Posts by Bouke

Foils #2 – a 2018 snapshot of windfoiling and where it’s at currently

June 8th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

Pics: James Jagger

We’ve talked about foils and windfoiling before yet with the topic still hot we thought we’d revisit and see where we’re at now compared to this time last year. As with our first windfoiling article we’re speaking with Windsurfing UK magazine’s Tez Plavenieks who’s been testing a raft of different foil gear during these past months.

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Flat water wave sailing drills for progressing sailors

June 6th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

If you’ve aspirations of shredding perfectly peeling waves, but haven’t quite got the necessary skills (yet), then there a few drills you can practice on flat water that’ll help no end. As any proficient rider knows muscle memory is everything so being able to repeat movements is key. Read on for how to ready yourself for surf sailing and spice up those flat water sessions in the process.

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Style and finesse – Yannick Anton Witchcraft team rider Q&A

May 24th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

Yannick Anton is no stranger to full on windsurfing conditions. A former PWA competitor, who’s abundant finesse and skill on the water always gets nods of approval, he’s stylish yet humble. We caught up with Yannick in between teaching sessions at his windsurf school and personal windsurfing time to get some more info.

Tell us when and where windsurfing began for you.

I began windsurfing at 9 years old in France, at the AGASC nautical centre of St Laurent du Vars.

It is a place close to Nice, the city where I grew up.

At what point did you think ‘this is the sport for me’?

I originally had a strong connection with the sea and the wind since my family had always sailed boats.  As a 6 week old baby I was already onboard of my grandfather. When my mom proposed I try windsurfing I said: “Ok, why not”, without real enthusiasm. But I discovered that I was really comfortable with this sport.

Yannick Anton

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Windsurfer A or B – which one are you when it comes to progression?

May 3rd, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

We’re all different and windsurf in our own way. Read the following and see which mould fits you and your riding.

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Versatility incorporated – freeride/freewave windsurfing on wave gear

April 26th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

Pics: Geraint Roberts

As many will know Witchcraft specialise in making high quality, hard wearing windsurfing equipment that stands up to the harshest of environments. Our home base of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, is a tough place to exist if you’re a windsurf board or sail – not just the strong sun but also rocky shorelines do their level best to destroy kit on a regular basis.

Another trait of the WC brand is our penchant for a wave or two. With many hard charging wave sailors owning our gear over time a reputation has grown within this area of the sport. Just take a look at WC head honch Bouke who loves a bit of juice! And yet, there’s more to Witchcraft than being a one trick pony…

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Waiting, watching, learning: the importance of observation and windsurfing knowledge

April 11th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

In a recent magazine there’s a quote from a respected surfer in relation to one of Ireland’s most fearsome big wave spots: Mullaghmore. Mully, as it’s affectionately known, often makes lists for XXL ride of the year and worst wipeout, among others. A brutal slab of a wave this left hander can dish out beatings and euphoria in equal measure. A hardcore crew of local surfers regular charge Mully whilst an even smaller number of windsurfers tackle the beast with a sail attached to their sled. The quote in question was: ‘I watch more than I surf’ and it’s this mantra that has ensured many riders score the waves of their lives and live to tell the tale. It’s advice all of us water going players should heed wherever your chosen spot can be found.

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The ‘evil tack’ – embracing windsurfing with wind from the opposite direction

March 28th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

As windsurfers we’re taught to be comfortable in both right and left mode from the off – if this wasn’t the case then we’d have no way of getting back to the beach, or in fact leaving it. It’s probable one of the few sports in the world where there’s necessity to be able to ride both ways. Yet over time, as we improve, we start to gravitate towards one type of wind direction bias. Whether this be dictated by frequenting the same spot, with similar conditions, or it simply being a head thing that suggests we only try certain moves on one particular tack.

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Picture the scene – side shore waves vs side offshore waves

March 13th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

Two scenes, two distinct style of riding waves – which one do you associate with the most?

Bouke Becker wave sailing

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What windsurfers want…

February 26th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

What do windsurfers want? It’s a never ending list as you can see from the below. Here are some of what we want.

All I want is 30 knots side shore.

All I want is 20 knots side offshore.

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A little boy learned how to windsurf – discovering what’s round the next corner

February 15th, 2018 Posted by Tips and motivation No Comment yet

There was once a little boy who was bored at the beach. He went for a walk along the shore and eventually came across a funny sail and board contraption. The lady whose windsurfing kit it was came over and explained to the little boy how it worked. She offered to teach him how to sail. Having nothing else to do the boy readily accepted.

After a few goes the boy was managing to uphaul the sail and glide back and forth. Turning was still a tad tricky but the lady explained practice makes perfect. Within a week the boy had gained much more confidence and his windsurfing skills were progressing rapidly.

nestor-macias

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