Surfersblog

Strong north westerly winds greeted the competitions on Day 4 of the 2020 ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup, which led to the organisers staging a super session with a difference…

Instead of the usual biggest trick wins, this time the next generation were split into teams led by pro captains - Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Duotone), Marc Pare (Fanatic / Duotone), Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic / Duotone) and Mads Bjørnå (Fanatic / Duotone). Only one sailor from each team was allowed on the water at a time and they would then need to land their best jump and link together their best wave as quick as possible - making sure to claim the move/wave by raising their arm to indicate that the judges should just that manoeuvre. Once complete the sailor must then return to the beach and tag their next team mate. As an added incentive to land all their moves as quick as possible, the fastest team would be awarded an extra 10 points!

Unfortunately, with the wind being bang onshore that made the conditions quite difficult, but there was still plenty of excellent action with Fernandez and Pare both landing double forwards, whilst Fernandez also spun through a stylish taka. Meanwhile, Anton Richter (JP / NeilPryde), who won the U15s on the opening day - landed a textbook backloop!

After the completion of the semifinals, Team 2 leg by Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic / Duotone) with (Giulio Gasperini (Starboard / Severne), ,Valters Videnieks (Hot Sails Maui), Nick Spangenberg (JP / GUNSAILS), Maria Behrens (Fanatic / Duotone), Lars Bubelach, Mads von Holten (Fanatic / Duotone) - would take on Team 3 Tobias Bjørnå (Fanatic / Duotone), Lennart Neubauer (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), Leon Maethner (Fanatic / Duotone), Henri Kolberg (Hot Sails Maui), Luis Ilgner, Nadia Jablonski (Sailloft Hamburg), Leo Ricther (JP / NeilPryde) and their captain Mads Bjørnå (Fanatic / Duotone), who was a late stand-in for Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Duotone), who couldn’t make it. With the wind dying for the final things became even trickier, but in the end Team 3 deservedly took the victory with all of their team members successfully landing stylish jumps and wave rides!

Later today the official prize giving ceremony will be held to conclude what has been an excellent week in Cold Hawaii once again!

Day two proved a stark contrast to the opener as yesterday’s driving rain and strong winds were replaced with a summer-esque vibe with the next generation being greeted with a balmy 21 degrees celsius and sunny skies. 

The wind remained relatively light throughout day two of the 2020 ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup, but there was still enough to run a fun supersession in which the Youth’s would be judged on their best single wave score. That led to victories for Giulio Gasperini (Starboard / Severne), who finished 2nd in the U15s in the main contest, whilst Liam Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne) once again came out on top in the U17s. Simon Thule competing in his first event was able to claim the top spot in the U20 Boy’s, whilst 15-year-old Lina Erzen (Flikka / Duotone) claimed an impressive victory in the U20 Girls.

The forecast for Wednesday 17th looks promising with northwesterly winds of up to 30 knots expected whilst the swell is expected to increase to about 6ft, so there should hopefully be more action to come from the young guns!

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Girl’s

1st Line Bang Wittrup (Goya Windsurfing)
2nd Lina Erzen (Flikka / Duotone)
3rd Maria Behrens (Fanatic / Duotone)

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Boy’s U15s

1st Anton Richter (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
2nd Giulio Gasperini (ITA | Starboard / Severne)
3rd Tobias Bjornaa (DEN | Fanatic / Duotone)

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Boy’s U17s

1st Liam Dunkerbeck (ESP | Starboard / Severne)
2nd Lennart Neubauer (GER | Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Lars Bubelach

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Boy’s U20s

1st Henri Kolberg (GER | Hot Sails Maui)
2nd Simon Thule (DEN | Starboard / Sail Loft Hamburg)
3rd Malte Rahbeck Oegelund (DEN)

Next up in 'Miss vs Don't Miss' are four more PWA sailors, who we simply asked what they miss about competing? And on the flipside what they don't miss...

Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails / Starboard Foil)

1. I miss the thrill and adrenaline the most when going full speed towards the first mark with 7 other fast guys. 

2. I could do without the waiting on the beach and airport hustle while traveling.

Max Matissek (Fanatic / Duotone)

1. The PWA family

2. The gusty spot of fuerteventura 

Caterina Stenta (RRD / RRD Sails / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins)

1. I miss the adrenaline before the heat, the pre race preparation and hanging out and sailing with people from the tour. 

2. I don't miss struggling with the boardbags transport in the airports, finding a place where to store everything on tour and the excess fees fight at the check in counter! 

Marina Alabau (Severne Sails / Starboard Foil)

1. I miss having the same level of motivation for training with no competitions close.


2. I don't miss going to the airport with the boardbags.

Thanks Basti, Max, Caterina & Marina!

Day one of the ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup certainly didn’t disappoint with Klitmøller delivering a full day of competition, which allowed results to be gained in every fleet. The next generation were given a stern test with the North Sea throwing up some sizeable nuggets, while fluctuating winds -20-35 knots - made things tricky at times. However, they passed that test with flying colours with every fleet putting on impressive performances. 

Girl’s

Line Bang Wittrup (Goya Windsurfing) enjoyed a great day as the young Dane was able to win two out of the three girl’s finals completed on day one, which gives her a slender lead over Lina Erzen (Flikka / Duotone) in second place, while Maria Behrens (Fanatic / Duotone) completes the top 3. All the girls thoroughly impressed the judges with their cutbacks in particular catching the eye.

Boy’s 

U15

The level in the U15s proved to be incredibly close with almost nothing separating the top 4 boys. In the second semifinal Anton Richter (JP / NeilPryde) caused a big upset as he took down the local talent of Tobias Bjornaa by just half a point, leaving the local boy gutted not to make the final at his home event. The young Dane picked himself up from that disappointment though to successfully win the battle for the final place on the podium against Val Erzen (Flikka / Duotone), who also impressed the judges throughout the day. 

Having caused the upset of the day, Richter, continued to impress and deservedly won the final ahead of Italian Giulio Gasperini (Starboard / Severne), who also enjoyed a solid day of competition.

U17 

Last year’s U15 World Champion - Liam Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne) - and Vice-World Champion - Lennart Neubauer (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - set up another final together with both sailors looking in formidable form. Having looked so dangerous in the preliminaries - Dunkerbeck - continued to fire on all cylinders in the final and was able to gain the upper hand against Neubauer with his rail-to-rail fluid wave riding really standing out! 

The top 3 was completed by Lars Bubelach after the German was able to see off Marlon Moelner.

U20

In the U20s, Henri Kolberg (Hot Sails Maui) / Maui Ultra Fins) was the clear standout sailor with the 19-year-old sailor being the only sailor in the fleet to land double forwards! The top 3 in the U20s was completed by Simon Thule and Malte Rahbek Oegelund.

The forecast for the next couple of days looks quite light, but there is still the possibility of hosting a super session later in the week.

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Girl’s

1st Line Bang Wittrup (Goya Windsurfing)
2nd Lina Erzen (Flikka / Duotone)
3rd Maria Behrens (Fanatic / Duotone)

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Boy’s U15s

1st Anton Richter (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
2nd Giulio Gasperini (ITA | Starboard / Severne)
3rd Tobias Bjornaa (DEN | Fanatic / Duotone)

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Boy’s U17s

1st Liam Dunkerbeck (ESP | Starboard / Severne)
2nd Lennart Neubauer (GER | Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Lars Bubelach

Result ​Noerstick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Wave World Cup - Boy’s U20s

1st Henri Kolberg (GER | Hot Sails Maui)
2nd Simon Thule (DEN | Starboard / Sail Loft Hamburg)
3rd Malte Rahbeck Oegelund (DEN)

Modern freestyle has progressed tremendous amounts since the birth of aerial freestyle in the early 2000s. However, one move that continues to stand the test of time is the shaka, which was invented by 3-time Freestyle World Champion - Ricardo Campello (Naish / Naish Sails) - in 2002. The shaka remains one of the hardest moves to initially learn, but once you unlock this amazing looking and feeling move it will remain one of your favourites and also be one of the best ways to show off in front of your buddies. Whether you’ve been struggling with the shaka for years or yet to try your first attempts here’s some tips from some of the best freestylers in the world!

Yentel Caers (I-99 / Point-7): “First of all it’s really important to be comfortable with your gear and also the basic moves such as upwind 360s and helitacks, but also the flake will help you unlock the shaka a lot because the end of the move is exactly like an upwind 360 and flaka. 

Once you’ve got the basics down you need to find a nice steep piece of chop. I recommend to learn the shaka on lakes because normally you have the chop slightly upwind from you, which helps with getting the initial pop up. Move your backhand slightly back on the boom and bend your elbows slightly then began to carve upwind by pulling up on your toes. When you take off you are going to stretch out your whole body. You need to straighten both your legs and front arm simultaneously, but sheet in your backhand. This is really important. Try and point your board directly into the wind and bring your body weight over your gear (forwards), while the sail goes back to turn the board upwind. Once you start to get the body and sail movement the end of the move is relatively simple as it’s the same ending as a flaka. Once you can do it, the shaka is one of the easiest moves to do in all conditions and it’s also still one of the most fun!”

9-time PWA Freestyle World Champion Sarah—Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins): “Try sailing in a straight line and all of a sudden carve upwind to launch of the chop. If you're already sailing upwind before initiating the move you lose momentum and it becomes hard to land the shaka.

-As you carve up wind for the shove it, look over your shoulder really hard, lay your sail down and push the sail down with your front hand. Not as much with your back hand.

-Always lean your body weight toward the nose of the board. Actually kind of in between the the mast and the board. These are my top tips.”

Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing): “Better know how to flaka as it’s kind of the same rotation. Better not be to powered up at the beginning, just good, because then the move is harder to control, and choose a stiff on shore chop.
Top tips -> Stay over the board, don’t throw yourself on the back. You have to give an energetic kick with your hip and throw the sail as far forward as you can (like a low wind stall, you know what I mean ? :p ) and then don’t forget to push with your front hand in the air to control the up wind position.

Riccardo Marca (Fanatic / Duotone)

- Before stepping up to the shaka you should be able to flaka as first it’s important to have the confidence with an upwind rotation.

- Possibly try this move in a choppy spot, it will help you to take off the first times. 

- During the shaka move your head in the direction you want to turn.

- The sail has a lot of power in this move so you will have to learn how much pressure you have to put through your hands.

- Keep your legs stiff during the first “air-time” part of the move.

Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins):

“My shaka tips: Have a lot of speed look for a chop and carve the board aggressively as you keep the speed and your body flying forwards (not too much upwind) with your backhand sheeted in and push down hard with your front arm. As soon as you are in the air push also hard on the backhand to fly longer. Look around in the direction you are going and enjoy the airtime!”

Adam Sims (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg):

- Power in the sail is the most important and speed is definitely your friend. 

- Aim to take off across the wind and as you carve up to get the board in the air push down on the boom and swing it behind your body, so the sail is pressing against your shins.

- Pull up with the back hand if you are struggling to rotate in the air.

- Aim to land the move first, don’t aim to try and do it high, you need to learn the rotation first, height comes later.

- Lastly, if you are rotating and not sliding then go off the wind a few degrees.

Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Duotone) may not have spent as much time as he normally does in the Canaries this summer, but he’s still been able to pop over to Gran Canaria to rack up plenty of time on the water…

Victor Fernandez: “One of my 3 favourite spots in Gran Canaria where we usually sail in lighter winds. I just had a few sessions on a 4.7 Super Hero proto by @duotone.windsurfing , the sail is feeling amazing :). Thanks for the filming @nachorochae17 @marcpare334 @joanpareborralleras & @josep_e203”

You can see Victor Fernandez’s latest clip here.

2020 has certainly been a unique year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had huge implications on the entire world. For some sailors that has meant not competing for the first time in almost two decades, so we thought we’d ask some of them what they miss and what they don’t miss about not competing this year. First up is Bonaire’s Taty Frans (Future Fly / Point-7), who has been competing on the world tour since 2002. 

1. What do you miss the most about not competing?

​After 17 years travelling, competing with a fixed schedule thru out years and suddenly all that comes to a halt its sure a mixed feeling, now I understand how fortunate we as windsurfers are to be able to be so free and travel around the world, compete and get to meet again new people, friends and much more, the competition side, adrenaline, the tension, the nerve wrecking, soar muscles in windy Fuerteventura. The any moment big shore break 10 days in cold Sylt, the waiting game in Japan, Korea but got to be prepared for that little wind prediction.. there's a lot more that is missed, but I am sure 2021 will be better than 2020.

2. What do you not miss about competing?

​Just the traveling with all the boardbags!!!

Thanks, Taty!

PWA Freestyler and Wave sailor - Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing) - decided to head to Gran Canaria this summer despite the contests unfortunately having to be cancelled! The 26-year-old recently spent 6 weeks in Gran Canaria and his latest video highlights the fact that there is much more to Gran Canaria than just jumping.

Antoine Albert: “With all the competitions getting cancelled whole year long, I decided anyway to move to Gran Canaria for a month and half in order to train as good as possible in freestyle and wave.
Here is a little recap clip, wave only, mostly filmed end of august.

Filmed by Marc Paré, Nacho Rocha, Victor Fernandez, Joan Paré”

You can see Antoine Albert’s latest edit @ youtu.be/LQO169Y4E4g

Last winter - Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails) - spent her time in Western Australia again and scored lots of epic conditions during that period! 

Lina Erpenstein: “I’m super excited to show you this clip from my time in Western Australia last winter. It’s been an epic trip with many great moments and sessions to remember. I’m probably mostly excited because I wrote the song to the video myself. I was having so much trouble to find a CC song that would fit until I just made my own. Curious to know how you like it!

Thanks to everyone for filming!
•••••••
Twogoatmedia
Nicolas Hess
Dieter Van der Eyken (Severne / Severne Sails)
Sarah Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
Oda Brødholt (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
Julian Salmonn (Bruch Boards / GUNSAILS)
And many more :)
••••”

You can see Lina Erpenstein’s latest video from Western Australia here.

This is the last of the last, of the last, 'Would You Rathers' with British racer Jenna Gibson (Fanatic / Duotone), who only competed at two events in 2019 - Marignane and Denmark - the latter at which she just missed out on the podium - 4th. Read on to hear a prompt response from the 23-year-old.

If you were reborn in a new life, would you rather be alive in the past or future?

The future please, as we will be out of lockdown and I can go windsurfing again.

Would you rather be free or be totally safe?

Free, but without any sharks.

Would you rather have free Wi-Fi wherever you go or have free coffee where/whenever you want?

Free wifi, I hate the smell of coffee.

Would you rather lose the ability to read or lose the ability to speak?

I'm not famous for either…

Would you rather spend the rest of your life with a sailboat as your home or an RV as your home?

I love my van.

Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?

Free food always.

Would you rather be forced to dance every time you heard music or be forced to sing along to any song you heard?

I'd  rather sing ....not sure others would agree.

Would you rather travel the world for a year on a shoestring budget or stay in only one country for a year but live in luxury?

I'd rather travel all the time.

Would you rather have a horrible job, but be able to retire comfortably in 10 years or have your dream job, but have to work until the day you die?

Dream job please… I already have it… windsurfer.

Would you rather be able to land every move in the world right now and never crash again or still be able to still learn new moves, but crash 10 times more frequently than it usually takes you to land a new move?

I love learning to crash in different ways... crashing with style is always fun.

Thanks, Jenna!