The calendar for the PWA Tour 2023 is here - at least in a preliminary version! The wave events were already largely known, as it is well known that the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) and IWT (International WIndsurfing Tour) are working closely together this year.
The PWA has now also announced the planned events for slalom and freestyle. In addition to the expected, traditional tour stops such as Sylt and Fuerteventura, there are a few surprises.
The PWA calendar for 2023:
- 16 - 21 March: Omaezaki/Japan (Wave)
- 25 March to 2 April: Topocalma/Chile (Wave)
- 10 - 14 May: Lake Garda/Italy (slalom)
- May/june: Marignane/France (slalom)
- 1. - 1.. June: Cloudbreak/Fiji (Wave)
- 1 - 9 July: Gran Canaria/Spain (Wave & Slalom)
- 12 - 16 July: Bol/Croatia (Slalom)
- 27 July - 5 August: Fuerteventura/Spain (Slalom & Freestyle)
- 5 - 13 August: Tenerife/Spain (Wave)
- 26 August - 3 September: Pacasmayo/Peru (Wave)
- 22 September - 1 October: Sylt/Germany (Wave, Slalom & Freestyle)
- 23 October - 3 November: Maui/Hawaii (Wave)
- 7 - 11 November: Yokosuka/Japan (Slalom)
- 14 - 18 November: Noumea/New Caledonia (Slalom)
The slalom tour therefore comprises eight events according to the schedule. In addition to the classics Sylt and Fuerteventura, Marignane and Lake Garda are two absolute crowd-pullers on the schedule. In contrast to previous years, the Cup in Bol has been upgraded and now counts towards the annual ranking. The announcement that slalom will also be held in Pozo is particularly spectacular: Back in the 90s, there were legendary races there in 30, 40 and more knots - this will be a highlight!
Freestylers, on the other hand, will have to make do with two events on Fuerteventura and Sylt - which have also been established classics for years. In addition to the PWA tour, there is also the (E)FPT with around 20 planned events.
The PWA emphasises that there should be the same prize money for men and women at all events. According to the calendar, men and women will compete in all events and disciplines. In addition, separate junior and youth World Cups will be announced soon.
However, it is unclear whether all of these events will actually be included in the points lists at the end of the year. Time and again, planned contests have had to be cancelled due to a lack of funds or problems with the local authorities.
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Tobias Frauen
Editor
Tobi is our digital man, he looks after the surf website and social media channels and gets on everyone's nerves every morning by asking for more pictures and videos. His surfing CV includes all the famous choppy water spots: As a teenager, he went from his home in Münsterland to the Ijsselmeer or the Brouwersdam, and during his civilian service on Sylt, after countless washes on the west side, the Königshafen became his preferred spot. After studying in Kiel and Heidkate, he was supposed to go to Hamburg “only for a short time”, but this short time has lasted for over ten years and has made him a “weekend warrior”. He goes on tour with his family and camper van as often as possible, often to the Baltic Sea, SPO or Denmark, but also likes to go to Finland, Sweden or Sardinia.
