Tenerife scene
Surf freak Tim Kallas spent a semester abroad on Tenerife, where the surfing conditions were perhaps a little more important than the academic aspect. Between pensioners and drop-outs, there is also a German-speaking surf scene, so that during the morning session "suddenly there were more countrymen standing around me than at the last German international football match". For the Spaniards, however, it's still too early. In addition to two who have slowly fallen in love with the island and eventually with a local and moved to Tenerife completely, there is also a certain Daniel Bruch - "the man who makes waves 360s, one-handed reverse loops and goiters look as easy as a sheet start." In addition to his job at his parents' company, Dany runs his own radio station and is just starting out in the World Cup. Bart David, the bricklayer from Belgium, on the other hand, could only be found in El Medano (or "el cemento", as the locals called the place at the time because of its bed castles) in winter, as it was too touristy for him in summer. He built his own finca in the mountains. Author Tim Kallas was also sure at the time that he wanted to return soon.
Portrait Antoine Albeau
Antoine Albeau was nicknamed "The Beast" in 2002 because of his "stature and giant paws". The Frenchman, who would go on to achieve legendary status in the decades that followed and collect well over 20 world championship titles, had just become freestyle world champion - which was certainly somewhat surprising given the competition from Josh Stone. Even if he lacked the elegance of his opponents, the then 29-year-old had plenty of ambition and training discipline. His goal: to become the best all-rounder in the world. Albeau specifically trained his style to compensate for his weight disadvantage. Compared to young newcomers such as Kauli Seadi and Ricardo Campello, he sees his experience from racing as his main advantage: "Ricardo has what it takes to win competitions, but not the mental strength to become world champion," he says of his future close friend. Windsurfing is "one of the most complex sports from an athletic point of view", says Antoine, who feels physically drained after a freestyle competition, but more mentally drained after racing. Albeau then goes on to explain why he doesn't have a high school diploma: "I won my first slalom against Björn in 1992. On the way back, I got stuck at New York airport. [...] The next day I should have done my A-levels, but 2000 marks [for excess baggage] was a lot of money for me at the time. Even my father advised me not to fly home in a hurry."
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
And what else?
- Visionary Welz: When "troublemakers step into the diffuse limelight of the Internet" and claim in forums that the surf test scores are based on advertising volume or that "the test drivers are bribed", then only sound arguments and transparency can help, the then editor-in-chief said in his editorial. Because: "Those who don't have any are hiding in the anonymity of the internet." Unfortunately, this is still as true today as it was in 2002.
- Fan mail for the pros: While Andy Laufer is invited on a date and Josh Angulo holds a Bible study session, Josh Stone receives mail from a senior teacher who denounces "alcohol abuse among young people" and collects statements from youth culture for a lecture. He came across Stone via his son, an "obsessive" surf reader ("I personally don't think much of this reading as I consider it harmful to young people!"). Probably, but Stone replies very diplomatically anyway.
- boot 2002 is just around the corner, and even then not all the big manufacturers were there. Instead, parties with promising names such as "Tequila Suicide" or "Jägermaestro" are on the programme.
- There is a big photo story from the big test in South Africa and a look behind the scenes. It includes exotic items such as hi-tech and drops. At the very back, illustrator Bernhard Förth has drawn how he imagines the surf test...
- Worldcupper Rich Foster shows the etiquette and right of way rules in the wave. He has chosen Josh Angulo of all people as the "victim" in the pictures
- Advertising gems: The word "body shaming" was still completely unknown in 2002, so that a tour operator could advertise with impunity with a sausage sandwich eater in the back and the slogan "We have the most beautiful fitness studios in the world"
- Vidar Jensen is almost world champion at the World Cup in Ireland - but the wind unexpectedly picks up on the last day and the Norwegian, who lives in Gran Canaria, is knocked out. The winner is - guess who - his mate Björn Dunkerbeck. The number one topic of conversation during the slack days are the attacks in New York and the Worldcuppers' baby plans
- Andy Pusch shows the best spots on the Costa Brava: the region has a bad reputation due to party tourists, the thermals are reliable but without over-hack - but ideal for modern, early gliding material
More surf reviews:
- surf 4/1977
- surf 6/1977
- surf 6/1978
- surf 4/1979
- surf 9/1980
- surf 11/1980
- surf 4/1981
- surf 5/1982
- surf 6/1982
- surf 4/1983
- surf 10/1983
- surf 9/1984
- surf 12/1984
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- surf 8/1986
- surf 9/1986
- surf 2/1987
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- surf 5/1989
- surf 7/1989
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- surf 3/1991
- surf 6/1991
- surf 3/1992
- surf 10/1992
- surf 9/1993
- surf 10/1993
- surf 4/1994
- surf 7/1995
- surf 6/1996
- surf 11-12/1996
- surf 7/1997
- surf 8/1998
- surf 9/1998
- surf 4/1999
- surf 7/2001
- surf 5/2005
- surf 3/2006
