James’ brother and friend, Andrew and Rich were not sure whether to do much windsurfing, but when the only female in the Neilson team announced she was to be teaching the Start windsurfers this week they quickly decided to give it more of a go!  After a good first morning with Kat, they told her not to be offended but beer and a sunbed would be their afternoon plan, also not to worry for they’d definitely be back for more tomorrow!!

Ollie and Emma were lucky to have Hasan to themselves and got out to work on using the harness, improving those tacks and most importantly to the whole group it seems, learn to go faster!!! Both really enjoyed their lessons and very excited for more to come.  Mark and Tom were pleased to have Ben as an instructor and had a brilliant day blasting around, finding the footstraps for the first times and arguing over who was fastest.  David and James got Kamal to themselves for the morning, and then in the afternoon James and I took the tandem out to speedy for a play!  It was really great fun with plenty of wind to get us flying around and surprisingly we managed some rather smooth turns too!!

In the evening we enjoyed a meal in town with some delicious food and a few drinks, the banter was hilarious, the group, who mostly met each other on the flight over, seemed to get on like they have been friends for years! A good night was had by all and no complaints of any sore heads after those first couple of evenings!

Wednesday was a lighter day for wind but the guys got out and made them most of what wind there was, with a windier forecast ahead.  More dinner plans in town for tonight and a trip to Tree Bar for some pool and dancing is in the plan for afters.

Contributed by: Danielle @ www.getwindsurfing.com

We are now back from Dakhla it has been an awesome trip. In 5 weeks of windsurfing we only had 3 lightwind days! Now we really can’t complain but as it turned out one of these days was our last day. I was so close to landing burners the day before (with zero blood sugar) that I felt sure I would get one on the final day. The wind gods however decreed that it was not to be. Ricky was in a similar place with his funnels. Hopefully we will get a good solid westerly blow soon so I can get up to West Kirby and try them again.

Over the course of the trip I learnt loads of new moves and very nearly completed my list, with only the burner really left on there. I kind of swapped airfunnells out because I wanted to concentrate on the burners. Now that my ducking is much better I think that I can pick them up pretty quickly.

Ricky also learnt loads. He learnt Flakkas, Punettas and clew first punnettas. Please watch this space for our video. I have started on the editing so it shouldn’t be too long.

Hugh’s windsurfing improved loads he is now starting to experiment with carve gybes and chop hops. He is also going to write a piece about Dakhla from an intermediates perspective and to talk about the off the water stuff from a new perspective.

The second half of the trip we were staying in the Rio Aguila Kitesurf Camp. It seemed like luxury to what we were used so a big thanks to the guys there. I would also like to mention Colin, Freya, Ken and Carmen who were amazingly kind and helpful to us throughout our trip. For any expert advice on Dakhla do contact Freya though www.ambienceofdakhla.com. For any windsurf  or general advice on Dakhla please do get in contact with us through Bray Lake!

We are all ready plotting a trip for next year. For flat water and unbelievable winds, in the summer, nowhere really compares.

Thanks for reading!

Contributed by: Jack

We are all very well, we’ve had two good days on the water – 4.5m kind of weather. We’ve been sailing a different spot so far, called Boudle Haa (no idea how its spelt) and so far, I’ve been sailing pretty well. Nearly landed all the moves I could last year which is sick. Ricky appears to have learnt to funnel duck in one day. Arthur is improving loads with his waterstarts and tacking. We are really looking forward to some good old fashioned Dakhla 3.7 weather soon. the forecast is saying Thursday. As for Tom Gold, he couldn’t join us, although whether we miss him or not…!

We may move up to 25 (where we camped last year) in a couple of days because it is a bit more social up there and the fact that we are camped on a pretty serious slope at the moment. Boudle haa is a really nice place the flat water is right off the beach. There are however, loads of oyster farms which are like enourmous, with rusty metal grates included that would totally scupper a board or leg. And knowing us it won’t be long so maybe it is wise to move up to 25.

The main reason for avoiding 25 is the kite surfers kind of rule up there now but as we have discovered if you windsurf really unpredictably around them, like going switch and charging at them, then they tend to stay clear.

More news to follow very soon.
Keep it real!

Contributed by: Jack

Registration was done and then heats were due to begin at 2pm. The Single Elimination began and Phil’s heat was drawn, he would take on current tour leader Kiri Thode in the first round. This helped to ease the pressure and Phil was able to relax and enjoyed his first heat. Both guys sailed well, Phil making many moves on both sides to get a good score, but he was unable to match Kiri’s style as he pulled powerful moves such as spock-culo’s, air bob’s & Burners in the challenging conditions.

The single continued that day but the finals had to be held off till the next morning as the wind dropped off around 6pm. Day 2 saw really light winds, so most of the day was spent chilling in the shade, waiting and hoping the wind would increase to enough for the finals to be ran. At 5pm the wind had luckily filled in and the finalists took to the water with sails around 5.3′s, and the crowd was entertained with the guys putting in a huge effort to get the results they wanted. The Single results saw Gollito in 1st, Steven Broekhoven 2nd and Anthony Ruenes in 3rd with Davy Schefers taking the 4th spot, a great achievement for the guys.

Day 3 we began the double, the heats were drawn and Phil was up against a friend, Andraz Zan, SLO 49. The wind had filled in by the afternoon and guys took to the water with sails around 4.7 – 5.0′s. For Phil, the heat was a close one, with him and Andraz pulling similar moves but Phil got the upper hand with a big Shaka and and nice Kono off of one of Costa Teguise’s waves.

The next heat for Phil was to be Tonky Frans, a tough draw but having already retained the 17th spot there was nothing to lose for Phil. The heat started unpredictably for Tonky crashing a lot of early moves giving Phil the early advantage. Phil was sailing well pulling a mixture of powerful and safe moves but it was not enough once Tonky found his feet and started to show why he has been one of freestyles top competitors over the last decade, landing Backloops, Bonka’s (Forward loop in to Flaka) and other insane moves.

The rest of the day the wind held and so the double was continued up until the quarter finals when the judges postponed the action to be completed the next day. So the competition was finished on the Sunday, with amazing heats seeing the worlds best use the windiest day of the competition to really show what they can do. Pushloops, Air Chachos, Spock into Air Bob were some of the most impressive tricks amongst many being seen and after really tight heats the final saw Gollito Estredo take on Steven Broekhoven again. Both competitors were throwing massive tricks but in the end even Steven’s no handed burner couldn’t beat Gollito’s massive Air Chacho and other strong moves he pulled in the 8 minute heat.

The event was brilliant, the windsurfing displayed was incredible by all the riders, the wind and waves were good and a great competition was finished, leaving the competitors excited for the next event in Fuerte, although for many doing the whole tour the next 3 weeks will give them a welcome break after 3 weeks back to back events in Bonaire, Aruba and Lanzarote.

For Phil and I, we are now in Fuerte training for the next event with Adam and many other UK riders. Its set to be a great few weeks, with challenging conditions to get used to, definitely no shortage of wind!

Contributed by: Danielle Lucas

This was then followed up by even more good news that Simon and Lindsay had booked the following couple of week,  with the addition of Rich and Lyn, who were coming to play too!

So, what did the ‘escapees’ get up to.  The fortnight with James and co was great fun!  We even saw the party animal in James come out to play – more than I have seen in the 4 years I have known him.

Not only that he fully threw himself into his windsurfing, trying freestyle moves with some epic outcomes…and no I don’t mean he mastered any, but we did enjoy the comic (if a little painful looking) crashes, usually right next to me as James definitely likes the camera!!

Phil and Laura took advantage of their stay, and put in a huge effort on the water, enjoying all the unusually good wind at a less than predictable time of year for Egypt (so lucky!).  In fact on some days Phil was so illusive, once he was gone on the water he didn’t like to come off, must be something in the name?!

During this visit, the political situation in Egypt took a worrying turn making the remainder of stay somewhat interesting!  Highlight of the week for James was our (top-secret) ride home in an Egyptian police van, during the peak of the riots in Cairo and problems in Egypt, after many a gin, vodka and tequila.  But don’t panic, it was in fun, not because we were in trouble!!

We took a photo of us in the back of the policevan afer we’d enjoyed a glass or two, this was a big mistake as the officer in charge panicked and made us delete the shot immediately… He obviously would have had a slapped wrist for being a  taxi driver for some inebriated tourists.  James was so excited by all this he insisted on phoning Frostie at 2am, luckily we saved Simon from this only to find James still managed a text to tell him all about it.  All in all, a really good time had by all.

The following 2 weeks when Simon, Lindsay, Rich and Lyn joined us, were equally fun. During the evenings, we managed to replace the dancing till 4 am and shots of tequila, with many a night on local gin, shisha and enjoying the fantastic range of local restaurants.

During the day we all played hard on the water and a good time was had by all. Simon was seen working on his aerial moves with Phil, while Linz and I messed around with old skool tricks and, of course, Linz got the Isonics out to play too.  Richard found a love for the Serenity after a first week of planing around on the Futuras when the second week brought less wind. The Serenity was perfect for keeping him flying across the bay.

Lyn had a great week of coaching with Neilson’s Heather and Jamie and impressed us all by getting comfortable in the harness and achieving footstraps at some points too, and most importantly enjoying the experience. The second week was much more chilled, with an opportunity to do a bit of SUPing and snorkelling to keep busy in the lighter moments.

Things in Egypt at this time were troubled, and we want to thank all our friends for sticking to their plans and coming out.  As they found out the situation in Dahab was ‘business as usual’, except a fraction of the other nationalities here and so the water was blissfully quiet.  The local businesses all appreciated the British not being put off by the volative situation in Egypt and still supporting the local tourism industry during such a difficult time for them all.

For Phil and I, we are working hard now catching up on sleep, detoxing a little, and of course working hard coaching,  photographing guests and training, in the lead-up to our next clinic, starting on March 5th in Moon Beach.

This should be a great week, we still have spaces too so if anyone is interested in a last minute deal please be in touch, flights are cheap and, the water is quiet, warm and the wind is up! Take advantage of a Moon Beach trip

Contributed by: Danielle Lucas

The first week was all work, honest.  With 8 students on an advanced instructor course for Neilson and a good forecast Sam Ross (Neilson Dahab manager) and I knew we had our hands full. So just to make sure that I was fully acclimatised I postponed the course for a day and went sailing. After all is was 4.7 weather and it was a shame to waste it.

The course went well, once we started, with wind everyday bar one, theory day! The course was made up of Neilson staff including a couple of their Egyptians staff and Phil and Danielle (ex Bray Lake) working freelance (Get Windsurfing) check out their web site and a guy from Ardingly Reservoir.

Despite the hardship of having to talk windsurfing everyday and spend most of the day on the water we made it to the end of the week in one piece and with 8 new Advanced instructors.

While Sam and I were working hard Linz managed to keep herself amused, scaring all the freestyle sailors on their 4.5′s by buzzing them on her favourite Isonic and 7.5!

With an epic forecast for the following week we eagerly awaited the club trip (made up of members from Bray, Burfield and BTYC) with another free day on the water this time fully powered on 5.0′s. An awesome way to finish the first week and it looked good to continue for the next!

And then Crocker arrived! Since his arrival the promised wind has failed to materialise, we have managed to sail every day but it’s been very sedate. Crocker has done his best to keep us all entertained with a succession of incidents of which I’m sworn to secrecy and have promised not to say anything about the bathroom incident ending in him getting a black eye, or the attack from a sea badger that resulted in Andy having to defend himself with his fin before it was lost to the depths.

I gather you may now have more info but at least it wasn’t me that told you. And I also never told you about his karaoke debut last night! We have photos and will try and get them to you soon.

For further info on the Sea Badger type into Google!

Fingers crossed the wind will return before we leave or I may have to make a wind sacrifice!

Contributed by: Frosite

A gloriously sunny Friday morning kicked off with usual catch up and procrastination between car park and beach front bench. Not much on the wind front so Gavin, Tom & I found ourselves joining Mike for a walk (read route march) around St Ann’s Head on his new quest for fitness (of which he looks to be doing rather well I might add). I could at least be deserving of my white chocolate cake on return to the cafe. Some just choose to go straight to the cake… After lunch, and a little more procrastination it was decided practice in rigging up my new kit was needed. Having only rigged my 5.5 and 6.5 once each, who was I to deny the opportunity when nudged. And then of course, not make the effort to bob about a bit in the light afternoon breeze after bothering to do it. I was not alone, although not everybody else needed the practice we at least got out there – The sun must have been getting to us. Or had Frostie not arrived with the backgammon yet!

Saturday faired better, albeit not much, but with big sails and a “lets make the most of it” attitude most of us took to the water. We pottered about, with a few snatches at planning on 6 – 8.5′s. Lucky Darren caught the best break of the day. Sailing his way out of driving fatigue whilst the rest of us grabbed some lunch he found himself sole recipient of some good wind action – Or maybe at that distance, we just couldn’t see how hard he was pumping! Not to be outdone, Simon Michelle (The Beach Inspector) has charged back into the fray taking out a lamppost, hedgerow and almost a small child in his exit from the beach. He made the quickest rig change known to mortal man emerging resplendent from the car park flying a 10.1 Tushingham Max. The term “go big or go home” just is Simon. Sadly, a sail that size tends to come with the curse of a dying wind so he didn’t get to play for long.

And so to The Griffin. Our visit this time was timed with the arrival of their new “Fish shop” style menu, so fayre was not what we went for.  A few drinks, cheerful banter and the arrival of a Hen party to amuse the lads all makes for a fun weekend whatever the wind conditions.

Sunday saw an early mist with no wind to speak of so a contingent headed to Newgale. Not much happened wind wise, we hung around in Newgale for a few hours waiting for inspiration before Gav & I gave up and headed back home. With a extra day at their disposal, Frostie, Linz and Neil hung in a bit longer and stopped at Broad Haven having spotted a windsurfer planning in the bay and got a bit excited at the prospect of getting out on the water, only to find he was on his way back in because the tide was not working. I have been told they ended up having a good SUP in the early evening sun at Dale which was cool.

Neil informs me that Monday started off grim – no wind, no sun, with the sea mist rolling in again at Newgale, so yet more coffee and waiting ensued until they could actually see the sea. Patience paid off. The sun and the SUP’s came out as the waves were perfect (read sphincter tightening big!) according to Frostie who I have been told was looking like a surfing God while Neil not so much. We await the addition of Lindsey’s action photos to confirm this!

As ever, it was fun and a perfect way to end a great weekend. See you for the next Dale trip later this year.

Contribution by Candice Betts

Our first day on the water was comfortable 5.0 weather for both of us Simon on the 85 SB Kode and me on the 75 RRD HC wave board, our weapons of choice for this trip, it was to be our ‘light wind’ introduction into windsurfing in SA! The next day we started as 4.5’s but we had soon down sized to 4.0’s and whilst I was happy if somewhat overpowered on my 4.0 and 75ltr board Simon had a little too much volume and was forced to sail with maybe a centre meter of his fin left in the water! The following day was 3.7 weather for Simon and 3.3 weather for me and as our smallest sail was a 4.0, I tried not to get blown off the beach while Simon battled the elements and got a good spanking as he tried to hold onto his 4.0 and the RRD. Survival was the order of the day.

I must mention here that our ‘Flat Water’ lagoon now resembled Hayling on a big day and the surf was just getting bigger! Even the locals were getting excited.

While we were in Langebaan, Cape Town was going off with constant 3.5 weather and 3m to 5m swell. In fact the condition were so good that Phil and Danielle who are staying Cape Town came up to sail with us for a rest.

The following day we had another absolute stonker and to be completely honest I could have done with a 3.3! It was awesome and a great experience some of the waves were huge (for me!) and I don’t think I managed to sheet in at all and I was still going like the clappers!

This is certainly a windy place although the locals keep telling us that its not normally this windy at this time of year. The wind pattern at the moment seems to be a very civilized four days on and two days off and after 4 days of being battered the rest is most welcome and provides the ideal opportunity for a bit of site seeing and a chance to get the wetsuits off and chill out for a day, sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun.

On the off days, we’ve taken the opportunity to do a bit of site seeing and headed up Table Mountain, toured round the cape and were rewarded with stunning views. Been shopping at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront wandering through the tourist markets and shops and hunting for a decent coffee.

Anyway the winds blowing again to it off to the beach again, it looks like another 3.7 day to day!

This was our first visit to their new warehouse and it was stuffed full of new 09 boards and sails.

Starboard are to make a few changes to the range next year but most will be small improvements, in essence all remains very similar.

The big changes are the disappearance of the Kombat – a “love it or hate it” kind of board which has been replaced by the all new Kode which is everything the Kombat was and wasn’t, and some. I’ve now had a chance to sail both the 94 and the 86 and love them. They will definitely become part of my permanent quiver over the 08/09 season and both are available for demo.

There were small tweaks to the Futura and Isonics but no majour changes and we now have 09 Futura available to buy and demo. See Shop.
Tushingham, like Starboard there are very few changes to the Tushingham sail range and those changes are small tweaks rather than anything dramatic. It’s hard to better what is already an awesome product both in performance and value for money and the only real notable changes to there range are the Storm. Still in essence the same sails the look and shape has evolved. The bigger sizes giving earlier acceleration in the lighter winds an emphases on making the sail more manoeuvre orientated with the smaller sizes maintaining there awesome high wind freeride potential.

Following the Starboard/Tushingham brain washing Linz and I along with the other retailers went for a paddle on their new SUP’s up the river Avon followed by some food and beer at the local pub in Bantham. If anyone is interested in the new SUP board phenomenon we now have five demo boards and are planning a trip along the Thames.

Anybody who knows me will not challenge my admission that I’m a lazy sailor. I have the odd spurt of needing to achieve something, but generally plod steadily forwards and have managed in 6 years what most people with a bit more gusto than I can achieve in 2, but whatever! Part of the whole experience for me is the escape, the opportunity to chill out, enjoy some banter and potter about the lake on one of the Kona’s.

So what was I expecting from El Tur? Not much, except Windsurfing it has to be said. Having had a small contingent from Bray check it out the year previously Frostie had played down the place for all non windsurfing activity and luxury, but when selling to somebody who works in the travel industry who can get herself a good deal or two, that’s probably a good move! Needless to say, on arrival I was pleasantly surprised not to find a complete hole. Yeah, the hotel was a bit tired and a bit basic, but it was clean, the staff friendly and food edible. Evening entertainment consisted of the beach bar (which we readily made good use of), a pool table and table tennis (dabbled at a bit at by a few of us), but with sixteen of you to have a couple of drinks and warble amongst yourselves of an evening – who cares. A good mix of personalities ensured that we all ticked along and once we’d relaxed into the El Tur lifestyle, laid back completely towards the end of the week, Kathy woke us all up and ensured we stretched the grey matter with a Quiz night. Some relaxed more than others – Not sure I have a photo of Big Dave awake – asleep in hammock, asleep in the Beach Bar, but then he’s a tall chap holding up a tall sail for most of the day.

Oceansource – How could we not have been looked after by our old Bray buddies, Phil & Danielle and the guys? It was like a home away from home – kit sorted, carried to the water and off you go – Platinum Card with sand and sunshine (not a goose dropping in sight) – Fab! This being only my fourth overseas windsurfing venture, I’ve not got a lot to go on, but I was happy. The couple of Lake Garda trips were a lot less predictable on wind, but had a good turn out on members so company was good and it has enough to keep you busy when not sailing. Ventured to Dahab last September with Gary M & Gav – A lot more in the way of post sailing activity, and organised Neilson instruction, but what it is with the inability for people to sail upwind in that place!

The lagoon at El Tur was great for me. Sixteen of us, four other guests at Oceansource and only a couple of sailors from the Russian outfit next door so I had plenty of clear warm sailing area to be throwing myself into (regularly). Some of the more advanced amongst us would have liked a force 1-2 upgrade on what we had most days so to have got out on smaller sails, but at least we all could get out and we didn’t have to resort to working on our tans. We were joined in the lagoon on a couple of the afternoons by dolphins, which was squeal and “awesome” inducing for Kathy, Lindsay and I – completely missed by some (Gavin, in his own zone again), or just greeted by a tired rolling of the eyes if too close to a squealing female (Yes, Eustace – that’s you)!

Tuition was available to those who wanted it, so Claire and I took some time out with Danielle to work on our beach starts and try and make some headway with our waterstarts. We are no way near consistent, but had got a couple of waterstarts each under our belts by the end of the week. Some of the boys opted for a ‘Phil Master Class’ to work on that perfect carve gybe or learn a new trick. And let’s face it, even without tuition you’ll always be in company at the waters edge with people on hand to offer support, hints and tips (sorry for swearing at you Gav, just a moment of exasperated overload on my part) so everybody had the opportunity to come away with something other than mosquito bites (for which Pete won the prize). On his last musing in my direction, I don’t think Ra Ra (Ian) had quite cracked his goal for the week, but was confident in what he needed to do and close enough to be smiling at his achievements and ready to carry on the challenge back in the UK.

So, my El Tur routine was pretty much – breakfast, windsurfing, lunch, windsurfing, bar, dinner, back to bar, bed, and so we did it all again, and again, and again, and again and again. The last day we had a slight over lap with the contingent arriving to take our place – it was a shock to the system having to share our sailing area after being in selfish luxury all week – still plenty of room though, with no upwind walking! And then it was all over….. I left El Tur with my instructions from Danielle, not replicated that waterstart at Bray just yet – but I will. With renewed enthusiasm for my next spurt I’ve booked myself a spot on the SB Windwise Tour at Bray on 24th and may tell you about that if you don’t think I’ve bored you with this.

As a result of meeting in El Tur, Gary and Kathy are now looking to hook up for regular sailing at the coast, so always worth checking out the forum to see whose heading out and about. Once that penny jar contains enough money for my own kit I hope to be joining them.

Now, Club Trip Trip 2010? Where are we going?

Contribution by:  Candice Betts