Team riders. Supported athletes. Sponsored sailors. Whatever you want to call them there are a lot about. But what does it mean being labelled as such? In layman’s terms a team rider is somebody – man or woman, girl or boy – who is proactive and enthusiastic about a brand’s products or services. So much so that they’re happy to shout about these from the rooftops. And it’s never been easier with social media such a ‘thing’ these days. Insta pics, Facebook posts and tweets (to name a few) are poised to deliver a team rider’s sponsor message to the masses. Even better is if said team rider has a healthy following.

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If you’ve been keeping an eye on Withcraft’s website and social media streams you may have noticed an increase in articles coming your way of late. We do appreciate that many of you are busy, however, and therefore may have missed some of these. So, nice types we are, here’s a roundup of the past few months’ stories. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the blog for further updates moving forwards.

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As great a sport as windsurfing is we appreciate it’s sometimes hard to keep the stoke and motivation going. If you’ve had a bad run of sessions, where conditions didn’t quiet line up, or you’ve been off the water for a period and the juice has stopped flowing then motivation is hard to come by.

With this in mind here are some tips that’ll help you find your mojo and get back in the windsurfing groove.

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There’s a lot of talk surrounding the term ‘style’ when windsurfing’s discussed. But what is style exactly and what makes a rider’s style good or bad? And what makes a stylish windsurfer legendary?

Tricky points to discuss as ultimately style, and the legendary status of which, is down to opinion. Opinions, as we all know, differ from individual to individual. A panel of judges may not agree 100% and likewise you reading this may not agree with comments in this article. So, subjectivity makes the topic of style a quagmire to navigate. Yet we’re going to suggest the following regardless.

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As an aspiring windsurfer you’ll probably have been fixated upon the usual goals of:

Turning (tacking, gybing)

Harness and footstraps

Carve gybes

Chop hops

The above skills are definitely ones to master but then what? Of course there are wave moves – big jumps and tweaked airs – but for many the upside down inverted area of windsurfing isn’t appealing. At least, not yet. With that in mind here are a few flat water moves (some would say old school freestyle) to master as you build up confidence to the more aerial inspired trickery.

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For many windsurfers craving ballistic winds and the biggest waves it’s winter that offers up these kinds of conditions. Summer may be sea breeze central, where everyman sailors can get a fix, but the off season is when those possessing the skills love to test their mettle – and not just pros either.

For full power winter weather specific kit will be needed. Smaller boards and rigs utilised with control in mind, as much as anything else, may have been lying dormant the past few months. Now’s the time to dust it down and prep everything so you’re ready.

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Witchcraft Windsurfing’s founder, owner and shaper Bouke Becker gets put in the hot seat for this Q&A. Want to find out more about the Fuerteventura based windsurfing brand? Then read on…

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When windsurfers discovered the benefits of footsraps back in the 80s the door was literally broken down for all manner of aerial shenanigans, as well as more locked in feels that would benefit those who love a cranking carve.

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What’s not to love about a windsurf trip? Warm water, sunny weather with wind and waves in abundance (fingers crossed). But where to head? Here we run down a bunch of hot windsurfing destinations – some long standing, some new – to help guide you on your way to getting gone.

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Do you remember the first time you slotted feet into footstraps, felt your board lift and accelerate and before long were skimming across the water’s surface, grinning from ear to ear? It’s the very reason we’re all addicted to windsurfing and why we still keep coming back for more.

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