Polakow and Teriitehau as the first windsurfers in Teahupoo
"Beauty is a beast" is how the legendary Teahupoo wave is described. The break has been world-famous since the 2024 Olympics at the latest, but in 2006 it was a completely different story. Jason Polakow and Robert Teriitehau are among the first windsurfers to go into the wave with sails - who else, as neither of them are exactly known as hesitant safety freaks. "The wave was calling my name," says Jason poetically, "but it was the voice of a monster!" Tahiti local Robert has been out before and is easily persuaded to go out with Jason in Teahupoo (pronounced "Tscha-Pu"). The "heaviest wave on earth" makes even Pipeline look like a "children's merry-go-round", describes Polakow. After a few rides on the wave rider, Jason and Robert switch to windsurfing. While Teriitehau lets himself be pulled into the break by a jet ski, Polakow pumps himself into the waves - and even sets a wave 360 at one point. After a few dream waves, however, Poli gets caught and is washed over the reef. "After completely destroying all my equipment, I thought it was time to accept Robert's invitation to a real Tahitian meal at his house!"
Windsurfing on Formentera
The Balearic Islands are not exactly known as a strong wind paradise, and Formentera is no exception. The "little sister of Ibiza" in the shadow of the well-known islands is nevertheless a worthwhile windsurfing destination: Caribbean water colours, fantastic beaches, lively corners without the Ballermann ambience and easy to reach. Austrian Walter Baldinger runs the three water sports centres on Formentera and enthuses: "It's not uncommon to have a gliding wind of between three and five Beaufort", and in spring and autumn there can even be waves and winds of 4.5. Advanced surfers can speed through the idyllic bays with good equipment, beginners can take a course and the non-surfing part of the family is not sandblasted. One of Walter's surf instructors is Andrea Rosati, who went on to become a PWA pro. "The colours are absolutely amazing," he enthuses. "When you glide along Playa de Illetes, the water is so clear that you think you can recognise every single grain of sand at the bottom!"
RWSG on Lake Zülpich
"What is quietly slumbering away just needs to be kissed awake," writes surf regatta editor Alois Mühlegger in his editorial, vigorously promoting the still numerous windsurfing clubs in Germany. The magazine then introduces the Rheinische Windsurfing Gemeinschaft, which is active on Lake Zülpich. Unfortunately, the lake has become increasingly windless over the years due to growing trees on the shore, and many younger people prefer to go to Holland. Mühlegger, who used to be involved in the club as a sports warden himself, pays a visit to the "Zülpi" for the summer festival. After the races on the water - including with tandems - the Kölsch band Brings performs. "No regatta without a proper party" is the basic principle.
Kauli Seadi - "from freestyle prince to wave king"
2005 was the year of Kauli Seadi, he won his first World Championship title in waves. Like so many stars of his generation, the Brazilian was initially successful in freestyle, but his big dream was always wave riding. "I only did freestyle on the side," says Kauli in the surf interview. His influence on wave riding is immense: "he revolutionised the style in the wave", was already said in 2006, because Kauli brought freestyle elements into wave riding. "I am convinced that freestyle is the future of the wave", he says - Today, however, the judges favoured classic wave riding again. Later, Kauli ensured the comeback of the multifin boards and was the first to have shorter, compact shapes. Seadi is also breaking new ground in terms of preparation, focussing on mental training, meditation and yoga. He would have had what it takes to become a professional tennis player, as Seadi's father was a recognised coach. "But chasing a yellow ball for the rest of my career? No thanks!" What's more, his temperament didn't fit in with the tennis mentality, says Kauli. In 2007 and 2008, he won two more world championship titles, and today Seadi runs a water sports hotel in his home town of Ibiraquera.
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
And what else?
- At boot Düsseldorf, the surf hall presents itself for the first time as "Beach World" and brings together windsurfers, kiters and many more. "Almost like in the old days" - despite the limited presence of the big brands
- The Arrows sail brand is discontinued, numerous team riders switch to North within Boards & More
- In the big wave test, radical, slim boards are compared with the slightly more compact all-round shapes, and a distinction is made between onshore and sideshore models. The Challenger cloth takes the cake, with a black design sheet that makes it impossible to see downwind. At the other end of the range, 9.0 sails are tested
- Severne, which was only launched in 2004, also wants to make progress in slalom with the SSR racing sail and build on its wave success. The aim at the time was to be world market leader within three years.
- To celebrate its 30th birthday, Mistral is launching the Screamer in a classic edition limited to 100 units with a real wood finish. Almost too beautiful to surf.
- Learn the race jibe using the building block principle: the riding technique shows how to approach the "most extreme type of power jibe" step by step
- "Turbo noise", "turbo wind" and a water temperature of four degrees make the Indorr World Cup in London a tough job. Campello wins the overall standings ahead of Nik Baker and Gollito Estredo, while the Morenos dominate the women's event
- The final round of the Formula World Championship in Australia was run in "full fleet" mode. 87 drivers on Formula material in winds of around seven gusts - "a festival for the photographers", but less than half made it to the finish line
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