disciplines were judged as part of the Kiteboarding World Championship Tour. The previous world record holder Sebastien Cattelan improved his hang time world record to an unbelievable 8.87 seconds at wind force 9.

 

In 2003 the Fuerteventura PWA Super-X Exhibition took place at Sotavento for the very first time. The world premiere of the new Super-X windsurfing discipline proved to be an epic spectacle and competition format, and the expected dangers that necessitated body amour and crash helmets proved to be vital during the high impact wipeouts and collisions.

In 2003 the Super-X discipline was tested for the first time at Sotavento

In 2003 the Super-X discipline was tested for the first time at Sotavento

 

In 2004 Manu Taub sets a new speed world record in kiteboarding: 75,15 km/h. In 2005 the Windsurfing Slalom discipline returned on the PWA tour at Sotavento and is on since then (just in 2013 the Slalom did not happen)

Full house in 2012 during a Slalom winners announcement

Full house in 2012 during a Slalom winners announcement

 

In 2014 the new René Egli windsurfing center has been opened a bit closer towards the Melia Gorriones Hotel due to the fact that the beach shrinked by many meters over the years. 

The new windsurfing center (Pic: Roger Protzen)

The new windsurfing center (Pic: Roger Protzen)

 

2015 saw rad PWA freestyle action and slalom action in high wind conditions. Sarah-Quita Offringa won her 8th freestyle world title and Dieter van der Eyken his first PWA freestyle event. And Antoine Albeau dominated and won the Slalom event.

 

Dieter van der Eyken won his first PWA freestyle event in his career at Sotavento in 2015

Dieter van der Eyken won his first PWA freestyle event in his career at Sotavento in 2015 (Pic: Carter/PWA 2015)

 

Share