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28th June 09
THE ESSEX RIVIERA
A certain chum of mine by the name of White keeps banging on about how good Essex is for windsurfing, which I always took to mean that he couldn't be bothered to drive anywhere else.
Well I'm doing a sereis of articles about sailing with big kit and it so happened that teh forecast was perfect, 10-18 knots, in thatb part of teh worls. Although he now bats for the other side (BOARDS) Whitey agreed to do the pics. Oh what a say. For a start it was 80º. We kicked off cruising the turqoise waters of Brighlingsea on 8.5s.
White then got the nod that it was going off at Frinton (where) and by the afternoon we were maxed on 5.2s buffeted by a 25 knot side-shore nor'easter. And it was still warm.
I told him Essex need a better PR agent.
Check out the pics in next months WINDSURF
The windy, turqoise waters of Brightlingsea Essex
 
25th May - IRELAND RETURN
Just returned from a greta wave week in Kerry. The conditions? Well we said in waves on 4 out of the days which is always a bonus. South westerlies and a small swell at Kilkummin provided its usual classic 'dow-nthe-line' training ground. The Kerry team
The disappointment was that despite encouraging forecasts at the beginning of the week, the wind stayed in the 10-18 knot range, great for bogging' out and riding but not strong enough to lauch us into a jump and loop frenzy.
This was a bitter blow to amongst others, Mark Goodman, who has been worringly obsessive about the forward, to the point where his illustrious wife, the 'VETS in PRACTICE star Emma Milne, has threatened to leave him (jokingly we assume) unles he did it.
But despite that, the sun shone most days and, as is aways the case in Kerry, we had just a great time.
Great once again to be guests of Jamie Knox , the centre goes from strength to strength.
18th May - Greetings from KERRY
It's aways a good sign when the ferry
is cancelled due to high winds.I managed to get acros yesterday morning on the FAstcat from Fishguard to Rosslaire. Not for nothing is it known as the 'VOMIT COMET' There was still a meaty swell running and the place was like a field hispital - groaning, wretching bodies everywhere.
lMonday mornbing, the sun is shining, which is always a bonus in Kerry and we have a forecast for 20 knots SW this afternoon with a 2 metre swell - bring it on!
5th May 09
WIND GOD!
Sometimes this blog sounds like it's been written by some PR guru. Every course is windy and the people are great and eveyone had a marvellous time blah di bloody blah. Well just recently, it's been a bit like that - I don't kow if they've learned anything but the wind has been exceptional.
In DAHAB a week ago we were glad of a one day rest from the continuous 20-30 knot battering.
The week before that the WW loop course ran in a scorching 20 knot easterly.
The only problem was that the south coasters suddenly had to ljump on port tack which was a bit of a bummer - but hey!
Then for the last 2 days
at the Witterings we have enjoyed extraordinary conditions for the 2 day general skills course.
I can honestly say that Wednesday evening was one of the BEST coaching sessions in a long while.
At low tide the West Witt trench and a 20 knot southwesterly provided a gybatorium BETTER than Dahab's baby bay. The sun shone, there were no urchins - and the pub afterwards sold proper brown beer!
20th April 09
West Wittering Gybers
We had drizzly 5-10 knots from the chilly north west for the one day gybing course at WW last Friday. In the end it proved what we've known for years - that you often learn more in non-planing session, that you do hammerng up down alll day in the harness!
All those little glitsches that mess up the carve gybes, dodgy rig change, crooked body shape, can all be sorted out on a bog board in a zephyr.
Thank you Callum Chris Sarah Steph John and John for your enthusiasm in the wet!
21st April
JUICE BOARDSPORTS
For the second weekend in a row I had the considerable honour of being asked to open a new shop - a sign surely that windsurfing is on the up despite troubled times.
This week I was at the opposite end of the country in Huddersfeld in the delightful company of GRAHAM TURNER, far better known as 'GUMPY.'
Gump has opend a brand new shop in Huddersfield. He's one helllava wndsurfer himself - one of the new school pioneers - and lives and breathes the sport. His passion permetaes the new showroom. Unlike many dealers he carries A LOT of stock - esp Tush and Starboard - and has a bulging demo trailor.
All day the place was packed - you know it's going to do well.
10th April
NEW SHOP for West Country Watersports
WC watesports have expanded their empire by opening a second shop in Mylor. It's a gorgeous spot just up the Fal estuaryfrom Falmouth.
Co-owner Peter Stephens invited me down to run a day course and help declare the new shop officially open. They;re majoring in Starboard and Tush (funny that!). You have to drop in if ever you're anywhere near. The whole area perfect for just about any watersport.
18th Feb 2009. Filming in the DEEPS
It's the time of year when I traditionally head for the mountains. For the past 3 years I've been making a series of instructional DVDs called SKIING SKILLS. THis year the subject was deep snow skiing.
We headed for Europe's off piste capital - CHAMONIX in France.
 Harty up to his neck in it.
The gods blessed us as we ran into the best snow conditions for decades. Waist deep powder every day for a week and even bit of sun.
Ski filming sounds very exotic , 'great work if you can get it etc' but it's bloody hard work.We had to carry about 50 kg of camera kit around the mountail and usually have to climb miles to get the right shots. Also it was -20º on occasions which meant the camera batteries lasted about 5 minutes. Still - `I'm not complaining.
The program will be relased in October 09 ready for the next season.
21st Jan 09 - JERI - better that good!
Just back from Jereicoacoara. It was my first trip to the place and just one word comes to mind to describe it - " MARVELLOUS, SUPERB, AMAZING. OK, that's three but you get the idea. We planed every day apart from one and we had the best waves for learning you can imagine - waist to head high, peeling, clean but not destructive - AND a constant sideshore wind. EVERYONE on the course ended up ripping and we wont even mention the Caiprinias!
Thanks Steve Pat Phil Michele Mandy Al Hugh Elena and dave - you were the best.
 The Jeri team 09
5th Dec 'MAURICE' HEAVEN
Just back from Mauritius after another gorgeous jaunt to the isand that just seems to get better wth age!
For the purpose of windsurfing at all levels and relaxing in exquiste surroundings, there is no better place on planet earth.
We got off to a dodgy start with 4 windless days. It actually turned out to be a bonus as many learned to sail the waves off the plane. where you have to be lot cuter wth your trimming, tactics and wave selection. We also have some great surfs by boat on Little Reef.
Anyway then the wind returned and that was that. It's always the people who make or break a trip. and what a fabuous group they were. Thanks to all of you.
. The Manawa boys - Ali. Geert, Lawrence and Andy. Mauritius 2008
27th October
WIND BLESSES the DADS and LADS
The wind orgy continued in Dahab last week for the first 'Dads and Lads clinic - a week where windsufing parents and their windsurfing adolescent children learned the art together.
It had the potential to descend into a
mre of hormnoes, strops adnd grunts. As it happened the kids turned out to be marvellous, talented, well mannered and frustratingly quick learners.
By the third day everyone was sailingt on the gorgeous 'speedy' AND they all managed the the 8m upwind hike home - true progress.
12th October
GAELIC DREAMS
Two clinics both with 100% wind sounds pretty unlilely even in Maui - but that;s what we got in Donegal and Tiree over the past fortnight.
Not only that but we got waves which varied from the ideal to the rather big.
It all kicked off in Donegal where we shared our time mostly between the ever more famous waves of Maghoraorrty and the flat water training ground of Ballenasse. When on the Thursday the wind rose to 45 knots from the west, we had one of the wildest sessions ever at Carrick Finn.
Many thanks to Brendan and Joy Hone, our local organisers who surpassed themselves with the social program.
Tiree. It was alasys going to be hard to surpass the Tiree clinic of 07 when we were frequently joined by the PWA stars ... but I think we managed it. The conditions over 5 days, apart from the odd spot of rain, were ideal for wave training, offering up, sideshore, cross-offshore and cross onshore days and waves ranging from knee to mast high. We lost only one mast and EVERYONE kicked off down-the-line.
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25th Sept
GLORIOUS LESBOS
Just come back from checking out Neilsons beach Club Centre in Lesbos or LesVos as it's otherwise known.I've never heard tell of it before in windsurfing terms but it's got a great wind record in high summer and has a beautiful sailing area.
It was late in the season and we didn't luck out wit the breeze. However, it's one of those places where 'it's always a good day for something.' Over 6 days we swam, played tennis, mountain biked, played water-polo, table tennis, canoed, paddle-boarded and were even seen sailing a dinghy(although we don't like to talk about it.)
Great place for kids - check it out.
12th August
HURRICANE LOOPING!
Finally the wind came good for my looping clinic at West Wittering - and how! It peaked at 55 knots at lunchtime but did moderate to a gentle 30 knots by mid afternoon ( a mere force 7-8).
The team were amazing - by the 7 pm everyone crawled to the beach shattered but uninjured having ALL thrown themsleves over the handlebars in conbditions which can only be described as 'brutal.'
 Jo, Mikey, Mike, John and Simon - you're all bloody heros!
3rd July 2008
IN PRAISE of SUNSAIL
With planing wind on every day but one, the clinic at Sunsai's recently refurbished centre Javelin in Turkey, exceeded expectations.
I say 'exceeded' only because 'beach clubs' often try to be all thing to all people and so spread themselves a bit thin. But here the Starboard/Tush kit is brand new and true windsurfing enthusiasm pervades the place.
Windurfers with kids need look no further - twe took the sprog-ettes an the childcare was amazing.
I was also quite looking forwrd to a windless day so I could play some tenno, do some mountain biking, maybe even have a play on one of those dinghy things.
The one downside was the offshore wind - not because of the safety issue (there as a bout one safety board per person, but becasue it was a bit gusty inshore, which made kit sellection and getting back a tad tricky.
Those on the clinic, most of who m had brought kids, agreed it offered the perfect balnce between selfish fulfulment and quality family time.
8th May 08
TROPICAL KERRY
For the spring wave course, not only did te wind blow on 4 out of 5 days but ... and here is the wild thing ... the sun shone with unbridled vigour. Brandon Bay is one of my favourite places on earth even in the lashing rain; but when the translucent waves are bathed in sunlight, the place is beyond dreams.
The truly international crew including Filiipo (Italy), Gerry (USA), Steve (Yorkshire,), and Ed and Adam (ireland) were the very best company both on and of the water.
12th May 08
CLASSIC DAHAB
If I'd put in my ideal wind order to the gods before we left, it couldn't have been any better than this. Moderate to start building every day, apart from a day off in the middle just as people were reaching breaking point.
It was another great team - and happily not just blokes. Thank you Louise and Steph for adding much grace and poise.
Despite a growing number of centres, it wasn't over-busy. 'Baby Bay' has to be the best carving and trick arena in the world.
A return trip is planned for October
22nd April
CAP VERDE JOY
Just back from the first clinic of the year in Sal. We were unlucky wuth the waves but still planed on 5 out of 7 days .
A
few stayed on for a second week and got the real deal. Beautiful non-threatening riding and jumping waves, breaking round a point off the Angulo centre.
The team of 13 were an awesome band who sailed and drank themselves into a stupour most days.
Josh Angulo was a great host.
We'll be back!
18th March
HIGH SPEED filming
Not much of a blog is it when you get 2 months betweeen entries - sorry about that. Truth is I've been hard at it in the Alps making the next installemnt of our 'Skiing Skills' series - how to skii with style and flare. This time the topics were bumps and carving. We had a hellava team on board including Lesley Makenna - 4th in the world in half pipe.
Sean Langmuir at 1000 frames a second!
For the last five days we blagged the use of an extraordinary camera called 'THE PHANTOM'. There are only 4 in existance and it takes 1000 frames a second! (A normal film camera takes 25). The detail is just stunning. It normally hires out for £3000 a day - but we have connections (or was it blackmail?) and I hope to get to use it again for my next windsurfing production.
The big problem, of course, is that you see EVERY line and wrinkle. The program will be sponsored by botox.
LOOKING BACK at 2007...
2007 came and went incredibly quickly - which is strange since, thanks to 2 toddlers, I was up for most of it!
The highlights? On the windsurfing front - pretty much all of it. We had that great windy patch over Dec, Jan and Feb - and then again in July. Never have I sailed so much off my local beaches.
However, for many apparently it wasn't such a windy year. From my smug perspective I hadn't taken it that it was actually only windy during the week - not weekends - sorry.
The Tiree clinic in October was especially memorable as our group was joined in the Hynish Centre by Kauli Seadi and Josh Angulo who also asked to come sailing wth us. We grudgingly said 'yes'.
 The clinic plus Kauli
From that happy meeting, I'm now running a clinic with Josh out of his centre in the Cap Verdes this April (check the clinic page).
The crowning glory of 07 was a month in Mauritius. The 2 clinics were just awesome. The second one had 100% wind to the extent where we had to pinch ourselves to stop becoming complacent. When it's working, which seems to be most of the time, that place defies description.
 The Mauritius posse
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9th January 08
BACK HOME ...
I have to admit that it's taken a while for me to dip my toes back into UK waters. The December freeze has reduced the water here to a bracing 5º. My winter sailing rule is that the combined air and water temp has to be 18º or more. It's currently WELL short of that - still I gave it a go on Monday - it was OK until I fell in. The headache has only just gone.
I'm home for the next 2 months so I will be right into the winter sailing thing - just as soon as I get Mauritius out of my system.
Expect some startling images. Top Photographer Jon Nicolson (a conformed windy in between shooting Grand Prix and other major features) now has a 1200 Olympus lens. The shot below was taken about half a mile away of the outer Wittering banks!
 Outer West Wittering - photo by Jon Nicolson
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ARCHIVE - BLOG 2007
13th November
DOCS DELIGHT
Of all the professions that windsurf, it's doctors and dentists that seem to embrace the sport more than any others.
They also have a canny knack of integrating work and play. In November I traditionally look after 2 windsurfing doctors conferences in TARIFA. They do their lectures in the morning and evenings and then sail their boots off during the bit in between.
The first group were mostly opthamologists (eye docs) and the second radiologists. All are terrific company (what is it about doctors and fine wines). They were both rewarded with fabilous conditions - 13 out of 14 days of sun and 'levante' wind. Combine epic winds with the understated luxury of the HURRICANE HOTEL and you have the perfect holiday - er I mean 'work trip.!'
13th October
THE ISLANDS TOUR
3 weeks and 1700 miles later I return from a quite amazing clinic tour of the British Isles. Out of 24 days there were only 3 when we didn't sail. Here's the pick of the highlights.
Stop 1 Kerry. Highlight - down-the-line perfection at Gowlane. Not life threatening, just perfect. Everyone imprived. Was it them or the conditions? Who cares!
 'Dumps' sunny sideshore
Stop 2 Galway and the WOWIs (Windsurfing Women of West of Ireland)
Highlight? sailing with 15 gorgeous girls for a weekend wasn't so bad and, of course,
Sue Honan's fore-arming email: " It's one of the girl's birthdays on Saturday night, so brace yourself"
Thanks Morine et al for a special weekend.
Stop 3 Donegal
The conditions were as usual superb in this very special corner of the globe, as was the company and the amazing social calendar put togeher by Brendan Hone - thanks Brendan. The highlight - probably the music night with Percy, Richard and George in Muckin Muffins on Wednesday. Donegal - beauty on a huge scale
Stop 4 TIREE
It was a first - and what a first! We really lucked out
with conditions sailing every day, which is more than the PWA did.
Highlights - so many. Staying at the Hynish Centre to be joined at our dinner table by Kauli Seadi and Josh Stone. Even better the next day when Kauli said, 'can you wake me up tomorrow so I can come sailing with you?' The boys' gobs were well and truly smacked. Windsurfing trip[s didn't get any better!
The clinic Plus Kauli
12th Sept
CUTTING THE RIBBON
I was given the considerable honour yesterday of being asked to cut the ribbon and officially open Spray Watersports new centre in Eastbourne.
It is a fabulous cedar-clad building right on the shoreline and saw 3000 people pass through its doors in its first 3 months of business.
It's beena huge journey for its manager/director Peter who first sought permission for such a building 20 years ago, Finally thanks to the East Sussex CC and a bit of lottery funding, the dream has become a reality.
2nd September
ESSEX? It could have been Maui!
I did a clinic this weekend down in the wilds of Essex at a spot called Goldhanger. No I hadn't heard of it either. Ok it's tidal and a bit muddy but it' has a secluded private sailing club with grassy lawns and a beautiful open sailing area in the estuary.
What's more we had sun and 11-20 knots of sideshore wind. Perfect! Thanks to Mick West for organising that - it was a great day.
21st August 2007
INTERNET SILENCE
Due to holidays, buying a new house and signing up to a terrible internet provider (TALK TALK - if they offer you the packagae just say NO!) I've been offline for a while. However it's all go now.
The 'learn to loop' DVD is basically edited!! . What a relief!
I've got 3 weeks at home now before heading to Kerry to start the autum clinic fest. Check out the clinics page as there are a few spaces left.
-2nd July
Summer Winds
Well it's my birthday. Nothing to boast about. The age is a mystery. I feel somewhere between 20 and 60 depending on the time of day. I married a younger woman so I'll be all right!
 Anyway, I celebrated it with a day on the water. Whitey came down to take some pics for my next article, which is all about rail riding. That's normally something you do in a light summer breeze. We had 25 knots which gave the move a whole new meaning (planing railride?)
In the afternoon we had a classic session down at Joliffe Rd near the Witterings. It was just like the good old days. Julian Anderson, Julian da Val, Timo, Jamie Hancock all turned up. We had a wild session all trying to out-crash each other. By happy coincidence the Acrobat Film crew were down getting some final shots for the Learn to Loop Epic. All in all a great day and I have the bruised buttocks to prove it!
12th June
HAPPY BIRTHDAY(S)!
I don't normally believe in fate but I found out recently that my wife Annette and the sport of windsurfing, are almost exactly the same age.
On 21st May 1967 Jim Drake launched his first prototype "Skate' (the 'Windsurfer'
was though of a year later) down in St Barabara California. Then just three weeks later 'Netty' popped out some 3000 miles away on the east coast. Spooky eh?
Well both are 40 and both are in very good shape!
25th May
KERRY JOY
Just back from a glorious week in Kerry. Well it was all glorious apart from the trip over and back on the infamous'Vomit Comet' fast ferry from Fisguard. We timed the crossings perfectly with raging gales and ... well, I'll spare you the details.
We had swell every day, often huge, and enough wind to get out there on every day but one. May is a fab month in Ireland. It's still very quiet - often we had the whole 14 miles of Brandon Bay to ourselves - but it doesn't get dark until past 10pm.
Jamie Knox, ably assisted by Sam and Jeremy were amazing hosts to the group.
If you're looking for an off season break, check out Jamie's place. Honestly, it just gets better and better
10th May
THE WARMING PLANET
Had a very strange experience ten days ago. We had a run of easterlies. The temp shot up to 24º and I found myself going out on a 6.0 in a shorty in APRIL! I don't know what's going on with the weather but it all seems totally positive.
Normal south westerly service was restored this week. I've sailed the Witterings on 3 out of 4 days on the 80 Evo. We even had some rain which was caused a cheer. It's been so dry I haven't cut the grass yet this year.
22nd Apri
DAHAB CLINIC - THE FINAL FLOURISH
Classic Dahab Red Sea conditions kicked in for the last 2 days of the clinic. With late flights we milked it to the bitter end crawling off the water at 4pm after a dreamy 5.5 session on the 'Speedy'.
It was a great week and thanks to Graham Louise Richard Adrian Simon Joze Andea Liesbeth Nick David John and Jjeerd for their unending enthusiasm on the water and in the bar! 
The 07 team - shaken but unstirred
17th April
WELCOME from DAHAB
I've been in Dahab for 3 days. After 2 stangely joyous light wind days where we heli-tacked, flare gybed and freestyled for Britain, the wind kicked in at 25-30 knots today. Its arrival coincided with that of the 30 new boards at the Mistral centre. There are many reasons to be cheerful. Club Mistral happy hour
We have a truly international clinic here. The group includes 2 Dutch, a Kiwi, a Scot, a Swiss, 2 Essex girls and 2 Lebanese. We can thank the Kiwii (Simon Hodgson) for the wind, as he instigated a l Tequilla shots session which carried on into the early hours of this morning. Sacrifices had to to be made!
5th April 07
(Trade gossip)
A VERY STRANGE MARRIAGE!
I nearly choked on my Turkey Twizzler when I got a press release stating that Dave White and Graeme Fuller were joining forces to import Tabou and Gaastra!
Harty and Whitey
This is like Bin laden and George Bush being found in bed together. You see there was an era when Graeme imported Mistral and Dave imported F2 - and lets say the rivalry did, at times, get a little heated. At one Boatshow I had them both by the throat to hold them apart as they snarled and clawed at each other like a couple of Pit Bulls.
The strange thing this is that underneath the growling and spitting, I always suspected that despite an 80kg weight difference, they came out of a similar mould
and actually quite like each other. What is certain is that they share an undying passion for windsurfing. Good luck to them!
27th March 07
HAYLING ISLAND SLALOM
I checked out the first round of the Tushinghamsponsored UK slalom series down at Hayling Island last weekend. The only thing that put me off was the northerly wind. Now I love slalom but somehow it stops being fun when you can't feel your fingers. But it was a good event - especially the Masterblasters (straight out and back in) which gives everyone a chance to get involved. The next round is down at Marazion Cornwall at Easter. Give it a go!
22nd March 07
DVDS and CLINICS
I'm really busy at the moment - I'm not trying to sound high flying and successful. I'm busy because it takes me twice as long to do things these days, thanks mainly to the joyful interruptions of 2 toddlers. 
I'm desperately trying to get our Learn to Loop DVD out for the spring. (All ten thousand of you who've been emailing me asking where it is, I promise it's not far off.) And I've a flurry of clinics coming up from. I've got looping and gybing at the Witterings followed by a general skills week in Egypt. If you finish a last minute dash, check out the clinics page.
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(WINDSURFING) is written, edited, bound and on the shelves. With 176 pages, 13 chapters and 250 images it covers the lot from the rawest beginnings right up to freestyle and waves.
The Fatface rally at Hayling Island last September was the best event EVER. The sight of our top pros 'competing in 30 knots of wind at NIGHT and still managing to loop and Spock their way round the SuperX course IN THE DARK, will never be forgotten. Fatface have produced an awesome DVD on the whole night series. Check out the promo by clicking on 
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