Rear-view mirror: These were the highlights in surf 5/2005

Tobias Frauen

· 31.08.2024

Jason Polakow at Kona-Wind in Lanes graces the surf cover in May 2005, photographed by Julia Schweiger

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Photo: surf-Archiv

A new era! Now that we have previous reviews After looking at two issues each from 1977 to 1999, we are now entering the new millennium! We rummage through the surf magazines of the "noughties" - and start right in the middle with the May 2005 issue!

Some faces and names from the spring of 2005 are still part of everyday windsurfing life today: Tabou Rocket, then brand new as the first freeride board of the young brand on the market, and the Tabou Manta, Severne NCX or Starboard Carve are still around today. Other brands have either disappeared or were never really there, such as the announced new board brand HTS (with dubious decor). Francisco Goya appears in surf for the first time with his own sails and boards - today Goya is one of the most successful brands in the world (see also our current interview). Severne is also described in the test as a "newcomer brand". Mistral and F2, which are at best marginalised today, were still in full swing back then.

Surf festival in a double pack

The surf festival is still one of the biggest test events in the world today, and in 2005 there was also an offshoot on Lake Garda. Reason enough for a 16-page special with programme, preview and history corner. On the water there is the F2 Speed Challenge and a freestyle show by Ricardo Campello and Gollito Estredo, on land there are big parties together with NDR 2. Even Björn Dunkerbeck, Kevin Pritchard and co. are coming to Lake Garda. Mistral and surf are jointly presenting an exhibition on 40 years of windsurfing with rare boards and many rarities. In the "Race of Champions", current and former top riders compete against each other, while the "Freestyle Supersession" is a tricky event.

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Old school vs. new school - and a talent called Browne

A new era is also on the horizon in wave riding: the young freestyler guard with Kauli Seadi, Ricardo Campello and co. is becoming a threat to the old schoolers. Although Robby Naish is no longer competing in the World Cup on Maui, he would still like to "kick their little arses", as he heatedly admits to surf editor Steve Chismar. In the end, the two generations, Josh Angulo and Kauli Seadi, faced each other in the final in uncharacteristically mucky Maui weather, with the old school still winning. In the women's competition, however, nothing gets past the Morenos - "women like Maui local Jennifer Henderson [...] move as if in slow motion". Francisco Goya, already a legend at the time, spoke of the "most radical wave contest of all time". And Prophet Steve demonstrates an impressive eye when looking at the youngsters: "Another feast for the eyes is the youngest participant alongside Graham Ezzy, Marcilio Broume [sic!] The wave routiners have these riders to thank for the fact that a radical wave ride or high pushloops are not enough." Not even a small irony of (windsurfing) history: The splinters read "Marcilio Broume de Neto - you should learn to spell that name. The 'Kauli 2' [...] surfs almost as crazy as his role model." Today we know that the man is called Marcilio Browne, also goes by "Brawzinho" and is now a three-time world champion in the wave.

You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!

And what else?

Well, who did the mirroring here? In the Big Moves photo story, Robby Seeger rides a Jaws wave - but in the Kona wind from the left (just like Jason Polakow on the cover)!
During the big freeride test on the Cape Verde Islands, 40 readers are also allowed to have a look and share their impressions. New local Josh Angulo is also always there.
Part 2 of the windsurfing encyclopaedia: This issue covers everything from G for "gecko" (the move, not the board) to Q for "quarter pounder" - a "body drag into sail loop". In between, you'll find such illustrious moves as "Jizz" (Robby Naish's name for a tack out of the crosshang), "Ghadi Jibe" (duck tack into backwind jibe) or "Pipa" (spock into crosshang)
surf has something for your ears: Under "Sound & Styles", music and film tips are brought to the man and woman. In addition to the inevitable Jack Johnson and Donovan Frankenreiter, mainly electro-heavy music is recommended
At some Happy stations, guests can hire the F2 SX 105 slalom board with integrated GPS display. The fastest riders in the weekly station rankings are rewarded with non-cash prizes.
The "Pearl of the Ammerland" is presented by locals in the Spotguide: The Zwischenahner Meer has produced two big names, Rik Fiddicke and Amelie Lux. The following also applies to the very active surfing scene: "Slipstream instead of course shadow"
With a "kitewing" that is reminiscent of the historical construction of the Wind-Weapon a skier flies 253 metres in the "Red Bull King of the Wing".
Denmark: In May 2005, there was a complete overview of all the spots on the west coast - still one of the most popular destinations today. favourite spots for many German surfers!