This year I didn’t manage the pilgrimage to Maui,but our friends the Mckirgans did and Alex shot a few photos at Ho’okipa-Maui.
These shots showcase the conditions and new toys coming up for 2013.
It looks like from the pictures that 4 battens sails are the main development and Ezzy seems to testing a number a prototypes. (You can see Kevin Pritchard and Graham Ezzy testing a EZZY 2013 4 batten prototype). Naish and Goya allso seem to be doing more work on their 4 batten sails.
On the board front they seem to adding more fins and JP appear to have some 5 fin box options on their wave boards. The quads seem to be getting faster and with improved fins and refined rocker lines. There is also a trend with fast thrusters coming out with both Quattro and Fanatic having boards in this style.
We will find out new 2013 RRD boards when they have their launch next week in Cyprus…
Nik Baker recently told me about a new Fanatic thruster which he really rated as replacement to the Fanatic single fin board.
There are also rumors are also about that Goya will launch a new light weight blank in their 2013 models – Marcillo Brown, can be seen with a 2013 Goya Pro Wave with some subtle changes more vee new nose shape and narrower tail.
Thanks to Alex who sent the photos over to me. He has been windsurfing since the age of 5 years old and learnt hi initial skills on one of our X-train Rippers courses. He has been getting some coaching in Maui from the master coach himself Matt Pritchard…
We have just taken delivery of the New 2012 Ezzy tiger in the 2XS office grrrrrrr.
This sail we haven’t tried yet is a very similar concept to the EZZY Panther Ltd but comes with standard sail cloth opposed to the custom sail cloth of the Panther LTD. I have a 4.7 were going to test next time its windy.
I had an email form the master himself Dave Ezzy who said “the Tiger has very close to the same performance as the Panther Limited. The Tiger might be a smidge more powerful and a tad more draft forward. The weights are similar, with the Tiger coming in only a few grams heavier than the Limited.”
If you not tried the panther LTD there is big reduction in weight of previous sails and it feels very light in your hands –what I like is the early planning you get from the new EZZYs without sacrificing any top end power. One thing is for sure the quality of these sails is by far the best in the industry. Ezzy ltd>>
So if you fancy seeing the EZZY Tiger or looking at a new Ezzy Panther LTD please give me a call 0774 775 8883 or email me directly on [email protected]
We had chance to try and check the 2012 paddle surf boards from Surftech. We had a damp day to test some of the new sticks which included a new set of distance and race boards from Jamie Mitchell and New Laird Hamilton boards designed with Joe Bark. Surftech already have reputation for making some of the lightest distance race and paddlesurf models on the market the 2012 line does not disappoint. The new elite race boards felt very light carbon bottoms and tufflite tops seem spot on in the weight department-they also are making a tufflite only cheaper model of certain distance boards which does feel heavier than the elite boards but are acceptable – if you want top performance buy the elite model!
Surftech Roxy – 10.6 = £1145 and 9.6 = £1145
We didn’t have any girlie’s to try these so we thought we would try them ourselves – I really like the feel of these, and they felt very similar to the Pearson Arrow lairds –they are really stable easy to paddle and rode waves with great ease and were surprisingly loose. What was good was the fact the board tracked pretty well – but still rode small waves with great ease. They have a decent surfboard style rail line handle which was well placed and boards were light weight and easy to carry. 10.6 x 32.25 x 4.3 – 9.6 x 30 x 4.33
Jamie Mitchell Latitude 12.6 £1495 And 14ft £1695.00
The Jamie Mitchell models look very different this season – gone is the drawn out pin tail and now there is a high volume squash tail. The boards are super fast and feel more stable than the 12.6 of 2010 – we tried them in choppy windy conditions so it was not the most perfect test conditions. What you notice straight away is their weight – they are super light – the high volume tails give you the chance to get more pop when you paddle. As you compress into your paddle stroke as the paddle is forced down in the water – the shape and high volume tail is forced down into the water as the paddle gets released, the board rises out of the water and with forward momentum picks up speed. All sounds very technical but you do it nearly all the time on a sup with good paddle technique-the Mitchell tail shape improves this. The 14 ft is narrower than the 12.6 and once a cruising speed with hold that speed with a little less effort.
The Laird Race Tufflite 14 ft £1445
This is big volume board 275 ltrs 14 x 29.5 width 7.5 inches thick will suit big guys and we felt this board would make a great downwinder –super fast downwind has good footstearing and the vee bow drives through chop.We had a swept back fin on the test board so it was harder driving up into the wind I think a more upright fin would work better into the wind.The Elite model will cost £1595 –personally I spend the extra and get the lighter board. This board has been a collaboration between Joe Bark and Laird Hamilton so you know its going to be good. There is 12.6 model x 30″ and 7.75 inches thick 259 ltrs. This has a different shape more of a squash tail –feels very stable a similar concept to the bark competitor and is a great all rounder in different conditions. Volume has been reduced in front of the foot pad to reduce windage. They come in both pro elite construction £1395 and tufflite £1345.
Bark
Bark is legend in the paddleboard world his distance race and prone boards have brought him many titles –in the USA bark is king of many of the race comps and his production boards are result of a lot of R and D. We had the new competitor 12.6 and dominator 14 ft which have had a tune up with lower deck profiles forward of the pads. We also saw the Candice Applebee model in blue which we didn’t get chance to try.12.6 competitor elite £1545 (Candice Applebee model same as 12.6 competitor) dominator elite £1745. The boards are still as fast as last years so always a very good option.
We arrange demos for 2012 models and other surftechs please call simon on 0774 775 8883 for specific technical advice or email [email protected]
Earlier this year the European Championships were help in St. Gilles Croix de Vie, Vendee, France. RRD team rider Sebastian Garat was crowned king for winning the final stop. There were seven days of spectacular competitions, varying wind conditions and beautiful waves at the beach. Garat and Kerneur were crowned European Champions. RRD Team rider Sebastians favourite gear is the RRD Obsession MKIV and Poison LTD 133/41!!!
Dan Sweeney has recently taken on the role of RRD UK Team manager at Seasprite. His job role includes working alongside the company developing and building the team, visiting shops educating staff and customers on the product . Dan’s equipment choices are the Obsession Pro and the Juice Twintip
RRD equipment has become very popular on the south coast, and a number of members of the West Wittering Windsurf Club have now been using their gear for many years. Stuart Holland is a face that is frequently seen when ever the wind tips the magic 18 knot mark. He rides the 2012 RRD Obsessions and also the 2012 Maquina Surf board
Product Review by Stu Holland “I purchased the new RRD Obsession kites, 9 and 7m about a month ago and have now had some fantastic kite sessions with them. Although I usually kite in the waves, and always use a directional board, I have tended to prefer these ‘all-round’ kites like the Obsession, as I’ve found they have a bit more grunt and range than the waves specific kites. This makes them better suited to the South Coast type conditions. The 9m has seen the biggest improvement from last year, with much better unhooked capability whilst wave riding. Overall they are great all round kites- easy to fly, giving you versatility and a big wind-range”.
Chris Rainbow’s new ride is the super stylish RRD Style Twintip and twinned with the RRD Religion it makes for an epic riding combo.
Julia Toms has also been an RRD fan since the beginning of her kiteboarding life when she started on the RRD type 6! She now rides an RRD Obsession on a custom surf board.
There also a whole flock of RRD Passions to be seen on the beach. Jess Napper has been converted to kitesurfing from windsurfing and it was the RRD Passion that led her down the kiting router. She is frequently seen at the beach and also rides RRD Twintips boards.
The Panther Ltd has been very well received with its new improved power range an- lighter handling and unique custom graphics. The Ezzy Tiger has graphics and panel layout and new striking colours -see the pic of of Kevin Prichard smashing the lip at Hookipa Maui Hawaii.
The new Cheetah which is the replacement for the Ezzy Freeride. What you will get with the new sails is a reduction in overall sail weight as well as softer, lighter feel in your hands on the water without compromising the unusual strong and light wind performance you get from Ezzy sails.
We will be getting more details but this is all we have so far .
Last Thursday summer arrived with a small swell between the windy fronts that have been battering the beach for the last few months. It was super smooth waves on Berties reef at West Wittering, downwind of the windsurf club.
West Wittering felt like Malibu really warm nice waves no wind a perfect Sup session plenty of folks riding long boards.
Don’t forget if fancy trying paddle boarding or want to learn wave riding on your SUP contact Simon who can help if you fancy trying this [email protected] or we rent direct from the windsurf club.
Had chance to meet up with Roberto at the Seasprite warehouse to check out the new toys and look at the new RRD freestyle waves – New 100 ltr contest – New RRD religion – New RRD kite wave boards and the new -carbon autoclave 10 knot light wind twin tip.
Roberto also showed us the new SUPER Sup and talked through the new design concepts of all the gear. I will be testing out some of the new freestyle waves 2012 editions – Neal will be getting the new 2012 religions and James on the beach will have the new Obsession Pro on test later next week.
The RRD team dropped down to the beach last Friday to show off the new gear before heading off to the National Windsurf Festival at Hayling Island. Neal, John Skye, Rosco, Chris, Jem, and Roberto all came to WWWC to before the wind arrived to bring some new RRD toys down to the test centre.
We are very pleased to announce that Roberto Ricci will coming to the UK and will be visiting 2XS and X-train – he will be launching 2012 new RRD product at WWWC -West Wittering – the RRD EZZY test centre.
Roberto will have the new 2012 RRD Freestyle Waves, Contest Quad Wave, The New RRD SUP and the new 2012 RRD Kites The Religion 2 – The new Obsession Pro and Obsession MKIV – RRD kite wave boards – the new 10 Knots LTD.
Roberto will be on hand to answer any questions and will introduce the new RRD toys.
Neal Gent RRD 2XS team rider- Chris Rainbow, Rossco Moore, James Crowe from 2XS and X-Train will be on hand to help with any enquiries.
It will be at West Wittering Beach at the windsurf club WWWC .
The RRD launch will be on Friday 2nd September Starts 4pm BBQ 6.pm finish 7pm -we are providing free barbie and beers all you have to do is pay your car parking on the beach
Please can you let [email protected] know if you would like to attend or call the beach on 01243 513077 01243 513077 .www.2xs.co.uk
Here is a sneak preview of all of the 2012 Cabrinha kite and kiteboard gear. New boards, new kites and new kite bars.
Cabrinha have a very nice looking set of new graphics for 2012 and a couple of new models called the Vector and Drifter. The Vector is a surf and freeride kite and the Drifter is a pure surf orientated kite. Both of the kites are 3-strut designs.
The Nomad, Crossbow and Switchblade have all been retuned this year. All are lighter in feel for 2012 with improved tuning and balance.
They have improved the 2012 Quick Link kitebar too.
They have a new surfboard construction with a cork laminate as opposed to wood:
As you can see, it’s pretty strong!
There is a new Freeride board called the Transport – an uber-light-wind twin fin board, based on a detuned raceboard.
