A few weeks ago, an announcement made the windsurfing world sit up and take notice: The PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) and the IWT (International Wave Tour) are joining forces to organise a joint wave tour in 2023. More than 40 events in 25 countries should be on the calendar. Now there is more concrete planning with the first dates:
Events with four and five stars
- 17 - 21 March: Omaezaki, Japan (5*)
- 25 March - 2 April: Topocalma, Chile (4*)
- 1 - 11 June: Cloudbreak, Fiji (5*)
- 1 - 9 July: Gran Canaria, Spain (5*)
- 5 - 13 August: Tenerife, Spain (5*)
- 26 August - 3 September: Pacasmayo, Peru (4*)
- 22 September - 3 October: Sylt, Germany (5*)
- 23 October - 3 November: Maui, Hawaii (5*)
Events with three or fewer stars
- Taiwan, Taitung Wave Classic
- France, Championnat De
- Denmark, Cold Hawaii
- Chile, Sirena
- Barbados, White Sands
- Australia, Wanda NSW
- Japan, Cold Breeze
- 15 - 29 January: Guadeloupe, Wanalao
- 18 - 21 January: Lancelin, Australia
- 26 - 29 January: Margaret River, Australia
- 4 - 5 February: Japan, Winter Cup
- 4 - 12 February: Gerroa, Australia
- 23 - 28 February: Dominican Republic
- 25 - 26 February: Geraldton, Australia (Youth)
- 23 - 28 February: Puerto Rico, Wind Warriors
- 10 - 18 June: Barbados, White Sands
- 17 - 23 June: Pistol River, USA
- 1 September - 30 October: Lista, Norway
- 29 September - 1 October: Ireland, Mayo Mayhem
- 7 - 13 October: Scotland, Tiree
- 4 - 5 November: Norway, Surfesjappa Jaeren
Further dates in the UK (3x), Spain (2x), Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Venezuela, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa have not yet been finalised.
The PWA statement emphasises that the calendar is provisional and that no flights should be booked yet. In the past, events have repeatedly had to be cancelled in the course of a season, for example due to funding difficulties.
Major events such as Pozo and Sylt feature in the new calendar alongside dream spots such as Cloudbreak, Pacasmayo and Omaezaki. Among the smaller contests, spots such as Margaret River, Barbados, Ireland and Tiree also attract attention. Taiwan, Norway and Puerto Rico, on the other hand, are rather surprising.
How the wave world champions are chosen
The individual contests are categorised according to a five-star principle: Local events receive one star, national regattas two stars, international World Cups 3 and 4 stars and the biggest events on the tour 5 stars. The more stars, the more points can be collected for the ranking list."For the first time, the base is directly connected to the world's best and has a standardised structure"according to the PWA. This structure is a revolution in windsurfing. The 5-star events will also be available to watch live.
For the men, the three best events plus the Aloha Classic will be counted to determine the 2023 Wave World Champion. For the women, the two best event results and the Aloha Classic count towards the World Championship ranking. The PWA and IWT junior rankings as well as the Masters and Open Am rankings will continue to be counted as before.
"We serve all levels and create a consistent ranking that brings local surfers together with the best in the world. Just like the PGA or the ATP (Golf and tennis organisations, editor's note.), this is global sport in the best sense of the word!" say the organisers.
"Together, PWA and IWT are looking for the best spots with the best wave conditions in the world for the best wave contests," reads the press release. "Our ultimate goal is to discover, support, challenge and crown the world's best wave surfers. We are leading the sport and its champions into a new digital generation!"
After the PWA tour has become smaller and smaller in recent years, the joint planning of the PWA and IWT is a great opportunity. Attractive spots with spectacular conditions can push the interest in windsurfing and show the sport in all its facets, with the Aloha Classic as the big final stage. Big names who have only competed in creamy conditions at IWT contests in recent years could be the driving force behind the World Cup, and the connection to the grassroots is an incentive for young talent. It is to be hoped that all plans for the Wave Tour can be realised and do not fail in the course of the year due to lack of money and other restrictions.
