Did you recognise him? The title hero in July 2003 was none other than Kai Lennytoday perhaps the most famous Waterman in the world. But even he started out small, and to ensure that as many people as possible emulate him, there is a big children's special in the magazine. From suitable equipment to riding technique basics, everything will be done to pass on the surfing virus to the kids. The young test team takes a close look at children's boards, rigs and neos. In contrast to "family boards" with daggerboards, modern winch-body boards or special children's boards already have small side fins or an optional centre fin. The sails are made of large, lightweight mono film.
Photo tips from the pros
Darrel Wong, Thorsten Indra, Jerome Houyvet, Jono Knight and co: the best and most famous surf photographers give tips for great surf pictures. In the pre-digital era, this was a much more time-consuming process than with modern digital cameras, as film had to be managed and curiosity about the photo had to be kept in check until after it had been developed. In addition to technical aspects such as aperture, exposure and focal length, the professionals also have some quite banal tips to offer: consultation between surfer and photographer, a good composition and perspective, and exciting colours - then even amateur photographers can take a picture worth seeing! Just a few months ago John Carter his photo tips given.
Oil disaster at France's surf spots
Many people can probably still remember the Prestige disaster: in November 2002, the oil tanker broke apart and sank in the Atlantic off the coast of Spain. Every day, more than 100 tonnes of heavy oil seeped into the sea from the wreck at a depth of 3,500 metres, polluting the beaches of Spain and France. Almost six months later, surf editor Steve Chismar took stock: the beaches around the French town of Arcachon are clean, "cleaner than ever", as the mayor emphasises, but work is still ongoing, especially in more remote areas. And the fear that the makeshift wreck could break up again is still omnipresent. And there is still a lot of oil out at sea that could drift onto the coasts during the next storm. Incidentally, the ailing "Prestige" was on its way to Latvia and could have sunk off Denmark or in the Baltic Sea. However, many observers also see part of the blame in the crisis management: after the first leak, the ship was towed out to sea instead of into a harbour.
Windsurfing scene Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
They say that everything happens a little later in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. At least in terms of windsurfing, there is a hint of truth to this. The Baltic Sea coast has been in Erich's Sleeping Beauty sleep for almost 40 years, and the kissing awake is still going on in 2003, at least it feels like it. Reason enough to take a closer look at the people who go out on the water there. From the former aft rower and current surf shop owner to the newcomer "Wessi", a colourful group of people let off steam at spots between Rostock, Poel and Rügen. Some were already enthusiastic windsurfers in GDR times, either on the official "Delta 3" boards or - much more frequently - on self-built equipment. The conditions in Kühlungsborn and Neu Mukran on Rügen are impressive, as is the length of the traffic jam before the crossing to Rügen. A great session makes you forget all the stress of travelling, and afterwards you can celebrate in Rostock on the "MS Stubnitz", a former fishing trawler now moored in Hamburg.
Portrait of Andy Pusch
Around the turn of the millennium, Andy Pusch was living the dream of countless windsurfing-crazy youngsters: visually very close to Josh Stone, he had made it from inland Germany to Maui and was traded there as the new top talent. With JP and NeilPryde as sponsors, blond curls and Hawaiian shorts, he was the perfect projection surface. His roots in artistic cycling brought agility and coordination, the local Rhine brought routine, and a year at the Maui Ocean Academy with the Siver family brought the finishing touches. After four years studying on Maui, Andy Pusch returned to Germany in 2003 - a little later, things went quiet around him.
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
And what else?
- Josh Stone has cut off his long mane, surf is looking for explanations such as "I was tired of always eating my hair when I sat in front of a plate of pasta" or "I was tired of walking around as the third Moreno Twin." Definitely belongs in the "aged badly" category.
- Now that's a service: Tiga importer Knut Budig builds the foot strap plugs further into the centre of some freeriders on request.
- The new Super X format is tested for fun at the surf festival on Lake Garda. Winner: Andrea Rosati ahead of Robby Swift
- The manufacturers are upgrading for supercross: NeilPryde launches the Saber, F2 two new boards.
- Slalom returns to the World Cup, surf tests equipment for light to strong winds. In addition to the immense fins (56 cm!), the cutout experiments on the tails are particularly exciting.
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
Tobias Frauen
Editor
