Windsurfing history encyclopedia

N – Nik Baker: x6 World Indoor Windsurfing Champion, Aloha Classic winner and one of Britain’s best windsurfing talents

In 1990 indoor windsurfing was born with the Palais Omnisports de Paris – Bercy making its spectacular debut. It was during this first indoor event that Britain’s Nik Baker, from the south coast, flourished and went on to add a whopping x6 Indoor World Championships to his name. Nik’s no slouch in the actual ocean either and following a long […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

G – Goita: new school wave sailing manoeuvre

The goita, which crossed over from waves to flat water via the ponch (invented by Maui based Kevin Ponchitera), is a new school wave move that sees riders hit the lip before throwing the sail to windward and towards the tail. This causes the rider and board to rotate over the rig in 360 fashion and ideally land back on […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

Z – Zakynthos (Zante), Greece: lesser known Greek windsurfing holiday destination

Although the Peligoni Club is based on Zakynthos it’s not a Greek island widely popular with windsurfing crowds. Yet on it’s day the region’s Meltemi can kick in and blow up to planing speeds that’ll see most windsurfers blasting back and forth happily. Zante, as the island’s more commonly referred to, is a hotspot for Brits abroad style holidays, with […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

E – Egypt: windsurfing’s reliable flat water travel destination

Egypt, for many years, was a staple for many windsurfers looking for reliable winds, warm waters and good weather. In particular spots like Dahab, on the Sinai Peninsula, Hurghada, the harder to reach Soma Bay and wave spot of El Tur were big draws for many Euro’s in the off season. Apart from El Tur, which offers a second beach […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

C – cigarettes: big brand windsurfing support from tobacco companies

Back in the day, when windsurfing was still fledgeling, the health implication surrounding such things as cigarettes weren’t as widely promoted. These were days when smoking was still deemed cool and advertising standards not as stringent as today. Fag companies, as some refer to them, were big brand supporters of windsurfing which can be seen by some of the magazine […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

J – Josh Stone: windsurfing party animal, skilled wave sailor and inventor of modern freestyle

The ever colourful, possibly wild, and larger than life Josh Stone was the perfect candidate to take windsurfing to the next level via modern freestyle. An already skilled and formidable wave sailor, Maui based Stone invented the vulcan and soon after the spock. Nowadays these are standard and basic moves for anyone into the art of windsurfing freestyle, yet they remain […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

V – the vulcan: windsurfing’s first new school freestyle manoeuvre

Invented by the inimitable and colourful Maui based windsurfing legend Josh Stone the vulcan was the very first new school aerial freestyle move, and is the foundation for many of its follow on tricks, such as the spock. Essentially a vulcan is an upwind aerial with a mid-air sail transition. Landing backwards, switch stance, the rider then aims to slide […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

W – Weymouth, Dorset: the UK’s premier speed strip and event site

While other spots around the UK have gained popularity among speed sailors (West Kirby being one) it’s Dorset’s Weymouth that continues to attract large numbers of riders looking to test their mettle and go fast. The yearly Weymouth Speed Week, organised by Pete Davis, is held every autumn and sees a large turn out of enthusiasts, from near and far, […]

Windsurfing UK Kit Tests

Progressive performer – Loftsails Oxygen 7.3m HD 2018 sail test

Pics: James Jagger Having used a number of Monty Spindler’s windsurf sail designs there’s a glaringly obvious trait running through all. Every design has two faces – the Oxygen 7.3m being no different. Once sheathed to its ideal mast the minimum setting displays an impressively bellied out main section that’s shaped for pure power and low end planing. Whack the […]

Windsurfing UK Articles

Head honch – the UK Windsurfing Association’s Bob Ingram in profile

Interview: WSUK Pics: Andy Stallman Bob Ingram has held down the position of UKWA head honcho since 2009. A fan of all aspects of windsurfing – not least raceboard and formula – Bob’s still as hungry as ever and super keen to get afloat, deliver the goods in terms of events and generally spread the good word of windsurfing. Here’s […]