New Zealand: Jason Polakow and Robby Swift in the biggest waves in the world
In "Papatowai" in the south of New Zealand, the biggest waves on earth meet land - "a hellish cold-water wave spot" with temperatures around freezing point. In summer, however, the spot is dormant - except in 2008, when Jason Polakow hit the jackpot and set off with Robby Swift to catch an incredible big day. After a 33-hour journey, the first spot check is initially disappointing: small, chaotic waves and hardly any wind. But when a tow-in surfer starts shortly afterwards, the crew's jaws drop: With a human as a size reference, the waves are simply gigantic! After lowering the jet skis into the water and a long walk to the beach, we head out into the surf zone, where we rig up with great effort. Their efforts are then more than rewarded on the water, even if Jason and Robby are a little cold in their four-millimetre neos. When a troupe of local tow-in surfers turns up, things get a little tense as they wrestle over the sets, which come in every 20 to 30 minutes. "It culminated in the fact that I once managed to jump over the tow-in rope of a jet to enter the wave super late with the surfer and ride it with him," reports Polakow. "He was pissed off afterwards! And he was swearing!" Robby and Jason then kept a respectful distance, but later on the shore the crews became friends.
Mega talent Philip Köster and his "Geröllheimer family"
In 2008, Philip Köster finally flew into the spotlight of the windsurfing world. At the age of just 14, he made it into the top ten of the World Cup at his home spot of Pozo - although Vargas is more of a home spot, as the Köster family lives there in the only house in the middle of the stone landscape. Heinrich Dornbusch explains to surf how Philip became so good so quickly. "They had nothing to do with windsurfing back then," he says of his parents Rolf and Linda Köster, who were recuperating on Gran Canaria after a trip to Africa in the early 1980s. The Dunkerbeck family quickly got them hooked and they eventually moved to the island. In 1989, they moved into the legendary house on Vargas beach, where Philip and his sister Kyra grew up. "Basically, they then completed the classic windsurfing career, sheet start, harnessing, planing, looping and the first tack and jibe," explains their father Rolf - only much faster than normal mortals. "If I want to learn a new move, I look at it in magazines and videos in the evening and practise it with friends on the water the next day," says Philip. After their success in Pozo, the number of enquiries from sponsors increased, but education is also important to "Team Köster", which Philip and Kyra travelled as for a few years, and both go to a public school. The children have the final say in all decisions, "if Philip feels uncomfortable with one of the numerous interview requests, [...] he prefers to go windsurfing." And we all know what was to come after that: the first world championship title in 2011, followed by four more to date, regularly pushing the boundaries of the sport - and two impressive comebacks after serious injuries.
Windsurfing in New York and Long Island
Even though New York is by the sea, the connection to windsurfing doesn't immediately spring to mind. For surf, New York native Jace Panebianco - then a worldcupper and now a filmmaker - reported on the spots in the Big Apple. Although only the "Liberty Park" spot within sight of the Statue of Liberty is really in the city ("I don't know if it's allowed, but nobody cared about us and it's easy to get in"), the much better spots are on Long Island. The destination of a trip with old friends is a session in the legendary town of Montauk at the eastern end of the elongated island, known primarily as a surfing spot. Even so close to the metropolis, the adventure factor is surprisingly high: "If you really want to explore the windsurfing opportunities on Long Island, you need a 4x4," says Jace. In some places you can drive onto the beach with a permit, and the crew catches a great session downwind of the Shinnecock Inlet breakwater (a passage to the inland waters). Later, we head inland to Sebonic Inlet, where the wind and current are against each other and produce a kind of standing wave in which around a dozen locals have fun. When the weather calms down, they head back to the city, where they actually surf in front of the Statue of Liberty at sunset - "definitely not the most radical session I've ever had, but one of the most memorable." A little later, the crew - now without the injured Jace - travelled to the end of Long Island, to the legendary fishing village of Montauk in anticipation of a big swell. "Just off the coast, a high-dollar shark competition was taking place," they discover surfers checking the spot. "Even from a kilometre and a half away, you could still see the blood-soaked water around the boats." Incidentally, "Jaws" is also set here - allegedly inspired by true events. Fabrice is probably the first windsurfer to venture into the waves at the point, with extremely little wind and a rocky entry. Word quickly spread about the session on perfect, empty waves - and the New Yorker Jace got homesick.
Roberto Ricci: "I am decadent"
"I'm decadent" admits Roberto Ricci in this portrait - and is photographed in an imperial gesture on his €850,000 yacht. From lifeguard and surf shop salesman to World Cup pro, he has worked his way up to become a shaper with his own brand. Others now do the tedious planing for him, but Ricci claims that every RRD board is 85% Ricci. He does most of his work on the computer: "A windsurfing board is not a car, a phone or a computer that needs to be meticulously tested," he says. For him, a board is not just about shape and technology, but also about graphics and marketing. He is certain: "We make the best product in the world!" At that time, Ricci began to build up a fashion division alongside the water sports products - today the larger part of the RRD company. RRD also plans to become active in the yacht sector. "I love shapes," he enthuses, adding that it is of secondary importance whether it is a board, a car - or a woman. He enjoys his privileges with his girlfriend while being cooked for by mum Ricci "as a true Italian should".
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And what else?
- In the middle of the season, Björn Dunkerbeck suddenly switches from Thommen boards to Starboard - and wins in Alacati! The reason for this is said to have been production problems with boards that were too heavy for his home and yard shaper. The new boards are significantly faster, despite only one hour to break them in: "If you can surf, it works!"
- At the fun event "The Mission" on the Brouwersdam, no fewer than 340 participants will be taking part - 160 of them under the age of 18!
- Fashion colour grey: In the freestyle test, the majority of the boards come in a "semi-finished look". Exciting: There is still a lot of experimentation going on with the tails, some candidates have artistically carved "cutaway spock tails". HiFly has a twinser at the start - with miniature footpads and convincing all-round characteristics
- Also in the test: freestyle sails in 6.0 - and opinions differ on the size. "I may be a fat bloke, but I don't need these huge rags," says Frank Lewisch, while guest tester Burian thinks: "They glide better and are very suitable for [...] Willy Skippers and Volcans!"
- North invites you to Bullshit Bingo: The new Ego wave sail comes with "Cross.Batten.Concept", "Cutaway.Clew" and "Balanced.Luff.Length" - did you confuse the space bar with a dot?
- According to the PWA guidelines, the most points in 2008 are awarded for a pushloop off the lip. John Skye shows how it's done in surf!
- 17-year-old Sebastian Kördel wins the surf marathon in Silvaplana. Curiously, windsurfers and kiters started the race together - with a clear lead for the windsurfers.
