SIMMER STYLE - world news

Jonas Ceballos massive backloop

2010-09-06 00:00:00

This is just another day at work for Simmer Stylist Jonas Ceballos. Next week Jonas will be in Klittmoller in Denmark for the second PWA wave event of the year, looks like he is ready to explode!

Kenneth Danielsen explodes in Klitmøller

2010-09-05 00:00:00

The world cup here in Klitmøller is soon to begin, and in 2 weeks time all the best windsurfers in the world is gathered here for the first ever PWA world cup on danish ground. The last couple of weeks provided some good conditions here in Klitmøller. I have been sailing as many days as possible on the “Reef” where the contest takes place, to be as well prepared as possible.

But this thursday we got a classic day in Hanstholm. It doesn't get any better than this in my opinion. Wind between 3.7 and 4.0 and around 2-4 meter waves. I got a day of from the “reef “ and sailed the whole day in Hanstholm, which provided some epic conditions.

Cheers,
Kenneth Danielsen

Foto/Credit : Casper and Timo

Thanks to my sponsors:
Simmer, RRD, MFC, Mystic, Ski Shop, PLASMA

Franciso Porcella at the Reunion Wave Classic

2010-09-02 00:00:00

I'm on the Reunion Island for the Reunion Wave Classic. We 've had some awesome conditions in Etang Sale' and hoping for more, I've been riding the new Mission 4.7 here in Reunion, but then its been getting really windy and going on 4.2 in Ravigne Blanche.

Check out the pics and video's from the competition at: www.reunionwaveclassic.com

Before coming to Reunion, Rudy Castorina and myself had a insane trip to Fiji!! We scored epic Cloud Break. Man, this is a world class wave. I got a opportunity to try out the new four batten Blacktip and it felt really good in these conditions. Rudy was on the Mission X and ripping.

Ciao,
Francisco Porcella I-69

Dario Ojeda movie

2010-09-01 00:00:00

?Simmer Style's Dario Ojeda E-211 shows of his bag of tricks in a new movie on his blog... Check it out.

http://darioe211.blogspot.com

Jonas Ceballos showcases the 2011 Mission X

2010-08-30 00:00:00

Jonas Ceballos E-40 needs no presentation, but the new 2011 Mission X does. So sit back and relax and let Jonas take you through the basic rigging and fine tuning.

Klaas Voget testing in Guincho

2010-08-17 00:00:00

Hi,
I’m in Guincho doing some testing. We’ve had some nice conditions from really light to super strong winds. Right now it’s calm, but in the next two days the wind should come up again... Attached some pictures of the windiest session. Photos by Bea

All the best,
Klaas Voget
www.klaasvoget.com

2011 Simmer flatwater video

2010-08-06 00:00:00

Simmer is proud to present our 2011 flatwater sail collection. Team captain Kai Katchadourian takes you through the range.

Klaas Voget German Wave Champion

2010-07-27 00:00:00

I'm just back from the final event of the German Championships on Sylt...
I finished second place in the event and won the tour and the German Champion title with this result in the Wave/Freestyle discipline, with Philip Köster finishing on a second place.

The new Blacktips work really nice in the shorebreak of Sylt. I'm looking forward to take them up to Klitmöller in the coming week...

All the best,
Klaas Voget G-4
www.klaasvoget.com

2011 Wavesails

2010-07-20 00:00:00

We are proud to announce the launch of our 2011 wavesails. Here’s a quick look at a few highlights for 2011.

REDUCED SWING WEIGHT
For 2011 we have reduced the weight above the stretch control tendon with approximately 10-15% all through the range. We have done this by using a lighter laminated film with multi directional fibres, laminated in four directions between a super thin and light scrim, it’s called Q-PLY. Furthermore all 2011 sails have a more compact top outline and have been updated with reduced diameter battens on the upper battens. All these design features combined provide a sail which feels lighter in your hands and is more responsive.

REDUCED DIAMETER BATTENS
We have employed the use of a reduced batten diameter, from 8.5 mm to 7.0 mm on the top batten. A part from reducing the swing weight this also as promotes a more energetic twist hence a livelier sail character.

LIVELIER CHARACTER
All 2011 Simmer wavesails have a more compact sail outline, this generates a more radical handling, better suited for the new boards, such as quadfins and twinsers with more rocker and a compact outline. To compensate the shorter luff, the two upper battens are positioned with a steeper angle, and as a result of this each sail has less surface in between the top batten and the luff. This effectively releases tension on top 1/3 of the mast, generating a far more livelier character.

POWER VS STABILITY/MANEUVERABILITY
The softer nature of the new Q-PLY provides a smoother twist while the Stretch Control System secures the shape in the bottom half of the sail. Considering that the stability and power of the sail in located in the bottom of the sail and the manoeuvrability in the top part of the sail, it is very beneficial to use a lighter material in upper half to create a sail with a lighter feel and better manoeuvrability.

WIDER SPACED X-PLY
We have introduced a new wider spaced X-Ply in the main body panels on ICON, for better visibility. Its is also 20% lighter than the X-Ply seen previously on the ICON.

4 BATTEN BLACKTIP
Tested and developed together with Klaas Voget, we are proud to present the four batten BLACKTIP. This will be the weapon of choice for Klaas Voget on the PWA tour this year.

Update from Jonas Ceballos

2010-07-15 00:00:00

Hello friends,
Straight after the PWA Pozo event, we had the Spanish Cup in Pozo this weekend. The conditions where pretty much the same as during the PWA event, but warmer and a bit gustier.

On Saturday we could finish the single elimination, I was sailing very consistent and was feeling super confident. But just before quarter finals I got a big cut under my foot and it was difficult to sail because my foot it was hurting so much, I was putting all my energy out there to keep going. Anyhow I made it into the final and meet my friend Victor Fernandez.

The conditions weren't really happening in the final and it was hard to find good waves, and my foot wasn't really helping either. Victor took the 1 st place in the final.

The level of the local young talents is incredible, young kids like Omar, José, Alessio, Moritz and Pablito who are absolutely ripping out there, these kids will soon be top names on the PWA tour - respect!

The following day we had the double elimination. I woke up the day after and my feet was not better and I was thinking to do not compete because I couldn't even do walk but the head judged push me to go just to try. The event doctor patched med together and I was able to hit the water!

On the semifinals I was against my friend and team mate Dario Ojeda who was climbing towards the semifinal, his sailing very consistent, beating all the young locals who was sailing amazing. I was sailing with a lot of pain in my foot in this heat but in a really close heat I got 3 judged decition for me and two for Dario, so I was able to keep my second place but i couldn't go sailing again in the final against Victor because I couldn't even walk.

Anyway I'm stoked with the second place and I just hope to get better to be ready for the next Spanish Cup that will take place in Tenerife next weekend.

From here I would like to congratulate Victor for wining and my team mate Dario for his 3rd place! And for sure congratulate all the new generation for their level, keep ripping....

Thanks to Richard Aleman for all the pictures and Jose Piña for the podium picture thanks a lot...

Final results.
1ºVictor Fernandez
2ºJonas Ceballos
3ºDario Ojeda

Saludos!

Jonas Ceballos E40
http://jonase40.blogspot.com
SPONSORS:
http://www.simmerstyle.com
http://www.mistral-boards.com
http://www.tecnolimits.com
http://www.umipictures.com

Yarden Meir Eilat video

2010-12-07 00:00:00

Hey everybody,
I'm back in Eilat and it's windy like hell since I arrived!!! I mean its Eilat so the winds are about 24 at the gusts but its my home spot and I missed it so much! haha...

It's super nice to be back home and sail with my friends... the wind is already blowing for 2 weeks... something that is not happening that often at this season... buttttttt I'm enjoying and training in some new moves.

Anyway, here's a video of some Eilat action, I hope you like the video.

Yarden Meir ISR-91

Eilat Summer 2010 from Adam Gavriel on Vimeo.

Dario Ojeda #3 in Pozo

2010-07-08 00:00:00

With his local knowledge and balls of steel, Dario Ojeda E-211 finished 3rd in today single elimination in the Pozo Grand Slam, taking down big names as team mate Jonas Ceballos, Mussolini and in the semi final Marcillo Browne.

Congratulations Dario!!

For more infomation check out: www.pwaworldtour.com

Katchadourian 3rd place at Pistol River

2010-06-21 00:00:00

After some major battles on the Oregon Coast, Simmer Team Captain Kai Katchadourian scored a 3rd place showing at the Pistol River Wave Bash. Smooth wave riding and tight jumps got him thru just about every heat he was in. Nat Gill was not far behind in 5th.

" Its been great to be up in Oregon with Simmer Riders like Nat, Nick Dudet, Mark Johnstone, Tom Burlingame, and Har Rai Khashla. The event had a great vibe plus the conditions and waves were really clean. Good to be back again for sure ! " -KK

Photo credit. Trudy Lary

Les Mouss updates from Costa Brava

2010-06-14 00:00:00

Hello everybody,
Just back to the 2nd PWA slalom event to Costa Brava, Spain, great week for us except still the light wind & medium conditions, we make nice races.
We are totally in our goal on this event and at the middle of year. We 're waiting now the next windy events to Canarias and Turkey, our smaller equipment go really fast too.

Costa Brava results :
Sylvain : 6th
Benoit : 7th

Overall results on this moment :
Dunkerbeck : 1st
Sylvain : 4th
Benoît : 9th

This week, we will be focus on our extreme sports event to Marseille, the forecast is really good for windsurfing and kitesurfing contests, included too, Worldcup skateboarding bowl series event, Sunset music festival, sky diving, Roller & Bikinni shows. All of you guys, are invited...

See you soon

Best of luck

Sylvain & Benoit Moussilmani

Edvan Souza 2nd in Greece

2010-06-13 00:00:00

Edvan Souza BRA-250 powers through the EFPT season with another top result, finishing 2nd at Milos Beach in Greece this weekend. Followed by team mates, Yarden Meir on an 5th place and Niklas Stralhen on a 9th. Next event up is Naxos.

Congrats Edvan!!

Bonifacio freestyle project

2010-05-27 00:00:00

Hey ya'all !!
After a long journey from Eilat I arrived to the beautiful island of Corsica. For the first days we didn't have any luck with the wind but finally yesterday it was ON !! The wind was side off so the water was super flat and there was a small sand bank about 200 meters off shore with a small wave breaking.

It was a great atmosphere during the hole competition and everyone was going off !! The water was packed with action, photographers and all the latest moves, it was off the wall. I'm super stoked about the event and happy with my result. I'll for sure be back next year !! Corsica rocks !!

#1. Adrian Beholz
#2. Antony Rueness
#3. Yarden Meir
#4. Thomas Traversa
5. Adrien Bosson

Here are some action from the event, enjoy and let loose the beast next time on the water !!

Aloha!
Yarden Meir ISR-91
http://yardenmeir.blogspot.com/

Kai Katchadourian in Finnish morning radio

2010-05-26 00:00:00

Simmer team captain Kai Katchadourian US-33 just blew up Finnish Radio airwaves this morning both the biggest stations full airtime on the morning shows.

Check it out !!!
http://areena.yle.fi/video/1008014

The Essaouira Wave Classic 2010

2010-05-25 00:00:00

Hi gang !
I just returned from Morocco where 4 Simmer team riders had a great showing in some
fun conditions at Moulay.

Franisco Fonseca,Yann Sorlut, Francisco Porcella, and myself all fought some hard battles. Fonseca was firing on all cylinders winning his round 3 heat with some polished wave riding. Sorlut and his team finished in second with Yann helping take that spot with his consistent riding. Porcella and I ended up in third position. I was stoked to win my last heat as it helped our team win that last round. We'll be going back there for sure, what a spot !!

Check out the video !

Aloha
Kai Katchadourian US-33

Andreas Olandersson S-66 Cape Town video

2010-05-21 00:00:00

Oi Oi Oi!! Bangers and mash!! Andreas Olandersson sure knows what he's doin'!
One thing is certain, he'll be a brutal force to be counted on, this season on the PWA wave tour.

Check out this footage of Olandersson and his mates from doing up the Cape in South Africa.

Film credits: Emil Hakansson

Jonas Ceballos latest Pozo action

2010-05-20 00:00:00

Here is a video from last Monday in Pozo. I just got a new watercam which I was experimenting with, you can get some pretty cool angles. Hope you like it!

Saludos
Jonas Ceballos E-40

More info: jonas40.blogspot.com

Max Rowe training video from Dahab

2010-05-20 00:00:00

Max Rowe (K-448) sent us his latest video filmed in Dahab and El Tur (Egpyt), where he was training before the first PWA event in Austria. Now, before his next freestyle event, which will be the PWA freestyle event on Lanzarote, he is going to Vassiliki, Greece and will train hard there. Check it out!!

Kurosh checks out the opening ceremony in Korea

2010-05-20 00:00:00

Here's a update from Kurosh Kiani from the opening ceremony in South Korea,Jinha Beach. Kurosh reveals:

“Josh Angulo and myself decided to take a look around at what isgoing on around the opening ceremony at Jinha beach, and give everybodyout there an insight of how things happen at PWA events, and of courseget ourselves psyched up for the racing on the upcoming days.” Well done boys!

Korea, Ulsan slalom worldcup intro from Anguloboards.com on Vimeo.

Klaas Voget in BMW racing event

2010-05-11 00:00:00

Just after my return from Maui I was invited to join a press event of the formula BMW racing series in Valencia. Those cars are quite similar to formula 1 cars, just a little smaller. A bit tired I got into the plane the day after my arrival with a 12hr jetlag and not too much sleep. But once I saw the cars waiting in the pitlane of the Valencia race track, i was 100% awake.

First day everyone got their car, seat, suit and shoes, second day was a full day of learning and training with some worldclass racing instructors and the Nr.1 newcomer of the tour. After some shifting lessons and theory courses the instructors opened the track for free practice sessions. It was amazing! The excelleration is unbelievable, from zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, going with 200km/h towards the next turn. It felt a bit unreal, like being part of a computer game, bit more dangerous tho... It’s quite hard work to drive these cars, there is no power steering or break support, and you need to be 100% concentrated all the time. Also shifting gears is not just pushing a button, there is a manual shift, a clutch, and a special technique to not block the wheels in the turns and spin.

Three participants of the group span into the gravel, but nothing serious happened... The drive to the german island of Rügen the next morning for the Big Days contest felt a bit like slowmotion!

Here some of the shots (I’m Nr. 10)...

All the best,
Klaas Voget G-4
www.klaasvoget.com

Ben Proffitt K-800 Cape Town video

2010-05-10 00:00:00

Ben Proffitt K-800 takes on Cape Town feb/march 2010.

Enyoy!

Supremesurf Big Days 2010

2010-05-10 00:00:00

It's was a Simmer show down in the final at the Supremesurf Big Days in Germany last Thursday. Upcoming star, Kenneth Danielsen D-38 and world #4 Klaas Voget G-4 presented their best performance with massive one-handed backloops, taka's, double forwards. But in the end Kenneth had a better heat and claimed the crown.

Kenneth reveals, “ It was almost 10 hours of travelling from Klitmöller to here, butit really had paid off. A great contest. I’m super happy that I have won! “

Congratulations Kenneth!

Result:
1. Kenneth Danielsen
2. Klaas Voget
3. Lars Gobisch
4. Philip Köster
5. Matze Bade

Check out the video.

Supremesurf Big Days from Supremesurf on Vimeo.

Klaas Voget's last days at Hookipa

2010-03-05 00:00:00

Just on my way back from Maui, on a stopover in San Francisco... I took some watershots with Victor couple days ago... Pretty small, but good fun! The waves got smaller and smaller in the last week.

All the best,
Klaas Voget
www.klaasvoget.com

Jakub Kosmowski's Tarifa training

2010-04-27 00:00:00

-It's already half way through my training time in Tarifa. Until now we have really different conditions. First week was something that Tarifa didn't see in a long time. Levante wind blew up to 67 knots. Well, 90 liters freestyle board and a smallest sail like 4.0 is not the best choice but when the wind dropped a little bit I could go in a straight line.

Second week was a little bit more close to what we are used to. Most of the time I was using my 4.5 and a 5.1 sails. Now we are going to the second half of the trip and hopefully the wind is back cause last few days we had only waves.

My scheduled arrival in Poland is for the 27th of April but I don't know if I can go back to Poland if the whole cloud situation in Europe stays on. This is not the best option because the first event in Podersdorf starts on the 30th of April.

All the best,
JakubKosmowski POL-1288

Dario Ojeda E-211 video

2010-04-20 00:00:00

Check Dario Ojeda E-211 scoring a nice lightwind day with starboardtack at Las Salinas, Pozo.

Dario's blog>>

Rudy Castorina scores Jaws

2010-04-19 00:00:00

That day until now turn out to be the closing session for the Pe'ahi season, Hawaiian name of the little bay across from Jaws. I flew in the night before from the Caribbean, as i arrived, still sleepy from the plane, i check my local voicemail and had a message from my friend:

" Tomorrow should be good for Peahi !! Let's go !! Are you into it???

Allright lets see what it looks like, but for sure !!! "

The next day here we are, rigging on the ski with at least 30 knots, Huge chops, and my 4.7 mission X downhauled to the max. Rigging on the jetski in those conditions, is a Mission !!! Some waves were just huge chops that even my jaws board coudn't handle, in between those it was possible to find some clean faces. It turn out to be a session of good drops, and not much waveriding, but always so much thrill and so much fun !!!

I was happy to be back at home straight into action !!!

Aloha
Rudy Castorina

Kiani tuning up in Maui

2010-04-16 00:00:00

Maui has been firing for slalom the last few weeks. I have sailed significantly less waves and totally “slalomed” it out. Every single sail in the SCR range has been out getting worked. After spending around a week on 5,5 and 6,2, the wind let go a bit and let me spend some time on the 7,0 and 7,8 in medium winds. And the last few days have given me the chance to play around with my 8,6 and 9,5 in pretty light winds.

The significant difference of the SCR sails is the low end “GRUNT” giving you acceleration out of the jibes, down a wave, up a wave, just whenever. While still holding on super powered, you feel how the sail does the work for you with new light top materials and general lighter feeling. I just love them.

I have turned my attention more towards jibing now and real life racing situations. With about a month to go for the first PWA worldcup in Korea, it is time to bring in other facts than just blasting out and in. With a mobile course consisting of whatever I found in the supermarket, I now have buoys on the water racing with the guys here. And I can tell some hours are getting clocked on the water. With a training log that says over 80 hours on the water, I feel the form coming and slowly getting prepared for the season.

The forecast still looks good, but I am now going to rest a bit and do some wavesailing before I start on the last part of my training on Maui. When that is finished, it is back to Denmark to sail a bit in the lakes for some more lightwind training.
All I can say is that I feel I have the right tools to make things happen out there, so I am just super psyched to get out there racing.

Check some photo´s from my daily training here on Maui, and you will see how much attitude the new SCR´s throw on the water.

Greetings from Maui
Kurosh Kiani

Kurosh Kiani's blog>>>

Dario Ojeda E-211 video

2010-04-14 00:00:00

Pozo has been on fire the last couple of weeks and Dario Ojeda E-211 has been there to get the action. Check out the video!!

Klaas Voget at Hookipa

2010-04-13 00:00:00

Here are some photos from todays action at Ho'okipa. We are scoring some really nice conditions here in the moment and another massive swell is on it’s way.

All the best from Maui,
Klaas Voget G-4

www.klaasvoget.com

Thanks to Femke Geestmann for the photos.

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION EUROPE JOINS CHIA CLASSIC

2010-04-13 00:00:00

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION EUROPE HAS DECIDED TO BE PARTNER OF CHIA CLASSIC, A GREAT COMPETITION PRO-AM OF WATER SPORTS FROM MAY 2TH TO 8TH 2010

Chia, Sardinia, March 2010,

Surfrider Foundation Europe” – a non profit
organization, dedicated to defending, saving, improving and managing in a
sustainable manner the ocean, coastline, waves and the people who enjoy
them – will be partner of the 20th edition of Chia Classic from 2th to 8th of
May.

Organized by the Italian sport and cultural association Wave Sardegna,
this great competition will gather professionals and amateurs around different
water sports such as Surf, Windsurf, Kitesurf and Sand-up Paddling.

" For the 20 years anniversary of the Chia Classic, I would like to do an

International event PRO-AM. The invited PROs will play for the

SARDINIA WATERMAN trophy and will be able to move in different sides of

Cagliari Province. The amateurs will play for the equipment and for the glory

of the CHIA CLASSIC. They will be divided in ‘age group’, from kids to

Grand Masters. They can use the equipment provided or use their own.

Disciplines listed are: Surfing (Longboard, shortboard, body-board),

Windsurfing (slalom, free style and natural Course, Old Windsurfer team

Racing and Match Race), Kitesurf (Natural Course), Stand up paddling

(Wave and Slalom). One thing is for sure: Everybody is going to enjoy the

beauty of Sardinia and will be playing together after 6 pm, at the parties and

exhibits in the old Windsurfer spirit ”, says Pietro Porcella, president of Wave

Sardegna.

On Saturday 8th, 9.30, the final day of the event will start with a big beach
cleanup organised by Surfrider Foundation with the help of Wave Sardegna.
Surfrider will provide tools and pedagogic materials in order to raise
awareness about the macro-waste issue. This cleanup is organised in the
framework of the Surfrider Cleanups that gather several thousands of
people each year across the world.

Such a partnership focuses on this fact: water-activity practitioners are the
first to notice the coastal pollutions. Indeed, more and more surfers are
seeing their playing field damaged by macro-wastes. That’s why
Surfrider Foundation Europe collaborates with Wave Sardegna to display this
message:

HELP US KEEP THE OCEAN CLEAN!

More information about:
www.surfrider.eu
www.initiativesoceanes.org
Chia Classic>>

Calle Nyberg at Hookipa

2010-04-12 00:00:00

Simmer's videographer, Calle Nyberg took the opportunity in between shoots to tear it up at Ho'okipa. He's got some Polakow-style aerial action happening.

Nice one Calle!

Klaas Voget at Hookipa

2010-03-30 00:00:00

Klaas Voget G-4 just arrived from Chile to score a massive swell at Hookipa.

Gear: 4.7 ICON / RDM 10 / Blackline boom.

Photo: Femke Geestmann

Yarden Meir ISR-91 training in Dahab

2010-03-23 00:00:00

Here's a bunch of good lookin'moves from the energizer, Yarden Meir ISR-91 getting steamed up for the upcoming EFPT season. At only 18, Yarden finished his first year on the EFTP tour 7th. Things are looking good for the young freestyler expert.

Keep it up Yarden!

Yarden Meir Dahab 2010 from yarden Meir on Vimeo.

Kurosh Kiani raports from Maui training

2010-03-19 00:00:00

I have been on Maui for a bit more than a week now, and it has just been a good startup. I came over here with all the new SCR sails all of them brand new and never unwrapped. After a week of sailing, nearly all the sails have been on the water and I can just say that i am happy for them.

I started off with two days of high wind action sailing with maxed 5,5. It was kind of hard coming from a winter break and jumping directly into nuking conditions, but now it just seems like easy cruising sailing with the bigger sails.

The next few days, I had the 6,2 on the water. It instantly became my favorite sail as i could feel the smooth power transforming into acceleration when sailing. Not bad!. And as always, handling and camber rotation was not an issue here. One new addition is the light technora top which makes the sail feel light in your hands especially when sailing in choppier conditions.

Then some days of smoother winds made it possible to sail with 7,0 and 7,8. Last year the 7,8 was my favorite sail, and now I get the same feeling, just with that smooth accelerating feeling that you just love in the sail.
Since then the 7,0 has been my most used sail, and testing against other guys shows that this and all the sail sizes are well competitive with good speed and acceleration.

I am looking forward to more testing on the new SCR sails during the next many weeks.

Aloha!
Kurosh Kiani

Dario Ojeda interview

2010-03-18 00:00:00

We took a moment to chat with Pozo local Dario Ojeda (E-211), who finished 5th at the PWA Pozo Grand Slam this year. A heavy name on the tour, and a true force to be counted with on the Simmer International team.

When and why did you start windsurfing?
I was surfing before I started sailing, when i was 11, thanks to my dad, he decided to start a windsurf course in the south of the island where we were living…

How many days do you go windsurfing in a year?
If you mean surfing I go everyday if it’s good waves in the winter then when it’s windy I go windsurfing.

What are your favourite conditions? And your favourite boards and sails?
I like all kind of conditions, but I don’t like when it’s small and cold. I prefer a good size and warm places all my boards works good so the rave twin fin in any size and same with the sails, Simmer Icons, for Pozo I my favorite sizes is 4.2 and the 78 rave.

Describe your Big Day, the one you’ll never forget.
I had couple of big days, one of then in Fuerteventura, in La Caleta years back and then in the north of the Gran Canaria.

Where is your home spot? Do you have any tips for your spot?
All around Gran Canaria but Pozo most of the time. No tips just be ready for hardcore winds.

Which is your favourite overseas spot?
Hookipa, Cape verde, Indo.

In your opinion, which are the most important skills needed to be a windsurfer?
In the beginning just a bit of patience and then certainty, like in any other sport.
Before running you have to learn how to walk.

What kind of training do you do outside of the water?
Thaiboxing and mix martial arts…

The first step in learning to jump is to overcome the fear of executing a forward loop … could you describe the sensations and feelings of your first forward loop?
I learned to forward before i knew how to jibe, I just asked how I have to do to try a loop, went to the water and first chop went for it.

What does windsurfing mean for you?
It’s my life, It’s everything for me, it’s a my way to be free.

What don’t you like when you’re in the water?
Too many people and when people don’t respect the rules.

What is the most beautiful thing that windsurfing has brought into your life?
A way to keep you out of the bad life and many joyful moments plus many friends and thanks to windsurfing I have seen half of the world.

So to finish off, is there anything you would like to say to the readers?
If you windsurf never stop doing it.
if you don’t, start windsurfing will bring you freedom and happiness.

Thanks Dario!

Stay tuned in with Dario's latest @ www.darioe211.blogspot.com

Calle Nyberg on Maui

2010-03-17 00:00:00

Simmer's dedicated film photographer, Calle Nyberg caught on the opposite side of the lens at Hookipa last week. Looking good Calle!

Sail. Mission / Board. Fanatic TW

Photo. Gisela Helenius

Ben Proffitt K800 back on the water!!

2010-03-15 00:00:00

Back on the water!!.

Well for a week anyway... then i ended up splitting the kipper again!!

That's got to be my best week of the trip so far... well it was windy, wavey and I wasn't injured.. well not that injured anyway!!

We also had a big team effort on the video front, with all the house taking it in turn to film... top effort boys!!

I wasn't at full, full power but the conditions were fun and we managed to get some pretty good stuff... so I might be able to make a mini movie from capetown this year!! ...well we'll see i'm just going through the footage now.. not holding my breath!!

All the action is pretty much from 'Little Britian' (most northern car park at Sunset) I much prefer it there as it can be pretty good for jumping and the riding is usually smoother!

Like I said; I had about week of sailing and was really starting to get back into it... and although I could feel my Gooch (groin) it wasn't getting worse!!

That was until I got a bit carried away and started doing a bit of freestyle... yes, freestyle.. don't ask!!!

Anyway I went for a 'toad' off this little wave and over cooked it!! The result was me landing full speed but with my back foot out the strap!!! Trust me, I couldn't have done it worse if i tried... as my foot got dragged behind and it totally split my kipper!!! OOOuuuchhhh... it made a noise that you could hear from the beach... shortly followed by me swearing about how much of a penis I was for trying the stooopid move. Which i imagine you could have heard back in England!!! ....I'm such a tool sometimes!!!

So that was it.. back to camera duty for me and another couple of weeks on the sidelines!!! Gutted.. especially as I'm nearing the end of my trip and I have to get pics!!

cheers
Ben
http://www.thewetdream.co.uk

ICON wins Boardseekers graphics poll

2010-03-14 00:00:00

We are proud to announce that for the second year in a row and with over 5000 votes counted the ICON has been nominated the best looking wavesail of 2010 by Boardseekermag's readers.

Since firstly introduced back in 2006 the ICON has probably claimed more titles than Cassius Clay did back in his days. Most recently #1 in Boardseekers 4.7 wavesail test, #1 in Windsurfers 2010 and #1 in Windsurfers Jahrbuch.

So it's simple folks: if you want the best, there is only one choice - ICON

Check out the graphic poll @ http://www.boardseekermag.com

Chia Classic -THE SARDINIA WATERMAN trophy

2010-03-11 00:00:00

" For the 20 years anniversary of the Chia Classic,I would like to do an International event PRO-AM. The invited PROs will play for the prize money of the SARDINIA WATERMAN trophy. The amateurs will play for the equipment and for the glory of the CHIA CLASSIC. They will be divided in 'age group', from kids to Grand Masters. They can use the equipment provided or use their own.

Disciplines listed are:
1) Surfing (Longboard, shortboard, bodyboard)
2) Windsurfing (slalom, free style and natural Course,Old Windsurfer team Racing and Match Race)
3) Kitesurf (Natural Course)
4) Stand up paddling (Wave and Slalom).
One thing is for sure: Everybody is going to enjoy the beauty of Sardinia and will be playing together after 6 pm, at the parties and exibith in the old Windsurfer spirit".
See you in Chia,

Pietro Porcella
President Wave Sardegna.

Registration + Informations:
pietroporcella@libero.it WAVE SARDEGNA tel.+39-3356560789 in USA 808-2053056
mircobabini@tin.it I LENTISCHI surfing club tel. +39-3357015959

ACCOMODATIONS
Special prices in the luxury Hotel Torre where obtained by Wave Sardegna for the partecipants of the Chia Classic if they reserve and pay by April 15th

TARIFFE
HOTEL
Double bd/use single
Double bd/ per person
Triple bd/ per person
Torre
€ 90
€ 65
€ 60

CONDITIONS
Rooms are limited. Prices are in Euro, with VAT 10% and breakfast included. Rooms has to be paied through Wave Sardegna by April 15th.

AIRPORT TRANSFER
Transfer from and to Cagliari airport can be obtained by the Chia Laguna Resort or Wave Sardegna.
www.chialagunaresort.com
www.sportestremi.blog.tiscali.it
www.wavesardegna.it

Registration + Informations:
pietroporcella@libero.it WAVE SARDEGNA tel.+39-3356560789
mircobabini@tin.it I LENTISCHI surfing club tel. +39-3357015959

Klaas Voget reports from Chiles post-quake chaos

2010-03-02 00:00:00

We are all right, in Santiago since yesterday. The earthquake was absolutely
frightening. I was alone in a house in Matanzas that is sitting on quite a
steep hill. Victor was arriving at the evening in Santiago and wanted to
come down to Matanzas the next morning. Robby Swift and his girlfriend Heidi
were in a house 300m away from me. Around 3:30 in the night i woke up, as my
bed was sliding around the room and i realized the earthquake. It took me
three seconds to have my hand on the door handle of the front door, but i had
the doors locked. The house started to shake in all directions like a bull
that just wants to throw you off. It was cracking and i heard glass
exploding in the living room. From second to second it got stronger and
stronger while i was hectically trying to stick the right key into the lock of
the shaking door in the darkness. There was a moment when i realized that
this could be the end, as a concrete wall of the house cracked and a part of
the houses structure got disconnected and was flapping and hitting the side
of the house. The power of this earthquake was just unbelievable. After a
minute i managed to unlock the door and flew out onto the road, shivering
from the adrenaline...

I ran over to Robby and Heidi who were also outside their house with the
eyes and mouth wide open. From the village down in the bay we heard people
screaming and saw cars coming up the hill. Just a minute later we saw the
wave going through the bay in the moonlight. It was a mass of whitewater
that didn't even look that scary from the hill, but a little later people
came running up the hill under shock with wet clothing that was ripped in
pieces and injuries in their faces. With the first light we saw the
destruction. There was no electricity and no reception for the cellphone...
The wave destroyed some of the buildings in the bay completely. Cars got
washed out to sea and the main road is just filled with black sand and all
kind of things from the houses. The road going north is blocked by a huge
landslide. The water went out of the bay and filled up again a few times
during the day. Also we had around 100 more or less strong aftershocks
during the next day and night making it impossible for us to rest or sleep.
Every time the houses started cracking and moving in unpredictable
directions... A lot of the people slept outside or in tents the next night.

Yesterday in the morning also the water supply broke down and we decided to
make our way to Santiago to get water, food, petrol and a power generator
for us and the people of Matanzas. Lots of the bridges are down, which
turned the drive to Santiago into a longer journey, as we couldn't take the
usual route. Santiago seems to be less affected be the earthquake, but also
Victor reported us from his scary experience in the 6th floor of a
22-stories building and a huge panic everywhere. Tomorrow we'll drive back
to Matanzas to bring water, help and with the cleanup and start fixing the
houses...

Robby's brother David has set up a donation account to help to rebuild the
infrastructure for the friendly local people of Matanzas. We hope the
windsurf world can help to give something back to the warm welcome the
windsurfers from around the world always experience by the locals here.

Here the link: http://www.justgiving.com/ChileEarthquakeResponse

We hope water and electricity will be back soon.

Best regards from Chile,
Klaas Voget

Steve Thorp K-4 #1 of the 2010 GPS ranking!!!

2010-03-02 00:00:00

Equipped with SC Race English speed freak, Steve Thorp K-4 maxed out a 47.4 Knot max and a 44.27 five times 10 second average on Friday, which puts him top of the 2010 world GPS ranking!!

Congrats Steve, great speeds mate!!

See Steve's full story at: www.stevethorp.co.uk

Cold water action in Catolonia

2010-02-25 00:00:00

Here's a winter report from Catalonia, Spain from our favorite local ripper, Matteo Muraro. 35 knots, blue sky's and 2 degree's warm, or cold how ever you choose to see on it. Matteo says he was stoked to be able to sail with hoodie, gloves but no booties. Spring is around the corner in South of Europe.

Thanks for the pics Matteo.

Photo credits. Josep Ciber_99

Stefan Gobisch scores Taranaki

2010-02-25 00:00:00

Armed with bright new ICON's, our German Simmer team rider and experienced windsurf traveler, Stefan Gobisch is off exploring the Taranaki region on the north island of New Zealand and scoring some awesome conditions.

Keep updated on Stefan's adventurous on: www.stefangobisch.de

You can also find pics and travel stories from Stefan at:
www.stehsegelrevue.com
www.dailydose.de (quick pic)
www.windsurfersmag.de
www.windsurfersmag.de

Simmer troops going mental in Cape Town

2010-02-24 00:00:00

Simmer Style's finest Andreas Olandersson S-66 (yellow ICON) and Ben Proffitt K-800 (orange ICON) are going mental in Cape Town. Check out the mean machine Olandersson blowing off steam with some major tweakage at Sunset Beach riding his 4.2 ICON and Fanatic twinfin 79 l. And hell charger Proffitt skying over Melkbos Beach with his 4.0 in small surf.

We are proud to have these fine young gents on our team!

Thanks to Adela Frola for the pics

Keep up with the latest action:
Olandersson: www.s-66.com
Proffitt: www.thewetdream.co.uk

Kai Katchadourian's Big Monday at Ali Baba's

2010-02-22 00:00:00

Simmer team captain, Kai Katchadourian US-33 sums up the action packed week on Cabo Verde and reveals the wave of a lifetime at Ali Baba´s.

Thanks to Kurosh Kiani for filming and editing.

Kai Katchadourian wave of life from Kurosh Kiani on Vimeo.

ICON 4.7 testwinner in Boardseekermag.com

2010-02-18 00:00:00

Overall Impression
Last year, the Icon was a favourite amongst our Clones and it remains the same for 2010. The sail retains all the great traits of last years model, whilst being slightly softer in feel this year, slightly more forward pulling and lighter in the hands. On the beach, the sail offers good tunability (for different feel and conditions), but once tuned and on the water, the Icon still performs through the widest range of conditions, with a reassuringly stable and powerful feel. - Boardseekermag

View the complete review: http://www.boardseekermag.com

Tom Malina Cape Town update

2010-02-17 00:00:00

My Cape Town time is gone. I spent over 9 weeks over there full of sailing and training for the upcoming PWA season. Even if the wind and waves were little bit strange this year I had a great time as usual. Lots of wave sailing and jumping with my Simmer team mates at usual spots as Melkboos or Sunset with couple fantastic sessions at Elandsbaai and Paternoster and two big days with mast high waves in Big Bay. My favorite wave sail of the Cape Town mission was definitely 4.7 ICON.
When there were not conditions for wave I have been sailing slalom or speed mostly on the Rietvlei lake, Langebaan or on the open sea. I took part in couple competitions as well where I took 2nd place in a slalom event and 3rd place in a speed event. Most of the time I was using 7.0 racing sail for the slalom and 6.3 for the speed. Good practice and start for 2010. I have to say that for me is Cape Town like a second home and this year didn't disappoint me again. Best place during the European winter where you can sail, improve your skills, chill out from the racing stress and recharge your batteries for the upcoming season.

Best wind,
Tom Malina CZE-109

The El Nino winter of 09-10!!

2010-02-03 00:00:00

Sorry its been so long, Captain Kai and I have been kinda busy. After the best two windsurf months in recent memory in Oct-Nov, we have had 20 to 30 foot back to back swells for the last two months, Thanksgiving and Christmas included ! Armed to the teeth with Mission X and all the necessary toys, we were there at Peahi for the swell of the decade Dec 7, bagging some serious bombs and witnessing massive insanity on levels unprecedented. There has never been a dull moment, so take a look at some highlights of Kai and Francisco's big adventures !!

Stay tuned there are sure to be some shots in the mags as well.

Aloha!
Francisco Porcella I-69

Photos by Thouard, Westerback, Shimi

Pic #1: Francisco Porcella having a VERY VERY Happy Thanksgiving
Pic #2: Nice view of Jaws.....Francisco tows Kai into bomb !
Pic #3: Francisco on a solid left at Jaws
Pic #4: Team Captain Kai Katchadourian at Ho´okipa
Pic #5: Francisco and Kai armed and ready

Kenneth Danielsen D-38 training in Cape Town

2010-02-02 00:00:00

I´ve been down in Cape Town for about three weeks now, and the plan is to stick around until end of March to have enough time to prepare for the upcoming PWA season. Last year was my first year on the tour, so with that experience I´m feeling more motivated and focused in how to train and prepare, not at least which gear to use and how to get it ready for competition.

The conditions down here have been really good, with solid swell almost every day and a few days with really pumping waves. Normally January is super windy, but this year the wind has been lacking a bit, but when it has been windy we´ve had some epic days on the water.

A few of the top guys have been down here training this winter, Klaas Voget, Victor Fernandez, Marcillio Browne and a few other of the Fanatic team riders, testing new boards. Most of the top British riders are here, Ben Proffitt, Hancock and my PLASMA team mate Phil Horrocks. Also some of the really good freestyle sailors are here, Antxon Otaegui, Steven van Broeckhoven and Phillip Solttyslak. PLASMA team captain, Robert Sand came by for 18 days, so we had some good days sailing together.

Cape Town is the place to be right now if you want to train with the top wave sailors, it´s super motivating!

To be continued...

Cheers,
Kenneth Danielsen D38

Simmer, RRD, MFC, Mystic, Skishop, PLASMA

Photo credits: Robert Sand

Yarden Meir schredding up Eilat

2010-01-28 00:00:00

Finally, after one month without wind here in Eilat, I am super amped to get back on the water training!! Just geared up with the new Fanatic 100 and 110 liter freestyle boards which are super fast and poppy just the way i like it. And the new Blacktip which is really sick, fast and direct with your actions . Combined I´m feeling really balanced on my new gear and can´t wait to get back on the EFPT tour this season .

Here is some action shots from today! Njoy :D

All the best,
Yarden Meir ISR-91

Tom Malina CZE-109 2nd in WSA

2010-01-24 00:00:00

The final event of WSA windsurfing tour took place from 21st till 24th of January in Langebaan, South Africa. With over 40 riders competing in slalom and wave disciplines and some well known names as Ben V.D.Steen or Hennie Bredenkamp on the starting line it seemed to be pretty tough race for me at the beginning of the season. First day we managed to finish four races with the wind between 15-25knt. Format of the course was 2 laps of typical “8” with total length of 6km. I used my 7.0 SC Race which I feel comfortable and fast on in this kind of conditions. I finished all races on 2nd place just behind Ben who was pretty fast as well and it was pretty hard to beat him especially on the straight line.

Even if the forecast was not looking good for the rest of the event we did 3 more races on Saturday with the wind just above 12knt. 9km long downwind course made this races even more tough then the other day and more difficult for me as I had to race with the 7.0 again because it is my biggest sail here in SA. Reminding me my old times in Olympic windsurfing I was pumping almost from the start to finish, but it paid off I finished 2nd overall and I'm pretty happy about that. Good warm up for the upcoming PWA season.

Tom Malina CZE-100

Results available on www.windsurfingafrica.org

Pics by Liz Metcalfe (capessesions.com) and Mike

Klaas Voget tearing up Haakgat

2010-01-15 00:00:00

After the first days of tuning my gear with proper waves, my new sails finally got the ultimate test in the biggest waves of the season. Haakgat was fireing with almost double mast high sets and wind for my 4.2 ICON. It was pretty choppy on the biggest ones, but still a lot of fun. The gear is definitely strong, as i took a few of those bombs on the head without any problems. Looking forward to some more of this, the next swell is already on it’s way...

All the best,
Klaas Voget G-4
www.klaasvoget.com

Photo credits: pic 1-5 Ingo/windsurfers.de and pic 6-9 Caitlin

Words from Ben Proffitt

2010-01-07 00:00:00

Happy New Year!!
Perfect... first mag of the year and I'm on the front cover... sweeeeeet!! Not exactly Polakow... but I'll take it!! haha...

Just to let you know I've been in Namibia for the last 2 weeks so updates have ground to a halt... but I've just got back to Cape Town and the conditions are looking sick for the next week.?So you can look forward to some regular updates from now on... it also helps as we have a man down and he's keen to get the camera out!!??...also stay tuned for the Namibian road trip story.. with pics... lots of pics!!!
haha... it was a top laugh, with some cool people and we even scored Elands bay on the way home for a sweet surf... which was perfect end!! ....Anyway more about that later!!

Cheers,
Ben Proffitt K-800
www.thewetdream.co.uk

Greetings from the Moussilmani brothers

2010-01-07 00:00:00

Hello everybody,
We are just back to South Africa, we have had a nice condition for training and spend some time to discover this beautiful country.

We finished the R&D of Simmer slalom sails and tested already our new stuff, new Starboard boards, new Deboichet fin, new Simmer sails SCR and new Oxbow wetsuits, really enjoy about it.

We wish you all a happy and prosperous new year of 2010!

All the best
Sylvain and Benoit Moussilmani

Klaas Voget G-4 joins Simmer

2010-01-04 00:00:00

It’s a pleasure to introduce the radically versatile German sensation Klaas Voget G-4 to our International Simmer Style team. Klaas joins a welcoming squad and will assume a starting role immediately. Klaas was born in Aurich, Northern Germany and began to windsurf in 1992. Over his career he has balanced top results with inspiring explorative travel to almost all the corners of the earth. He can adapt to any environment and always goes out no matter how big, scary or cold it is. When it comes down to it Voget is one of those guys that just loves to windsurf, and he does so at the top level. Klaas’s sail of choice is the Icon and it seems only natural that he chooses Icon to cover his need for a versatile and powerful sail that will adapt to all the environments an elite travelling professional, such as Simmer’s Klaas Voget, encounters.

Chief Designer, Tomas Persson, flew into Hamburg on the 23rd to sign with Klaas and arm him with gear for his upcoming winter training in South Africa. With years of design and research experience Klaas will be working hands on with Tomas on the new Icon. They had this to say:

Tomas - “ I have been watching Klaas closely for the past few years and have been highly impressed with his progression and professional manner both on and off the water. He is one of the most focused professional sailors out there, and with an outstanding understanding of product development Klaas’s energy, experience and go for it attitude will echo into our products. Besides this, he is also a top guy and a fantastic ambassador for our sport. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Klaas to our team! “

Klaas - “ I’m stoked about my signing with Simmer. Just like my boardsponsor, Fanatic, Simmer has always been focused on the performance of their equipment and it feels great that I’ll be part of this process with Simmer. The people behind the brand are like minded, motivated, professional, forward thinking and I’m sure we’ll work well together - a meeting of minds if you like. I’m looking forward to the upcoming weeks of testing and tuning my gear for the new season! “

Welcome to the International Simmer Team!!

Pic 1 & 2: Tomas Persson and Klaas Voget
Pic 3: Ralf Radtke (TT-Project), Tomas Persson, Klaas Voget and Ron Nagorsnik (TT-Project)

Alberto Menegatti No1 in the FW World Ranking

2009-12-01 00:00:00

15 races came with the event in Fortaleza. We raced from medium to strong Wind, using mostly my 10,9 and sometimes the 9,9.

Great venue, sometimes gusty but everyday windy, allowed the organizer of the event to set every hour one race, making this one of the Best Spot to compete.

The event started with lots of names, and the top 2 at the World Championship, Steve Allen and Wojtek Brzozowki starting as the favorites. With the race going on, the light turned into an other direction with Alberto Menegatti and Gabriel Browne taking the lead and the fight for the Top 2 places of the competition. One day to the end Alberto was on the lead with 13 races done, with Gabriel that anyhow menage on the last day to secure victory of the event with great Racing.

“ I had most of the times amazing speed, that allowed me to fight for victory till the last race, able to recover also when had a bad start or something was going wrong. I made few mistakes that cost me a lot, specially on the first day of the event, where after leading the event with a big gap i took the wrong course and lost it or the last day where i stopped in a hole for over 15 seconds. I’m stoked anyway on the result i had and specially on my speed that i got thanks to my toys 11,8 10,9 9,9able to fly in all conditions ” - Alberto Menegatti ITA 4

At the end of the year, Alberto Menegatti is No 1 of the Formula Windsurfing World Year Ranking. Next World Championship is in Argentina at the end of March. For more infomation at the FW World Tour visit: http://www.formulawindsurfing.org/news.php?id=1692

Speed - Flow - Power

2009-11-28 00:00:00

Wise words of Ozzy windsurfer Scotty McKercher. These 3 ingredients ‘Speed, flow and power’ totally guide me through my moves. Whether it is a jump, a wave ride or anything else to perform. Without the speed you are no where to continue your motions. The flow means to me; to go with what ever the wave or the moment allows you to do. The power is your personal power, your strength and the will power to go for it a 100%. This bottom turn (see pic) felt good. I remember ‘laying it down’ and I recognized myself getting my ‘groove back’. Good feelings, and good times. For sure a day to remember: Great waves, good solid winds, amped sailors (preparing for Jaws that will brake tomorrow!), big smiles and Dan watching me sail and taking this picture!

- Anne-Marie Reichman H-98

My toys of joy today were:

Simmer Sail Mission X (4.2)
Starboard Kode ’68.
DaKine 'chick' harness 2010

Andreas Olandersson in West Oz

2009-11-27 00:00:00

After a season of injuries behind me I´m finally back in full force, more motivated than ever! And what better way to kick of the training season than with a road trip in Western Australia. We´ve been cruising up and down the coast, following the weather patterns for the past month or so, scoring some mental conditions!!! Everything from perfect down the line sailing in mast high conditions to high wind jumping. Western Australia provides some of the best training grounds in the world this time of the year. It´s our last week here and the forecast is looking good. So folks, it´s on!!!!!

I´ve been on the new 2010 ICON´s and I just received the new Simmer RDM10. The rig feels super light and lively besides this I´ve taken some massive beatings and come out smelling like roses.

Next stop is Cape Town for 3 months high wind jumping boot camp. Stay tuned for the latest updates on my website, www.s-66.com

Word!
Andreas Olandersson S-66

Jonas Ceballos on fire!

2009-11-23 00:00:00

Here's some action from this weekend in Pozo which I put together. A bit unlucky that I didn't get more action but at least something.

Hope you like it.
Saludos

Jonas Ceballos E-40

The ICON testwinner in German WINDSURFERS

2009-11-23 00:00:00

“ Last year was the icon of the favorite of many of our testers. The situation has changed nothing in 2010. The sail has retained all the positive traits of its predecessor. This now feels a little softer, has a bit more power and is lighter in the hands of the surfer. On the beach you can tune it very well for the conditions and preferences. On the water it needs, even if the conditions change so no trimming, and always retains its overall stable and powerful character. “ Translated from www.windsurfersmag.de

To view the test in full: www.windsurfersmag.de

The ICON test favourite in BOARDSEEKER

2009-11-23 00:00:00

OVERALL IMPRESSION
" Last year, the Icon was a favourite amongst our Clones and it remains the same for 2010. The sail retains all the great traits of last years model, whilst being slightly softer in feel this year, slightly more forward pulling and lighter in the hands. On the beach, the sail offers good tunability (for different feel and conditions), but once tuned and on the water, the Icon still performs through the widest range of conditions, with a reassuringly stable and powerful feel. "

To view the review in full: boardseekermag.com

Just a day or two

2009-11-16 00:00:00

You don't get much more fire than with Yarden Meir ISR-91. It sure shows on the water. He is clearly one of the main players on the EFPT tour along with team mates Edvan Souza and Niklas Stralhen. Nominated UNDERDOG OF THE YEAR this year, Yarden has proved that he is a force to be counted with. Here is just a day or two with Meir in his home spot in Eilat.

Just a day or two... from yarden Meir on Vimeo.

Hookipa on fire!!

2009-11-11 00:00:00

I´ve been sailing Hookipa point a lot lately with swells after swells that lasted for a great long time and now big storm is coming! Sailing with the Simmer gang and trying to keep up with team captain Kai Katchadourian, whom pulled off 10 days straight Hookipa sailing.. a record if you tell me!!

Ciao
Francisco Porcella

Photographer: Tormod Martinsen.

Zara Davis wins Speed European Championships 2009

2009-11-10 00:00:00

After a very frustrating week wind wise, The result from Dungarvan Ireland was down to the 11^th hour, the wind all week was just not enough to race till the final day when a chance came midday Zara was ready with her new SC RACE sails and Mistral boards and hit the start when the flag when up.

Little did she know the wind was to last only 10 minutes out of a 90 minute round. She managed to get the two runs in that see needed to take the Women’s 2009 European Speed Crown.

Zara said” I was very lucky to be ready for the start and got my two runs in, a lot of riders didn’t get the second run in the time, I took my Mistral Slalom 95 and Simmer SC RACE 7.0m which was a bit big but I wanted to get two safe runs in then change down, but I didn’t get the chance. The site is defiantly got potential with the right wind.”

Congratulations Zara!

10 epic days and counting..

2009-11-09 00:00:00

It´s been a epic November here on Maui!! Fired up as always, Kai Katchadourian got an hour at Ho´okipa all by himself yesterday, check out the pics @: http://blog.mauiwindsurfing.net/?p=1246

Aloha!

IRON 5.3 Test in WINDSURF UK

2009-11-07 00:00:00

You’ll like… Knowing that whenever you need a recovering pull the Iron will always have it.
You won’t like… The aggressive style needed if you’re a lighter sailor, especially with the larger sizes.
Why not try…The Icon if you prefer less power and more maneuverability.

FROM THE BEACH
Simmer market the Iron predominantly towards a sailor who loves to have a powerful sail. Taking off from the beach you certainly have instant power. Staying quite soft as a gust hits, collecting power and passing it smoothly down to the board getting it up and going with ease. The short luff gives a compact ride and keeps the power low helping not to get pulled up out of your sailing position. The low centre of effort also helps you lock in going up wind getting you where you want to quickly. The sails pull certainly means you can get through lulls with ease but if you are a smaller sailor this pull
also means that you are able to choose a smaller sail size and still have full power.

SHOWING OFF
The Irons enthusiasm from the beach certainly passes on to you as a sailor and gives you confidence to try moves. The soft feel and power in the air make you want to sheet in and go for stylish maneuvers. Although being one of the most powerful sails on test there was still a fair amount of maneuverability to be had from the iron. This comes into play as you drop down a wave making corrections as you reach the bottom. You do need a lot of aggression sheeting in and holding the power as you come back up the wave to hit the lip and most of the time the top turn is a smooth powerful one with lots of spray. Backside wave riding or onshore wave riding is where you need the Irons power the most. With all that white water pushing you in, the extra pull will carry you through the lulls and bring you right up into the steep part of the wave consistently trying to bring you out of the turn with speed carrying you on to the next section.

SUMMING UP
With a good reputation as a power wave sail this year the Iron upholds that. Staying composed through gusts and charging with confidence towards any challenge you ask of it.

HISTORY OF THE IRON
The Iron is new for 2009 and is Simmer’s hybrid power range of sails.

TIPS FROM THE TOP
" We have changed the construction and reinforcement along the luff and sleeve to make the leach tighter, the sail still twists the same but visually it has less looseness. For optimal performance, downhaul the sail so it is loose half way in between the top two battens, if you downhaul the sail to much you will loose a lot of power and performance and if you apply to little downhaul the sail will feel top heavy. The Iron has extremely versatile rigg settings, in stronger winds or for a more neutral draft apply more outhaul or in lighter winds or for more power apply less outhaul. "
–Tomas Persson

Ben Proffitt 2nd overall in the BWA

2009-11-06 00:00:00

BWA Cornwall... 2nd!!

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... so close yet so far!!

2nd!! ...Bloody annoying... as with out the last event (late addition thanks to my sponsor.. cheers Murray!) ..i would be Champ!!

But as it stands now I slip to 2nd overall in the BWA... just one point off 1st!! ...pretty hard to take after a really good year and leading after Tiree (the orginal last event!)!

To be fair though.. maybe the more rounded sailor won.. skills Johnny!!! ...as my Starboard tack jumping isn't exactly world class!!

Although i did manage to stop Hancock in Cornwall... who kills it in Starboard tack jumping (he must be low!) ...tactics and luck is better than skill any day!! hahaha... hmmmmmm... although all 3 is killer! I also wasn't far off Skyeboy in the final... I beat him on waves but the judges weren't really into my Shaka!!!

I have to say though... if we'd have run the finals in the morning at Mazza it might well have been a different outcome..!!!

So Cornwall.. a really good event and everyone worked hard to make it happen (Bastards.. haha!) so a big thank you (Twats!) for making it happen..
We got some nice mellow down the line in on the first 2 days... then some starboard tack jumping on the last day!

Should mention G-man 'Graham Woods' was ripping it up in the small stuff.. must be the new boards... Quatro!!! He came right up to finish 5th... nice work!

To me the highlight of the event was the amateur/masters event... really good to watch and awesome atmosphere (Even if a few jumps were missed!)

It was also cool to get involved with the team idea (3 in a team... choose a pro rider as mentor!) and i think it worked really well... especially as 2 of my 3 team made the amatuer final and the 3rd got savaged by the judges!!
Which meant we finished 2nd team... good work boys.. although i think the team that won had a women in it which gaurented a 1st or 2nd!! we were robbed!! ..protest!!

So for me a slightly disappointing end to the year... but i think it's only because i dropped a place overall... in the big scheme of things it's been an awesome tour... easily the best ever... all 4 events had different conditions and all went off!! ...and i finished 2nd... which is pretty bloody good!!!

I should be happy.. actually I am happy.. :) Plus I'm off to Cape town next week.. Wahey!!!!

Lets hope next years tour can be just as good.. I'm off to start training!!

2009 Overall BWA Wave rankings

Pro:
1st John Skye
2nd Ben Proffitt (Simmer/Quatro)
3rd Jamie Hancock (Quatro)
4th Timo Mullen
5th Phil Horrocks

Women:
1st Louise Emery (Simmer)
2nd Katie McAnena
3rd Sarah Finney

Junior:
1st Aleksy Gayda
2nd Alex Mitchell
3rd Tom Knox

Amateurs:
1st Dave Horrocks
2nd Steve King
3rd Darren Thurston

Masters:
1st Nigel Treacy (Simmer)
2nd Damien DeBacker
3rd Gerry Wilcock

Niklas Strålhen 5th overall in EFPT

2009-10-15 00:00:00

Just got back from the finals of European Freestyle Pro Tour at Naxos.
With early mornings we got through a nice competition even though the wind
was a bit up and down. One single and one double-elimination were made
during Thursday and Friday where I ended up on a 9th place. During the
weekend we did some jibing where we got dragged to planning behind a boat
and so on. A really good time, great organization and of course a great
show! EFPT is really stepping it up at the moment, putting a lot more
effort in making the comps something to watch. Great for the tour, riders
and spectators!

So this was the last competition of EFPT 2009, which gives us an overall
result of the year that looks like this:

EFPT overall result

1.   Steven Broeckhoven
2.   André Paskowski
3.   Niko Akgatzian
4.   Davy Scheffers
5.   Niklas Stråhlén (Simmer/RRD)
6.   Edvan Souza (Simmer/RRD)
7.   Yarden Meir   (Simmer/Fanatic)

Thanks to my sponsors who made this possible!
Simmer Style, RRD, Surfers and RipCurl

Schredd hard! Blacktip is the shit guys!

Niklas Stråhlén S-4444
S-4444.com
Surftrip.se
EFPT.net

Ben Proffitt @ Tiree

2009-10-13 00:00:00

Tiree: Day 2 ...Single Elimination

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
...It didn't go well!!

Knocked out first round... Total shocker.. i didn't think i sailed bad but still lost on count back!!
Pretty annoying... i won on one sheet and drew on the other 2... so you'd of thought i'd have got it... No... i lost on best wave on the 2 drawn sheets!! ...As you can imagine i wasn't best pleased!!

Even worse, i was knocked out by Hunty... Hunty is a PWA judge and sailed about 5 times this year after getting over knee surgery!! Gutted!!

...and what was worse...   the forecast for the week is not looking great!! British title down the tube!!!

I was pretty low... although things started to look up when Hancock and Horrocks got knocked out early too!!

But like usual Skye didn't didn't buckle and cruised into the final!!

Advantage skye... again!!!!

Single results:
1st Timo... one pretty happy chappy!
2nd Skye
3rd Danny Bruch
4th Jack Hunt

Move of the day:
Jack Hunts suicide aerial... you can see it on the boardseeker update... god knows how the hell he managed to safe that!!! haha.. nice work fella!!

Tiree: Day 2 ...Double Elimination

I'm on the come back...   pheewwwwww... i was pretty worried after the single.... especially as i knew the route through the double would be loaded!!

To just get back to the top 5 i would need to beat... King, Cox, Hancock, Hawkins, Hunt and Horrocks... plus others.... bloody nightmare!!!

But i was fully fired up.. i had a bit of a moan at the judges because the conditions were awesome and we wasted about 2 hrs for lunch!!!

I think if i'd been sitting in first i wouldn't have cared but sitting in last place i knew we needed to get moving... i was fully charged!!!

So i went out free sailing which i think was a good move... it tired me out a bit but i got in the zone!!

Luckily everything went my way and i managed to advance through 4-5 tough heats... beating Horrocks man on man to get to 5th...

Next up was Jack hunt...   if i beat him i would move into 4th... i started good as well... some nice early waves came my way and it was looking good... but half way through the heat the wind swung totally off shore and we couldn't even get on a wave!!!   Canceled.... Gutted!!

So that is how it stands so far... i'm super happy to make it back up to the top....   but we need more conditions if i'm to get my chance to move up further!!!

I bloody hope so as i really don't want to finish 5th... especially after coming through the double so far!!

Still I'm a happy bunny again... and if it all stopped now i would be leading the title race again.. 0.3 ahead of skye!!! (Once Danny Bruch is taken out!)

So it's all looking rosy again after a near disaster!!!

God.. i don't make it easy on myself!!

...I should mention... I used the new Quatro Quad 85... and it is ripping!!! (not out until jan though!!)

I used Simmer 5.0 icon and Quatro quad 85!!! Sweeeeeeeeeet.. i love my kit!!

Cheers
Ben

--------------------------------------
www.thewetdream.co.uk
Sponsors: Quatro, Simmer, Oshea, Gul, Da Kine, Funsport

Calle Nyberg ripping it up!

2009-10-12 00:00:00

Our Simmer Style videographer and filmmaker, Calle Nyberg just sent us some smoking hot shots from his latest session at his local break, Toro just outside of Stockholm Sweden. Well, it sure shows where Calle spends his time when Sweden is frozen over, yeah that´s right.... Ho´okipa.

Photo Credits: Pontus Altin and Fredrik Hallander

www.carlnyberg.com

Windsurfer International Magazine

2009-09-29 00:00:00

There is a new smoking hot windsurf mag for both existing and potential windsurfers worldwide. Packed with travel stories, gear reviews, action and lifestyle shots from some of the best photographers from the best spots around. All this in an eco-friendly format and best of all, it´s free to read with a monthly page-flip publication.

So check it out @: www.windsurferinternational.com

New Swiss windsurf mag online

2009-09-29 00:00:00

There is a new windsurf mag online now: SURFMAG.CH
Make sure to check it out for the latest Swiss action, film clips and news updates!
Windsurf fur alle!

Mattia Pedrani loud n´fast in Oman

2009-09-22 00:00:00

We´ve seen him freestyle, we´ve heard him rap but now it´s time for Pedrani I-00 to take it to the waves. Hell yeah, he´s looking pretty damn smooth! Check it out...

www.mattiapedrani.com

Alberto Menegatti 4th in Formula WC

2009-09-22 00:00:00

Alberto Menegatti ITA-456 finished 4th in the Formula World Championship in Santa Pola, Spain last week! We are super happy for Alberto, who on his first year on the Simmer Race Team has dominated the Italian Slalom Tour, won the Swiss Championship in Almanarre and proved that Simmer is a force counted with on the PWA Tour.

Congratulations Alberto!!

" It was a really hard event, with 6 full days racing and 12 races in every single conditions. We sailed from 8 knots in the lightest wind you can imagine in over 30 knots fully overpowered, using the full range of sails, from 9,9 to 10,9 and in the light wind also the 11,8. I was really fast in all condition. Stable into Top 5, fighting for 2nd and 3rd place for a long time. I'm stocked with that results which gives me confidence for the upcoming events in Brazil " - Alberto Menegatti ITA-456

Matteo Muraro at Lake Garda

2009-09-14 00:00:00

Matteo Muraro is one of the Italian Simmer riders supported by Link Distribution. Matteo lives in Barcelona, Spain but spent august cruising around his favorite spot in Italy, Lake Garda! Good times! Check it out...

If you want to know more about windsurfing on Lago di Garda, check out our Simmer Style windsurfing center there: www.pierwindsurf.it

Tempesta Ormonale from windsurfer.es on Vimeo.

ALBERTO MENEGATTI WINS AGAIN IN ITALY

2009-09-09 00:00:00

29-30 august, 46 athlets, 6 races, 20 knots and lots of adrenaline... That is the Michele Nogler Trophy that took place in Lake Garda, and that our team rider Alberto Menegatti won. 6 Races, 5 of them dominated from Alberto Menegatti on his Starboard 133 and his Simmer SC Race 9,9 and 9,0. A perfect combination, for this Slalom long distance format crossing the lake 3 times and a long downwind on the last leg, passing from light wind on the beginning on stronger gusts up to 20 knots on the other side of the lake.

Congratulations Alberto!

Alberto Menegatti      1         1         1        1        1        3             2.8 2
Marco Begalli              2         2       2        2        3        1            6.7 3
Thomas Fauster          3        DNS     3        4        2        5           12.0

Klittmöller action

2009-09-07 00:00:00

Top Danish Simmer Style rider, Kenneth Danielsen D38 has been scoring excellent conditions at his home spot in Klittmöller. The water is freezing so Kenneth and his mates spend most of their time 20ft above it. The Danes are radical jumpers, check out the shots.

UMI action in Pozo

2009-08-27 00:00:00

Buckle up and enjoy this amazing action that UMI captured during the PWA event in Pozo Izquiredo. Great HD quality rider interview´s and off the wall action by Jonas Ceballos, Dario Ojeda, Kauli Seadi, Victor Fernandez, Thomas Traversa, Alex Mussolini, Ricardo Campello and the event winner Philip Köster.

For more action, check out UMI at: www.umipictures.com

PWA Pozo Wave 2009 from umi pictures on Vimeo.

Andreas Olandersson S66 in Cape Town

2009-08-25 00:00:00

Just recovered from a knee injury earlier this year, Andreas Olandersson S66 is back in the game and ready to explode!! There is no doubt that he is a world class jumper in high winds. Check out this footage of him during his winter training in Cape Town.
Photo Credits. Emil Hakansson

S-66 Andreas Olandersson Cape Town winter 08-09 from Emil Håkansson on Vimeo.

Yarden Meir in Dahab

2009-08-24 00:00:00

Break on through, break on through, break on though to the other side... YEAH!!!
Check out Mr Yarden Meir sliding in Dahab....

Yarden Meir Dahab Aug 21-22 from yarden Meir on Vimeo.

Andreas Olandersson S66

2009-08-03 00:00:00

Andreas Olandersson S-66 is back on the water after a serious knee injury in early May. After countless hours of physiotherapy and just about 4 months off the water, Olandersson has found new motivation and is more amped than ever to get it on out there. Next up is qualifying for PWA in Sylt.

Photo Credits. Fredrik Dahl

Yarden Meir walking on water

2009-07-29 00:00:00

Check out this video of Yarden Meir ISR-91 and his mates on a freakin´spontaneous roadtrip up to Lake Kinneret in the North of Israel. Before Yarden was claiming moves here, the lake was mostly know in the Old Testament when Jesus walked on water here. Yarden reckons it pretty great training grounds... Check it out!!

Yarden Meir UNDERDOG OF THE YEAR

2009-07-28 00:00:00

Israeli freestyle specialist Yarden Meir ISR-91 has been chosen "the most interesting underdog" on the EFPT tour this year. Currently ranked 12th, Yarden has made a name for himself on the tour as one of the main players. At only 17 he has a bright future.

Congratulations Yarden!

Jakub Kosmowski POL-288

2009-07-24 00:00:00

New sponsors, new equipment, back in the game!

It’s been a long time since my last sailing. After a hand injury which I had in Cape Town, I hurt my knee which added few extra days to my non sailing period.

Luckily it’s all gone and I’m happy to say: I’m coming back. I am on Fuerteventura already for some training before the PWA event which will start on the 25th of July. It’s quite hard to get back to shape but after three days it’s already going quite well so I look forward for the next days and for the contest.

Secondly I totally changed all my sponsors in the season 2009. I joined two great international teams. This year I will use RRD boards and Simmer Style Sails. All of my trips will be secured by Unimil which started a new internet portal Uclub.pl which I will promote. I will also join a new clothing brand straight from Danish Klitmoller called Plasma Boardriding. The new brand is growing very fast and launching new style very fast. The founder Robert Sand is very ambitious about the brand so for sure we will see a lot of great stuff from their side. All of those products will be provided in Poland by new internet surf shop called eSurf.pl which is also my new sponsor. One brand which didn’t change and still gives me a lot of support is Da Kine. I’ve already received the new version of the T4 harness and for sure I will write a bit more about that later from the Canaries.
This season will be for sure my way back to the professional windsurfing and I hope I can sail good in Fuerte and promote my sponsors. I will launch my “Freestyle Podcasts” again with the first episode very soon. I hope we will have great conditions and I can get back in shape in no time!

See you out there!
Jakub Kosmowski POL 288

Check out Jakub´s blogg in Boardseeker - http://www.boardseekermag.com/forum/read.php?3,3331

And his online presentation: www.pol288.com

Saludos from Jonas Ceballos...

2009-07-19 00:00:00

Hello friends,
Finally we are done, Pozo 2009 is finished! Unfortunately I couldn´t keep my 3º position in the double elimination, I was against Ricardo Campello V-111 and it was a good heat but I was not happy with the judge waves scoring I was just ripping the waves even with frontside 360º. I had a couple of good jumps but I have to say that i couldn´t get any good ramp to do the massive jump. I also have to say that I was with 3.7 during all my heat and I was in the begining of the heat just perfect a bit over power but good with power, in the middle of the heat the wind picks up and I was totally over power. I looked my watch and decided not to change to my 3.3 because I would loose at least 1 minute because I was to downwind and Klaas Voget was doing cady for me and he was to upwind so I just decided keep going with the 3.7. I was totally over power with half meter more sail than campello, when normally it is the opposite but, I´m happy in the other side because it was a tight heat and I sailed good.

I would like to thank all these people who has been at the beach pushing up for me and gaving me lot of motivation with their comments, thanks a lot to my family and my girlfriend who also has been at the beach suffering even more than me...

I also would like to congratulate Phillip Köster, at only 15 he shows us than nothing! Amazing sailing Phillip!! I would also like to congratulate my team mate Victor Fernandez, he also was incredible, very good heat Victor! Also Ricardo Campello, I want to give him my congratulations for his 3º place, he also was sailing really good and crazy like always.... and to finish congratulate my friend Dario Ojeda E-211!! He also was sailing very good and he made a fantastic 5º place!

I can not say I´m very happy about the result but im happy about my performance. This year I have been training so hard, I was feeling good, in good shape both psychically and mentally and very focus and positive. I am back in the ranking and I´m looking foward for the next PWA event in Sylt, this year nobody knows what is gonna happen there...

Thanks a lot also all my sponsor, Craig/Fanatic&Sebastian! I have to say I have had just what I was looking for, amazing turning boards with good bottom turn and good top turn with speed and the most important incredible the control I have with it, thanks a lot and really good job also.

Simmer & Tomas Persson, I didn´t receive the new sails for the competition but that it was not a problem for me because I'm feeling soo confident with my 2009 Mission X sails that I can not believe it, the sails are so good even if you go over power is amazing the control. I have jumping and waveriding. Thanks a lot guys and looking foward for the 2010 Mission X sails.

Mystic&Max, Thanks guys this is our first year and thanks a lot for wearing me with the perfects wetsuits and harnes,, I feel very confident.

MFC&Pio Also thanks a lot... also a good fin is an important key.

Also thanks a lot to Jonh Carter for his incredible job and pictures.

Saludos and thanks a lot to you guys.... will see whats happend in Sylt????

Jonas Ceballos E-40

Spanish Cup in Pozo

2009-07-18 00:00:00

Not a days rest for the Simmer squad! After 7 days competing the in the Gran Canaria Grand Slam Jonas Ceballos E-40 and Dario Ojeda E-211 presented a worldclass performance in the Spanish Cup in Pozo Izquiredo today.

In the final against Victor Fernandez E-42, Ceballos opened the heat exploding into a 30 ft backloop straight into a perfectly landed one-handed backloop only to race down to the Pozo bunker to finish of the run with a double forward!! The score sheets where maxed out from both the competitors in this extremely close show down, but Fernandez took home the title.

Also Ojeda showed the crowed what he was made of, with spectacular delayed forwards and flowing connecting wave rides, claiming the loosers final!

Congratulations Dario and Jonas!!

Result
1. Victor Fernandez E-42
2. Jonas Ceballos E-40
3. Dario Ojeda E-211

Gran Canaria Grand Slam Day 7

2007-07-17 00:00:00

Men´s Wave Double Elimination
Windsurfing doesn´t get any better than this, Pozo was firing with mental 3.3 conditions and a solid swell. The competitors where writing history out there today. First out of the Simmer fleet was Junko Nagoshi J-11, with excellent wave selection and vertical top turns, Junko set the level high in her heat against Karin Jaggi Z-14.

Pozo local José Remero E-45 sure turned some heads today, at only 18 he already has a natural fluent style, relentlessly making his way through the the elimination ladder. We will be hearing more about this young Spanish ripper.

Next out in the semi-final was Dario Ojeda E-211 against Ricardo Campello V-111. Ojeda wasted no time, opening the heat with a massive backloop over the horizon which Campello answered with a high stalled double forward. You don´t get much more action than this heat.

Jonas Ceballos E-40 was next out to take on Campello, opening the heat with a massive stalled forward. This is real Pozo action with both competitors boosting high above the horizon, well over 40 feet into the air. Stalling about six seconds before executing their rotations. Both sailor putting a lifetime of performance.

Results
Mens Wave
1. Philip Köster G-44
2. Victor Fernandez E-42
3. Ricardo Campello V-111
4. Jonas Ceballos E-40
5. Dario Ojeda E-211

Womans Wave
1. Daida Ruano Moreno E-64
2. Iballa Ruano Moreno E-63
3. Karin Jaggi Z-14
4. Nayra Alonso E-4
5. Junko Nagoshi J-11

Gran Canaria Grand Slam Day 6

2009-07-16 00:00:00

Men´s Wave Double Elimination
With a 47 knot wind and a growing swell the conditions for the mens double elimination was off the wall! With 12 minute heats and the three best jumps and two best wave rides counting there´s is no time to wast when 48 of the world´s best windsurfers are battling for the prestigious title at Pozo Izquiredo.

The competitors were looking maxed on their 3.7m sails but the Simmer team was well represented with Ben Proffitt K-800, Ben van der Steen NED-57, Yann Sorlut F-60, Kenneth Danielsen D-38 all ready to go.

First out on the water was Yann Sorlut (F-60) looking well powered up, pulling of a massive forward of the lip back into the wave and a huge backloop within the first minutes of the heat. Even though Sorlut is well rounded Pozo sailor, his performance wasn´t enough to pass through into the next round.

Even with a injured knee Ben Proffitt was unstoppable landing a massive tweaked pushloop and backside 360´s of the lip. The strong winds seemed to be no challenge for top slalom sailor Ben Van Der Steen, airing into one of the highest forwards of the day. Showing of their capabilities to handle these hectic conditions both Ben Proffitt and Ben Van Der Steen advanced to the second round.

The upcoming Danish sailor, Kenneth Danielsen delivered a impressive performance, with huge delayed forwards and stylish backloops, but not even this was enough to advance into the next heat.

The forecast is looking good for the continuation of the double elimination tomorrow, when Jonas Ceballos E-40 and Dario Ojeda E-211 get to battle for the title.

Tune in tomorrow for a further update.

For more info about the event: www.pwaworldtour.com

Dario Ojeda words up about Pozo

2009-07-15 00:00:00

Pozo local ripper Dario Ojeda (E-211) is 4th after the single elimination. We caught up with him to hear his word about the contest so far.

So tell us about the single elimination.

In the first heat I met a Italian sailor Ivan Zecca (I-601) and the tide was coming up so the waves were pumping. I am really happy with this heat as I had some really big jumps and as well as connecting wave rides.

My second heat was against Robby Swift (K-89) and I was feeling super confident on the water. Robby was sailing super well but I managed to get two really good waves and some good jumps so I claimed the heat.

In my third heat I came up against Kevin Pritchard (US-3), this was the forth time I met him in Pozo so I knew I had to pull out my A-game. Considering that Kevin is ranked third in waves right now I am stoked that I beat him.

In the semi final I came up against 2008 Vice World Champion, Victor Fernandez (E-42). I got some nice size waves and pulled off a sweet frontside 360 connecting into a frontside turn and a backside aerial, giving me one of the top scoring waves of the day. I was missing one high jump to pass through to the final.

In the loosers final I came up against fellow team rider Jonas Ceballos (E-40). The tide was going down so the waves were getting smaller. It was a close heat but Jonas claimed the third place.

4th, how does that feel?

I am happy to be up there in the top four with my close friend and fellow team rider Jonas Ceballos E-40 and I am stoked to see a young podium with (Phillip Köster G-44), Victor and Jonas on it. The level of sailing is just absolutely mental so to be one of the top guys makes me extremely proud.

What´s the secret behind your top performance this year?

To be able to perform your absolute best in a 12-15 minute heat is extremely demanding, this year all my gear is working really well and I am feeling super comfortable. It doesn´t matter how much you practice, if your equipment isn´t working for you, the right equipement is about 60% of your performance.

How do you plan to attack the double elimination?

We are waiting for the right conditions to finish the double elimination, the more wind and waves we the more preferable it is for me as I am used to hardcore Pozo conditions. In the right conditions I am sure I can place in the top 3!

Thanks Dario! Good luck in the double elimination!

Gran Canaria Grand Slam Day 3

2009-07-13 00:00:00

Jonas Ceballos (E-40) and Dario Ojeda (E-211) finshes the top four after exceptional heats in the single elimination, that saw them pass Alex Mussolini (Tabou) and Kauli Seadi (JP/NeilPryde/MFC/Mormaii). Both locals made their loyal followers proud, busting massive airs and shredding the waves with incredible style.

Also Junko Nagoshi (J-11) had a impressive single elimination and finished 4th after meeting a local ripper Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne).

For more news on the event check out: www.pwaworldtour.com

RESULTS:
Men's Single
1 Phillip Köster
2 Victor Fernandez
3 Jonas Ceballos
4 Dario Ojeda

Women's Single
1 Daida Ruano Moreno
2 Iballa Ruano Moreno
3 Nayra Alonso
4 Junko Nagoshi

Francisco Porcella Interview

2009-07-10 00:00:00

At only 23, Francisco Porcella (I-69) has made a name for himself as one of the top wave sailors around. Meet Francisco in a recent interview in Boardseekermag.

Boardseekermag.com

Junko Nagoshi 2nd in Lanzarote

2009-07-01 00:00:00

It was on for Junko in double elimination at the PWA Costa Teguise Freestyle World Cup. With a six-foot swell and a 40-knot wind, it was a epic days competing. But not even Daida Moreno´s double forward in the semi final could stop Junko, who claimed the heat and finished 2nd after Sarah-Quita Offringa.

" I am very tired but super happy about my performance in Lanzarote.
We had all kind of condition in 5 days. Flat, choppy, wavy, gusty, mild to 30 knots wind. I used all the sizes I brought here which is 3.3 to 5.3. Last winter in Maui, it was not good condition for training so I was really worried in the beginning.
But in the first elimination I did almost all my routine consistently that gave me good confidence. I tried to keep me calm and controlled my pace all the way to the end.

A lot of freestyle girls are training very hard these years so since last year in Pozo where I took 3rd in freestyle I thought that was the last time for me to go podium in this discipline. But I did it again and even better!!!
Thank you very much for all your support! " - Junko Nahoshi

1st Round Double Elimination Results:
1 - Sarah-Quita Offringa
2 - Junko Nagoshi
3 – Laure Treboux
4 – Daida Ruano Moreno

2nd Round Single Elimination Results:
1 - Sarah-Quita Offringa
2 - Junko Nagoshi
3 - Yoli De Brendt
4 - Laure Treboux

For more news on the event: www.pwaworldtour.com
Photo Credits. John Carter

Alberto Menegatti Italian Slalom champion 2009.

2009-06-30 00:00:00

Alberto Menegatti (ITA-456) just got back from the Italian Slalom Championship and out of the two races, he crossed the finishing line first, twice! Making him the 2009 ITALIAN SLALOM CHAMPION!
That´s right, this kid is fast! The fastest man in Italy - Earlier this year Alberto also won the Swiss Championships in Almanarre using his Race 9.0 and 7.8.

Congratulations Alberto!

Yarden´s rock n´rolling

2009-06-30 00:00:00

Back on his home waters after the last EFTP event, Yarden Meir is on the water from sun up to sun down banging out his favorite moves. Folks, the kid´s got talent. Check out his latest video....

Some traning in Eilat. from yarden Meir on Vimeo.

EFPT Alacati

2009-06-20 00:00:00

European Freestyle Pro Tour Alacati, also called King of the bay is now over after two double eliminations. The competition should go on the whole weekend but the chanses for wind are pretty much zero so thats why they do the prizegiving already today.

I ended up on a 6th place in the first double and a 4th place in the second, after a judgingdesission against Paskowski that I don´t really agree with, but thats competition I guess! Overall I got a 6th place in Alacati wich put me in a 5th place in the EFPT-ranking.

My teammates Yarden Meir and Edvan Souza are also sailing good over here and I´m sure they had good fun!

After all we had a great time here in Alacati, as always! Tonight we go for some party with the guys and on monday I fly back to Sweden to try to catch up with midsummer..

Take it easy!
Niklas Stråhlén
S-4444.com

Results:
#1. Steven Broeckhoven
#2. André Paskowski
#3. Nicolas Akgatzian
#4. Davy Sheffers
#5. Phil Soltysiak
#6. Niklas Stråhlén
#7. Sassa Teixeira
#8. Andraz Zan
#8. Edvan Souza de Pedro
#10. Stam Promponas
#10. Yarden Meir

EFPT Alacati

2009-06-19 00:00:00

Now we just did the first day of competition in EFPT Alacati Turkey. We did a single and a double-elimination already today. Good winds even tho it was very up and down. I was sailing both pumping 5.7 XD and full on 4.7 Mission.

I ended up on a 5th place after the single after winning Meir but got eliminated by Davy Sheffers. I thought I did a good heat but Sheffers stuck all his moves and was very hard to beat!

In the double I was winning 2 heats against the Jericoacoara-Brazilians Chico and Sassa. I was happy about that but I was stopped by Nico Akgatzian and ended up on a 6th place. I have a hard time to do really good in the double because I have to sail so many heats after each other and there is no time to rest. But anyway Im happy with 6th place the first day. Hope for good winds tomorow!

RESULTS:
#1. Steven Broeckhoven
#2. André Paskowski
#3. Phil Soltysiak
#4. Davy Sheffers
#5. Nico Akgatzian
#6. Niklas Stråhlén

Take care!
Niklas Stråhlén
S-4444.com
SURFTRIP.se

EFPT Palekastro Crete Day 2.

2009-06-13 00:00:00

Day 2 is just over and we had sick conditions for competition, 4.7 full power the whole day.

We started with finishing the finals of the single-elimination from yesterday. Affortunatly I lost against Paskowski, even tho it was reeally close, and I ended up on a 4th place in the single, still superhappy about that!

Then we started the dubble-elimination straight away and there I finished 5th. After some break for lunch we did another single-elimination where I won against Davy Sheffers again, and ended up on a 4th place. Super stoked about the results so far, tomorow we do the last dubble and the wind will be strong!!

No we go for some dinner and a rock concert tonight. This is not really the party-town we ended up in so probably we get some early sleep..

Take it easy!

Niklas Stråhlén
S-4444.com

European Freestyle Pro Tour Milos

2009-06-09 00:00:00

We just finished the competition in Milos Beach for this year. We got some wind for the single elimination the first day but then it was never really enough to get through the double. It was a fun competition tho with high level of sailing, cool people and nice party´s!!

Thanks to the organizers and to Christos for everything! Now we leave for the airport to go to Crete, where the next competition will be held in a few days. The forecast is looking pretty sick with strong winds, 40 knots. Might be a really cool weekend.

// Niklas Stråhlén S-4444

Result Milos:
1. Steven Van Broeckhoven
2. Davy Sheffers
3. André Paskowski
4. Nico Akgatzian
5. Niklas Strahlen
5. Edvan Souza

...
...

European Freestyle Pro Tour Milos day 1.

2009-06-05 00:00:00

First day of competition in Milos Beach Lefkada is just over. We had good winds for the single elimination already today and got it all through. Good fun competition with sick level of sailing compared to last year. Everyone is doing new moves like Kono, Burner and Culo, sick!

I was sailing with 5.7 XD and Twintip 100. With this I had full power through the heats and got good speed, go big or go home!

I got through the first heats but went out against new 17 year old rider Davy Sheffers. This guy has improved alot the last year and makes now all new moves in light winds and he also got up to a second place today.

I ended up on a 5th place wich I´m really happy with, a good way to start of the new season!

My team-mates Yarden Meir and Edvan Souza where also doing good today! I share my 5th place with Edvan and Yarden got a 9th place.

Tomorow we will go on with the dubble elimination!

//

Niklas Stråhlén S-4444

Ben van der Steen 1st in Isla Margarita

2009-06-03 00:00:00

" Just arrived back in holland after some good racing on the last few days in Margarita. On friday the 29th we did an other 3 slaloms wich the first 2 were not the best for me. The first i was over with Volwater as we were testing and did not get the timing from the boat right. The next one i spinout on the first mark testing a other fin and on the last one that day i put my old setup on and had a good start and won that race. Then on Saturday the 30th we did 1 elimination with all windsurfers competing to give them a chance to battle the pro fleet. I managed to get to the final in the pretty light winds for the 7.0 but managed to get a good start and won the last slalom of this event, so with all mistakes i got 4th but great practice and testing. After the slalom was finished we did 2 more long distance races till half way to coche and back , on the 1st one i managed to finish 2nd just behind volwater and on the last and final longdistance i managed to win and that put me in 1st for the overall long distance. " Ben van der Steen (NED-57)

Margarita Wildwinds Results:
Slalom Pro:
#1 Peter Volwater
#2 Gonzalo Costa ( Exocet )
#3 Taty Frans
#4 Ben van der Steen ( exocet , simmer , Select)

Long distance:
#1 Ben van der Steen ( Exocet , Simmer , Select)
#2 Peter Volwater
#3 Willem Shurman
#4 Gonzalo Costa ( Exocet )

Ben Proffitt #1

2009-05-18 00:00:00

UKWA Rhosneigr, North Wales
Result: 1st.. Wahooo.... get in!! Rhossy was firing too...

I won.. yeahhhaaa.. wahooooo... Fanny bloody tastic...

It was the 2nd round of the UKWA British wave tour this weekend and I managed to take home the win against some good opposition!!!
Rhossy is my home spot (2hr drive.. haha) and it was firing so it felt really good to come away with the win!

I have to be honest as well... after we'd scored it so good in Ireland last week I thought there was no chance of it happening again!! ...even on the Wednesday before the event i thought there was no chance! But how wrong could i have been... Rhossy delivered some awesome conditions and it was firing!!!

It was good in the morning.. 4.0m weather and built through the day. By midday i was on 3.7m and pretty stacked... and waves were getting on between logo to mast as the tide filled in!!

I've been waiting for a Rhossy comp like this for ages... we've been unlucky in the past but we definitely scored it this time.. so anyone who missed out... unlucky!!! Just check the pics and video on Boardseeker.com when they update it this week... you'll be gutted!!

The comp was really tight... I knew i was in with a chance of winning but also knew another 5 people could also take the title!!
My biggest heat of the day was against Skyeboy in the semi... he sails really really good on port tack so i knew i was going to have to sail well... luckily I did!!!
I managed to get 2 good waves with takas on the end of both of them... which i think just edged me ahead on a 2:1 decision... at last a bloody 2:1 decision went my way!!! ....it definitely felt good to have a decisions go my way for once!!

I was pretty surprised to be in the final with fellow Quatro riding Hancock as it's not his preferred tack... but he's a slippery customer and took down Horrocks in the semi!!! I have to be honest it would have been cool to have 2 Rhossy boys in the final but it just wasn't to be!!

So it was the 2 Quatro boys in the final... The conditions were perfect and i felt really at home in the conditions. I sailed a pretty solid heat and kit was really working well... 4.0 icon and my trusty 75 twin fin.... I nailed all my jumps and got some good waves... although i was gutted not to nail my wave 360 as i had the perfect section... never mind just how it goes sometimes!!

I got back to the beach to everyone saying.. 'In the bag my son' ...Shit... that usually is the kiss of death so I was relieved when i finally had the official word!!!

Wahoooooooooooo... Bloody feels good winning on your home patch!!!

So a big congrats has to go to everyone that turned up and made it such a good competition... cheers!!!

Forgot to mention Simmer also took home the Masters (35+) title with local boy (man) Nigel Treacy!!!

- BEN PROFFITT K-800

Results:

1st: Ben Proffitt
2nd Jamie Hanock
3rd: Phil horrocks
4th John Skye

Spanish Cup in Pozo

2009-05-15 00:00:00

The contest was in general excellent training for the upcoming PWA event. We had the best conditions on the first day with nice waves and fully powered up with my Mission X 3.7 and 69 l Fanatic twin. With 10min heats scoring on 2 waves and 3 different jumps, I was feeling very confident that I could make it all the way to the final. On the way I met Alex, Dario etc. My brother was sailing well and made it trough to the final beating Phillip Koster in the semi final. Luckily I won the final against him.

The second day was not that good as the first day with less wind and less waves but we could finish the entire double elimination. I just was waiting at the beach for my heat all day long finally end of the day my heat started, Koster could make it into the final and I was very unlucky to not find good waves and loose twice, very unlucky but I have to say that Phillip was ripping really hard!! Congratulations Phillip, very good sailing!!!

- JONAS CEBALLOS E-40

Final Results:
1º PHILLIP KOSTER
2º JONAS CEBALLOS
3º ELEAZAR ALONSO
4º DARIO OJEDA

Ben Proffitt scores in Ireland

2009-05-14 00:00:00

I've just got back from the first UK wave event in Brandan bay, Ireland.. it was a wicked event with over 40 people entered. We had some superb conditions and some absolutely wild conditions.. with gust over 50knots and mast + high waves!!

The gear was working really well and I had a good event finishing 3rd in the double elimination... also 3rd in the expression session!
-Ben Proffitt K-800

Overall Results:
1st Jamie Hannock
2nd John Skye
3rd Ben Proffitt
4th Andy King
5th Phil Horrocks

pics attached: credit: simon crowther

www.thewetdream.co.uk

Edvan Souza in Dahab

2009-05-13 00:00:00

You don´t get much more fire than with Edvan Souza (BRA-250), he sure shows it on the water. At the moment Edvan is in Dahab training for the upcoming EFPT event i Sardinia.

" Dahab is a wonderful place, the water is beautiful and the wind is super reliable. This is excellent training grounds for freestyle. I´m feeling really confident with my sailing and I´m looking forward to the next EFPT event. "
- EDVAN SOUZA BRA-250

West Coast Trip #4

2009-05-11 00:00:00

Spanish Castle Magic...
Or at least it felt like it, Tom kept playing that Hendrix song and it only seemed fitting that we would catch some magic today at Arroyo Laguna. Great day, not the biggest of swell, but one of the most fun waves I have ridden in a long time. More people today, found the local sailors to be real cool, and fun to hang with. Brian Caserio graced us with his presence, and hung out in the break snapping some shots. (he also went kiting, but we'll forgive him.) Memories of the incredible Hulk twin that he killed the west coast on will be forever etched in my mind. Speaking of which, got to ride my twin today and it worked beautifully in those waves. Had a blast, thanks to Jeff for hookin us up with the Big Sur bars, that saved my ass and fueled me for a second sesh. Damn good too! Driving back up to the Bay for the night, and then maybe Santa Cruz area tomorrow. Thanks to all that let us rock your homespot today, had a great time.
-WHIT POOR

Andreas Olandersson S-66 injured

2009-05-11 00:00:00

Swedish badboy Andreas Olandersson blew his knee last week during a classic session:

" After training in Capetown all winter I was feeling super confident, this was going to be my year! But man how wrong was I... One of the first days sailing back home, a poorly landed forward and I blow my knee. What a freakin´disappointment!! Now I´m putting all my energy into rehab and hopefully I´ll be back on the water in 8-10 weeks; more psyched than ever! "
- Andreas Olandersson

West Coast Trip #3

2009-05-09 00:00:00

3 PM

Arrived at Jalama State Beach at about 4:30 in the evening to one of the windiest days I have seen in a long time. I think the average was 35 for a while, gusting to 40. We rigged as fast as possible and ran to the water. Meanwhile you have to make it through the heavy shorebreak that Jalama is famous for. Tom got caught by a heavy one on the inside and took the trailing edge of the fin on his shin. When I asked him what happened, he just said "damn man, I'm just glad I didn't break a mast" Went to bed feeling a little flustered, wordering what tomorrow would bring.

Woke up at 9, got some stretching in, saw that conditions were looking a little less fierce. Rigged up and had a pretty fun session. Broke camp at 12, headed into Lompoc so that we can get Tom some stitches and are on our way to Arroyo Laguna for the evening session.

-WHIT POOR

West Coast Trip #2

2009-05-06 00:00:00

10am
Loaded up the car for the second part of the trip. Headed south to jalama from the bay, should be about 230 miles, so driving at about 75mph that gives us a 4 hour drive time?? Hopefully thats the case. Either way stoked to get on the road again after a short period of waiting for the weather. The pics will only get better from here so stay tuned!

-Whit Poor

Sylvain Demercastel in the Philippines

2009-05-05 00:00:00

Sylvain Demercastel truly lives the dream; traveling to uncrowded spots and scoring perfect waves. These days you´ll find Sylvain bustin´out aerials in pretty much any of the south european windsurf mags.

We caught up with Sylvain in transit...

What´s been going on lately?
Been to Morocco for the first time...!!!

Best session this season?
Mast high waves in south China sea. New spot ! Just Fab and me in the ocean. Unique !

Worst session this season?
January I broke my mast extention and the pieces of metal were stucked in the sail. I had to cut it to finaly be able to re-rig...

What´s up next?
California shooting for Planetblow II.

Check out the trailer : www.planetblow.com

West Coast Trip #1

2009-05-04 00:00:00

Just back from our Maui photo shoot Whit Poor and his fellow Simmer rider Tom Burlingame are off on a trip through Cali and the west coast for some classic spring time wavesailing. They´ll be blogging the trip and keeping us updated with jpg´s so stay tuned folks!

West Coast Trip

May 2nd, 2009
Saturday 4:56pm

Day one of the epic journey has begun. Me and Tom left the house at roughly 11:30 this morning, after an important business meeting at D2 that left us a little less than 100% for the beginning of the trip. Oregon sucked, rained most of the way down the freeway. About an hour ago my hangover finally disappeared and things are looking good. Constantly reminded of an old Sinatra quote " I feel sorry for those that don't drink cuz when they wake up in the morning thats the best they are going to feel all day ". Passing through the town of weed with a great view of snowy mount shasta, Burlingame wishing he could throw some skiis on and get some powder. Me not so much... Driving into the storm at this point. Next stop SF ...Stay tuned for pics next time.

Over and out.
-WHIT POOR

Edvan Souza in PODERSDORF

2009-05-04 00:00:00

Our young promising freestyle specialist from Jericoacoara, Edvan Souza is on his second European tour this year. He just finished off at the first EFPT event of the year in Podersdorf, Austria.

" I am really happy with the competition in Podersdorf and I´m super motivated for the next event in Sardinia. Right now I´m on my way up to Hamburg to fly out to Dahab for two weeks training and photo shooting before the next EFPT event. " - Edvan Souza

Simmer Power!!

2009-04-28 00:00:00

Simmer power is dominating after the first round of "Circuito Italiano Freestyle".

#1 Pedrani (Simmer Starboard)
#2 Bestetti (RRD RRD)
#3 Lorioli (Simmer RRD)

The riders below all finished in the top 20´s:

Pedrani Mattia (Simmer/Starboard)
Roby Smart (Simmer/Rrd)
Lorioli Stefano (Simmer/Rrd)
Testa Matteo (Severne/Starboard)
Testa Jacopo (Simmer/Starboard
Manuel Poli (Simmer/Tabou)
Fabrizi Mattia (Simmer/Starboard)
Vinante Fabio (Simmer/Starboard)
Vinante Marco (Severne/Starboard)
Matteo Romeo (Simmer/Starboard)

Pics: Mattia Pedrani I-00

The latest from Franciso Porcella

2009-04-26 00:00:00

I've been on the road a lot the last couple of months, from Capo Verde to Fuerteventura for the competitions. I´m in Sardegna right now waiting to do the Nissan Capo del capo competition, check it out on the website www.capodelcapo. Its going to happen on the west coast of Sardegna in a famous wave spot called Capo Mannu in the province of Oristano, there will be lots of media coverage from this special contest too with a dvd coming out in the Italian mags with the article.
Here are some pics from all over ;) enjoy

Ciao
Francisco

Meet Rudy Castorina

2009-04-24 00:00:00

What´s been going on lately?

Healing my foot rrrrgggg ... I had such a good session before that. So in the mean time i finished and updated some projects. Check "Aina Kai Makani", I just made this video while my friend "Wesh' was on Maui. Don't forget to put the music on from the video! I also finished the design of the new website for RueBelle, check it out: www.ruebelle.com. More than that I´ve been swimming and doing lots of physiotherapy to get back on the water!!!!

Best session this season?

I must say the most radical one was surfing Towards Hana !!!
And windsurfing.. I had a lot of really good evening sessions, when the park empties out, the wind goes down a notch, and the waves glassy off, right before the surfers go out. Really good moments, that are often shared with Frederick Steineck ripping the last sets.

Worst session this season?

10 days ago when my front foot got tweaked by that pounding white water.

What´s up next?

On Maui and then ready to go catch south swells in Oahu... Diamond Head.
Planing a summer escape in the south Hemisphere.... who knows what´s waiting.

Finally, why do kiters wear shorts on top of their wetsuits?

LOL !!! LOL !! because they are kiters!! Why not!?

Stay updated with Rudy´s adventure´s at: www.myspace.com/mrdaii

And don´t miss Ruebelle: www.ruebelle.com

Aina, Kai, Makani. from Mr Daii on Vimeo.

Anne-Marie Reichman joins Simmer

2009-04-22 00:00:00

We welcome Anne-Marie aboard the Simmer Team and it's a real plus to work with as genuine and hard working a person as she is. The gear looks like it's going great for her, so we're stoked.

Kai Katchadourian,
Simmer Team Captain

After having spent 5 weeks on Maui, Hawaii, I just made it back to Holland.
Here, I am working on a Stand Up Paddle project for September 2009, since I like to see people also having fun on the water when it is not windy. May 10-23 I will be in Peru for a Starboard Travel story. All my play tools come with me. I heard good rumors about an insane windsurfing spot an 1.5 hour drive away form the longest left hander wave in the world!

I will bring my Mission and Mission X sails with me (I have them mixed, as long as the color is blue!...) I love my Simmer sails. The short time I have been sailing them, I have noticed the luxury of having a broad range in rigging your sail; strong winds, light winds... You can make it work with 1 sail a long time in rigging it suited for the conditions. The control in the waves and the way the sail feels I am very happy about. Can't wait to sail more and get tuned in more.

For more updates, please visit my website: www.annemariereichman.com
Aloha,
Anne-Marie.

Alberto Menegatti wins and wins again

2009-04-21 00:00:00

It is safe to say that Alberto Menegatti ITA-456 has had a pretty good start on the season and a even better start on his new Simmer SC Race´s.

He just won two back to back events; first winning the Swiss Championships in Almanarre using SC Race 9.0 and 7.8 and this weekend Alberto won the first event of the Italian Slalom Tour.

" I had really good speed, we had 12-18 knots in both races and I used the 9,9. I easily beat Andrea Cucchi that has been the best Italian racer for many years. " Alberto Menegatti

EVENT RESULTS:

Alberto Menegatti 1 1
Andrea Cucchi 2 3
Marco Begalli 4 2

Congratulations Alberto!!

The ICON - test winner in Windsurfing Jahrgang

2009-04-21 00:00:00

The ICON scores top test results the German Windsurfmag, Windsurfing Jahrbuch (windsurfing yearbook) yearly wave sail test. Here is the test summary:

" The ICON is a really great uncomplicated wave sail, it does also offer a great performance also if only using one setting in a wide range of conditions. We have absolutely nothing to complain on and so it is one of our personal favourites from the test. "

To read the full review get your hands on a copy or/and check out there website at:
www.windsurfing-jahrbuch.de

Classic Easter Session at Hookipa

2009-04-14 00:00:00

KK aka Flykatcher at Hookipa, Maui during a very memorable session in absolutely rippable and juicy West by Northwest peaks.

" Its been a good streak in general for sure, lots of days that were best in the early session, some days with lots of traffic, and others that rewarded you for going out just that one more time. Aloha from Maui and stay tuned we got our photo shoot coming up..... " - KK

Stay tuned with KK at: http://flykatchersweb.blogspot.com/

Photos by JC Morin.

Simmer Wins Beauty Padget

2009-04-09 00:00:00

Now, windsurfers are all a vain bunch of people. We all want to look good on the water right.....

So as proved in Boardseekermag´s recent sail graphic poll; if you want to look you´re best (or second best) on the water you choose a Simmer sail.

It´s as simple as that, and as a bonus you get the best performing sail and if you on top of that get nailed on the reef you come out smelling like roses!

Check out the results at:
http://www.boardseekermag.com/mini_features/windsurfing-poll/sail-graphics-2009-103.html

" Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of them all!
Once again, you guys have showed that you have an opinion on what you like and dont like when it comes to sail graphics!

We have had over 4000 votes in our sail graphics poll since the 4.7 test went out in mid-March. So here are the results voted for by
YOU: "

Dario Ojeda Spanish Champion

2009-04-07 00:00:00

Its clear that Dario Ojeda E-211 means business! This weekend he battled his way through the double elimination taking down Marcos Perez twice and won the Spanish Cup in El Medano, Teneriffe.

Dario Ojeda...

" The first two days we had perfect conditions in El Medano which allowed us time to finish the single elimination and start on the double. It was really hard for me and I had to sail my absolute best to win this contest because I was out in the second round of the single and I had to start from the beginning in the double elimination and work my way through all the way to the final, defeating Marcos twice!! I can just say that it was worth the hard work and that I´m super stoked to win the Spanish Cup in Tenerife!! "

Congratulations Dario!

Fast, Faster, Les Mouss

2009-04-07 00:00:00

The Moussilmani brothers are fast!! Sylvain F-73 clocked the top speed of the event, closely followed by Benoit F-72 at the French Speed CUP taking place on the 25th to 29th of march at Port St Louis.

Sylvain comments on the event:
" We had two heats with lighter winds and one heat with good wind. Port St Louis is a perfect speed spot, glassy, close to the beach. "

EVENT RANKING :

F-71 MOUSSILMANI Cyril 1er : 35.48 knt
F-800 BOULANGER Pascal 2ème : 35.34 knt
F-72 MOUSSILMANI Benoit 3ème : 37.36 knt
F-73 MOUSSILMANI Sylvain 4ème : 37.66 knt
S-10 BRINGDAL Anders 5ème : 35.95 knt
F-3 PENDLE Fabien 6ème : 35.54 knt
LUX-22 GARREL David 7ème : 35.43 knt
F-916 916 TOSELLI Pascal 8ème : 35.74 knt

Next event for the Moussilmani brothers is "Le Mondial du Vent" on the Orange Speed crossing. The TOP 5 World kitersurfers against TOP 5 World Windsurfers. Dunky, Albeau, Les Mouss, Bringdal.

For more news on the French Speed Cup check out: www.omfc.fr
And make sure to check out Les Mouss site for the latest updates: www.lesmouss.com

Latest from Ben Proffitt

2009-04-06 00:00:00

Just a quick update and some pics!!

Well, I've just finished my 4 month winter training in Cape Town.It wasn't exactly the best season ever but still better than the UK!!!

I've swapped board sponsors from Fanatic to Quatro (more on that soon) which has been a great move cuz the new boards are ripping!!

Next up I'm off to Maui for the photo shoot and I get to try out all the new 2010 kit.. can't wait!!
The forecast is looking rocking as well.. finger crossed!!

Cheers.... Ben
www.thewetdream.co.uk

Pics from Cape Town (Cape sessions)

Kristoffer Living in Pozo

2009-03-29 00:00:00

Team rider Kristoffer Living is in Pozo training for the upcoming season.

"We had some ok days with 4.5 conditions. It was really great just to get some time on the water as I've been at home all winter. The funny thing about being "away from the water" for a while is, that every time you get back, you realize how much fun windsurfing still is after all these years!"

Its always windy somewhere...

2009-03-22 00:00:00

...and on the 8th of March it was windy in Francisco Fonseca´s backyard. Check out this fresh footage of Fran and his mates rippin´ it up in Guincho last Wednesday.

Yarden Meir ISR91

2009-03-19 00:00:00

Our 17 year old Israeli rider Yarden Meir ISR-91 is back in action after a long time injury. He´s back and he´s charging Eilat harder then ever before! Here is a new short video of him.. enjoy!

Ceballos & Porcella 2nd in Fuerte

2009-03-16 00:00:00

Jonas Ceballos E-40 (Simmer/Fantic) and Francisco Porcella I-69( Simmer/Mistral) teamed with local talent Will Ward (Withcraft/Ezzy) and finished 2nd in the Fuerteventura Wave Classic after 9 days of competition on the north shore of Fuerteventura.

The FWC is a different format of competition where 5 teams of 3 riders team up and battle their way through the elimination ladder in 30 minute heats with 5 riders on the water, judged by non other than the riders themselves. Now that´s windsurfing democracy if you ask us!

We caught up with Jonas after the contest:

It´s been a really good competition and for sure also very good training. We scored the biggest swell of the year, it was so massive and Cotillo is a very dangerous spot. To get out you have to jump from the rocks and it is a small bay with really heavy waves braking in the middle of the channel. When I got on the water it was even more dangerous than I first thought... I mean the waves where great but Cotillo is not a very easy spot to sail and its very easy to hurt yourself. Anyway it was a great experience and contest itself was great with no injuries we could make it through two rounds with really good conditions my team finished 2nd. WELL DONE PORCELLA AND WILL!!! But the best of all was that we had a lot of fun, I just hope next year will be even better! So thanks to all the organisers and riders and I´ll to see you all next year!!

Check out the contest website @ www.fuertewaveclassic.com

Pictures by FWC.

Solid northwest swell at Hookipa

2009-03-16 00:00:00

Hookipa on a solid Northwest Swell.... here are a couple of shots from when it was going off last week.

Aloha... Kai Katchadorian

Shots from: Stefan Gobisch

The Icon - test winner in Boardseekermag

2009-03-15 00:00:00

The Icon is best in test in Boardseekermag.com

SIMMER ICON 4.7
The Simmer Icon fits between the Iron (power wave) and Mission (side shore wave) sails. It is marketed as a powerful all-round sail that is designed to perform in a wide range of conditions.
Sizes: 3.4, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.6, 5.9, 6.2
Price:
Availability: Aug 08

MANUFACTURERS CLAIMS
“An international best seller, Icon can handle anything; sideshore, onshore, gusty, overpowered, choppy, you name it! With Icon´s powerful profile and full x-ply body, the capacity to adapt to any conditions means you are going to be ready for anything when you hit the water. Even when nearest repair shop is several time zones away”. – Simmer website

OFF WATER DESCRIPTION
The Icon is a classy looking sail. Graphically it stands out (particularly in the blue that we had on test) and its clear that Simmer have not cut corners when it comes to build quality and detailing. Luff length is middle of the group at 413cm, whilst boom length is second shortest (to the Mission) at 159cm.

The foot features a nice integrated pulley block that takes the strain out of downhauling and the fixed head (without locating prong) makes sleeving the mast a fuss free affair. Other notable details include a height scale on the boom cut-out and a plastic badge to keep the luff sleeve open whilst threading the mast through the cut-out. Simmer don’t offer a visual trim system on the Icon.

When it comes to tuning, the Simmer has a lot of versatility. As much as any other sail on test in fact. Its sets (and works!) with a tighter leach (less downhaul) and more outhaul for a gruntier power delivery or with a looser leach (more downhaul) and slightly less outhaul for smoother performance and a lighter feel in the hands.

ON WATER DESCRIPTION
The Icon feels one of the stiffer sails in this group. This was favourable with many of our clones who liked the way the sail held its shape through the lulls but also maintained its shape and stability in stronger gusts.

The great thing about the Icon is that although the foil is relatively stiff, the rotation is not clunky – a negative trait that we fond on many of the other stiffer and fuller profiled sails.
In the hands, the Icon has a powerful, grunty feel. It’s not quite as light in the hands as sails like the Manic and Ice, but it makes up for this by offering a lot more grunt when underpowered. Overpowered the sail copes well and despite feeling powerful, the power delivery is stable and well positioned ensuring that the Icon remains comfortable. Even our lighter weight clones (around 70kg’s) were happy with the Icon in overpowered conditions.

Where the Icon really excels is in its un-tuned wind range. In UK conditions, you often find the wind gusting and lulling throughout your session and a sail that can work effectively through the gusts and lulls without needing to be re-tuned is a big advantage. The Icon stood out as the best in the group for this.
The only slight negative is that the full X-Ply construction does limit visibility through the sail, particularly when wave riding in bright conditions.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
It’s fair to say that Icon was a favourite amongst our Clones. On the beach, the sail offers good tunability (for different feel and conditions), but once tuned and on the water, the Icon performs through the widest range of conditions, with a reassuringly stable and powerful feel.

For the full test, www.boardseekermag.com

Farrel O´Shea 45.29 knots

2009-03-14 00:00:00

Britain’s fastest, Farrel O’Shea K-81 has teamed up with Britain’s sexiest custom board builders. Farrel has put much effort into the speed situation over the last few years and is keen to push forward to the next level. One of the best parts of custom board building is the ability to listen to the customer’s requirements and Farrel knows what he wants from a board down to the last half millimetre.

At West Kirby on Sunday after a wind drought over the winter and on the day before the lake is due to close for wall repairs the conditions almost delivered. It was a bit parky, not quite enough wind and from a slightly too square angle but a good days speed sailing was had by all.
Farrel scored the top speed of the day with a 45.29 knot max, using his new Moo Custom and Simmer SC Race 6.3 in 25knots of wind gusting to 30knots. Surely a very pleasing indication of speeds to come!

Check out Moo Custom Boards @ www.moocustom.co.uk

Pics by Steve Thorp

Niklas Strålhen in Jericoacoara

2009-03-02 00:00:00

You know we´re on the right track when windsurfing makes national television. Just back from freestyle boot camp in Jericoacoara, wonderkid Niklas Strålhen S4444 and his gang made it on to swedish national television. Well, what we´re all wondering is which trick you need to claim to get on the CNN seven o´clock news?

SurfsessionTV4 produced Stefan Eriksson on Vimeo.

Ben van der Steen in Chile filming documentary

2009-03-01 00:00:00

Ben van der Steen NED-57 is part of a unique film documentary project run by New World Spirits, a pioneer in action sports and outdoor film making. The film maker is Tomas Miklautsch together with production crew whom consist of strongly committed and passionate film makers, truly gifted artists and daring extreme sportsmen. The aim of the project is to illustrate the combined the elements of adventure, nature, sports, culture and arts.

Here is a update from Ben,

"We are now in the south of Chile were we will go and sail on the mountain lakes for the next week and after we will go to Lago de Argentina were we will go and sail in front of the glassiers with big pieces of ice braking of it. When we are done there we will start and attempt to round the cape horn on a windsurfing board as the second windsurfers ( Ben van der Steen ) ( Tine Slabe) to ever sail around the horn. This all will be filmed and photographed by NewWorldSpirits which is run by legendary adventure windsurfer Tomas Miklautsch. And it will be made in to a documentary that will be spread and sold by redbull world wide." Ben van der Steen NED-57

For more info about the project check out New World Spirits web presentation: www.nwspirits.com

Stay put for more news on this later but until then check out some footage from the south of Chile and Argentina.

Jonas Ceballos @ Cabo Verde

2009-02-26 00:00:00

Jonas Ceballos E40 just sent us a video clip from the Cabo Verde PWA event.
Check out his first aerial! Smack!!

The latest from Andreas Olandersson

2009-02-25 00:00:00

We caught up with top EFPT rider and wave slayer Andreas Olandersson S-66 to get some of the latest from South Africa.

How many seasons have you been training in South Africa?

This is my 9th season down here and I still enjoy it very much. It´s a nice place for both freestyle and waves. I´ve decided to focus completely on my wave sailing and not spend so much time training freestyle as I used to. I spent five incredable years on the EFPT tour and on the PWA Freestyle tour, so it´s time to move forward, take it to the waves and leave the freestyling to the youngsters ;).

How has the season been so far?

The season has been good, maybe little less wind but on the other hand the waves has been better ...and that is for sure nice.

Who are you sailing with?

Man, there´s been some sick sailors down here this year! Victor Fernandez and Klaas Voget amoung many others but I´ve mostly been training together with Antxon Otaegui and Ben Proffitt, these´s boys rip!!

What moves are you training on at the moment?

I was training a lot on high one-handed backies and high stalled forwards, got them in the bag now so it´s time to move on :) At the moment I´m training on doubles and tweaked pushloops, I´m still a bit scared for the second rotation. But those two moves are my goals before I go back to Sweden... and be more powerful and vertical in my waveriding.

And when you´re not sailing....

When it´s no wind, then it´s time for rest!! I´m always on the water a bit to much the days with strong wind so for me it´s good to take it a bit easy those days. But mostly I´m to restless for that, an hour on the gym is a common thing. It´s good as well to train there and build some muscles to prevent injurys, especially for the shoulders.

Thanks Andreas! It´s on....

Photo Credits. Emil Hakansson

Cabo Verde PWA World Cup

2009-02-21 00:00:00

The first PWA event of the year provided great conditions and the level of sailing was sky high! A great start of the year for the Simmer team, Jonas Ceballos, Francisco Porcella, Yann Sorlut and Dario Ojeda. We caught up with Francisco who placed 11th, after battling his way through the double elimination ladder taking down many of the big names doing so.

How would you rate the level of sailing from this first event?
The level was high and you got to go big if you want to advance, these 32 wave riders are the best in the world and they were all ripping. But everyone went to the famous rocks at least once. The conditions were challenging and you see who will risk more then others.

How did you prepare for Cabo Verde?
I 've been sailing Ho´okipa the last few months and training in this tack has helped me a lot. I sailed some in Sardegna too in December were you get side off winds and good waves that are similar to what you get here in Punta Preta, but for sure not as good...

How is the Punta Preta wave compared to Ho´okipa?
The wave of Punta Preta is just more perfect! Longer rides, you can do 8 turns and a couple airs in one wave.. The wave face is smother but closer to the rocks.. So for me is a lot better then Ho´okipa. It's a bit more offshore then Ho´okipa but it works good with the sections that come up fast in front of you. It´s just a wave that when it works it just goes off! And the frequency of good wave is unbeatable, its just a wave machine, but Ho´okipa will always be the windsurfing mecca!!

You got nailed pretty hard on the rocks, what´s your heat tactics;
Nice and landed or go hard or go home?
We all went to the rocks... but yea´ sometimes I wanted to risk more then others and that payed off in the double to advance some tuff heats against big names like Mussolini, Sky, Campello, Volwater, Cameale and more, I just went out and did what I was capable of and made it though, so I´m thankfull.

Are you happy with the event overall?
I´m stocked, but wanted to finish better then last year and I got the same result.. So this thought me some mistakes I did in my last heat were the wind picked up in the beginning of the heat and I was overpowered so I couldn't perform as I wanted too. And this is a lesson I learned and will not happen next time. But overall its a great result for Simmer and for the Italians that really were behind me on this event! Ciao a tutti and thanks Simmer for been a great company supporting me all this years and the great product that works great and handles the rocks like butter ; )

Solid performance Francisco! Ciao a tutti!!
Simmer HQ

Photo Credits. Pietro Porcella

Dario Ojeda E211 joins Simmer

2009-02-17 00:00:00

There´s a new kid on the block, the airborne Pozo local Dario Ojeda E211 just joined the Simmer squad. .

The young Spaniard didn´t get off to an smooth start, when arriving at Cabo Verde for the PWA event he had some passport dramas and got put straight in jail, without passing go.

" To make a long story short, they locked me up in Praia police cell for one day before the Spanish embassy sent through all the necessary paper work and they could let me out to Sal. It was a frustrating time but now its all good and I´m amped to be here. " Dario reveals.

" I am really happy to be part of the Simmer team. I´ve been on the Mission X here at Cabo Verde and also before home in Pozo, it suits my style of sailing perfectly! I am stoked to be working with Tomas Persson, with the Simmer team and also with my close friend and travel mate Jonas Ceballos E40. After Cabo Verde I´m going to the Fuerte Wave Classic for some more action. It´s going to be a awesome year. " Dario finishes off.

Chief Designer, Tomas Persson on Dario:

" Dario has a great knowledge and understanding of modern windsurfing. He is perfect for our team. His radical and explosive style together with his excellent product understanding makes him a valuable asset in our r&d program. ”

Simmer team captain Kai Katchadourian on Dario:

" Dario will bring some fire to this team straight away. You don't get much more fire than with Dario. It sure shows on the water. He is clearly one of the main players at Pozo along with his close friend Jonas Ceballos, and its also clear that he intends to shake it up wherever else he sails. The fact that he is a really well rounded sailor is why we signed him. "

Welcome on board Dario!

Les Mouss ripping up Marseille

2009-02-11 00:00:00

We just got this email from the Moussilmani brothers...

Hi,

Last windsurf session,
Home spot, Marseille
T°C = 8
02/08/09

Well boys, you´re looking pretty red hot from here.

photo credits. photodingo.com

Kai Katchadourian riding Lanes, Maui

2009-02-09 00:00:00

Kai Katchadourian getting a piece of the action at Lanes Januuary 15 2009.

6 - 12 ft West bombers and steaming with 4.5 winds.

"Good fun lining up some sets and really trying to stay out of trouble. I almost got served up really hard a few times. This one was pure carpet ride all the way across Lanes back to Hookipa, a pretty rare thing. We got more on the way stay tuned !"

Photo: Wilson

Les Mouss talkes about 2009

2009-02-05 00:00:00

To read their article click the image below.

You can also visit the homepage: www.lesmouss.com

Kai Katchadourian explores Maui South Shore

2009-02-02 00:00:00

With 22 years on Maui, Flykatcher knows the island on all points of the compass.

Wind France's Windsurfer mag just went with a two pager after tracking Katchadourian down and hiding in the bushes to get a shot of this secret spot back in October.

"Lots of surfers out, but I went to high school with most of them, so they let me catch a few rides with my kit before they made me promise to paddle out and surf. I actually had more fun surfing this day than sailing, though the sailing really was pretty special."

Tom Malina in Cape Town

2009-02-02 00:00:00

As every year I decided to spend my winter time in Cape Town so this place became for 10 weeks again my home.
First 3 weeks in December we had pretty good conditions with solid waves and typical SE wind so I spent most of the time wave sailing with my team mates to improve my riding and jumping skills. Before Christmas I've started to focus on slalom, because early in January we had IFCA slalom Worlds in Big Bay and I needed to tune up my new slalom boards. Unfortunately there was not so many windy days during Christmas and New Year so it was not such a good training as I expected, but at least something.
The Slalom worlds was the same story. We had only 2 windy days with one at Witsands and the last one in Big Bay. After 5 races I finished 9th overall.
In the second half of January we had a few good days with logo to mast high waves at Sunset and Big Bay and I have to say that I had my best wave riding sessions so far.
Unfortunately it is time to leave back home where I'll stay for couple of weeks working on some video projects and than I'll go for some serious slalom training to get ready for the next PWA season.

More news and pictures on tom-malina.com/blog

Ceballos interview with Continentseven.com

2009-02-05 00:00:00

On Continentseven.com you can read the following:

Jonas Ceballos from Gran Canaria is well known for his incredible high jumping skills. While the last winter he really focused an serious training to compete on the PWA circuit better than ever before. Jonas started with a solid 13th position at Sal on Cabo Verde Islands, continued with a 7th position in Pozo and sailed extremely radical at Sylt finishing 3rd. These results secured him a 3rd position overall. Continentseven.com asked Jonas how he felt after this great final of 2008 and about his goals in the new season.

C7:How did you feel after Sylt and how were your emotions.
Jonas: I felt very happy because after soo many years on tour working hard, unlucky with injuries and with a lot of injustices finally. I passed the wall of top ten in 2008 and one of my dreams came true, to be top three in wave overall, stoked.

C7: What did you make different last season compared to the years before?
Jonas: The year 2008 I have been doing the same as I did the year before. I´ve been training more heats when I was freesailing also traying to sail with the head, doing in heats not just doing what I know to do also doing what I need to do, anyway I´ve been working a lot last three years it was not just one year. I´ve been travelling a lot just to improve my sailing, to get used to all kind of conditions, portack, starboardtack, onshore, offshore, etc., also to know how my gear is working. This all helped me to know my gear much better and make feel confident when I have to choose board or sail however the conditions are. I´ve also been more positive compared with last years. This has been the key.

C7: Was the overall third position in waveriding your biggest success so far?
Jonas: At the moment yes. I have got 5th and 7th, but never such a great result as this one and now the level arised so much and it is harder than 10 years ago.

C7: The PWA wave tour shrinked in the ´08 season to 3 events! How many events would you like to have and at which locations?
Jonas: Yes, it is very sad. But I think this year was difficult to everybody. They couldn't do much more because of the crisis. For me it would be enough to have 6 or 7 events per year. Locations mmmmm??...Fiji, South Africa, Irland, Denmark, France, Australia... there are soo many that I think it is better if I stop. Otherwise I will get a depression, hehe. I'm a realist, it is very difficult to make it happen.

C7: Can you live on windsurfing? You got an award, you have sponsors, also for your car, but the income from pricemoney is not that much?
Jonas: Yes, I can live on windsurfing, but it is not as I thought when I started professional windsurfing compared with 12 years ago. Windsurfing was much bigger than now. I can see when I go to Maui. The Pritchards with their big houses, motos, cars, vans,jetskis. All the toys. This all came from windsurfing. Why I can not have even my own house? If I would have started windsurfing at the same time as they did, I would be rich. Nowadays for us it is not the same anymore and is not that easy. But I gonna work hard to be one of the biggest in this sport within time. I think this sport will become bigger and we will have better contracts. The same with the pricemoney. Everybody know that competing is wasted money for almost all competitors. Now the PWA wants to take care about it, because if they keep it this way there is no future.

C7: Are you still the rider who can land the highest airmoves in Pozo and did the Red Bull marketing never knock on your door?
Jonas: HAHA, funny question. Yes, I have been in contact with them but I knocked on their door, hehe. There are good vibrations with the guys of Red Bull, but also the crisis affect them. At the moment they do not want to support other riders, but maybe in the future, if they have any idea they will contact me. Doors are open.

C7: What are your favourite conditions? Is Pozo the spot of your dreams?
Jonas: My favorite conditions are to sail on 3,7 and 2 or 3 meter waves for jumping and for wave riding, or with 4,5 m in mast high waves and side offshore wind. Pozo is my home spot, but for me it is not the best spot in the world. Pozo is one of the best spots in the world for jumping. That is true. But for waveriding there are so many good spots in Morroco, Australia, Ireland...

C7: Do you like how windsurfing gets represented in the public media or would you change anything if you could?
Jonas: I have not seen windsurfing on TV since so many years, for sure if I could I would transport the images of our sport to TV. They should get all footage for free. This is the key to make the sport bigger.

C7: How was your winter so far, any good conditions?
Jonas: Winter time I was at home. It has been a really good winter this year soo far and I was sailing a lot in the northshore and Fuerteventura, waveriding most of time.I had very good swell almost every week, wind has been not that strong as Pozo is in summer but very good for waveriding especially in Las Salinas, which worked really often. I don´t really need to travel soo much to be on the water if you live on the Canaries. I´m lucky.

C7: The PWA Cabe Verde wavecompetition is coming closer. Did you prepare in a special way for this event? And what are your expectations? Jonas: I have been training a lot my waveriding but also im doing lots of climbing. It helps me to get my body in a good shape and it helps my mind to be very positive. Will see how it goes, is not gonna be easy there but as I say I´m in a good shape physical and mental.

C7: How far away from the worldtitle are you?
Jonas: Not soo far, two steps. With the motivation I have I´ll be on fire this season. I think this year is gonna be a good year.

Thanks for the interview and good luck for the event on Cabe Verde.

To read the original and see pictures visit:

http://www.continentseven.com/windsurfnews499.html

Andreas Olandersson's visit in Cape Town

2009-01-22 00:00:00

I´ve been here in Cape Town, South Africa now for three weeks, we had great conditions. The first two weeks was not the best but we scored some different conditions instead which you normally don´t do down here. But after that period the normal Cape doctor south-east wind kicked in, and it´s looks like it will not stop any more...4,2 Simmer Icon and Fanatic Twin 78 overpowered every single day. Had some nice flights in Sunset Beach the other day, enjoy the pics!

Don´t forget to visit my website for last updates at www.s-66.com

Aloha, Andreas

Last Words with Ben Proffitt (K-800)

2009-01-14 00:00:00

Ladies and gentlemen it’s our pleasure to present to you Last Words with Simmer Style’s Ben Proffitt (K-800)

Last spot you sailed

Big Bay, Cape Town.

Last sail and size you sailed

4.5 Icon.

Last meal you had

2-day old pasta out of the fridge.

Last thing to piss you off

Getting food poisoning from the Pasta... spent all night being sick every 20mins!!!

Last time you felt psyched

Standing at the top of the world’s highest bungee jump last week.

Last piece of good advice someone gave you

Jump you pussy!!

Last time you got scared

When my eye balls nearly fell out of there sockets at the bottom!!!

Last time you felt out of place

In 'Chrome' a night club in Cape Town.... didn't stay long!!!

Last trip you went on

A road trip up to Jeffery's bay for new years.

Last trip you went on without your gear

Bloody hell, like 10years ago in the Greek islands!

Last place on earth you’d like to live

Anywhere too cold with no water... hmmmm.. sounds like where I live in England this month!

Last time someone told you about a secret spot

In Jeffery's Bay hostel... or maybe he was just trying to get rid of us!!

Last time you went to church

My mates wedding.. 2 years ago!

Last sponsor that hooked you up

Simmer Style. Hooked me up with my new booms!!

Last car you drove

Old skool Mercedes 124. Best thing to drive in South Africa.

Last record you bought

Guns ‘n Roses, Appetite for Destruction. Saw it cheap in a petrol station.

Last book you read

Harry Potter... Don't ask!! No wind in Guincho... only book in the tent!!

Last magazine you read

Zig Zag.. South African Surf mag

Last time you decided not to enter a competition

West Wittering UKWA... Fricking Freezing and no waves forecasted!! I think it was a good call!

Last time you had to take a long swing to get your gear

Every time I go out... Melkbos is usually the place!

Last time you got ripped off

Sand Boarding the other day... still it was a good laugh!!

Last website you visited

www.thewetdream.co.uk

Last time you witnessed anarchy

Round my girlfriends house the other day!

Last time you hated something

The judges at the Big Bay Classic the other day!

Last party you went to

Big Bay Classic prize giving

Last time you thought about giving up on something

New years day... Alcohol!!!

Last dream you had

The world was ending... the night I had food poisoning!!!

Last thing that made you laugh

A bloke flying out at Big Bay... hits the wave for a big jump and his board and sail separated!!! Soooo funny.. both just went miles in opposite directions ...and he was flying through the air like a rag doll!! Classic!!

Last time you cried

Round my girlfriends the other night.

Last thing to change your life

Having a go on the Quatro twin fin 75.

Ben Van der Steen about winning in South Africa

2009-01-14 00:00:00

It was hard racing here in South afrika . We went to 2 diffirent locations . The first location was witsands with starboard tack winds and and some good sets rolling in . The battle was on between Ross Alberto and myself. The first race ros got the start and it was super close racing , if any of us would make a small mistake everything could change, it was hard to overtake as ot was an 8 course so we had to go upwind as wel. Ross made no mistakes and he got the first win with myself in a close second and alberto in 3rd. The second race was also held this day on witsands with the same conditions. This time I got the edge on ross and alberto with a good start and good speed on the 1st reach. O the 3and last race of this day I got a bad start and was covered by Anderea Rosati for the first bit but had beter speed so got to the mark in 3rd just behind ross and alberto . Alberto went down so it was me and ross for the battle he was in front and I was getting him on the way out but I got stuck on a outside gybe behind someone we lapped and lost the battling position and finished second behind ross. After this day ross was in first and I was in second and alberto in 3rd . I was just 1 point behind ross so the battle was on on the next day of slalom.I used my Exocet warpSL71 with a 41 select S07 fin and my 7.8 Simmer SC race 2009 wich I have to say is a sick combo.

Second of slalom was the last day of the event that was held in big bay , the official location of the event.we did 2 slaloms in big bay . The first slalom I had a good start in the final and so did ross it was really close he had a beter gybe on the outside so we were going next to each other to the finish . I just managed to creep in front at the line . So it all came down to the last race as we were equal after 4 races. On the last race I was at the pin end for the start on a wave and I saw I could make a perfect start if I would stay on the top of the wave and so I did and was gone from start to finish with a good lead and good speed. Andgain I was on the same set up , my Exocet warpSL71 with a 41 select S07 fin and my 7.8 Simmer SC race 2009.

/Ben Van der Steen

Ben Van der Steen wins World championship

2009-01-13 00:00:00

IFCA World championships Cape Town , Big Bay

The 2008 Slalom Worlds were combined with the Bigbay Wave Classic and were held from 6^th of Jan till the 10^th of jan of 2009 due to the event that was cancelled this summer the venue was move the the lovely shores of Capetown Bigbay were they managed to put a nice event together.

On the first day the winds were not blowing, only enough to give a little tease but not enough to race. On day 2 the venue was moved to Witsands on the other size of the table mountain due to the wind direction that is not the trade wind direction and that wind is always stronger on the other side of the mountain. The slalom course was set in side the bay of Wit Sands, it was an figure of 8 course with a start and 2 buoys . lucky the swell direction was really west as there were rolling 5 meter waves in down the coast.

The first race was pretty good gusty side offshore winds and slightly swelly conditions.

In the 1^st final Ross Wiliams finished 1^st and Ben van der Steen 2^nd and Alberto Menagatie 3^rd

Race nr 2 the swell was coming in to the bay a little more but still nice for slalom .

In the final Ben van der Steen won with Ross Williams in 2nd and Alberto Menagati in 3rd

After race nr 2 the wind was getting a little more gusty but still good enough for 1 more slalom.

The 3^rd slalom was won by Ross Williams with Ben van der Steen in second and Klaas voget in 3^rd

Ross was now in first overall with Ben in a close second.

Day 3 the winds were still from the direction that was better in Witsands so there was decided to move the venue again but this time for waves . Only wave riding with starboard tack light gusty winds. They managed to get true the first 2 rounds in these pretty hard conditions. All of the top guys were still in so the battle would continue in Big Bay on Saturday were the trade winds were expected to blow.

Day 4

Skippers at 8 in the morning but the wind was not up jet but slowly building . The crew decided to go for 2 slaloms to finish that and get 2 discards. The wind was pretty good around 11 and the first round of slalom was started. In the final it was a close finish with Ben van der Steen and Ross Wiliams but the win went to Ben van der Steen with Ross in second and Alberto in 3^rd

The for the 5^th and final race the battle was on as Ross and Ben have equal points so who ever would win that would win the world title. Ben had a sick start and was leading from start to finish on his black bullet.

Then the waves were on that was won by Phil Horocks 2^nd was Klaas and Kevin Meevissenin 3^rd Ben Proffitt in 4^th and Ben van der Steen in equal 5^th with Andrea Rosati Andreas Olanderson and Mathew Swart.

Ben comments: I really happy to win this event, it gives a good feeling about my gear for the coming season and I am looking forward to the tour this year. This event I only used 1 board 1 fin and 1 sail, the Exocet SL71 with a Select 41 S07 and the7.8 new 09 Simmer SC race.

Emma Johansson’s 4th trip to Jeri

2009-01-13 00:00:00

Here’s a bunch of shots of Swedish Simmer Style rider Emma Johansson (S-37) during her 4th visit to Jericoacoara in Brazil which served up 2½ months of wind and waves, a little something to get her through the rest of the Swedish winter no doubt. Photo: Anna Persson and Faye Neal.

Flykatcher Crew end-of-the-year session

2009-01-09 00:00:00

There’s nothing quite like an end-of-the-year session at Waddell Creek up around San Francisco on new years eve, at least not if you ask Arnie and Rich of The Flykatcher Simmer 650 crew aka Team Pappasrock that is. Photo: Dr. Steve Hamman.

Francisco Porcella at Pe´ahi (Jaws)

2009-01-09 00:00:00

Here’s Simmer Style’s Francisco Porcella (I-69, dressed in red) finishing off 2008 with a few big ones at Pe´ahi (Jaws)

Best of 2008 with Marko Simic

2009-01-09 00:00:00

Here’s a collection of Marko Simic´s (CRO-360) best shots from 2008. Marko’s currently planning to get away from the Croatian winter and Egypt is high on the list. More to come…

Edvan Souza finishes off 2008 in full style

2009-01-09 00:00:00

Simmer Style’s Braziliano ripper Edvan Souza (BRA-250) won both major events held in Brazil last year and got crowned Brazilian Champion 2008 after taking 1^st place at Icarazinio in late December. Congratulations Edvan on the title from the entire Simmer Style crew! For more info on the event check out this article: http://diariodonordeste.globo.com/materia.asp?codigo=600946

Photo: Anna Persson

PS. If you don’t know Portuguese use Google Language Tools: http://www.google.com./language_tools?hl=en

Niklas Stråhlén takes 5th at major Brazilian event

2009-01-09 00:00:00

Here’s a word from our man in Brazil who stepped up to the plate and gave the Brazilianos a run for the money in Icarazinio recently.

"Hey everyone!

Since two days I’m no longer in Jericoacoara. I am now in another spot a few miles south from Jeri called Icarazinio. The place has got perfect conditions for freestyle with super flat water on the inside and some waves going out, pretty much like Jeri. The reason for it is because they arranged a big competition here, PWA-style. The Brazilians are really ripping in these conditions and you can see that they love it here. Edvan is for sure one of the best guys in the world at his home spot.

The night we arrived everybody was sleeping and we had no place to stay. We were all over the place and after planning to sleep on the beach we finally found a guy that could rent us a room. Very appreciated!

The next day was competition-day number one and it was intense for sure before it got started. A lot of money at stake and it seemed to the biggest event of the year for the Brazilians. I got about an hour of sailing before we started and it felt good! Windsurfing sets your nerves straight for sure, love it! The competition went really well, and for a while I was in the final against Edvan, sadly the judges changed their decision but I was still super stoked to be in the losers-final. At night we had a really nice barbecue, with a few beers and some guys trying to sing Jimi Hendrix in Portuguese. Poor old Jimmy probably rolled over in his grave!

Day two offered a bit less wind in the morning so I went with my 5.3 Mission and Twin tip 100 liter board. The first heats went perfect. In the semifinal of the second elimination the wind had picked up but I still choose to ride my 5.3 thinking I was man enough for it, but it was a no-no. Chico went with a 4.2 and went for a super high clew first Ponch on the way out, sick!

Edvan finally won the whole thing and I ended up taking 5^th place. Having seen some of the best guys out there ripping it up I’m more pumped than ever to go back to Jeri and nail some new moves, but higher and faster! Hats off to Edvan for his sailing over here!

Thanks to all the guys who made this competition happen and also to Gigi from Italy for letting me use his board for the weekend!

Go schredd where ever you are!! - Niklas Stråhlén (S-4444)"

Photo: Anna Persson

Mattia Pedrani - Ironman on a mission

2008-12-26 00:00:00

Introducing Simmer Style´s new heavyweight freestyler straight outa 464 Lake Garda Mattia Pedrani (I-00) is coming at ya´ with a fresh take on freestyle and how the game is s´posed to be played.

For more info on Mattia go to: http://www.mattiapedrani.com

Also check out Mattia on the cover of the latest issue of Funboard Italy (below)!

Simmer Style team rider / team captain Kai Katchadourian on Mattia

“Check out our new stone cold killer Mattia Predrani I-00!

Bringing the freshness back to Garda, Mattia is on the "S" squad and you best run for cover when he is around, he will rain down moves you don't even know how to spell and he can bust moves so clean you wake up refreshed like it was some dream. Welcome aboard Mattia, and we got your back homie!!

WORD!!!”

What are your plans for the coming year for competition and freesailing?

Well, ideally the plan for 2009 would be getting to top 10 in the PWA Freestyle ranking and then winning every single tour stop of the Italian championships again. I might do a little bit of waves as well, depending on the conditions/logistics and so on. This year I got 13th in the PWA freestyle ranking which is not too far from top 10 and so I think it should be doable. The level in the world is just mind blowing and every single day that goes by, the athletes are pushing the sport to new levels. I'm not only talking about top 5...every single heat starting from round 1 can be a semi-final... you got to step your game up!! As far as free-sailing goes, I'm going to stick around the lake this whole winter, studying and training a little bit in the freezing cold weather of my beloved 464 (Lake Garda). I'm getting kind of bored of the technical freestyle stuff and will focus more on busting more radical moves like burner variations and different aerial combinations to spice the game up a bit. With the new PWA format running now, we need to make the show as radical as it can get!! I'll try my hardest to keep improving, keep representing and keep windsurfing anytime and anywhere I can.

What is your take on the all new Iron sail from Simmer Style?

Being one of the heaviest freestyler / wave sailors in the game, my 92kg need some power to get moving around. I really felt great right away when I tried my 5.0 IRON for the first time in the lagoon of Babaomby beach in Madagascar. The sail is extremely easy to handle and really maneuverable, but still packs good power, making it perfect for side/onshore wave conditions and also strong wind freestyle. I was really stoked about the short boom length, which drastically improves reactivity and feel. You guys should have called it the BOMB!

Fresh Irish air

2008-12-26 00:00:00

Here´s Simmer Style´s man on Ireland Dan Gardner enjoying a bit of fresh air during the recent 2008 IWA Belmullet event. Photo: Nuala Irwin.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2008-12-24 00:00:00

We´d like to wish all of our teamriders, distributors, retailers, employees, customers and all of those who in any way have supported us and contributed to making Simmer Style one of the leading sailbrands in the world a very merry christmas and a happy new year and thank you all for a fantastic 2008. We´re really excited about 2009 and hope you are too!

See you on the water!
Simmer Style HQ

Loosing count on postcards from Brazil...

2008-12-21 00:00:00

Well the stamps must be pretty “darn” cheap down in Jeri or the guy just won the lottery cuz I think this is the 478^th postcard we get from our man down in Brazil Niklas Stråhlén (S-4444).

“Hello!

Jericoacoara is still delivering world class conditions and we are having loads of fun, everybody is trying new moves! The wind is now mostly 4.7 but the waves are getting better and better, just as predicted.

They have built a tower in the middle of the bay which we use for filming and taking pictures. Check out these ones!

Niklas Stråhlén (S-4444)”

Photo: Rickard Ström.

Either/Or with Andreas Olandersson S-66

2008-12-21 00:00:00

Here´s a good chance to get to know Simmer Style rider Andy-O a little bit better...

Either/Or - Andreas Olandersson (S-66)

1. Morning or afternoon session? Afternoon session
2. Lipsmack or aerial? An aerial would be useless without a lipsmack ;)
3. Forward or backward loop? Stalled forwards are my favourites!
4. Cereals or oatmeal? Oats is da shit...
5. Port or starboard tack? I prefer port...
6. Reef or beach break? Reef break is best for riding the waves and beach break for jumping so...it´s equal.
7. Home or away? Like I have it now...not too much at home, and not too much away. It´s for sure the balance that makes me satisfied.
8. New or old spots? Nothing beats an old spot when you know what you get and it works 100%!
9. Truck or van? I already have a van but my next toy is going to be a Ford Rangero- 66 in cream white...Rock n´ Roll!!
10. Double mast or logo? Double mast = I have to change wetsuit, logo to mast high = full power!
11. Session or competition? A session with my best friends on the west coast of Sweden is something special!
12. Wave or freestyle? As I like high jumps more and more I´d say wave.
13. Lager or ale? I don´t like beer that much but if I have to choose I´d go with lager.
14. Meat or vegetables? God damn...meat!
15. Tattoos or not? I like tattoos, old American cars, Rock n´ Roll and pinup girls...Who doesn´t like that?
16. Super X or racing? No, no, no!!! If I MUST choose...Super X...
17. Film or photos? Nice moves on film is awesome!
18. 4x4 or easy access? Why making it hard when it can be easy?
19. One-hand or regular? One hand is stylish, as long as you don´t ask me for the one-foot jumps...they´re horribly ugly!
20. RDM or regular diameter? RDM!
21. X-Ply or monofilm? X- PLY!!!
22. Calculated technical or go-for-it? One of them without the other ends up in no progress...
23. Jumping or riding? I´ve always loved jumping in all sports!
24. Locals only or everyone welcome? Everyone welcome as long as they go-for-it.
25. Neon colors or not? NOT!

Helicopter sequence of Niklas Stråhlén

2008-12-17 00:00:00

5 clones of Niklas Stråhlén, a helicopter and a photographer by the name of Rickard Ström
was all it took to get this shot...

"Hey guys!

Jericoacoara is now at its best as waves are coming in and the wind is blowing full power! Everybody is loving it, and tomorrow it´s going to be even better. Today we were filming and taking pictures from a helicopter. Check out this picture, not a perfect forward but it’s a cool sequence.

Go for it!!

Niklas Stråhlén (S-4444)"

Another postcard from Jeri

2008-12-14 00:00:00

Here`s another postcard from Jeri signed Niklas Stråhlén (S-4444):

"Hey people!

I´m still up in Jericoacoara and everything is good! The wind is a bit down at the moment but it is predicted to come back full power this week. Today I had a session a bit downwind from Jericoacoara where the wind is stronger and we were going with 4.7 and freestyleboard. We are filming a lot at the moment so this you will see soon, but here are some pictures of me and another Simmer Stylerider, Chris from Sweden. Check it out!

Have fun!

Niklas Stråhlén (S-4444)"

Photo: Fredrik Bengtsson