CORNWALL: CORNISH CRACKER

John Carter, Timo Mullen and Ross Williams headed down to Cornwall to chase a solid swell. As you might expect, things didn’t go quite as planned, but they did score some epic UK conditions!

PHOTOS – John Carter // 

WORDS –

John Carter, Timo Mullen and Ross Williams

John Carter – “I was checking through a Windsurf Magazine article about Marcilio Browne the afternoon before we left for this Cornwall mission. The way he approached his whole year on the PWA world tour was to leave no stone unturned in his bid to win the world title.

He was prepared in every way possible. If he didn’t win, then at least he could say he had done everything in his power to do his absolute best. He had trained in every possible condition, he was in top physical shape and his equipment was tuned and ready. The rest is history, and he is now PWA wave champion for the second time.

So with Marcilio’s ethos fresh in my mind, I decided to follow his mantra and be totally prepared for this forecast and make sure all of my camera equipment was cleaned, checked, charged and ready. Gear wise, I had packed everything aside from the kitchen sink. As for my peak physical fitness, well that would have to wait for another mission. I even took my tripod apart and got rid of all that old grime and salt that had built up over the season.

I was bringing a bag dedicated to waterproof clothing, wetsuits and my water housing, as well as my big lens bag, drone, clothes bag, tripod and my main camera bag, which had all the essentials such as memory cards, spare batteries, camera bodies, lenses, cables and chargers.

The forecast was really tasty, with two days of solid wind and waves on the menu. An ex-hurricane had moved into the Atlantic and merged with another storm that had formed off the coast of Canada. This low pressure had the intensity of a mid-winter storm and promised two days of XXL waves from Ireland all the way down to Nazaré and beyond.

With southwest winds predicted in Cornwall and Timo and Ross both hungry to score some action from the predicted 5-metre swell, we planned a good old-fashioned strike mission to score some classic Gwithian and Hayle conditions.

Night mission

Once done cleaning and checking my camera gear, I stacked all my bags in a neat pile in our front room so I would be ready when Ross picked me up at 1 a.m., to catch the 2 a.m. ferry. I was more than ready, just like Brawzinho with two 4.2m sails rigged and two 89-litre quads on the beach in Sylt! Then the plan was to drive four hours straight to Cornwall so we would be at the beach ready for first light. If you know Ross, he does not mince around and always like to be ready at the crack of dawn, just in case the conditions are best. The only light in our front room has not worked for seven years now due to a faulty switch, so when I saw Ross’s headlights outside in the dark at 1 a.m., I was scrabbling around for my bags using the torch on my iPhone. Unbeknown to me my son had moved some of my neatly stacked bags, so he could set up a cosy seating position in front of his Xbox.

Ross’s van had broken down on the way back from a recent trip to Scotland, so he was trying to cram as much gear as possible into his wife’s car. We loaded up in the dark in the muddy lane outside my house in the pouring rain. It was miserable and cold. I just about managed to squeeze my bags in the back amongst a plethora of windsurf, wing and foil gear and was glad to escape the miserable rain. I was relegated to sit in the back seat as all the boards, masts and sails were inside. It wasn’t going to be the most comfortable journey, but we were both so excited to get to Cornwall and see this massive swell, that the comfort level didn’t really matter.

It wasn’t until we were about halfway to Cornwall at about 4 a.m., way beyond the point of no return, that I suddenly had one of those horrible gut feelings. Despite loading four or five bags of equipment into the car, it suddenly dawned on me that one vital bag was missing. The thought just came to me from nowhere a bit like when you have lost something for ages, and then out of the blue it comes to you.

Panic

Ross was happily driving, totally unaware of my sudden state of panic. I like to think of myself as a little bit professional at least, and this time round I had actually taken extra care to be totally prepared for this trip. But the one bag that was back at home, that my beloved son had moved to the corner of my front room, contained all my batteries, spare lenses, memory cards and chargers…basically every essential item that I needed for this trip. I had my big lens with me I knew that at least, but wasn’t even sure if I had a memory card or battery in the camera.

I also had an old camera which fits in my water housing with a lens, so maybe there was a glimmer of hope there. So, before I broke the news to Ross that he was bringing along a photographer without any gear, I spent ten minutes trying to reach into the boot of the car to see how bad the damage was. Luckily the camera on my big lens had a memory card and a battery, so at least I could shoot for the day. That was a relief, but I was still cursing myself. I broke the news to Ross, who didn’t seem too impressed.

So, the next few hours were spent in a panic, figuring out how I could charge my one battery and possibly acquire another memory card. So much for my Marcilio Browne philosophy! My wife has been nagging at me for seven years to get that light switch fixed and if I had listened, I’d probably have spotted the bag. I was angry with myself, but now had a new challenge to capture the next two days with minimal equipment.

The plan was to meet Timo in the morning at the Bluff to catch the incoming tide. We were staying overnight, sailing all the next day and then would head home once the action was done and dusted. All of us had had a busy year one way or another, so we were looking forward to a lad’s trip, some good old banter, a few beers and of course experiencing what Mother Nature was going to throw our way. Windsurf trips at the end of the day should be all about having fun, so I decided even though it had started badly, I wasn’t going to make this minor hindrance ruin things completely.

The Bluff

Regardless of the forecast for Cornwall in the winter, you have to be prepared for anything. It was supposed to be 30 knots in the morning and lo and behold it was totally calm. In fact, there was absolutely perfect surf without a breath of wind. The waves were pumping.  Of course we didn’t have room for surfboards so were watching the locals score with envy. But then at the click of a finger, that window of pristine surf passed, and the wind kicked in. As luck would have it, there was a German photographer in the car park who very kindly offered to lend me a battery. Things were looking up.

Timo arrived right on cue with the clearing skies and wind. Big long period swells are hard to predict and although it was pumping swell it was not massive. Even so it was a pretty day with blue skies, logo high waves and 20 knots side-offshore wind. My one battery even lasted, and I had figured a way to charge it inside the camera without the charger. Low tide at the Bluff can be heavy as the waves detonate onto the sandbars; the surfers love it because the wave barrels, but for windsurfing, any mistimed hit can be a gear breaker. By late afternoon the tide was right up at the Bluff and most of the local crew were also out sailing. The swell was really starting to fire by now and both Ross and Timo were hitting some heavy sections.

The boys had clocked up a good four or five hours on the water by sunset, so we decided to call it a day and go and grab a beer with Ian Black. That first sip of beer tasted mighty fine, I must say, and we had a good hour or so of classic windsurfing banter before heading into St Ives for some much-needed food.  We hit a great bar called ‘Hub’ right on the waterfront and devoured some tacos, once again washed down with a lovely Cornish ale. All in all, it had been a pretty epic day and we still had bigger waves forecast for the next morning. So far, this trip had been just what the doctor ordered!

Mexico’s

The second day was a different story. The swell had properly kicked in, but the weather had turned for the worse with cloudy skies and a light drizzle. We opted to sail at Mexico’s (Mexico Towans), where the waves were a bit smaller but a lot cleaner than Gwithian.  Ross was first on the water and with the waves hitting the sandbars at low tide it was super heavy. The first wave he dropped into a pit and then as he hit the lip the wave sucked out, causing him to air-drop in front of a bone-crunching mast-high wall of whitewater. On the way back out in the gusty conditions, Ross tried to creep over a breaking wave, but was a split-second too late, sending his body back over the falls, while his rig flew riderless, thirty feet in the air.

It was carnage out there. Timo was not far behind and ready to face the deluge. The wind was stronger today, with the spray pluming high into the sky on the big sets. Once again it was an action-packed day of big airs, late hits and monster wipeouts. Timo somehow manged to slice his foot on his fin during an early wipeout. The conditions were so good that he decided to sail on for two hours, despite blood pouring from the wound, which later needed ten stitches! Both Ross and Timo sailed right through the tide and scored plenty of epic rides. That walk back up the hill at Mexico’s was a test of stamina, but we made it to the top and rather than beer, we had a lovely coffee and cake from the café in the car park!”

Timo Mullen

“Pre-family, work commitments and all that, myself, Ross and JC all used to do more trips together. These days, especially after Covid, it is really hard to link up our schedules so that we are all available to go on a trip at the same time. I know Ross has been busy with his café all year-round, as well as his work with Gaastra and Tabou.

He also lives on the Isle of Wight, along with JC, which is a bit of barrier for travelling. We love sailing the Bluff in Cornwall and this swell in particular had the Bluff written all over it. It was the first proper winter swell of the season. I always enjoy sailing the Bluff with Ross because he is not afraid to hit those low tide spanking barrels! We managed to all hook up and convoy down to Cornwall together and scored pretty epic conditions.

After the days sailing, we headed to St Ives to have a few beers and go over the days sailing. We probably have not done this in five or six years. On the second day, the swell had picked up a little bit more. We checked Gwithian but it looked a bit weird to me, so we went down to Mexico’s where it was a bit smaller, but a lot cleaner.

I did not feel any of the waves at Gwithian were ‘hittable’, and for me, it is all about hitting the lip there. Mexico’s is a bit of a one-hit wonder, but that hit can be very decent. It was not busy at all, which is pretty rare these days. We sailed for three and a half hours in perfect cross-off conditions and a great size, just under mast high.

Sliced

Early in the session, I got stuck on the inside and tried to push my gear over the wave. It was just too big a wave unfortunately though and spat the gear straight back at me. I tried to duck under my gear to avoid it hitting me, but the fins just sliced my foot open as the gear went past. I didn’t think anything of it, but the fins had actually sliced my foot open.

The water was cold, my adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t feel much pain until I looked down and saw bold gushing out of the cut. I managed to sail another few hours as I knew there was not much I could do about it. I ended up in hospital that evening and had fourteen stitches! That was an injury to remember the day by!”

Ross Williams

“I had not seen Timo in years. I have been stuck at home grinding out a new lifestyle for myself with our café. It is always a pleasure to go down and sail in Cornwall and it did not disappoint. It was nice to get on the tools again and clock up a solid few sessions. The first day was pretty decent, but the next morning we scored amazing conditions. The second day was almost too good for the limited amount of sailing I had done up to that point in the winter. I was on the new 2023 GA IQ wave sail and the 2023 Tabou Da Curve 88-litre board. That worked out perfect, as they were the only new board and sail I had at the time!

Carter forgot most of his camera equipment, so we were down to shooting with one camera, one battery and one memory card. Somehow he made it work. He had to adapt. You would think that he would be more prepared!

The second morning was intense. I wished we had been there a little earlier. It was sucking and heavy. It was almost intimidating to get back into the swing of things after going from mushy waves at home to sailing a logo-high barrelling beach break. That took a bit of adjustment. I had to figure out how to hit those lips.

I soon found out that the more you hold back, then the more likely it is that you will get your timing wrong. It is better just to go for it and smack the lip. It is sand after all, and you get washed in, so it is no big deal!”

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THOMAS TRAVERSA: LA RÉUNION 2022

Check out this awesome video of Thomas Traversa riding incredible waves in La Réunion island!

Video : Armand Daydé

Drone : Matthieu Demachy

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THE WINDSURF PROJECT: CAPE VERDE

The Windsurf Project crew have just released this stunning new edit of some epic big wave sessions from Cape Verde last winter!

“Last winter saw a perfect swell heading for Cabo Verde. Being a place known for longer, more perfect rides over big waves, the swell that arrived produced some of the biggest waves in years. All the forecasts under predicted what arrived and we were lucky to be in the right place at the right time to score what was a perfect trip. We were joined by Kai Katchadourian who lives for these sessions.”

If you want to enjoy these and want to support the windsurf project please visit https://www.monetree.com/thewindsurfp…

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ROSS WILLIAMS: ROSS SKILLS 

In the first of a two-parter, Ross Williams, gives us the benefit of his extensive knowledge on wavesailing, starting with some tips on quivers, getting out and bottom turns.

Words: Ross Williams // Photos: John Carter

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QUIVER

Since I stopped competing, my aim has been to use less equipment. I want to carry less in my van, store less at home, and travel with less if I go away. I have basically narrowed my quiver down to four sails and two boards. The biggest sail in my quiver is a 5.2 for light winds. After that I drop down to a 4.8, which is the traditional drop down size in mid-range wave sails, and my final sails are a 4.4 and a 4.0 for the small sizes. Those four sails can pretty much cover me for everything. I can hang onto a 4.0 in a lot of wind, and be very efficient on a 5.2 in light winds.

As for boards, I definitely think that going slightly bigger volume than your bodyweight is ideal as your ‘big’ wave board, so you can float with it when required. Then for my second board, I would go for something that is 3-5 litres less than my bodyweight as a strong wind board. I find that a good balance as a two-board quiver. I weigh around 85 kg, so I would take an 88 litre as my biggest board to float me and that also won’t be too small a board for a 5.2 sail. A 95 kg guy could for instance go with a bigger size sail like a 5.6 or 5.7 and then have a 98-100 litre board for lighter winds.

For my smaller board I go with an 80 or 82 litre. There are no fixed rules, but for me having the big board three to five litres more than my weight and the small board around the same amount below my weight works. I would say with those four sails and two board sizes, you would have a well-rounded quiver for ninety per cent of the days you wave sail. There will always be the odd day that you might need something smaller or bigger, but when you way up the pros and cons of your quiver size, this set of gear should serve you well.

CHECKING

I will definitely sit for a while and check the conditions, even if it is a spot that I sail regularly. No two days are exactly the same. It is worth checking what the tide is doing and what the wind and waves are forecast to do. Also look upwind and check out what is coming. You can often see dark clouds looming, which can spell a change in the weather. Chat to other sailors and find out what they are using and that way you don’t end up taking the wrong gear out and spoiling your session.

GETTING OUT

When you are working your way out, if there is a huge wall of whitewater coming towards you, I would advise to gybe, come back in and then wait for the right moment to sail out between sets. Only the very top guys will try and climb over a logo or mast-high wall of whitewater and actually succeed. Nothing is worse than getting munched before your first wave and being in the impact zone with a load of broken gear. If you have a bit of patience, you can pick your moment and make it out the back without having to take any risks.

If you are going to go up and over whitewater, then I would always try to bear off just before and have my feet out of the straps, with my front foot behind the mast track. You kind of want to ‘ollie’ up to the whitewater. If you are not planing, you just need to try and get your nose up as much as you can. So I kind of bear off and flick my way up the whitewater. Then try and balance my way over the turbulence. There is a massive advantage if you can pull this off, but climbing over broken waves comes with risks attached. There could be an even bigger wave behind that one, and if you do make it over the first wave, you could be in a more dangerous place than if you had just gybed and waited for your moment.

WAVE SELECTION

I usually take one of the last waves in the set, depending on how I see the wave lining up out the back. Obviously this is where watching the conditions when you arrive at the beach pays off. If you check a few sets before you hit the water, you can ascertain which waves are the best in the set. Quite often the first wave is moving all the water off the reef and helps suck the water out, so the second or third set wave is cleaner. If you are a novice, ideally you don’t want to be talking the first wave in a set, just because if something goes wrong, then you are in the impact zone with a whole set of waves about to pound you. If it is not a sandy location, you could end up losing your gear and going on the rocks. If it is a place of consequence, then taking one of the last waves in the set can be the wise option.

BOTTOM TURN

The bottom turn is going to set you up for your top turn, so you need to think ahead about how the wave is going to break further down the line. Where you bottom turn is where you want to generate your speed, so you can carry it through the top turn and make that cutback more dynamic. In a way, the bottom turn is the most important part of riding a wave. You might be sailing a location that is breaking in a similar place on every wave, so you can line up with a landmark on the beach, knowing that is the place where you want to bottom turn. Sometimes you want to wait for the wave to almost start breaking so you bottom turn around the first section. In that bottom turn, I am engaging the power in the sail and looking ahead to where I am going. Your head is initiating what the rest of your body does. You look to the bottom of the wave because that is where you are going to be, then when you are in your bottom turn, you look up to where you are going to hit the wave. Your body follows what your head is dictating. This is a fluid motion all the way down to your legs, and to your feet and the actual turning of the board. So lead with your head, and your shoulders, hips, knees and foot pressure should guide you through in a fluid motion. That should continue through your ride, so that your head is always one step ahead of the actual transition that you are doing.

Bottom turns are a bit like when you are gybing you need to slide your back hand further down the boom as you are engaging, so you can adjust your angle or tighten up a turn. That way it becomes easier to sheet in the power and engage the rail. Once you have pulled in the power, you are able to push harder on your feet, to tighten up the turn. If you want to tighten your turn and also engage power and speed, then sheeting in will increase the power in the sail, which allows you to rail the board over because it is going faster. That allows you to put more foot pressure on, because you are focusing all the power that comes from sheeting in the sail, through your body, through your legs, and out through the turn.

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GA MATRIX 7.2 2023 TEST REVIEW

The Verdict

The Matrix is a versatile performer, providing all-round performance in all conditions. With its user-friendly feel, the Matrix does not compromise speed or useability, giving riders the opportunity for long sessions and fast drag races.

The Lowdown

Designed with pure performance and maximum speed in mind, the Matrix is said to “combine the locked-in racing feeling with ease of use”. The sail’s outline is based on slalom sails, with a small sail head and refined batten positioning. Additionally, a newly introduced one-piece mast sleeve decreases the overall weight of the sail and aims to improve its stretch characteristics. The Matrix also boasts an impressive array of features, including a moderate tension profile that leads to perfect trim and makes rigging extremely convenient. A cross batten concept where the central batten in the window panel sits above the clew at the rear but below the boom cutout at the front, aims to improve the stability of the sail. C-film is also used in the sail to ensure its colour is maintained throughout its lifetime, a great feature for those looking to make their sail last a number of seasons. Additionally, the X-Ply used in the sail is lighter and stronger than in previous iterations.

Other features of the Matrix include a Dacron panel next to the mast sleeve that allows the sail to power up smoothly and integrated batten technology for maximised stability, while the refined clew patch ensures maximum durability. Produced in a blue and a red colourway, the Matrix is available in six sizes from 5.7 to 8.4.

Brand Claim

“There is no need for cambers, when you’re aiming for pure performance and maximum speed – the Matrix combines a locked-in racing feeling with ease of use.”

Performance

One of the standout features of the Matrix is its speed. This sail is fast, and the power is delivered quickly but smoothly, making it a go-to for those who like to race their mates or want to push themselves to go faster without the fear of being wrestled by the rig. The sail has a very useable drive that is positioned forwards in the rig, helping translate every bit of pressure into forward acceleration.

Another impressive aspect of the Matrix is its performance throughout the gybes. The sail possesses exceptional drive throughout the turn, and once set in position well, it is steadfast, allowing the rider to turn their focus to their feet. Through the midpoint, the rig rotates smoothly before gradually powering up on the exit.

Despite its speed and performance, the GA Matrix is also easy to sail relaxed, allowing the rider to choose whether to put the foot down or sit back and become a little more passive. A welcome asset for those looking to extend their sessions. The sail also has top-end stability, allowing riders to maintain composure and control even in stronger winds. Additionally, it works well with a range of boards due to its all-round ability, whether it’s a sharp-railed race board looking to be driven or a cruisier, more freeride-orientated board. Finally, the GA Matrix offers lots of tuning range, so you can adjust it to suit the conditions you are sailing in. Overall, the GA Matrix is a versatile performer that can deliver speed, power, and control in a variety of conditions.

www.ga-windsurfing.com

Matrix – Ga Windsurfing (ga-windsurfing.com)

GA MATRIX 7.2 2023 TEST REVIEW

Specs

Price: £839.00

Size: 7.2m

Luff: 474 cm

Boom: 200 cm

Battens: 7

Ideal Mast: GA SDM C100 460

Available sizes: 5.7, 6.2, 6.7, 7.2, 7.7, 8.4.

OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST

Duotone E_PACE 6.6

Goya Mark 7.2

Gunsails Rapid 7.2

Loftsails Oxygen HD 7.0

North X-Over 6.7

Patrik Ride FR 6.8

Point-7 AC-X 7.0

Severne NCX 7.0

Simmer V Max 7.2

RRD Fire Y27 6.8

BACK TO TEST OVERVIEW

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GA COSMIC 8.3 2023 TEST REVIEW

The Verdict

The Cosmic is a freeride sail that provides power and speed and promises a smooth, stable ride. Its performance-oriented design and user-friendly handling make it an exceptional choice for windsurfers seeking to elevate their session without the demands typically associated with high-performance sails.

The Lowdown

On first glance, you are immediately drawn to the Cosmic’s race-inspired outline, complete with a broad sail foot and unbroken luff panels. Beneath the surface, seven battens are paired with two small, seamless rotating cams. At the heart of the sail is the Cross Batten Concept. This structure is further reinforced by the Continuous Luff Panels that assure efficient load distribution, while the Dacron Luff Panel next to the mast sleeve guarantees a smooth power-up. A compact window design reduces unnecessary seams and potential interferences with other materials.

Rigging the Cosmic is a breeze thanks to the moderate tension profile. The Cosmic flaunts an impressive 4 Mil X-Ply fabric, revered for its superior strength and reduced weight. Moreover, it showcases GA’s advances in film technology with its C-Film. Which, GA say, leads to remarkably vibrant and enduring colours that stay fresh regardless of wear and tear. Finally, a reinforced double seam through the windows ensures durable performance in critical areas.

Brand Claim

“The Cosmic combines the low-end power and performance of a cambered sail with the user-friendliness and comfort in gybes, usually only no-cam designs can provide.”

Performance

This sail’s hallmark feature is its ability to generate power smoothly, a quality that is appreciated by novices and veterans alike, as it allows for easy direction control and responsive handling.

The Cosmic wastes no time getting onto the plane. Its speed picks up gradually, a gradual crescendo of controlled pace. The deep profile of the sail plays a key role here, providing a comforting sense of stability as the sail accelerates and starts to show off its true potential.

Once at cruising speed, the Cosmic offers a secure feel that you can comfortably sit into. This feeling of security, coupled with the sail’s powerful drive, enables the rider to maintain a high level of control even in demanding conditions. In terms of wind and chop handling, the Cosmic stands out. The synergy between the sail and mast is impressive, deftly absorbing any wind undulations and messy chop, ensuring a steady and unflustered ride throughout.

The Cosmic isn’t just about straight-line speed however. It displays impeccable manners through the gybe. The sail prefers to be positioned forwards early, maintaining strong forward drive, and its two smoothly rotating small cams come into play here, keeping the sail balanced and manageable.

Exiting the gybe is where the Cosmic’s performance truly shines. The cams rotate gradually, avoiding sudden power shifts and allowing the rider to get settled for the exit. This smooth, controlled rotation ensures a seamless transition, keeping the ride smooth and maintaining the pace.

WEBSITE: ga-windsurfing.com

GA COSMIC 8.3 2023 TEST REVIEW

Vital Stats

Price: £919.00

Size: 8.3 m

Luff: 499 cm

Boom: 217 cm

Battens: 7

Cams: 2

Ideal Mast: Gaastra 490 cm SDM

Available Sizes: 6.2, 6.7, 7.2, 7.7, 8.3, 9.0.

OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST: 

Duotone S_Pace 8.3

Goya Mark 2 8.5

Gunsails Vector 8.6

Loftsails Switchblade HD 8.5

North Free Race 8.6

Point-7 AC-Z 8.5

Simmer S-Max 8.5

BACK TO TEST OVERVIEW

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GA POISON 5.2 2023 TEST REVIEW

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The Verdict

An extremely versatile wing that has impressive balance. The GA Poison is an accessible wing that also performs at a high level.

The Lowdown

The wealth of innovative elements of the GA Poison includes a brand-new swappable handle system. This design lets you seamlessly transition from the rigid handles that come with the Poison to softer handles using the same mount.

A drastically slanted strut design delivers superior command and direct manipulation while ensuring a comfortable arm position in all scenarios.

An improved panel arrangement, heightened leading edge (LE) rigidity, and augmented tension in the canopy ensure a precise and nimble feel.

The inclusion of novel high-end materials like the newly fashioned triple ripstop canopy and the remarkably firm and sturdy DKC Dacron contribute to this achievement.

With the Poison’s extraordinarily neutral flight when released, its wave riding potential and convenience are elevated. This is aided by the strategically located neoprene protectors beneath the handle and its featherlight construction.

For those seeking top-tier performance in a wide variety of conditions, the Poison is the ultimate selection, offering exceptional control.

Brand Claim

“Experience new levels of wave and freestyle performance with the 2023 Poison’s unmatched speed, control and handling characteristics.”

Performance

Starting off, the new leash is sleeker than its predecessor and incredibly easy to attach, streamlining your preparation time and getting you onto the water faster. To further optimise the user experience, the Poison also introduces a novel inflator that is very intuitive and easy to use.

One of the Poison’s distinctive characteristics is the comfortable fit of its handles. The positioning feels just right, especially for the back hand, translating into a good amount of usable power for the rider. This wing truly becomes a powerhouse in light winds, offering strong, reliable performance.

In turns, the Poison maintains its balance remarkably well, helping to ensure smooth transitions and confident manoeuvres. It has an impressive range that adapts to various wind conditions, making it a versatile choice for riders of all levels. Sailing upwind with the Poison is a delight. It feels free and avoids any stalling sensations, allowing for a more enjoyable, less restricted ride. This wing isn’t just about performance; it’s also about accessibility. Its ease of use and adaptability to various conditions make the Poison an excellent choice for those seeking an all-around, dependable wing. From setup to performance, the Poison promises a seamless and thrilling wing-foiling experience.

WEBSITE: www.ga-foils.com

GA POISON 5.2 2023 TEST REVIEW

Vital Stats

Price: £879.00

Size: 5.2

Canopy Style: Medium-tight

Recommended PSI: 7/8

Centre Strut Inflation: Double SUP valve

Handles: 2

Harness-line fixings: Yes

Supplied with: Bag, leash.

Available Sizes: 2.8, 3.5, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2.

OTHER WINGS IN THIS TEST

AFS DIAMOND 5.0

AZTRON AIM 5.0

DUOTONE SLICK 5.0

ENSIS SCORE 5.2

FREEWING AIR V3 5.0

KT AIR DIRECT DRIVE 5.0

NAISH ADX 5.0

NP FLY 5.0

OZONE FLUX 5.0

SIC MAUI RAPTOR V3 5.0

SLINGSHOT JAVELIN 5.0

SIMMER UFO 5.0

BACK TO TEST OVERVIEW

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ROSS WILLIAMS: ROSS TIPS

Following on from last month’s teachings, Isle of Wight wave wizard, Ross Williams, gives some top tips to help improve your turns and air game!

Words: Ross Williams // Photos: John Carter.

How well you have executed your bottom turn and your timing will often decide what kind of manoeuvre you can do at the top of the wave. Maybe you’ll be hitting a closeout section, boosting an aerial or simply carving a cutback before you set yourself up for the next bottom turn.

Because you are leading with your head, you are able to see within that bottom turn what you should be planning to do when you hit the lip. I normally try to find the most radical part of the wave, especially when I am free sailing. In a competition, you need to rack up a few points rather than just one manoeuvre so you make the most of the whole ride to achieve the highest score that you can. But you still have to be as dynamic as possible. The bottom turn basically dictates what you are able to do on the wave and is a critical element of wave sailing to master.

Aerials

If there is no other option than to do an aerial, I would just say don’t hold back and go for it. Hold on to your boom, because if you do get your timing wrong and you are too late, the last thing you want is to not be able to get your feet out of the straps. Hold onto the boom so you are still connected to your equipment. If you have a bad wipeout, once your feet are out of the straps, then you can let go of the boom. I always try to hang on to the boom and it is always the last thing I will disconnect from if I do wipe out.

I love aerials as well as wave riding. Probably in a contest some sort of big air will look more dynamic and be considered more as the move of the day. In a side-shore crumbly wave you are going to be looking to do more powerful top turns than big airs, whereas if it is cross-offshore with a big hollow bowling lip in front of you, then the air might be your only option. For cross-shore you are looking at more fins out and power carves when you hit the lip, rather than concentrating on your timing for airs. Guys like Josh Angulo are power sailors. He still does great manoeuvres. Where he sails, you need to boost huge aerials to make the sections so you can also throw down some turns. If you don’t throw an air at breaks like Ponta Preta when you are too deep then you are going to end up coming in on the rocks.

Top turns

For a decent top turn I like to engage the fins and the rails. Brawzinho to me has the best top turn in the business. He just possesses such good timing and has such a powerful style. He puts his board on the rails from the start to the finish of the turn. He comes all the way round and finishes the manoeuvre really well. He sends buckets of spray. He does not slide out, he can slide out, but he is in control. Some sailors do a top turn and slide at the end of it, but without sending spray. I think that is lame. Power over slide for me is much more credible.

The first part of the turn, I am using my back foot to do the work, but as I am finishing the turn, depending on how much of the rail of the board is in the water, that defines how much weight I can transfer from my back foot to the front foot. I think sailors that do really good top turns use both feet, fluidly moving from the back to the front foot. I use an overhand grip on my boom, I don’t know if there is a right or wrong way to hold the boom, but that is what I have gotten used to.

Wave 360

There are variations on wave 360s, but the most impressive ones I think are the ones that where you are coming in late and folding back over the top of the lip and landing back into the flats. There are the ones that feel the best to me because you complete the rotation in the air. The ones where guys slide around and then flop over are not as dynamic. I prefer the ones where you can see the bottom turn is timed perfectly and you hit the section which then helps propel the manoeuvre around.

Directions

Dead onshore is what I don’t like. I don’t really enjoy sailing when a wave is not coming straight at me, but he more you sail in certain conditions the better you get. If onshore is your only option, you soon get used to sailing those conditions, you will improve and you will enjoy it. I like cross-offshore more when it is on my natural tack, which as a goofy foot surfer is port tack. It’s more comfortable and my sense of timing feels better on that tack than on starboard. In side-shore it is similar as well. You are probably always going to have a stronger tack. I am fortunate because the majority of my sailing at home on the Isle of Wight is in starboard tack conditions, which is my weaker side. I feel I can sail quite well on starboard, but when I do get the chance to sail port, it comes more naturally. I don’t need to practise port tack as it just comes more naturally for me through surfing.

Jumping

If you are looking to improve your jumping, then try and give yourself a decent run up. Try to come upwind a bit more so you are enabling the best chance to pick up speed and direct yourself towards the ramp you want. So ideally you will be on a bit more of a broader reach than you would do when normally heading out. That way you are able to navigate the path to the impact zone where the wave / ramp is going to be peaking with as much speed as possible. When trying to learn the push loop and back loop, a lot of the time, having the speed and hitting the steepest part of the ramp will make it easier to land the move. You are not forcing the move round in the air, which you might have to do off of a shallow ramp. Having speed, going off the wind and then jumping up off the steepest part of the wave, rather than straight, is key.

Back loop

Hit your ramp full speed and go up as vertical as possible. Hitting a flatter ramp is going to make your rotation spin round a bit more. It is better to go up vertically so you have more time in the air. At the apex of the jump, you are looking back over you neck and spotting the landing. At the same time you move your back arm back on the boom to control your sail and bring it in close to your body and keep it less exposed to the wind. You don’t want the sail to be powering up as you are coming back down to spot your landing. You want to keep it close to you and away from the wind, so that you can land and then release the power out of the sail. I try to land nose first. A really nice one is when you drop out of the sky, spot the landing and you just come down almost ready to plane out of it.

Push loop

I think the push loop is the easiest back rotating jump to land for me. Again you want to be going fast, speed is the key. Then you are not forcing anything as you go up into the air. So speed, a steep ramp and not going too far up into wind are my basic tips for a push loop. Do your rotation more vertically and then when you flick your head back, it will send you into a controllable spin rather than taking you up into wind and over-rotating.

So my main jump tips for these two moves are hitting a steep ramp with good speed and instead of going up and out, try to send it upwards more vertical and then down. If you jump out of the ramp, your rotations tends to spin faster and you don’t get that time in the air to eye your landing. Going up helps you control jumps better and you don’t get so disorientated in the air.

I love the feeling of a push loop. If you have not jumped for a while, I think the push loop is a nice way to get you into that feeling of rotating in the air. It is the one that feels the most comfortable to let go of the gear in if I don’t feel it going to plan.

I think with the push loop, once your mast has cleared the top of the wave, you can almost throw your head back straight away. With the back loop, you kind of wait until the apex of your jump or on a really big one, you wait until you start coming down to look over you shoulder at the landing.

On the push loop, when you are learning, you should try and spot your landing as soon as you take off. You flick your head back and spot the landing over the tip of your mast. So you throw your head back and focus on the tip of your mast. Then you will see the water below you, sense the landing and guide it down. You can almost finish your rotation on a push loop as you get to the top of your jump. That way you can control your landing by floating down a little bit more. Throwing your head will bring you closer to your boom and you naturally sheet in at the same time, while you are looking up to the top of your mast. Without realizing it, the rest of your body is following the motion that you need to get the rotation and nail the landing.

Practise

I think the biggest tip I can give to a keen rider who wants to improve their wave sailing is to practise and go out as much as possible, even if the conditions are not amazing. If you are in the UK it can be hard to motivate yourself in the winter when the conditions are not that special, but more time on the water pays off. Try and do what you can to make those conditions more enjoyable, starting with making sure that you have a dry wetsuit. No one wants to get into a wet wetsuit when the conditions are really average. If you have a nice dry toasty wetsuit, then boom, you are already going into the water feeling more positive. Also make sure all your preparation before that session is in place. Check the conditions, watch the sets, and try to pick the right wave.

I also like to watch a lot of Instagram clips, which help give me inspiration and motivation to try new things. I like watching Brawzinho, Polakow, Levi Siver, Thomas Traversa and Robby Swift. All those guys I look up to and make me want to improve my own style on the water.

The post ROSS WILLIAMS: ROSS TIPS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

GA SAILS PHANTOM 7.8 2022 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT

Light in handling and with easy, accessible performance, the Phantom is not cheap, yet provides an electric exciting ride over an impressive wind range.

OVERVIEW

The Phantom sits alongside the Vapor in GA Sails’ lineup, said to offer “top racing performance without demanding too much from the rider”. It differs from the brand’s full race engine by having a narrower luff sleeve and just two race cambers, complimented with one ‘small camber inducer’ on batten four. For this season the brand’s focus has been on improving controllability, with a redesigned batten configuration (whilst retaining their ‘cross batten concept’), and a slightly lowered clew position. Its luff curve has been refined, said to enhance forward pull for acceleration initially whilst getting going and also out of transition. In addition the luff panels are now continuous to assist the sail’s load distribution, efficiency and longevity they say. Rigged here on a 100 SDM, it sets with a moderate to high amount of luff curve, the leech falling away significantly in the mid and upper panels. There’s a reasonable amount of depth to the Phantom’s profile at rest, set back in the draft, so that the leading-edge entry is quite shallow. Using x-ply in the foot and luff panels, the rest of the sail’s panels are C-Film, said to have excellent colour retention properties, with the batten pockets integrated, so that the C-Film is visible in the upper panels, reducing weight and maximising symmetry between tacks. It is certainly a good-looking sail, with plenty of skin tension through its luff panels, a race-oriented outline and aggressive upward oriented batten geometry, indicating the locked in sailing style it is targeted towards. Time to get it on the water!

BRAND CLAIM

“Reaching top racing performance without demanding too much from the rider – the Phantom is ready to compete with pure slalom sails. Sharing most characteristics with the Vapor reflects in the Phantom’s performance, while a narrower mast sleeve and the 2 + 1 camber setup makes it easier to handle and use.”

PERFORMANCE

Light and composed in the hands at rest, the Phantom feels positive and active as soon as a gust hits and pressure builds. It accelerates willingly and reaches a high natural cruising speed with very little input or technical skill required from the rider. It’s instantly got that addictive slippery feel of a high-performance sail, which makes us wonder whether the gap between this Phantom and the race-oriented Vapor has narrowed further still? This Phantom certainly has race winning potential, especially at national level. There may be a compromise in out-and-out performance, yet what the Phantom loses in this respect it undoubtedly makes up for in light handling and practicality. Used on a freerace or slalom board, the power generated by the Phantom seems to bypass the rider and simply push the board to greater speeds. Fast on all points of sail, its race heritage and intended use is clearer than ever, with adjustable outhaul cringles in the clew. As a result, it has excellent natural range on one setting (dropping to the lower clew cringle in overpowered conditions), using the adjustment available to optimise its power delivery during a session. We also reduced the downhaul tension to tighten the mid-leech and try the Phantom for wind foiling, its light handling and higher aspect making it viable as a crossover. During the gybe, the Phantom’s handling is again its trump card, entering at speed and encouraging the rider to throw it around assertively for a fast dynamic exit, the three cams rotating smoothly as if on autopilot.

www.ga-windsurfing.com

GA SAILS PHANTOM 7.8 2022 TEST REVIEW

SPECS

Price: £1044.00

Size: 7.8m

Luff: 487 cm

Boom: 215 cm

Battens: 7

Cams: 3

Ideal Mast: Gaastra 460 cm SDM

Available Sizes: 5.6, 6.4, 7.1, 7.8, 8.6, 9.4.

OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST

DUOTONE S_PACE 7.8

GOYA MARK 2 7.8

GUNSAILS EXCEED 8.0

LOFTSAILS SWITCHBLADE 7.8

NEIL PRYDE V8 7.7

POINT-7 AC-Z 7.8

RRD X-WING 7.8

SEVERNE MACH 5 7.8

SIMMER STYLE S MAX 7.8

BACK TO TEST OVERVIEW

The post GA SAILS PHANTOM 7.8 2022 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

ROSS WILLIAMS: ROSS TIPS

Following on from last month’s teachings, Isle of Wight wave wizard, Ross Williams, gives some top tips to help improve your turns and air game!

Words: Ross Williams // Photos: John Carter.

How well you have executed your bottom turn and your timing will often decide what kind of manoeuvre you can do at the top of the wave. Maybe you’ll be hitting a closeout section, boosting an aerial or simply carving a cutback before you set yourself up for the next bottom turn.

Because you are leading with your head, you are able to see within that bottom turn what you should be planning to do when you hit the lip. I normally try to find the most radical part of the wave, especially when I am free sailing. In a competition, you need to rack up a few points rather than just one manoeuvre so you make the most of the whole ride to achieve the highest score that you can. But you still have to be as dynamic as possible. The bottom turn basically dictates what you are able to do on the wave and is a critical element of wave sailing to master.

Aerials

If there is no other option than to do an aerial, I would just say don’t hold back and go for it. Hold on to your boom, because if you do get your timing wrong and you are too late, the last thing you want is to not be able to get your feet out of the straps. Hold onto the boom so you are still connected to your equipment. If you have a bad wipeout, once your feet are out of the straps, then you can let go of the boom. I always try to hang on to the boom and it is always the last thing I will disconnect from if I do wipe out.

I love aerials as well as wave riding. Probably in a contest some sort of big air will look more dynamic and be considered more as the move of the day. In a side-shore crumbly wave you are going to be looking to do more powerful top turns than big airs, whereas if it is cross-offshore with a big hollow bowling lip in front of you, then the air might be your only option. For cross-shore you are looking at more fins out and power carves when you hit the lip, rather than concentrating on your timing for airs. Guys like Josh Angulo are power sailors. He still does great manoeuvres. Where he sails, you need to boost huge aerials to make the sections so you can also throw down some turns. If you don’t throw an air at breaks like Ponta Preta when you are too deep then you are going to end up coming in on the rocks.

Top turns

For a decent top turn I like to engage the fins and the rails. Brawzinho to me has the best top turn in the business. He just possesses such good timing and has such a powerful style. He puts his board on the rails from the start to the finish of the turn. He comes all the way round and finishes the manoeuvre really well. He sends buckets of spray. He does not slide out, he can slide out, but he is in control. Some sailors do a top turn and slide at the end of it, but without sending spray. I think that is lame. Power over slide for me is much more credible.

The first part of the turn, I am using my back foot to do the work, but as I am finishing the turn, depending on how much of the rail of the board is in the water, that defines how much weight I can transfer from my back foot to the front foot. I think sailors that do really good top turns use both feet, fluidly moving from the back to the front foot. I use an overhand grip on my boom, I don’t know if there is a right or wrong way to hold the boom, but that is what I have gotten used to.

Wave 360

There are variations on wave 360s, but the most impressive ones I think are the ones that where you are coming in late and folding back over the top of the lip and landing back into the flats. There are the ones that feel the best to me because you complete the rotation in the air. The ones where guys slide around and then flop over are not as dynamic. I prefer the ones where you can see the bottom turn is timed perfectly and you hit the section which then helps propel the manoeuvre around.

Directions

Dead onshore is what I don’t like. I don’t really enjoy sailing when a wave is not coming straight at me, but he more you sail in certain conditions the better you get. If onshore is your only option, you soon get used to sailing those conditions, you will improve and you will enjoy it. I like cross-offshore more when it is on my natural tack, which as a goofy foot surfer is port tack. It’s more comfortable and my sense of timing feels better on that tack than on starboard. In side-shore it is similar as well. You are probably always going to have a stronger tack. I am fortunate because the majority of my sailing at home on the Isle of Wight is in starboard tack conditions, which is my weaker side. I feel I can sail quite well on starboard, but when I do get the chance to sail port, it comes more naturally. I don’t need to practise port tack as it just comes more naturally for me through surfing.

Jumping

If you are looking to improve your jumping, then try and give yourself a decent run up. Try to come upwind a bit more so you are enabling the best chance to pick up speed and direct yourself towards the ramp you want. So ideally you will be on a bit more of a broader reach than you would do when normally heading out. That way you are able to navigate the path to the impact zone where the wave / ramp is going to be peaking with as much speed as possible. When trying to learn the push loop and back loop, a lot of the time, having the speed and hitting the steepest part of the ramp will make it easier to land the move. You are not forcing the move round in the air, which you might have to do off of a shallow ramp. Having speed, going off the wind and then jumping up off the steepest part of the wave, rather than straight, is key.

Back loop

Hit your ramp full speed and go up as vertical as possible. Hitting a flatter ramp is going to make your rotation spin round a bit more. It is better to go up vertically so you have more time in the air. At the apex of the jump, you are looking back over you neck and spotting the landing. At the same time you move your back arm back on the boom to control your sail and bring it in close to your body and keep it less exposed to the wind. You don’t want the sail to be powering up as you are coming back down to spot your landing. You want to keep it close to you and away from the wind, so that you can land and then release the power out of the sail. I try to land nose first. A really nice one is when you drop out of the sky, spot the landing and you just come down almost ready to plane out of it.

Push loop

I think the push loop is the easiest back rotating jump to land for me. Again you want to be going fast, speed is the key. Then you are not forcing anything as you go up into the air. So speed, a steep ramp and not going too far up into wind are my basic tips for a push loop. Do your rotation more vertically and then when you flick your head back, it will send you into a controllable spin rather than taking you up into wind and over-rotating.

So my main jump tips for these two moves are hitting a steep ramp with good speed and instead of going up and out, try to send it upwards more vertical and then down. If you jump out of the ramp, your rotations tends to spin faster and you don’t get that time in the air to eye your landing. Going up helps you control jumps better and you don’t get so disorientated in the air.

I love the feeling of a push loop. If you have not jumped for a while, I think the push loop is a nice way to get you into that feeling of rotating in the air. It is the one that feels the most comfortable to let go of the gear in if I don’t feel it going to plan.

I think with the push loop, once your mast has cleared the top of the wave, you can almost throw your head back straight away. With the back loop, you kind of wait until the apex of your jump or on a really big one, you wait until you start coming down to look over you shoulder at the landing.

On the push loop, when you are learning, you should try and spot your landing as soon as you take off. You flick your head back and spot the landing over the tip of your mast. So you throw your head back and focus on the tip of your mast. Then you will see the water below you, sense the landing and guide it down. You can almost finish your rotation on a push loop as you get to the top of your jump. That way you can control your landing by floating down a little bit more. Throwing your head will bring you closer to your boom and you naturally sheet in at the same time, while you are looking up to the top of your mast. Without realizing it, the rest of your body is following the motion that you need to get the rotation and nail the landing.

Practise

I think the biggest tip I can give to a keen rider who wants to improve their wave sailing is to practise and go out as much as possible, even if the conditions are not amazing. If you are in the UK it can be hard to motivate yourself in the winter when the conditions are not that special, but more time on the water pays off. Try and do what you can to make those conditions more enjoyable, starting with making sure that you have a dry wetsuit. No one wants to get into a wet wetsuit when the conditions are really average. If you have a nice dry toasty wetsuit, then boom, you are already going into the water feeling more positive. Also make sure all your preparation before that session is in place. Check the conditions, watch the sets, and try to pick the right wave.

I also like to watch a lot of Instagram clips, which help give me inspiration and motivation to try new things. I like watching Brawzinho, Polakow, Levi Siver, Thomas Traversa and Robby Swift. All those guys I look up to and make me want to improve my own style on the water.

The post ROSS WILLIAMS: ROSS TIPS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

HIGHLANG STING: ROSS WILLIAMS

Ross Williams heads to the highlands for a Scottish strike mission, scoring solid surf and wind, but the trip ends with a sting in the tale!

WORDS: ROSS WILLIAMS // 

PHOTOS: SAM SCADGELL

It has been a few years since I have been on a trip off the Isle of Wight due to Covid and starting up my café. I think it may have even been the PWA world cup racing event in Noumea back in 2019! My sailing has been restricted to home due to busy summers in the café and my work for Gaastra and Tabou. I was itching to get away finally once things had settled down. I had seen a few crew posting about trips to Ireland and Scotland, and I felt the urge to get away for some quality time on the water. I wanted to do some exploring like the old days. I knew fellow Isle of Wighters Tom Court and Sam Scadgell were planning a trip up to Thurso in October and I just decided to throw my hat into the ring and go along with them. I had good memories of previous missions to the highlands and was hungry for those Scottish waves before it got too cold up there.

I drove by myself all through the night for about seventeen hours with a stop when I got tired. I slept about an hour out from Thurso and knew I was within striking distance the next morning if there were waves. I arrived the morning before Sam and Tom flew up to Inverness and met them in the afternoon. We scored an evening surf in Dunnet Bay, which was actually pretty good. The wind was just picking up, but there was a point break working and the sun came out for the last twenty minutes.

Big Monday

Everything was pointing towards the Monday for windsurfing with a six-metre swell forecast along with 30-40 knot west winds, with a classic Scottish mixture of sun and heavy showers thrown into the mix. I had hardly windsurfed through the summer so I wasn’t what I would call sailing fit. It was very humbling to see how my body had become so unfit for sailing in these types of conditions. It wasn’t that I had lost my sailing ability, but more I was totally knackered much earlier than I would have been a few years ago. I’ve had a lot of things going on in my life, so I have not had the time to keep as fit as I used to.

Intimidating

We found a point break that looked to be firing with huge sets on the outside wrapping around a reef with a nice flat water launch spot. Up on the north coast of Scotland the conditions can be pretty intimidating. You are on your own if you get in trouble there. You can’t expect anyone to come and rescue you. We were at the beach early just in case the weather closed in and the sun disappeared. You can never trust the forecast up there and the weather can change every ten minutes with rain squalls and wind strength.

It was good to have Tom Court on the trip. Even though he is a kiter, it is good to have someone out there riding with you! We were egging each other on and screaming at each other from the channel. It’s cool that he is another guy from the Isle of Wight. I see myself doing a bit more with Tom and the other guys on the island now. We all have the same interests in surfing and foiling. Tom is a kiter and I am a windsurfer, but we both love surfing, winging and foiling. There are plenty of opportunities to get some fun stories by travelling together.

Long sessions

I managed to score two long sessions at the break we found. I started on the 4.8m and thought I was going to be underpowered, but as soon as I hit the water it was way too much. I dropped down to a 4.4m, but I was still hanging on for dear life. Each time I went out I felt I needed a smaller sail than the one I had just rigged. That is standard for Scotland as well. It was logo high and over mast on the sets. Further up the point it was huge and pretty intense. I wasn’t prepared to break all my new gear, as it was pretty gnarly up there. The wave kind of bent in as it wrapped around the reef. On the inside the wind swings really offshore so that part was not rideable. There was a sweet section in the middle of the wave that I was trying to ride. I was kicking out before the end section as that was also getting pretty shallow and there was a lot of kelp in the water.

Fluctuating

The wind was fluctuating with the squalls. Every time the sun pinged out it was blowing over 30 knots and then in the squalls it would be super light and I was bogging around. In general, the wind increased through the day which was making it hard work as I was tired already. It was a great forecast, but as always in Scotland, the weather never stayed the same. I was either underpowered or overpowered within a spectrum of about ten minutes.

What you don’t see in the photos is the rolling swell out the back. We were getting just a taster of what was happening out there on the water. I saw some massive lumps out back and one set that was maybe treble mast high. Tom had gone in and I let that one go. I could have turned and gone, but I felt like the big ones were breaking a little bit wide and it was better to ride the medium swells that hugged the reef and were wrapping in, as they had more opportunity for nicer turns.

Surf

We rented a nice house that had a view overlooking Thurso. You could not quite see the break at Thurso East, but we could see the water to find out what the wind and waves were doing. We didn’t surf Thurso East, as it is the most crowded spot. It looked really good one morning, but it was crowded so we went and found another spot and surfed with just three of us out. We surfed a spot called Sandsides where you could see the Dounreay nuclear reactor. We knew that pro surfer Nathan Florence was up in Thurso so went to watch him surf a spot called Tens, which is the tenth windmill up from the reactor. It is a heavy slab and it just looked pretty big and nasty. I heard he got a few good ones. I looked at it and there was no way I would surf it. It was just insane.

Epic

For the rest of the trip, we surfed and wing foiled every day. I was only up there for four days, as I had to get back to the café. After the full-on windsurfing day, we actually went wing foiling on the outside reef near Sandsides. Then we scored another few days of really epic surf. We looked around and surfed some of the less gnarly slab waves, which were still pretty heavy. I have never really surfed a slab style wave before and it was all down to how brave you wanted to be. We had a good few sessions and explored around the coast. It was a classic boys surf and windsurf trip. I was amazed at all the different spots and activities you could do there. Wing foiling opens up more possibilities for spots and there is all great surfing for all levels of surfer.

Breakdown

On my last day, we were looking at a surf break at midday and I decided that I was going to start driving home, as it wasn’t epic. I had my credit card in my pocket and when I got to my van, I realized I had lost it somewhere on the beach. I was exhausted and already running on fumes by this stage. Kindly Sam lent me his debit card to get home. So everything was fine until after driving all through the night, my van broke down! I was on a roundabout coming off the M40 onto the A34 at about 5 a.m. It was as it was starting to get busy and I just conked out. I think the gearbox had gone. Luckily, I was able to get the van onto the outside lane, but I was in the middle of a roundabout! I was knackered and now had to deal with this! Luckily, I had breakdown cover and I also rang the emergency services to control the traffic as I was causing chaos. By the time I was off the roundabout it was rush hour. It was an unexpected nightmare ending to, until that point, had been a great trip. If it weren’t for the breakdown it would have been a really successful strike mission! I ended up getting a tiny courtesy car and finally made it home late in the afternoon. My van came back four days later!

So was it all worth it? I usually weigh up my trips by the amount they cost, divided by how good the conditions were, how many waves I scored, what sports I did and how much fun I had. I did a sum for this one and the price tag was quite heavy, as the van repair didn’t leave much change out of £5000! Should I have stayed at home? I think I would still go again, but probably but take someone else’s van!

The post HIGHLANG STING: ROSS WILLIAMS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

ROSS WILLIAMS

MAGIC MOMENTS

When the first major swell of 2023 pounded the UK in early January, Ross Williams hit the ground running and scored an epic winter session at his favourite break!

Words John Carter and Ross Williams.

Photos: John Carter.

PRELUDE

The months of January and February in 2023 were one of the wettest on record in the UK and it was quite rare to even catch a glimpse of sunshine. Day after day of cloudy mizzle seemed to be the norm. In a word it was miserable! On the bright side, we had plenty of windy days over Christmas and New Year, so it wasn’t such a dreary time of year for the windsurfing fraternity who don’t mind sailing through all the seasons in all weather.

Although we are usually not short of wind and waves at this time of year, the real quality days can be few and far between. Many south coast beaches are exposed to the wind generated swell and can be horrifically choppy when the wind is howling. Unless you are James Cox who loves the gnarly side onshore heavy waves at Southbourne, most folk are looking for something more manageable. Ideally, we need one of those epic long period swells along with a spot that can hold those waves, with some form of shelter and a more forgiving wind direction. At least that is the theory, finding those conditions can be tricky depending on where you live.

XXL

It did not take long into 2023 when the surf forecasts were highlighting the first major swell of year courtesy of a giant low pressure gathering pace in the Atlantic about halfway between Iceland and the Azores. Open ocean wave heights of 40 feet were forecast with the brunt of the swell set to hit Ireland, southwest of the UK, France and Portugal over the weekend.  What caught my eye with this forecast was the aftermath of the main event on Monday with clearing winds and solid swell still feeding up the English Channel. With north westerly winds and a big swell inbound my first thought was the Bench at Kimmeridge but during the weekdays, the break is usually closed due the military shooting range. So, with that in mind as well as the recent run of travel disruption on the railways, I decided to stay at home for this one and hook up with Ross Williams. There was even sunshine on the forecast which was definitely an added bonus.

Down on the southern tip of the Island there are a few spots that could be perfect for this forecast although northwest winds were possibly going to be too offshore. The other obstacle to factor in were the tides in the English Channel. When the wind is blowing with the tide, many south coast breaks can be quite messy. Just our luck high tide was forecast for midday, so we were going to have to be patient and wait for conditions to clean up. You can rock up at Niton, at the very southern tip of the Island when the tide is pushing and the sea state is usually a mess with a huge current flowing eastward. The moment the tide turns however, the break becomes a whole new playing field, with the current flowing back out of the channel which totally cleans up the waves.

SCOUTING

Ross was hungry to score his first windsurf session of 2023 and was down at the break by 10am but it was way too early! The positive message that he did relay was the fact the surf was pretty huge and he reckoned it was going to be an epic windsurfing day later. He wanted to check the west side of the island in the meantime which would be side shore and possibly breaking on some of the outer reefs.

By 10.45am we were both in the carpark at Compton, on the west coast, looking out on an angry sea state with mast high plus waves and a solid 30 knots of wind blowing west-north westerly. It looked pretty wild and epic to me, from a photography point of view but Ross was not looking so keen. He was looking for that classic combo of clean waves and more offshore winds, so we made the decision to head back to the bottom of the island and wait for the tide to turn. My patience was wearing thin.

Back at Niton, we were greeted with logo high sets peeling down the point as we made our way down the bumpy lane into the parking area. When you see it like this from this vantage point you know it is going to be a good day. I remember many years ago Dave White bringing his giant van down the track and then meeting a bunch of vans heading back out the other way. Somehow this remote bumpy lane ended in gridlock as Whitey was unable to reverse or turn his van in the tiny turning space when he finally made it down the hill. Those were the days! Today, Ross has a similar sized juggernaut of a van and always has to make sure he is at Niton early to blag a parking space, before all the surfers rock up and battle for the few spots available.

Down in front of the caravans, we had a much clearer picture of the set up and although the tide was still high, it had turned and the waves were cleaning up by the minute. With a northwest wind, there was a bit of a wind shadow, but out in the wave zone, it was clear there was plenty of breeze. Ross was frothing and headed straight to the van to rig his trusty 4.5m Gaastra IQ and the 2023, Tabou, Dave Curve 88 litre board.

SESSION

With the perfect side offshore direction and clean waves reeling down the point, the set up really did look awesome considering this was the south coast in the midst of winter. After rigging up, Ross threw his kit off the rocks and swam his gear out to the wind line. A few walkers who were passing, commented ‘is that guy crazy or what!’.

Once out into the waves Ross was well powered on his 4.5m and sailing alone he was able to pick and choose whatever set wave he wanted. I decided to move into the field towards the St Catherine’s lighthouse to where I could be closer to the action but as I was crossing an area where a small stream was running into the sea, I sank like quicksand into the mud. The mud went straight over my wellington boots and I had to crawl out through the thick mud in my socks, put my camera gear down and then go back to rescue the boots which were now full of muddy brown gunge…fantastic! I knew Ross would not accept this as an excuse for missing all the shots, so I had to plug on regardless in my soaking socks and sodden wellies. You really had to be there to witness what a mess I was in.

Despite the swamp incident the conditions were firing and Ross scored a few epic waves all to himself before heading back in to refuel. There is normally a window between high and low tide where it is really good for surfing and Ross was debating whether to snag a few waves on his foil board before hitting the water for the late session on the windsurf. Somehow while all this procrastination was going on, he managed to lock his keys in his van. The only spare set were over half hours’ drive away at his café in Shanklin. JC, to the rescue with a screwdriver and some other tools that just happened to be on the back seat of my car. With a mixture of leverage, a few broken hinges on a small side window and a stick to somehow snag the keys that were on the dashboard we were back in action within thirty minutes.

LATE SESSION

The surf was now pumping and the wind had died under a rain shower, so Ross hit the water to grab a few waves prone foiling. By the time he was back on dry land the wind was now back up, all the surfers had cleared the water and it was looking like epic wave sailing with some beautiful light after the clouds had passed. The low sun was shining onto the sea with a beautiful warm light as Ross headed out for the late session. This time round I managed to avoid the swamp in the field next to the lighthouse and managed to snag a few nice shots of Ross ripping up the waves further up the point. Ross sailed right until the sun disappeared behind the clouds wrapping up a glorious winter wave session. With a few magical moments to look back on this was not a bad way to kick off 2023!

Of course, it had been a thirsty day and an obligatory stop at the Spyglass Inn in Ventnor on the way home was a mandatory requirement after such an awesome mission.

ROSS WILLIAMS    

“First of all, it was awesome to be sailing in the new year and it wasn’t too cold. I did not get those heat burns on my hands which was a bonus. It wasn’t massive as the angle of the swell didn’t really get up the channel. We still scored some amazing clean waves with a decent shape to them. The wind was an ideal direction too. If it was a little bit bigger it would have been insane. I rarely look for that stormy windsurfing anymore. I am into the wave riding and finding clean waves. I feel if I can just pull off one really nice turn then that can make a session for me. That is what I am looking for, I want to get into the right pocket and right section of a wave and then complete a turn. It is all about that one epic turn that explains the whole feeling of surfing and windsurfing combined. I need to have speed, dig in the rail and complete the turn. It does not need to be vertical. You know when you have done it because it feels complete. I did not sail a lot in 2022 so I am just trying to make sure now that I am available to hit the water when we have epic conditions.  I want to be able to get my fitness back up and be able to score those magical moments. At the moment I feel like I am not as fit as I used to be so I am looking for that one moment that will encourage me to go back for the next session. One decent turn or one magical moment will do it for me. That one magic moment is the one that is going to stick in your mind, so that is what I am after. It is also beautiful to be able to sail so close to home, sunny not too cold and awesome waves…what more can you want!”

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REUNION: CHASING WAVES IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

Take two of the most radical wave sailors on the planet, one slightly older and one slightly younger and send them out at an uncrowded point break in the Indian Ocean to see how they influence each other’s riding on the water. What you will most likely get is a crossover of styles and some explosive action. Well, this is what happened when Thomas Traversa and Antoine Martin both had their eye on a mission to Reunion Island and their paths unexpectedly crossed and they hit the island for the same forecast.

Words: Thomas Traversa and Antoine Martin.

Photos: Armand Dayde and Francois Kling.

THOMAS TRAVERSA

I was looking to go to Reunion in August 2023, so my plan was to go as soon as I saw a decent looking forecast. Antoine saw the same swell coming and called me to see what I thought it would be like. He was super motivated, the forecast was good, but I was not really 100 percent sure. So, in the end, I thought it would be perfect to go with him and have somebody to sail with as on the the last two occasions I have been there by myself. I thought it would be nice to have another pro joining me and Antoine was the one who was pushing to go, which made it an easy decision to pull the trigger in the end.

INFLUENCE

For sure Antoine was influencing my sailing a lot. I saw seeing him really mixing things up on the wave – especially compared to what I am usually doing. Normally in these types of waves I never try any tricks, whereas Antoine was performing goiters and trying 360’s and backloops off the lip. On the second day I tried an aerial backloop which I had never tried before, not even once, so he definitely made me push myself. I kind of landed one and I felt really motivated to have someone else pushing it.

It wasn’t crowded, so just between the two of us, it wasn’t really a problem to catch all the waves that I wanted. There was a great vibe on the water and in some ways there was a little bit of pressure, but in a healthy way. Usually in Reunion, I am sailing alone and just doing my own thing, but there I was thinking: “This guy is sailing good, I have to step it up a little bit more.”. For Antoine it was also nice because I knew which spots would be working and when they would be best. Essentially, I was the guide, so he didn’t have to think too much or make any decisions. It worked out well overall.

EASY LOGISTICS

I live in Marseille, which is a great advantage for me when looking to book last minute trips on a forecast to Reunion as there is a direct flight, which only takes eleven hours. You catch a red eye flight in the evening and by the next morning you are already on the island. There is no jet lag and it is easy for me once I’m there as it is French and I also know people there now, which makes things even easier. We stayed with friends and we didn’t even have to rent a car. It is how I wish Maui would be!

PERFECT GETAWAY

Reunion is the perfect place for me to go. I was there for six days and I sailed all six of them. The first day I was on a 4.2m and the rest of the week I was on my 4m. Every day it was head high to a bit over mast on the biggest day. I just love it there. There are not so many guys windsurfing there, so when we were there, they organised a dinner for us all. After almost every session we would have an icy cold beer at a little shack on the beach. Beer, delicious food, going to the beach in the morning, sailing, eating and just repeating that process. What more could you want?

Basically, that was the perfect windsurfing holiday for me. In the perfect world I would stay longer and bring the family as the island is simply amazing. There is so much to see and do. While we were there this time it was whale season and there were whales breaching everywhere. It was crazy. Antoine even went swimming with them. One of my short-term goals is to bring the family for a month. In the event that I don’t go to Pozo in July, I will go there for a month instead!

ANTOINE MARTIN

A NEW ADVENTURE

This was my first time travelling to Reunion. I almost travelled there for the Reunion Wave Classic when they used to organise this event back in 2011-2012. However, I could not afford to go as I was too young. More recently they shut down water access due the shark situation, so personally, I just put it out of my mind as a place to consider going. However, now things are open again a few years later, so I decided it was time to visit. I met a guy from Reunion in Guadeloupe last winter and we talked about the place and the sailing and he reassured me that it is fine to go in the water again now. He told me that all the windsurfers were sailing again and that the situation was much better than before. This conversation piqued my interest in Reunion again and reminded me that I had always wanted to go there – it had been on my bucket list for a while. When I was checking the forecast my friend told me that there was a solid swell on the horizon, so that made my mind up right there and then.

Of course, I mentioned to Thomas that I was going as I wanted to sail with a friend and it did not take that long to persuade him to join as he was already planning to go at some point again anyway.

EMBRACING THE FEAR

I call Reunion the lost paradise! It truly is one of the best waves in the world and also it was really easy to windsurf. It is quite powerful, but there is a channel. It is not like Cloudbreak in Fiji where if you fall, you end up on the reef and it is hard to make it back out, or sometimes you even have to wait for the tide to drop to be able to retrieve your gear. In Reunion you can do everything by yourself. As long as the waves are clean and peeling then I am not really scared of big waves. I don’t really care about the size of the wave. Of course I have fear, but I use this fear as a motivation rather than an inhibitor. On the big days you just have to have the right mental setup and focus. Everyone experiences fear… it’ just a matter of how you digest and use it during the session.

I usually think about everything that could go wrong before D-day. However, on the day itself, I am solely focused on sailing and everything in my mind is clear. I don’t have time to stress about anything else. I just ride the waves and whatever happens, happens! If you are well trained and you are used to sailing in solid conditions quite often, then the fear should not be a problem.

SPURRING EACH OTHER ON

This was my first proper trip sailing with Thomas. I was really happy because it was a dream to sail with him. I think we were making a good combination of style. Of course, I would see him going for some big air and turn combos with super nice flow. I really loved the way he was sailing, so I was trying to emulate some of his style. Obviously, he started to try some of the moves I was doing. I think I saw him go for a backloop off the lip, which was crazy. Both of us were laughing because we could see that we were pushing each other on certain waves.

RED CARPET TREATMENT

Since I am competing on all the events on the unified PWA and IWT Tours, I feel I have had no time for a trip like this. I used to go away with Camille Juban a lot, but it has been a while since I went on a pure windsurfing holiday. To be able to do this again felt so good. You are still training, but it felt like vacation. The locals were super nice with us. It seemed like their world stopped for ten years since the shark problem. Now when they saw pros on the island, they were super happy to see us and welcomed us with open arms. There was a great vibe on the island and they were so helpful.  We were given the red-carpet treatment for the entire trip.

BACK TO NORMAL

There are shark nets in a lot of places, but where we sail there were no nets. However, it’s important to note that there haven’t been any shark attacks in the last four years. I don’t feel too vulnerable windsurfing as you don’t fall too often, and even when you do, it’s usually not too far to swim for your gear. We made sure we didn’t sail too early or stay out on the water until dark, so we were still sensible and slightly cautious. We sailed between 9am and 4pm most of the time and we took bigger boards, so that we could float!

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MISSION FUERTEVENTURA: SUSPICIOUSLY NO SUPRISES

Thomas Traversa and Antony Ruenes reflect on a five day boys trip to Fuerteventura where they scored wind and waves everyday!

Words: Thomas Traversa and Antony Ruenes // Photos: Pierre Bouras

THOMAS TRAVERSA

RUNNING LIKE CLOCKWORK

Sometimes things go as planned – other times they most certainly don’t. However, on this occasion we were pleasantly surprised precisely because there were no surprises. On this Saturday morning in question, somewhere on the north coast of Fuerteventura, the sun was shining, the parking lot was empty, the waves were rolling in perfectly, gently caressed by light winds, while looking majestic in the early morning light. Just as on the previous five days, we were treated to a real spectacle, and thankfully it felt like we were invited to be a part of it.

LEISURELY APPROACH

Antony [Ruenes] prepared his windsurfing equipment without hurrying while Adrien [Bosson] and Pierre [Bouras], our photographer, both did the same. They entered the water one at a time, and reached the waves which continued to arrive at almost metronomic pace. I calmly watched them surf these perfect lines, which completely satisfied me. Then, as the minutes passed by, something inside told me that I should join them. My body however was comfortable laid right there on the beach, absorbing the rays of the sun, the warmth of the volcanic rocks, and the captivating images which presented themselves before my eyes.

FUERTE DELIVERS

This was actually the fifth day in a row that the sailing conditions corresponded to what the weather forecast predicted a week earlier, and I am still unable to say how many waves I surfed until now, how many turns I made, how many aerials I landed, how many falls I experienced, how much time I spent swimming after my equipment. Everything mixed together in a sort of long waking dream and I was almost reassured when I saw another windsurfer coming upwind to partake in the party, as well as a few kitesurfers too, while others opted for to wing-foil. A little further downwind, surfers took advantage of the same swell trains we’d all been frothing over for almost a week.

Over the preceding days, approximately 100 people found themselves paddling, floating, gliding, flying and sailing in apparent harmony, while sharing those waves. Everyone seemed to be in their element, experiencing a few moments of excitement, or relaxation in other cases, all the while still enjoying those magical moments which we all so desperately crave. In those sacred little moments, your brain is occupied only with bliss, rather than other things which we’d usually rather not think about. We are here to live in the now, all while enjoying and sharing this abundance of positive energy.

INTUITION

Just a few days later, I was back home in another reality where I don’t share waves, but instead, I share meals with my children, household chores, life projects, my bed with my wife, among other things. As this is part of my work, I took a few hours to select some of the images which Pierre had filmed and I found myself once again immersed in a contemplative state, I rediscovered the sensations of innocent pleasure which I had experienced when I was on the water. Intuitively, I decided to leave all the images in slow motion, I added a hypnotic guitar tune stolen from YouTube, and I was finally ready to post the result on the internet, because it’s my job to broadcast my performances, because I find it beautiful and I imagine that other people will also be able to appreciate it, but also because it flatters my ego. In recent years, the distribution of images has become an important part of my best windsurfing sessions, a way of exploiting them, but also a way of magnifying them, of extending them if you like. Or simply, a way of sharing them.

A BUMP IN THE ROAD

Once the images had been online for a few days, I received a message from my friend Gilles, who is windsurfer and surfer, based in Fuerteventura since 1996 and recently retired from a long career as a photographer. It was Gilles who first introduced me to “professional” windsurf trips, and through our numerous trips, which took me many places across the globe, while interacting with a variety of people and culminated in a certain practice of windsurfing with a desire to tell the tales, the need to search, to risk and to question. Gilles was disappointed, even annoyed, by the title I had given the video on my YouTube channel, “Lente Ventura”, in relation to the slow-motion images and the island on which these sessions took place. Beyond the dubious play on words, he criticised me for giving an indication of information concerning one of “his” spots.

I had begun to think that everything was all so good, after all the week had been almost perfect. However, this unexpected surprise, which had been missing from the trip, finally arrived. So, I had been too greedy, I had eaten and shared a cake that was not intended for me. I offered something that didn’t belong to me. However, at the same time I had found a story to tell, even if Pierre’s photos say it all and show all the beauty, hopefully this makes you want to get back on a windsurf board.

ANTONY RUENES

THE MASTER

Thomas is the master of reading forecasts. He has an uncanny knack of picking out perfect conditions, so when he called me and told me that he thought it would be good in Fuerteventura for a few days, he peaked my interested right there and then – plus Pierre was available to shoot too. Adrien [Bosson] was also checking the same forecast and called me to register his interest in a mission to Fuerte.

Upon hearing that, I grabbed my phone and immediately made a booking for Fuerteventura. Going on a trip with friends in a great spot on a solid forecast is the best it can get. No stress, just having fun and riding! The conditions were amazing and we scored five hours on the water each day we were there.

TT

Like always, Thomas was destroying the spot with some epic, critically late takas and huge 360s. After sailing we would go home and check all the videos/photos with some beers, laughing and making fun of each other, but also watching with a keen interest to see how we could improve our technique in certain areas.

LIVING THE DREAM

Adrien was also ripping – going for big airs. Overall, it was just a really nice week. Every day, the one who tested the conditions first was different. On the three days that Adrien went to try the conditions, it was quite light with big waves. We were watching him waddle around as he got eaten by a mast high wave. Luckily he didn’t break anything other than a mast base, so in the end it was funny to watch. Fuerte is always such a special place to go sailing. I love the place and going on a strike mission like this with my best friends is always amazing. I think we were quite lucky with the conditions as normally you don’t get this wind direction. It was like a living dream!

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THOMAS TRAVERSA: PHOTO SHOOT VLOG

Thomas Traversa gives us a candid insight into a day of photo shooting for the new GA sails and Tabou boards at Ho’okipa,  Maui, Hawaii!

Thomas Traversa: “Sharing one day on Maui, shooting some of the 2025 Tabou/Gaastra equipment at Ho’okipa. A candid insight into what is going on during a photoshoot, this time with the talented duo from FishBowl Diaries. It was cool for me to spend some time with long-time friend and windsurfer Rudy Castorina, who has moved into creating video content for all kind of people/projects.

This kind of a VLOG format is not something I was planning to do, but here it is! Hope you like it, and hopefully more to come!!

MAIN CAMERA & DRONE : Rudy Castorina

ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE : Moritz Mauch

MUSIC : Little Simz – Point And Kill feat. Obongjayar Hania Rani – Piano Day (arteconcerts )

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GA MANIC 5M TEST REVIEW 2025

The Verdict

Versatile and dependable, the Manic is an exciting wave sail that delivers power and stability in an impressive package. The Manic will support all wave sailors in any conditions; from down-the-line wave riding to fierce storms, onshore or even a freestyle session.

The Lowdown

Straight out of the bag, unrolled and rigged, the GA Manic looks stunning. Its shimmering red body subtly glistens in the light, with orange detailing and a darker blue luff. The GA Manic will draw attention on a grey day while riding, as well as in glorious sunshine that will enhance its colourway. The Manic is GA’s hardcore wave sail, designed to provide stability and plenty of power, with the ability to perform and hold its own in a range of wave-riding conditions. Its increased luff curve contributes to these attributes. An elite Dacron luff panel extends up the luff, while carbon load stringers radiate from the clew to distribute load, manage twist, and enhance stability. 5mil X-Ply is used in the foot of the Manic, while 2mil X-Ply is employed up top to reduce weight. Two clew eyelets allow the rider to choose between more control or more power. As expected, GA has placed abrasion-resistant or padded reinforcements in areas prone to wear, such as the clew, tack, and foot. Plenty of batten overlap and room for expansion are present when the Manic is at rest, ready to deliver direct power to the rider’s fingertips. Not only does it look good, but the Manic doesn’t overcomplicate things and is designed to deliver power.

Brand Claim

“Whether you’re into jumping, wave riding, or tackling big waves, this sail is your ultimate companion.”

Performance

“Very dependable” springs to mind when you’re up and on the board with the Manic in your hands. While it’s slightly heavier than some alternatives, it’s not hinderingly so. The Manic feels solidly built and ready to carry you into the action. Power is delivered purposefully—it’s there to be used, and it wants to be used. The rider is required to react, move, and direct the sails power though the board, bringing it up to speed efficiently. The power is stable, and the Manic naturally adjusts to gusts and lulls. Its luff curve contributes significantly to this supportive trait, ensuring the rider is never thrown off balance. The Manic’s impressive wind range allows riders to excel in various conditions, it is a very versatile sail. On the way out, the Manic drives you towards ramps, if that’s your priority, propelling you into forward and backward loops where the sail feels very neutral throughout. Its stable and powerful nature persists when matching the pace of a wave. The feel of the Manic remains neutral, with positive power at your fingertips. This power can be accessed quickly and easily to amplify your performance, whether you need accelerate to chase a section or extra force off the top of a turn to pull you back down the wave’s face. If you want something from it, the Manic will give you it back and deliver high-performance across various conditions. The Manic’s compact sail window is well positioned to spot sections down the line, helping you set up a well-timed, powerful approach to the lip. Dependable and always supportive, the Manic champions every move and choice the rider makes. It’s a wave sail that can truly take you anywhere.

www.ga-windsurfing.com

GA MANIC 5M: TEST REVIEW 2025

VITAL STATS

Price: £899

Size: 5m

Luff: 409cm

Boom: 167cm

Battens: 4

Ideal Mast: 400RDM

Weight: 3.3kg

Available sizes: 3.0/3.3/3.7/4.0/4.2/4.5/4.7/5.0/5.4/5.8

OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST

Duotone Super_Hero D-LAB 5M

Goya Banzai 11 Pro Carbon 5m

GUNSAILS SEAL 4.7m

NeilPryde Combat HD 5m

Point 7 Salt Pro 5m

Simmer Blacktip 5m

Severne Blade 5m

BACK TO TEST OVERVIEW

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THOMAS TRAVERSA: TRANSITIONING

Big wave guru, Thomas Traversa discusses a potential midlife crisis, winning the PWA Wave World Championship and Red Bull Storm Chase in the same year, and the implications of sailing Nazaré.

Words: Thomas Traversa // Photos: John Carter, Carter/ pwaworldtour.com, Tozat photography and Siam Images.

COMPETITIVE OUTLOOK

I have reached a bit of a crossroads in my career. I feel like I am coming towards the end of my competitive side. I turned thirty-eight in December of last year… so while I am still competitive, I see that finally there is a new generation of sailors coming through and they are pushing the level, with regard to both jumping and tricks. I still feel like I want to compete because events always provide motivation to keep improving and pushing yourself, but at the same time, I feel like this is the end of my competitive career and I don’t really know what to do next. I feel like I am in a transition period, which could go either way.

On the one side, I am thinking about being able to focus on nice trips with big waves, but then on the other, it’s really hard to let go of the competitive side of the sport as it is fun to be at events also. We all meet up and it always provides you with the motivation to keep training, while trying to improve. However, I’m wary that I don’t want to compete for too long as the idea of just passing one heat at each contest doesn’t sound particularly fun or appealing.

MIDLIFE CRISIS

I never put in the time for real training at certain events like Pozo, and I am not going to start doing that now as I also have a family with three kids to consider these days. I am in a happy place in my life, but at the same time, there is also this midlife crisis circulating in my mind about what to do moving forwards. You cannot just keep going like you have been for the last twenty years. When you get older, you have to find a bit of a different way. It is quite mentally challenging for me right now to decide what to do next. I don’t want to be away too much, because with three kids, it will be a lot of work for my wife every time I am not there. I also want to spend time with my children, but at the same time, I also want to windsurf.

I feel like last winter, it was the first time that I did not do some much. My wife was pregnant and I was looking after the two other kids. We were also trying to move to Portugal and then back to France. My life was a bit all over the place, but I have no regrets. Staying with my family was the right thing to do. This winter I want to really focus and go on trips and missions like I used to. I feel like my strength has always been to just going when a forecast pops up, but over the last year I was overthinking a bit too much… I was procrastinating on forecasts and I don’t want to fall into that trap of always finding an excuse not to go.

CHASING FORECASTS

Last-minute missions are never simple. There are always different options with each storm. You know it is going to hit different places, it could be here or it could be there. You have to try and make the right decision, but you can’t just wait until the last day to make that decision as it’ll often be too late at that point already. Also, you have to try and not get too excited, too early, because the forecast can change – especially when it comes to volatile storm systems. For me personally, I usually have a few spots where I know I want to go and then when there are storms approaching, I look at the maps and try and decide which spot I think could work the best. Then I will try and look into it with a little bit more detail and I’ll start to put feelers out to see if anybody can come with me. However, it is one thing to go and just sail, but nowadays you also need somebody to come and capture the action via images or videos etc. It’s not quite as simple as just going sailing.

ALONE

I don’t mind going on the water alone. In fact, I am happy to go alone, I don’t need someone else there and I am fine with this. Actually, I think I prefer to be alone, to be honest. If I am alone, I can decide where and when I go. If I am on the water at a slab in tricky conditions, when I am alone in the water, I can really choose my waves. If I am on a swell and feel that it’s not the right one, I can let it go and simply catch the next one. However, this changes, even with just two riders on the water as you have to catch waves that you maybe wouldn’t ordinarily have taken if you were by yourself. Then you see the other guy doing something which might influence you, so overall, I find it better to be alone.

NAZARÉ – RIGHT DECISIONS, RIGHT TIME

Big wave missions are not all about the technical side on the water. It is more about making the right decisions at the right time. Usually, you don’t have so much time, but I would say the only place I 100% need a jet ski is when I sail at Nazaré, Portugal. I sailed there once without a jet ski, but that was on a small day and I would never do it again. Having a jet ski is imperative there because of the setup. You have to be responsible when you are sailing big waves – I don’t want to be the crazy guy that is taking unnecessary risks. That would not be cool there, or anywhere, as safety is paramount. The surfers are also taking a responsible approach there, so I when I ride there I try to stick to their program. Having earlier said I prefer to be alone, Nazaré is the one place where I don’t want to be in the water by myself. The jet ski is going to be on the water with you and the drivers are really focused. It is hard to put the experience into words, but it is by far the most intense place I have ever sailed. There is not one moment when you are relaxed out there. You are constantly under pressure – even when you have caught the right wave and you know you are doing the right thing. Nazaré is unique as it is the only place when you drop in that you are already thinking about how you are going to get back out. It’s game over if you get stuck on the inside and in the ratio of the number of waves ridden to broken equipment, Nazaré is the by far the worst!

If you break something at Nazaré, then you have to come into the beach and go all the way back to the harbour to be picked up by the jet ski. To this day, I am still trying to figure out whether it’s worth taking the risk trying to get back on out a bigger day, or just settling for catching one wave and heading back to the beach. In many ways it’s probably better to catch one wave, do a turn or whatever and then just head for the beach. It has to be better to do this compared to getting completely absolutely smashed and then having to go back to the beach anyway. I am still trying to figure everything out in my mind how to approach Nazaré, as just riding one wave and then coming in would feel a bit weird.

HAPPY TO SURVIVE

When Nazaré is not too big, you can ride some really nice waves. If it’s clean, there can be some really nice bowls. Most of the time when I go there, the swell is not so huge, but it is still the only place in Portugal where there are big waves. Everywhere else is going to be logo high to mast high at most, whereas Nazaré can be double mast high or even a bit more. When I have finished sailing for a day at Nazaré it feels awesome just to have survived the session, so I am always the happiest when I have made it to the end of the session.

SPECIAL SESSIONS

If I go to Nazaré, survive, and then I go and sail another big wave spot, which is cleaner and safer, then I feel more confident because I am so used to being totally on the edge at a place like Nazaré. I think it is a great way to prepare yourself for other big waves as compared to Nazaré everything else feels relatively safe and easy. When you go to Nazaré it is not like a normal windsurfing session. It is a different experience and that is why I like it. There are probably only one or two days a year when you get the opportunity to sail it. There is the iconic lighthouse and the cliff, which makes sailing there really intense and it always feels special. When I go there, I just try to concentrate on all the things that need to be done. I have to organise the jet ski, meet the guys and check the conditions, which is actually good because when I’m preparing the logistics, it prevents you from thinking too much. Then when the time comes, you arrive at the spot and just focus on riding.

BREATHING TECHNIQUES & RUNNING

I was doing some breathing exercises before my heats during competitions as I found it a great way to relax and help me get in the zone. It can put me in a better mental place, especially if I feel like I am stressed, as then I can start to think too much. When I perform the breathing routine, I focus solely on this and it provides a great feeling throughout your body. You keep taking deep breaths for several minutes and then you just hold your breath and go into a calm state. I have held my breath for almost four minutes at the most, but if you get caught by a wave, obviously you can’t hold your breath for four minutes. You can train your breathing as much as you want, but you if you can’t stay calm, then you will waste all of your oxygen very quickly. I always try and hold my breath as long as I can when I am doing the breathing exercises, which is the way I approach everything. When I go for a run, I always try to go as fast as I can. My running is also used as training for me in big waves. Running is my main training as I can run anywhere. I usually run for about forty-five minutes to an hour, but at a high intensity. I normally run quite hardcore to really push my body. I like that feeling of being on the edge as I think it helps you feel comfortable with having a high heart rate – both when competing and when sailing big waves.

IMPROMPTU CYCLING

I also cycled from Germany to Austria, which was over 600 kilometres. My wife was going to Austria and we didn’t have the kids with us, so I planned it only two days beforehand. I went to the shop and bought a couple of gear bags to go on my bike and then I just went for it. It took me five days in total. I booked five hotels along the way, so I knew how far I had to cycle each day. I covered between 100-150 kilometres each day. I had never biked before, so I knew this was going to be a good challenge. I was on a road bike and I can tell you that I was suffering a bit after the first few days, but I wanted to complete the challenge as I like to challenge myself. Whether it be sailing big waves, running or cycling, I like to go alone, so this was perfect.

UNDERDOG

When I was at my peak in 2014, I became world champion and I won the Red Bull Storm Chase in the same year, but Red Bull never approached me. Back in the day their approach was to sign young riders and make them big names. I had already done my thing, so I don’t think I fit their model. I think my profile is the opposite of what Red Bull is promoting. I was always trying to make my trips and career not too serious. My approach has always been just to do my own thing and by not taking things too seriously I was able to take some pressure off myself, which I have enjoyed. I kind of like to be the underdog and a bit of an underground type of rider. I like this style.

WORLD TITLE

The world title really meant a lot to me. I still think about it sometimes as it wasn’t something I was ever really chasing, so I never really expected it. Then when it actually happened, it was really nice. I had a feeling of accomplishment and recognition also. With this sport, a lot of people judge you in different ways, so to have this stamp on my CV as a world champion in waves was a big moment as it also takes away this kind of need of approval – especially in the world of social media. The world title helped me a lot in my career. I felt I had more confidence once I had become world champion, which helped me to continue to achieve decent results over the last decade. I think I am still here at thirty-eight-years-old because I was a world champion. It was great for the sponsors and also as a way for the general public to get to know me better. Every year I feel like when I go to different spots people recognise me and they want to come and take a picture with me, which is kind of cool. The world title definitely helped in this aspect a lot as it is nice to see that people appreciate what I do. Also, maybe when I go to a big wave location, it gives a bit more prestige to it.

LOVE OF WINDSURFING

I won’t give up windsurfing once I have finished competing. No, no, no! That is definitely not my plan. I want to keep windsurfing. I don’t think I will be going on the water every day forever, but I really love windsurfing. At the end of the day, I realise that I am happy to be with my family, I am happy going for a run, I am happy going on a bike ride, but when I go windsurfing, I am even happier. If I have a day on the water, I am definitely going to be in a good mood afterwards as I realise just how special it is.

BIG WAVE APPROACH

When I am on a big wave, I am always doing the most that I can with what is in front of me. The thing for me is, the bigger the wave, the more critical it is to be in just the right spot. You have to have the right line and then it is just going to happen. I am always looking for the most critical thing I can do, but I don’t try and do this on the first wave. I try to build into it. If the window of opportunity is there, then I will just go for it. I don’t want to go home thinking, “I didn’t hit that lip!”. It is tricky because sometimes you don’t want to go too hard, but if you don’t go hard enough then you will have this regret. It is always hard to find the right balance. I don’t want to break my gear all the time or get hurt. I don’t want to push it if it the opportunity isn’t there, but when it all comes together then that is the best feeling. I would say for somebody who has not ridden big waves, that it is almost like losing control of your car on the road. For example, if it is raining, your car might start sliding out of control, but then you manage to recover and avoid crashing. You experience a huge rush of adrenaline and this is the sort of feeling I experience when I ride a big wave. There have been numerous occasions when I have almost gotten completely destroyed by a wave, only to somehow save myself. It’s at these moments you experience that addictive surge of adrenaline, which keeps you coming back for more, flowing through your entire body.

CAPTURING MOMENTS

The bigger the waves are, the less important it becomes to me to capture it on film to show the media for me. That feeling is for me and I am just happy to survive and be alive. If it is logo to mast high, then I am trying to land the best moves I can for the camera, and I am consciously thinking about this when I am riding. Whereas the bigger it gets, the less I think about that side of things, until it gets to a point where it doesn’t even matter if somebody captured it or not. Of course it is cool because if you have a picture of it because it will help my career by keeping my sponsors happy, which enables me to keep doing what I love, but in that particular point of time, that moment is for me. When I go to Nazaré, the priority is always a solid forecast and having an experienced jet ski driver. Once I am there, have looked at the conditions and decided whether I’m going to sail or not, it is not important whether somebody is filming or not. This is also not the moment to be thinking about something like that as it is then too much of a distraction. The bigger the waves, the more it becomes about me and the less it becomes about the media. Those rides are then etched in my mind for a lifetime – even if nobody physically captures it. I will still remember it forever and I will remember the exact moment.

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RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME!

Insane photos of Thomas Traversa and crew in Brittany, France!

Cornish Photographer photographer, Matthew Burridge was in the right place at the right time on Monday, when Thomas Traversa and his crew came and sailed one of his local big wave breaks in France, as Storm Herminia unleashed its raw power!!

Matthew Burridge who is the designer at 5 Oceans Sails commented:

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THOMAS TRAVERSA: STORM CHASING!

Join Thomas Traversa and his crew as they hunt down giant waves produced by Storm Herminia. Expect big hits, gnarly wipe outs and epic action…all filmed by  Stefvideo and Westdrone!

Storm Herminia hit Brittany on January 24, 2025, with wind gusts reaching up to 130 km/h (81 mph) along the coast—perfect conditions for storm-chasing windsurfers. Follow Thomas TRAVERSA through two intense sessions!

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