1 . You’ll get to spend plenty of time at the beach… and who doesn’t like the beach?

2. Broaden Your Horizons Through the Means of Travel

Dating a windsurfer you’ll have a bunch of opportunities to travel as they’ll  go everywhere and anywhere in the search of wind, so you’ll get to explore not just your entire country, but also, probably the entire world… from Australia to Maui, to the Caribbean to Africa. The world becomes your oyster.

3 . They aren’t quitters and possess a steely sense of determination…

Windsurfing can be an incredibly difficult and frustrating sport at times and to make progress a windsurfer may have to try hundreds, or even thousands. of times to learn a new skill - from tacking and gybing to the latest wave and freestyle manoeuvres. That takes a certain amount of mental strength and resilience - they aren’t easily defeated and are truly committed to being successful.

4 . If you let them go windsurfing on a forecast. Then it’s likely you’ll be well rewarded upon their return and they’ll be happier than ever, which can only be a good thing. 

5. They have an appreciation for nature

In a world filled with laptops, mobile phones and social media it can be easy to forget to live in the moment… however, when you are whisked away on a trip to the middle of nowhere, which may mean no phone signal or internet, you can get away from the virtual world and truly appreciate the beauty of the outside (real) world.

Algret is lucky enough to call Guadeloupe home and his latest video is filmed in those beautiful turquoise waters. 

You can see Tristan Algret training in  ‘Just Another Day at the Office’ @ youtu.be/89DMgrYDgpU - what do you think of his office?

Julien Mas: “After Windsurf duo in Crête, let’s go to Morocco!!  

It's a beautiful place where you can combine windsurfing when it's windy with surfing when there is no wind.

We had so much fun there. People from there are very funny :) particularly the police…

Our latest edit is filmed in Dakhla / Morocco / Mintautas Grigas

- Follow windsurfshow  on https://www.facebook.com/windsurfshowInstagram 

- Follow Julien Mas on https://www.facebook.com/julienmasfra7

- Follow Sam Esteve on https://www.facebook.com/SamEsteveF79/

Watch the first Windsurf duo in Crête on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U28-WK_dURA

Be a partner and join the dream"

You can see the latest synchronised windsurfing installment @ https://youtu.be/XUTa6kK__bI

However, in just a couple of weeks the next generation of racers will be raring to go again as they get ready to compete in their second event of the year in Mar Menor (region of Murcia, the Alcázares), Spain, between 2nd-5th May.

The contest will be divided into the following age categories:

- Under 20s - MAX 1999, male and female. 

- Under 17s -  MAX 2002, male and female. 

- Under 15s - MAX 2004, male and female. 

- Under 13s - MAX 2006, male and female.

How to Sign Up

If you’d like to battle it out with the best youth slalom sailors in the world you can sign up below:

Registration @ https://www.inscribirme.com/worldcupslalompwayouthjuniormurcia

Mar Menor is blessed, on average, wth 300 days of sunshine per year, while it’s reliable thermal winds and fantastic watersports infrastructure make it a great place to hone your windsurfing skills and it should provide the perfect arena for the latest Youth+Junior PWA Slalom World Cup.

You can find the official Notice of Race HERE 

For more information about the event the following links are available:

http://windsurfesp-cef.blogspot.com.es/

https://www.fvrm.info/uploads/6/0/6/4/60648415/calendario_2018_windsurfing.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/Concejalía-de-Deportes-Los-Alcázares-315587555305809/

https://www.facebook.com/events/1643362219079672/?notif_t=plan_user_associated&notif_id=1522396790094293

https://murciatoday.com/2nd-to-5th-may-slalom-world-cup-los-alcázares_412245-a.html

https://www.evensi.com/world-cup-slalom-pwa-youthjunior-alcazares-spain/253176960

Paré spent the winter months training in Cape Town, South Africa, and has just released a radical new edit featuring trademark stalled forwards, doubles and powerful, dynamic wave riding.

Marc Paré: “This winter I decided to go back to Cape Town to train and prepare for the new season. Though the sailing was not as good as the previous year, it was still really fun and I had a lot of hours on the water! The video shows some sessions that we scored in Melkbos, Haakgat and down South.”

You can see Marc Paré’s ‘Winter Bangers’ @ vimeo.com/264785502

Now the 24-year-old has released a full write up and a short recap video summing up his Morocco experience.

Antoine Albert: “It was my 3rd time in Moulay Bouzerktoun this year, I really love this place it’s super chill, you always get a warm welcome from the locals, you eat good and you ride every day, surf or windsurf. I arrived 2 weeks before the start of the IWT/PWA qualifier to remember the spot and how to sail on starboard tack after 4 months of port, I had wind almost everyday and a large diversity of conditions, big waves and light wind, the opposite and big waves and strong wind so I was quite prepared for the competition.

I also had some nice freestyle sessions with jumps and moves in between the waves on 4.4 and 4.2 Bounce and 94L Air.

Then the competition started, the first fews days were quiet for me (I was in the pro division) as they started with all the other categories (amateur, youth and grand master) because a big Saturday was coming, perfect to run the pro fleet. I was in the first heat of the first round against the legend and local Boujmaa Guilloul, tough heat! We started the Friday (day before the big day) and on our first heat the wind was super light and mini waves, however I managed to give my best and finished 2nd in the heat, 3 points behind the King.

The IWT runs a dingle like the WSL (World Surf League) does, that means in the first round, the first guy out of the 3 goes straight into the 3rd round and the 2 others are split into the 2nd round.

The Saturday, waves were pumping and we waited all morning long for the wind to shift from dead off shore to side shore, sets were around mast high and I was well powered up on 4.5 Banzaï, first heat with my 75L custom and then switched for the 70L custom for the rest of the day. In those conditions, Head Judge, Duncan Coombs, chose not to add jumps, it was a proper wave sailing competition.

I advanced another 2 rounds with good wave selection, mixed with good turns, aerials and goiters that brought me into the semifinal. Unfortunately in my last heat I struggled to find nice waves and was a bit overpowered on 4.5 so I finished in the 4th place in the semifinal heat, that’s mean a 7th place overall at the PWA qualifier.

The next week was an off week for us, waves were massive, so I decided to train in freestyle starboard tack on the inside close to the beach, as Leucate, France, could be similar to this.

Overall I’m quite happy with my sailing, except in my last heat where I’m sure I could have done better, but I take this event as a good experience for further wave competitions.

My next event will be the European Freestyle Pro Tour (EFPT) in Leucate from the 18th till the 22th of April.”

You can see Antoine Albert sailing in Moulay @ vimeo.com/264070092

Miguel Chapuis finished second behind Henri Kolberg (Staboard / Hot Sails Maui) during the Victor Fernandez Center Club PWA Youth World Cup, which was the first youth world cup of the year, while the young Spaniard managed to win the latest Junior event he entered in Almeria - as well as finishing 3rd in the senior’s. Meanwhile, Hochgrassl took home 4th place in the senior division.

Their latest video is packed with starboard tack action from tabletop forwards and big backloops to some extremely painful looking double forward crashes.

Watch the carnage by visiting @ vimeo.com/263739025

The Venezuelan’s latest episode of Freestalero focuses on his training in Tenerife last year, where he also produced some impressive heats in the Tenerife PWA World Cup - but went down narrowly to Aleix Sanllehy (Tabou / GA Sails)  in the second round of the double. 

However with textbook doubles, massive stalled forwards, backloops and tweaked pushloops , pus goiters, takas and frontside 3s seemingly on top - as demonstrated during the Sylt PWA World Cup - there won’t be too many of the wave fleet wanting to bump into Gollito this season as he will be a serious threat. How far do you think he can go?

Gollito Estredo: “Hello everyone! Here is the Freestalero Episode III. From my trip to Tenerife, Spain where I have been training the in the wave discipline and preparing myself for this year’s 2018 wave tour. Tenerife is an amazing place, both to sail, and to meet and enjoy with friends. I hope you like it! see you in the next episode #5.”

You can see episode #4 of Gollito’s Freestalero @ youtu.be/RjHMrL9bZSc

Ricardo Campello: ‘This is the first episode of  "CampelloVision" series. The story of all experiences behind my professional career. A career that have been surrounded by beautiful cultures, places and real connections  with many intangible things through my passion: Windsurf. 

I visited Cape Town and found a rich culture builded by their people and their ways of understanding life from simple perspectives. Cape Town people have the most honest smile i've ever seen. 

I feel very happy for this new project and i hope you enjoy it and support me: Subscribing and commenting this post.”

To watch Ricardo Campello’s stunning new video, which features insane pushloop forwards, double forwards and even a frontside 3 into forward attempt - visit @ youtu.be/4tE2CqSwSAg

The start of the week saw a quiet start to the contest with light southerly winds keeping the women on hold. However, on day 3 the wind switched back to the north and allowed the single elimination to be completed in float and ride conditions with waves in the head to logo high region.

Wave

Women’s

With light winds and only wave riding to count, wave selection and tactics were crucial in order to be successful and some sailors faired better than others in that aspect. However, right from the word go Iballa Moreno looked to be in superb form as she effortlessly booked her place in the final. 

In both the quarterfinal and semifinal Iballa had quickly managed to registered a solid wave score to settle any nerves, but in the final the 9-time world champion was forced to wait and her patience was really tested, but in the end her patience paid off as she struck late - producing her two highest wave scores with her last two waves - to overtake long-time leader Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins). Iballa’s speed, power and flow mixed with a variety of turns, floater and aerials, proved too much in the end as she claimed a deserved victory to make the perfect start to her title defence as she goes in search of world title No.10.

Sarah-Quita Offringa improved with each heat she sailed in Morocco and for a long time, it looked as though she may deny both of the Moreno twins. While both Iballa and Daida opted to be more selective and patient, Offringa chose to stay busy and for a long time it looked as though those tactics were going to pay off, however, she couldn’t quite hold on as Iballa fought back to clinch top spot. However, Offringa will be delighted with her start to the season as she equals her best start to a wave season - 2nd - after also finishing 2nd during the 2016 Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival.

Multiple time world champion - Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - completes the podium in the season opener and she’ll be even more of a threat in the coming events in both Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Daida was in contention throughout the final - landing two aerials on one wave - but couldn’t quite find the second score she required to pass either Iballa or Offringa.

Although there were a few close calls en route to the final all four of last year’s top four qualified for the final with Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails) also navigating her way into Heat 15. The German’s crash course in starboard tack wave sailing in Tarifa a few weeks prior to the world cup here clearly paid off and she’ll no doubt be delighted with her start to the season and you can expect to see her get even stronger over the rest of the season as she returns to her favoured starboard tack.

France’s Marine Hunter (KA Sail) caught the high immediately in the semifinal as she won her quarterfinal ahead of last year’s world No.3 - Sarah-Quita Offringa - after a series of late hits and no fear approach. The 25-year-old came within seconds of qualifying for the 4-girl final, only to be denied as Daida Moreno produced a buzzer beater. That means Hunter walks away with joint 5th place alongside Spain’s María Andrés (Fanatic / NorthSails).

Elsewhere, Arrianne Aukes (Fanatic / NorthSails), may feel she missed out on an opportunity to make the final after making an excellent start to Heat 14 - scoring 6.38 points - but then couldn’t find anything better than a disappointing 2.38 point wave, which may have partly come down to wave selection. The 31-year-old finishes 7th here - alongside Italy’s Serena Zoia (99NoveNove / Loftsails) - and will no doubt learn from the experience with another wave event under her belt as there were plenty of positive signs. 

After Day 3 the Atlantic Ocean produced several days of massive swell, which saw Boujmaa Guilloul deliver a world class display for the onlooking crowds as he tamed double mast high waves and launched into 60 foot jumps.

Men’s Qualifier

The Men’s Qualifier began on the 27th March and was completed by the 31st March in epic conditions with strong winds and waves mast to mast and half high. 4 men lined up in the final - local hero Boujmaa Guilloul, two-time Aloha Classic champion Morgan Noireaux (JP / S2Maui), Guadeloupe’s Antoine Martin (NeilPryde) and Japan’s Takara Ishii (RRD / RRD Sails) - with the 17-year-old earning his place in the qualifier by winning the youth division.

Come the end of the final Antoine Martin clinched his first ever event victory after landing a massive one-handed backloop, while landing radical goiter after goiter combined with some seriously late hits to deny Noireaux and Guilloul - with Ishii finishing 4th.

The PWA would like to extend their thanks to Boujmaa, who has been integral in bringing the PWA to Morocco, and also to all of his fantastic team and sponsors, without whom it would not be possible. After a great event we hope to return next year.

Where’s Next on the PWA World Tour?

After the first wave event of the year attention now turns back to the race course as the fastest men and women in the world prepare to battle it out on the Asian leg of the tour, which will see them travelling to Japan, followed by Korea. 

- Japan event dates (10th-15th May)
- Korea event dates (19th-24th May)

For a full recap from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

Result 2018 Morocco PWA World Cup - Women’s Wave

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails)
5th Marine Hunter (KA Sail)
5th Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails) 

With the contest officially called off - Iballa Moreno’s (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) long wait finally came to an end, having won the single elimination on Wednesday, as she was crowned the champion of Morocco.

Victory here represents the perfect start to the 9-time world champions title defence and you can see Iballa in action again in July during the Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival, which takes place 15th-21st July.

Once the result was official we caught up with Iballa for a quick word:

Congratulations Iballa, how are are you feeling after winning the first ever PWA event in Morocco and also the first ever only women’s wave event?

“I’m super happy and proud to be here because we had all the attention on the girls, which I think is really important for the sport. This is an amazing place, I think we were a little bit unlucky this week with the wind, but we still managed to gain a good result. I think the level overall was good - especially in the final. It would’ve have been nice to have a little bit more wind, but I think all the girls showed a good level and it was really fun to be out there.”

What will you be up to between now and the Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival?

“We’ve been working really hard this year for the event as this is going to be the 30th anniversary of the competition - and our [Iballa & Daida’s] 7th year of organising the event, so we are going to do something special and I think that will also be really good for the girls… we’ll give some more news next week probably. So we’ll be focusing on that, but before then I’ll be travelling to Indonesia next week for SUP training and also have a bit of a holiday. After that I’ll be back to focusing 100% on the event In Gran Canaria - both training and organising.”

Thanks, Iballa and congratulations again.

With no competition possible on the last day of the event that means that the rankings from the single elimination remain unchanged. 

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) equals her best start to a wave season - 2nd - having also finished second in Pozo, Gran Canaria in 2016 and the Aruban will look to build upon a great start to the season as she looks to break into the overall top 2 for the first time come the end of the season.

Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) was in contention throughout the final but has to settle for 3rd place in Morocco, but she’ll be even more dangerous when the tour returns to the Canary Islands - firstly in her home spot of Pozo and then El Medano, Tenerife.

We’ll take a full look at the weeks results in the event summary.

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

Result 2018 Morocco PWA World Cup - Women’s Wave

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails)
5th Marine Hunter (KA Sail)
5th Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails)

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) on her experience in Morocco  and the contest so far with one day to go - currently occupying 2nd place: “I’m very grateful for this opportunity to come down to Morocco and participate at this women’s only wave event. I’ve always wanted to come down here, but it’s really nothing like I expected. It’s all much, much better. Coming from the Caribbean, Morocco is about as exotic as it gets for me. I love the mix of Arabic and French. The food is great and the hospitality is amazing. The locals are incredibly kind, warm and welcoming.

Before the contest, I had some great days of sailing. And even though It would have been great to have more wind and have jumps added to the contest, I was secretly quite excited about a wave riding only contest. This is where I need and want to improve. I mostly need more patience to actually wait for a set and pick up a good wave. There were a couple of big sets during the day and it was great to watch all the women attack the bigger ones! 

We had a 30-minute final and those were the best conditions all day. At some point, we were cheering each other on during the heat. I feel pretty happy and lucky to have been part of that final. And just wanted to say a big congrats to Iballa again. Her riding was really inspiring all day long.”

Marine Hunter (KA Sail), who came within a minute of knocking out multiple time world champion - Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - only to be denied a place in the dying moments as Daida produced a buzzer beater:

In the single elimination, it looked like you were sailing well… do you think that taking that wave before the green flag in the semifinal cost you a place in the final? And how disappointing did it feel to miss out on a place in the final by just half a point? Or were you happy to make the semifinals and anything else would’ve been a bonus?

My fatal mistake in the semifinals was starting to think too hard about what I should do and where I should go! I thought I was too upwind and I took this wave to go down the spot a little bit. Actually I don't think that that’s what dragged me down, but instead, I think it was my state of mind. I made other mistakes and ended up swimming a lot. I must say I felt a little disappointed but I was not as composed and in control of my heat as the previous one, so it came more as a lesson than frustration. This 0.5 points difference was actually a self-confidence boost about my surfing abilities and it made me feel like I could have held my place well in the final.

How was sailing in yesterday’s conditions for you? 

I went out after I saw all the boys succeeding in getting out knowing I would not be alone trying. Luckily there was enough wind to plane with the big kit (78l 4.7) but when I managed to make my way out for the first time a huge set started breaking at the back and closed the exit! Chicken-jibe and back to the beach. I tried for another hour yelling with frustration as I saw the white water sweeping the channel again and again. Eventually the sea held its foamy breath long enough for me to realise that NOW was the time! Once outside I spent a lot of time hiking between the liquid hills, taking the least possible risks. I had never sailed in such conditions before, and even last Saturday's conditions couldn't compare. I felt a little lost on which waves to catch on which peak and I joined the guys who were shredding downwind. Going down the waves was a very bumpy and thrilling ride, everybody was shouting with a mix of excitement and fear I think!

What do you think of Morocco?

I love it! I didn't expect to see such a green and wild country, the landscapes are beautiful. I wish there was less plastic on the beaches though, it's a good pretext for morning walks in the cliffs ^^ This Essaouira region is a perfect blend of greenery, side-shore, tasty food, beauty, simplicity, quietness, smiling faces and craziness! A pure gem.

We also caught up with Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), who is the Freestyle Vice-World Champion and preparing to compete in more wave events throughout the year: 

This is only your 2nd or 3rd wave event isn't it? How do you enjoy competing in the waves compared to freestyle? And how has your experience been in Morocco so far?

I’ve loved Morocco so far, I’ve sailed the biggest waves of my life and learned a lot about wave sailing in general. This event is my 2nd wave event. I’ve done one in Sylt before, but that was just me doing loops so I’d call this my first ‘real’ one. The wave event is very different for me than the freestyle events. In freestyle I’ve got a pattern that just repeats itself every single time. Before the event I think about what moves I want to try, maybe make a few variations for when the wind turns out lighter than expected so I have a good idea of what I want to do. During the comp, I go out 3 min before the heat, start with a certain move and end with a certain one. When I get off of the water, I pretty much know what my score is depending on what moves I landed and how I executed them. 

In waves however, there’s way more variable’s. You don’t know what waves and ramps are going to show up, how the wave is going to build up, if it will be just waves to count or also jumps, what the duration of the heat is etc. So it’s harder to prepare as you have way more decisions to be made in the heat itself, rather than before the heat/event. I never really know what my score will be either. This difference is what makes me like it. To be able to 2 vary different things. I lack some experience and have a lot to learn so this also makes doing the wave competitions more of a challenge.

Yesterday, you looked to be sailing well in tricky conditions... how did you feel yesterday and were you disappointed to see your heat cancelled?

I was a little scared to be honest. My board is a pretty small (70L) and my sail was big (5.0). Not the best combo, so I knew this was going to make it harder to make it out. I love competition though so as soon as Duncan made the call to give it a try, I forgot about it all and just went out. I think I was a little lucky to make it out, in the right spot at the right time. I was very stoked to make it out and even more stoked to ride the waves. So my level of stokedness (I just made that word up I guess) was so high that I couldn’t care less about the heat being cancelled. It was only in the evening that I was a little upset about it. 

Yesterday you also said you plan on competing in the Canaries as well... at the moment would you say your prefer starboard or port tack? And what are your aims for the season?

I don’t think I have a preferred tack. Whenever I’m at a spot for at least 2 days it changes. In Holland I always used to sail port tack, so I thought I preferred that. Then I went to Brazil and got used to starboard tack very easily, so I figured starboard tack was easier for me. In Vietnam it was port tack conditions, so my preferred tack switched back to port again, and now I’m here in Morocco preferring starboard tack.  Confusing? Probably.

Thanks to Sarah-Quita, Marine and Maaike. Good luck for the rest of the event and for the rest of the year.

The skippers’ meeting for the final day has been called for 9:30am with a first possible start at 10am (GMT+1), but it looks as though the odds are stacked against our favour with light northwesterly winds and another long period swell expected to arrive for Saturday (3.1m @ 16 seconds).

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

Current Ranking Morocco PWA World Cup - Women’s Wave
*After Single Elimination - Results Could Yet Change

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails)
5th Marine Hunter (KA Sail)
5th Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails)

During the morning a few sailors ventured out but had varying degrees of success. With the tide on the push things seemed to become ever so slightly easier and Marine Hunter’s (KA Sail) perseverance eventually paid off as she made it out back. The 25-year-old had this to say upon returning to the beach: “It was really, really scary, so I spent most of the time just free riding between the sets. I didn’t take any risks and I stayed out the back for a long time with the other guys who were out.

I spent one hour just trying to get out, but eventually, I found a gap between the sets, but once I was out I was just like I’m staying out here! No doubt the biggest conditions I’ve ever sailed in.”

After a long day of waiting the decision was made to try and begin the double elimination with Heat 24, which featured Annamaria Zollet (Hot Sails Maui / AL360), Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), Caterina Stenta (RRD / RRD Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) and Aurora D’Apolito (Flikka / Severne).

Huvermann, who is the women’s vice-world champion, made a bright start to the heat as she looked to improve with almost every wave and she was a little unlucky to see the heat cancelled when firmly in control of the heat. The 20-year-old quickly earned scores of 6.5 points and 7.62 points after showing excellent wave selection and execution.

Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins): "I had a lot of fun, but it was big and quite scary at times, but it gets your heart pumping. I didn’t actually realise that the heat was cancelled as I was swimming for my gear, but as soon as I got to it I was like ‘ah what’, but it was definitely a lottery in getting out. 

Once I lost my gear I had a bit of time to take a couple of breaths before the next wave hit, but I’ve never been washed like that… I wanted to come up for air, but just had this current holding me down.”

Current youth world champion - Nicole Bandini (Fanatic / NorthSails) - showed no fear today as she navigated her way out back almost immediately this afternoon and her bravery was rewarded as the young Italian caught a massive bomb. Meanwhile, Lena Erdil (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360) was another sailor, who was persistent in her efforts to make it out and she too eventually made it out after hours of trying.

A lay day has been called for Friday with virtually zero wind forecast. The skippers’ meeting for Saturday will be confirmed tomorrow and that will be the last chance to finish the double elimination. The current forecast for Saturday has a new long period swell - 3.1-3.4m @ 16 seconds - with light to moderate northeasterly winds.

Current Ranking Morocco PWA World Cup - Women’s Wave
*After Single Elimination - Rankings May Still Change

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails)
5th Marine Hunter (KA Sail)
5th Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails)

Despite the massive swell, which saw the waves breaking for as far as the eye could see, Lena Erdil (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360) bravely grabbed her equipment and headed for the water, while she may not have made it out back it was still a ballsy move, which eventually tempted a few of the other women out on to the water to play around on the inside for an impromptu jumping session.

Once the women were released, local hero Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Shamal) waited for the tide to rise before heading out to put on one hell of a show for everyone on the beach, as the Moroccan used his extensive local knowledge, while riding his luck at times, to hit some monstrous sections and launch into a truly rocket air! Guilloul admitted he wasn’t sure whether to turn around or to hit this double mast high ramp, but once it didn’t break he decided to   embrace the fear and launch into a massive jump as he stole the show for the day!

With Guilloul heading out on the water Brazil’s Edvan Sousa (Flikka / Severne) and Guadeloupe’s Antoine Martin (NeilPryde) - who won the Men’s Qualifier - were also tempted out on to the water. Sousa gave a jumping masterclass with textbook backloops and radical one-hand, one-foot forwards, but never looked like he wanted to make it out back, while Martin couldn’t find his way through the relentless whitewater avalanches, which stretched all the way to the horizon, which is perhaps testament to how impressively easy Guilloul made it look, while one of the best wave sailors in the world failed to make it out. 

Once Guilloul returned to the beach he was understandably fully pumped after delivering a world class display in truly gnarly conditions. 

The women will meet again tomorrow morning at 9:30am for the skippers’ meeting with the action commencing from 10am (GMT+1) onwards. The forecast looks as though the swell will drop slightly but it remains large (3.4m @ 15 seconds dropping to 2.8m @ 14 seconds during the afternoon). After speaking to the locals it seems that they rate the chance of wind tomorrow as 50/50, but realistically tomorrow may be the last chance to finish the double elimination with another big swell expected to hit Moulay’s shores on Saturday.

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

At times the conditions were tricky, meaning wave selection and heat tactics were absolutely paramount in order to be successful. 

Despite several excellent performances throughout the field there were no major upsets, although there were several close calls, as all of last year’s top 4 women successfully advanced into the 4-girl final - Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fails), Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fails), Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fails) and Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails).

Reigning world champion - Iballa Moreno - looked in ominous form right from the word go today as she sailed with a superb blend of speed, power and flow, combined with a variety of turns, floaters and aerials to make a statement of intent for the season ahead. Iballa breezed through the quarterfinals - where she set the highest heat score of the day 16.38 points - and the semifinal to deservedly book her place in the final. 

In her opening two heats Iballa had quickly managed to get on the scoreboard with waves in the excellent range to relieve any pressure, but in the final her patience was tested and she deserves great credit for remaining cool and composed as the time slowly ticked away. Iballa’s patience was eventually rewarded as she struck late on to overhaul long time leader Sarah-Quita Offringa with her last two waves scoring 7.5 points and 8.62 points to win the single elimination.

Iballa Moreno: “We started with really light winds, little bit onshore, but by the end of the day it got a lot better so I’m happy that we got a result and super to have won the single. I felt like I was very focused. I trained so hard to be here so I’m happy!”

And on claiming after her final wave added: “I shouldn’t, but yeah, I was waiting for the wave the whole heat and I knew I was missing one score and it was in my head all the time to just try and wait and eventually it would come. By the end of the heat I got it and I was just really happy that I got some good sections to hit. Stoked!”

While Iballa may have chosen to play the waiting game, Offringa chose a slightly different approach as she remained busier throughout the final and for a long time, it looked as though those tactics were going to pay off with her leading the way for much of the final. The Aruban linked together the second highest scoring wave of the final - 7.62 points - but then couldn’t quite find another wave with enough scoring potential to keep her nose ahead. However, second place in the single elimination represents an excellent start and she will no doubt be very happy with her day's work.

Daida Moreno made a confident start to the single elimination as she comfortably booked her place in the semifinals with a series of long, flowing powerful waves. However, after such a bright start Heat 13 proved to be a bit more of a battle with the wind seemingly getting lighter, which made it tough for all sailors to get into the waves. With the clock ticking down it looked like there could be a major upset on the cards, but Daida produced a buzzer beater to move into second place at the expense of Marine Hunter (KA Sail) to book her place in the final. In the final, Daida remained in contention throughout after putting a score of 7.12 points on the board with just her second wave after linking turns and aerials together but was left to settle for 3rd place in the end. She will now have to wait until the double elimination for her chance to climb higher. 

Lina Erpenstein headed to Tarifa before Morocco for a crash course in starboard tack sailing and that paid off for the talented young German in the single elimination and she was delighted to take home 4th place. The 21-year-old was able to deliver some big hits off decent sections, but couldn’t find enough to bother the top 3 in the final. 

Elsewhere, Marine Hunter, certainly caught the eye today as she won the opening heat of the day in style by producing some late, ballsy hits, while also releasing her fins on one occasion. However, a mistake on her timing saw her catch her first wave in the semifinal before the buzzer - meaning it didn’t count - which wasted valuable time and the 25-year-old then caught on the inside. Despite that, Hunter still recovered to take control of the heat for a short time, but then saw her place in the final snatched away from her in the dying seconds by Daida Moreno. One to watch in the double elimination, while Serena Zoia (99NoveNove / LoftSails) finished 4th in Heat 13 after a promising start in her first heat.

Teammates Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails) and Arrianne Aukes (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) both advanced into the semifinals to face Iballa Moreno and Lina Erpenstein, but neither could successfully navigate their way into the final. Andres and Aukes both caught plenty of waves, but Moreno and Erpenstein proved that it is quality and not quantity that count in such a contest. 

Lena Erdil (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360) admitted she made a tactical error in Heat 12, which resulted in her being eliminated in the first round by just quarter of a point. The 29-year-old got caught on the inside towards the end of the heat and with the light winds couldn’t make it back upwind in time for another scoring opportunity and she will now look to the double elimination to work her way back up the ladder.

With the single elimination concluded the sailors were released after the podium presentation and the women will meet again at 9:30am for the skippers’ meeting - with the action commencing from 10am (GMT+1). With a massive forecast on offer, there is also some talk of hosting a men’s expression session. 

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

Result Single Elimination Morocco PWA World Cup - Women’s Wave

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

4th Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails)

5th Marine Hunter (KA Sail)

5th Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails)

Tomorrow sees the wind return to the north with a small swell still running, which should hopefully allow the single elimination to begin, while Wednesday holds an intimidating looking forecast with strong trade winds and a pumping swell - 4.4m @ 17 seconds - expected to hit Moulay.

With a lay day being called we caught up with event organiser Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses), who is following in the footsteps of the Moreno twins and Dany Bruch (Flight Sails / AL360 / Shamal Sunglasses), who have also organised events as sailors in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, respectively:

Boujmaa Guilloul on bringing the PWA to Morocco for the first time in history: 

“For me having a PWA event here in Morocco is something that should be almost natural as Morocco has the potential to host all kind of world cups - specifically talking about windsurfing and specifically in Moulay & Essaouira there is plenty of wind and you have amazing conditions so consistently.  You can see the potential that it has so easily. We have everything you need here to hold world class events and I think the Government and the local people are really happy and really honoured to have a PWA event in Morocco for the first time. I think it should become a consistent event that appears on the calendar every year and I hope the Government will follow my aspirations and I hope the local people get behind the event as well. I hope this becomes a positive development of the country and that we can really create a positive movement. That’s the way I see it. 

In terms of tourism, I think there’s huge scope to develop the sports tourism with windsurfing. The beauty of Morocco is that it has a year round climate with year round conditions, so for windsurfing holidays its perfect. The best months for windsurfing I would say would be the 6 months between say March/April until September/October. It’s windy almost everyday, so it’s certainly a destination to look at and it should be a beautiful journey to watch. I believe Morocco can develop a huge sector through sports, watersports and specifically windsurfing.”

You’ve obviously been working hard behind the scenes. What’s it like to switch from sailor to event organiser?

I really, really questioned myself about why I am doing this… you know I still have fun windsurfing and I still have the hunger to win events and to compete and travel the world. I can still do it because of my sponsors - Starboard / Severne / Mystic - who support me to do just that. 

Sometimes looking at the office job of organising an event I certainly questioned why I am doing this and there were times when I wanted to give up and call it quits. There have been moments when I was struggling to raise finances to make it happen and I almost gave up. At that point it really makes you think should I do this and why should I?

Even today I’m thinking I shouldn’t do this again, this will be the last time, but at the same time if I don’t do it, who else will? I see and believe in a positive future for Morocco and I want to see the next generation thrive and follow something/sports that are nourishing for the soul… 

I can see it for myself… say for example I didn’t windsurf and I just followed my childhood brainwashed thoughts… going the normal route of just school, degree and then into an office. That makes me think about what would’ve happened had I followed this route… would I still have the same mentality as I do now? 

For me, with windsurfing, I completely discovered life in general. I see life in a very different way. There is a picture that I see and I don’t think some people realise the opportunity we have to be so close to these elements - so much sun, so much wind, the ocean and the coastline, which bring waves and vibration and ultimately lots of energy. I think that we forget about this a lot and I believe in the spirituality of sports. Through ocean sports, I think you can link even deeper into spirituality.”

What are your thoughts about Wednesday? There’s some thinking that it could almost be too big…

“I think the forecast looks super good. I think it’s the sort of forecast I was dreaming of when bringing the PWA here. I believe it will be solid for the girls, but I also know they are capable of performing and challenging themselves in such conditions. I know they will do it and I’m preparing my ski just to keep an eye on them and hopefully, that will give them more confidence. They will survive and there’s nothing to be scared of. It’s a good sized swell with plenty of wind to plane out and I just hope they choose the right kit setup you know… big fins, big boards and that’s what you need for big wave sailing. I know a lot of girls who love these kind of conditions.”

Will we be seeing you out on the water again?

“I really, really hope so. With JC being here that makes me want to go out on the water even more. I wish we could move to Essaouira and sail the slab in the harbour, but if it’s not big enough then we will sail the heavy waves of Moulay.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“I’d also just like to bring attention to the fact that it may look like I’m doing a lot here, but I’m not doing it by myself. There are so many people involved and the whole country of Morocco is behind this project, they believe in it. It’s a new thing so they have to be careful and look at it with closed eyes, but this country does believe in windsurfing and sport in general and also in the youth’s, so I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us morally and financially and of course to all of our sponsors. They are the ones that make this real by believing in it. I hope this is the first of many years to come and that we can have an even bigger event in 2020 - next year we hope to keep the same concept with the PWA & IWT, and then hopefully, in 2020 we will be sharp enough to have a really big grand slam PWA festival.”

We also had a quick chat with the Moreno twins…

Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) on returning to Morocco: “I’ve been to Morocco two times before. One time in Dakhla in the south and also up here in Moulay - probably about 10 years ago. It’s good to be back. The town changed a lot, but the conditions are still pretty fun.

I like the culture but its very different, you just have to adapt. The Moroccan people seem happy and funny and certainly from the women’s perspective, it’s very different from what we are used to. But we are really proud to be here - especially as a women’s only contest - hopefully, this can be a stepping stone to making next year both a male and female event. Also stoked for Boujmaa [Guilloul] that he has a great spot up here and now we’re just looking forward to a great competition.”

Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) on adding a new location to her list, while also talking starboard tack: “It’s my first time in Moulay and we’ve been here about a week and we’ve managed to sail for about 4 of those days, so it’s been fun. It’s an easy spot if it's not way too big and it's just amazing to be here for a women’s only event. 

For jumping its a bigger deal it being starboard tack because Pozo is a (port tack) jumping spot, so I’m used to jumping that side, but for wave riding, I think it’s pretty much the same. I’m not bothered about it being starboard tack and this winter we had a great winter with starboard tack conditions. Obviously, you always have one tack that you favour and that may come from whether you surf regular or goofy. If you are regular then you are going to feel pretty comfortable wave sailing on starboard tack. If you are goofy you might be a little bit less comfortable, but with practise, you can overcome that and don’t forget we also used to live in Maui for 7 years, so it’s not like you forget… it can just take a bit of time to re-adjust.”

What are your feelings about Wednesday? It currently looks massive on the forecast… 4.5m @ 18 seconds…

Iballa: “Yeah… a lot of the girls are worried… I don’t know I guess we will just have to wait and see. I saw how the Men’s Qualifier went on the final day and that was smaller than what was predicted for Wednesday. So, like Boujmaa says: “It’s going to B.I.G. Wednesday.”. He has a jet ski ready. There’s going to be a lot of current and big waves. Hopefully, everyone stays safe and we have good finals and just see how it goes.

Daida: “Yeah, safety first.”

Are you excited for Wednesday?

Iballa: “Not excited (laughing).”

Daida: “We are excited about starting the event and gaining a result, but Wednesday looks pretty extreme and could be a bit too much, maybe, but we’ll see.

Thanks to Boujmaa and the Moreno twins.

Before big Wednesday though, there is still the possibility of at least starting the single elimination tomorrow afternoon with moderate northerly winds and 1.6m waves @ 11 seconds currently being predicted. The skippers’ meeting has been called for 11am tomorrow morning with the action commencing from 11:30am (GMT+1) - if conditions allow.

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

After registration and rigging their sails the women were promptly released shortly after the skippers’ meeting at 12:30pm with the wind coming from the southwest rather than the predominant northeasterly direction.

With plenty of downtime we caught up with last year’s World No.4 - Lina Erpenstein (Severne/ Severne Sails) - for an interview, which you can read below:

Last year you enjoyed your best year so far finishing 4th overall - how was 2017 overall for you and did it surpass your expectations?

“I was super happy with the result and the whole year in total. I mean Gran Canaria was a dream come true for me as I earned my first podium. And then heading into Tenerife I had higher expectations after the first stop. I felt like I was sailing alright, but I didn’t finish how I wanted, but then I was happy with my result in Sylt and how I sailed there. Overall it was just a really great year for me.”

What do you think happened in Tenerife that you weren’t so happy about?

“I think I just made some wrong decisions during the heats and I think I learned a lot from that because sailing in a heat involves a lot of tactics and I made some mistakes in those aspects, so I’m actually happy about everything…”

So do you think your experience has made you better equipped for this season after last year’s experience?

“I think you are better equipped everyday, so yeah I think so.”

Is this your first time in Morocco and what are your initial impressions?

"Actually I have a nice story about Morocco because I’ve been here already with my family. We visited a few of the cities and one day we passed through the Sidi Kaouki and that has special memories for me as that’s the first beach where I first got planing, so this is the place on this earth where I decided I wanted to windsurf and since then I haven’t been able to stop doing it.

But I’d never been to Moulay itself before now and so far I’ve really enjoyed it here, it’s a nice place.”

And it’s pretty cool to have a girls only event to open the calendar?

“Yes I think so… I mean in the beginning it was meant to be a men’s and women’s event, so at the start I was maybe doubting it a bit, but now as we are here with all the girls and having been on the water together sharing some sessions it’s really cool. Also it’s nice to have the focus on women’s windsurfing and I think it could be a good chance for us to show how well we are sailing and that it’s worth watching us as well.”

Obviously this is a starboard tack event and last year all the events were port tack - how are you feeling about that and how have you been preparing?

“In the first place I’m really happy that we have a starboard tack event as I think it makes the whole tour and all the results more interesting and fairer. For me personally, I’m not such a starboard tack favourite as it’s definitely not my better side. But I’ve been practising quite a lot over the last two weeks in Tarifa - that was pretty much a crash course in starboard tack, training everyday with a few of the local Tarifa boys who rip. In the end I’ve found it really fun improving my sailing on the other side and in the end it’s just a translation to the other side, so you can analyse your own sailing and put it right. Overall I’ve been enjoying it.”

Over the winter you moved to Severne boards - how are you finding the new gear and what would you say your favourite setup is?

“I really, really, really like the Nano. It’s a super playful board and I think it suits the conditions we have at home because I move to Northern Germany - Kiel - so I sail a lot in the Baltic Sea where we have smaller and mushy waves. The board also has several tuning options, so I think you can really make it work in the waves that we have at home.

Favourite setup at the moment would probably have to say 78l Nano and 4.5m Blade.”

The last few winters you’ve been going to Western Australia but this year you weren’t able to make it - what was it like staying in Europe for winter for the first time in a while?

“It was a bit hard to be honest… I was back in Northern Germany, scrolling through Instagram feeds and Facebook pages and just seeing beautiful pictures from the places you’ve been the year before. But even watching photos from South Africa was hard - especially when I had to wake up in the morning and go to uni riding my bike through sunny Kiel. In the end it was also really nice, but just different. We still had a really good winter and managed to get a lot of time on the water - a bit colder, but just as fun.”

Over the summer will you have time to train for the Canaries or will you be studying at uni?

"I finish my year of studies in July and then I have until October to train again before going back to uni. In that time I plan to go to the Canaries and maybe some other trips. But for now I’m just excited for the event [in Morocco].”

Thanks Lina. Good luck for the rest of the week and season.

The current forecast looks as though tomorrow will be another quiet day, but then Tuesday afternoon offers the potential to begin the contest, before a massive swell is expected to arrive on Wednesday - 4.6m @ 18 seconds- accompanied by strong northeasterly trade winds, which could produce extremely testing and hardcore conditions. The skippers’ meeting has been called for 10am tomorrow with a first possible start of 10:30am (GMT+1).

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

The new location in question is the home of Moroccan hero - Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses) - who has played an integral role in bringing the world tour to his home of Moulay Bouzerktoun between the 1st-7th April.

Over the year’s Guilloul’s radical style has caught the eye of many, while showcasing the world class potential of Moulay, which has grown in popularity to windsurfers from all over the globe in recent years thanks to its reliable trade winds and powerful, clean Atlantic swells, which transforms it into a wave sailors dream. Moulay itself is located approximately just 30 minutes from Essaouira and offers a unique blend of traditional Moroccan culture merged together with the realms of windsurfing. 

Wave

Women’s

Reigning World Champion - Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - will start the opening event of the year as favourite having won the Women’s PWA Wave World Championship for the last 4 years running. Iballa is well known for her wave riding prowess and is equally adept on starboard tack, as she is port, so she’ll be looking to make the perfect start to her title defence.

However, the reigning world champion certainly won’t have things all her own way with a long list of rivals waiting to try and claim the scalp of the current Queen. First in line will be her sister - Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - who will be looking to make a strong start to the season as she looks to regain the world title, which she last won in 2013. Daida may not be quite as lethal on starboard tack as she is on port, but as one of the most decorated female sailors in windsurfing history, she can never be ruled out from going all the way.

Next up is Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), who has been steadily reducing the deficit between herself and the legendary Moreno twins since completing her first full season in the waves in 2014. Offringa’s rise through the wave fleet has seen her complete the prestigious podium for the last 3 years and she’ll be a very real threat in Moulay - especially having won the Aloha Classic in 2016.

Last year proved to be the year for Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails) to really break through the ranks as she finished 4th overall for 2017. The young German really caught the eye last year as she opened the season by claiming her first ever podium finish during the Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival. The 21-year-old recently travelled to Tarifa for some last minute starboard tack training so it will be interesting to watch how the competition unfolds over the next week.

Unfortunately, last year’s World No.5 - Justyna Sniady (Simmer / Simmer Sails / AL360) has been forced to miss the opening event of the season in Morocco due to issues with gaining her visa in time. The PWA looks forward seeing Justyna competing during the remaining events of the season. 

Current Youth PWA Wave World Champion - Nicole Bandini (Fanatic / NorthSails) - finished 7th overall for 2017 and will be looking to make a solid start to the year as the 19-year-old looks to continue her upward trend having improved every year since making her debut in 2014 (31st 2014, 13th 2015, 11th 2016 & 7th 2017).

Also looking to make a strong start to the season will be Italian duo Greta Benvenuti (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / AL360) and Caterina Stenta (RRD / RRD /Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) and Holland’s Arrianne Aukes (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins), who finished 6th, 8th and 9th respectively last season. Aukes, in particular, could be a slight dark horse having finished 2nd during the IWT’s Baja event in 2017 - which is also starboard tack. 

New Kid on the Wave Block

Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) is no stranger to the competition scene having played professional handball, before establishing herself as one of the top female freestylers in the world over the last 4 years. However, the week ahead marks slightly new territory for the Norwegian, who will be making her debut on the wave world tour and could well be a serious threat. There have been plenty of training videos highlighting the 28-year-olds jumping prowess on starboard tack with forwards, backloops and pushloops all added to her repertoire, so if her wave riding is anything like she could well be set for a deep run in the contest. 

Merging Disciplines

Lena Erdil (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360) made her debut in the waves in Tenerife last year and she returns to the fray in Morocco as does Women’s PWA Freestyle Vice-World Champion - Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - who last appeared in the waves in 2016 when she finished joint 9th in Sylt, Germany. Meanwhile, Mariah Andrés (Fanatic / NorthSails), who used to compete in both slalom and waves, also lines up again and will be hoping to replicate the form which saw her finish 6th in Maui during the 2014 Aloha Classic. 

Men’s Qualifier

As well as being the stage for the opening women’s wave event, Moulay will also play host to some of the best male wave sailors in the world with the men’s qualifier - ran in assocation with the International Windsurfing Tour - which started on the 27th March and runs until 7th April. The likes of two-time Aloha Classic Champion - Morgan Noireaux (JP / S2Maui), Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde), Alex Grand-Guillot (Fanatic / NorthSails), Gustav Haggstrom (Simmer / Simmer Sails) and Moulay’s very own Boujmaa Guilloul will all be in action.

*The top two riders from the top 20 of the qualifier, not already qualified, will gain automatic entry into the Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival.

The current forecast looks as though it may be a relatively relaxed start to the event before an epic prediction for midweek with 20-28 knot north easterly winds accompanied by waves of 3.7-4.1m at 15 seconds, which could show Moulay at its world class best. To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Morocco — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Schedule for Day 1:

Registration - 10am-11am (GMT+1)

Skippers’ Meeting - 12:30pm (GMT+1)

First Possible Start - 1pm (GMT+1)

With the Morocco PWA World Cup now just a few days away the talented young German recently headed for Tarifa for some last minute training before competing in her first starboard tack wave event and she’s already beginning to charge on the other tack - with her no fear approach.

You can watch Lina Erpenstein training in Tarifa by visiting @ vimeo.com/260927978

Well TT wasn’t the only man on hand to take on those waves and since then Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde) and Julien Taboulet (Goya Windsurfing) have released new videos from some of those classic days on the North coast.

Julien Taboulet (Goya Windsurfing): “What a session with my friends! When the Atlantic ocean is on fire, he can deliver some awesome jewels, and not so far from your place sometimes...;p) A powerful wave, where you need to stay close to the curl... We will never forget this intense ride!

One more time a special big thanks to Christophe from "La Tama" & my friends for the filming

Enjoy & Aloha

Wesh

Credit photo: Leo Lefebvre

Artiste Music: Svinkels / Le club de l’apocalypse”

Leon Jamaer: “I spent the beginning of March in Fuerteventura scoring great conditions for windsurfing and surfing every day! Here are a few clips filmed by Sophia Traversa from the smaller days of the swell :).”

You can see Julien Taboulet’s ‘LE CLUB DE L’APOCALYPSE’ by visiting @ vimeo.com/261109630 - while you can see Leon Jamaer’s Fuerte drop @ youtu.be/62b9k8CW3lY

However, recently in Tenerife the conditions have been on the extreme side with 40 knot winds and extremely tricky waters testing the mettle of sailors such as Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne / Shamal Sunglasses), Enrico Marotti (RRD / NeilPryde) and Maciek Rutkowski (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails). 

You can see the highlights of this hardcore training session here 

Johanne will also be preparing to enter her first ever wave event when the women’s wave fleet head to Moulay for the Morocco PWA World Cup (1st-7th April).

Oda Johanne: “Thanks to Tom Deburchgrave for the filming and editing. It was great doing this together in Cape Town during a few sessions on the water.

The video is about my journey from a life of playing handball, studying and living in Norway, to becoming a professional windsurfer, traveling the world searching for wind!

As this video goes online now, I really want to thank a few special people who made this life possible, and guided me to follow my heart to live a different life! It started with a motivation speech from Karina Hollekim - one of the most badass women (in a good way) on the planet. Base jumping from the top of mountains and just being awesome traveling the world. After that day I wanted to do something similar. Not jump from cliffs, but to take my windsurfing to the next level and discover the world!

I got really motivated by Martin Haglev who had a windsurfing shop in Oslo. He said: «GO compete Oda, here is the gear you need!» And from there on I have been very lucky to get sponsors from my local area. Stian Vedal in VEMA has been one of the main reasons I can still do what I do! Also a big thanks to Svein Rasmussen and Starboard Windsurfing. It’s great riding for a brand that really appreciates having girls on the team, so thank you giving me the chance to work with you! Thanks to my local distributor Karl Aksel Aubert at skiogsurf.no, who always helps delivering gear at a high level! Thanks to Timm-Daniel Köpke in Maui Ultra Fins for the support through all the years. This was my first sponsor and still riding for you! Thanks to Severne Sails for having me in the team and making the best sails! Also a big thank you to Luca and Pousada WindJeri, O'Neill and my sister Line Therese Strøm Vikene for all the support and endless wetsuits! So excited to be with Maxim Norge for this season as well, and amazing to have Rune Kransberg with me on the team this season! I can´t wait to start the 2018 competition season! 10 days left until the 1st World Cup in Morocco!

A huge thanks to my love Håkon Skorge for sharing the passion. He is probably the only one in the world who really knows what I’m doing! And to my family, all my 3 parents: Thor Stokstad, Hege Brødholt and Rigmor Fagerheim. My brothers and sisters, mini Klara and grandparents! Big love!

I would also like to thank all the 180 people who took part in our 2017 Windsurf Clinics. I´m really excited for our new 2018 clinics:) We are ready to help you take your windsurfing to the next level with our company, Norway Sports Adventures!

Okey, that´s enough… Go watch the video =).”

You can see Oda Johanne’s ‘A Windsurfer’s Dream’ by visiting @ vimeo.com/261242163

It looks as though the first women’s wave event of the year will see a strong lineup with 17 women currently on the entry list. 

Moulay is typically a starboard wave sailing venue, which will add some variety to the tour, while also offering the potential to change up the rankings a little. However, reigning world champion - Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) will undoubtedly start as the favourite with Iballa being crowned world champion for the last 4 years in a row and is equally as comfortable on starboard tack as she is on port.

Of course the other half of the legendary Moreno twins - Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - can never be ruled out and she’ll be aiming to make a solid start to the season as she looks to regain the world title for the first time since 2013.

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) may well prove to be one of Iballa’s biggest threats with the multiple time world champion previously winning the Aloha Classic (Starboard tack) in 2016. The Aruban has completed the podium of the last 4 seasons, but each year had gradually been closing the gap between herself and the Moreno twins as she continues to improve. 

The Morocco PWA World Cup is being held in association with the International Windsurfing Tour (IWT), but at the moment neither Tatiana Howard (Starboard / NeilPryde) or Sarah Hauser (Tabou / Simmer Sails), who finished 1st and 2nd last year in Morocco, feature on the entry list, but there is still time for that to change. Obviously, if either of them enter then both would have excellent chances of challenging for the top 3.

As well as being the stage for the opening women’s wave event, Moulay will also play host to some of the best male wave sailors in the world with the men’s qualifier running from 31st March - 7th April. The top two riders from the top 20 of the qualifier, not already qualified, will gain automatic entry into the Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival.

Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com next week for the full down low before the opening event of the year.

Markus Rydberg: “Today marks a special day for me, as this is the final & very last episode of The Viking Diaries. 

When I started this project four years ago,

my goal was to make 20 episodes to visualise my journey as a professional windsurfer. I’m very proud of how far I’ve come since the start, both as a person, as an athlete and as a videographer. It’s been an amazing ride, I hope you guys have enjoyed following The Viking Diaries as much as I have enjoyed making them. 

Thank you to everyone who continuously shows support. Special thanks to Emma & Mikael, without you two this wouldn’t have been possible. 

The Viking Diaries, episode 20. Enjoy! 

/ Markus 

(PS. This is not the end, it’s the beginning of a new era. Stay tuned.)”

You can see the final installment of the Viking Diaries by clicking here. www.facebook.com/markusrydberg313/videos/1881225591890572/

Albert is also an avid wave sailor and his latest video sees him travelling around Cape Town, South Africa in search of wind, waves and flat water depending on whether he was sailing waves or freestyle.

Antoine Albert: “After a 2 month training journey in South Africa around Cape Town freestyle and wave sailing, I managed to collect some footage to edit this video. After an intense start of the trip in terms of sailing, I unfortunately injured my right ankle that kept me out of the water for 2 weeks plus one week of chill sailing not to injure it again. At the end of the trip I went back close to my level thanks to a non-stop blowing wind in Mother City and regular osteopathy sessions. I also had some good surf sessions in glassy and powerful beach break with a lot of current. 

Right now I’m in Morocco in Moulay Bouzerktoun to train myself on starboard tack and also participate in the PWA wave qualifier.

Hope you like it.”

You can see Antoine Albert’s latest video by visiting @ vimeo.com/260578247

Browne has been spending his winter in the windsurfing Mecca of Maui, Hawaii, and his latest video shows off his expertise at Ho’okipa with fluid, powerful and dynamic turns combined with aerial brilliance.

You can see Marcilio Browne’s latest video by visiting @ vimeo.com/260196506

Last year Denel finished ranked 17th overall, but has been ranked as high as 7th overall in 2013 and will no doubt be aiming to re-establish himself in the overall top down over the coming year.

You can see Jules Denel’s latest video by visiting @ web.facebook.com/jules.denel/videos/10155514579971089/

Now they have released a video to give a small glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes in order to hit the ground running when the green flag goes up for the first time in 2018.

You can see the Costa Teguise Pro Am Slalom Training Camp highlights by visitng @ youtu.be/pvDSFK7MaH0

However, whilst establishing himself as one of the best freestylers in the world the 26-year-old also has some serious skills in the waves - French champion in 2016 - and his latest video shows a seamless blend of freestyle and waves - from paskos and konos to double forwards and one-foot backloops.

You can see Adrien Bosson’s latest video from Carro, France by visiting @ vimeo.com/260008283

Hey Ethan, how’s it going?

Hi everyone, I’m doing well, Just started a bit of windsurfing at the beginning of February. Since then only a positive line to the top. Feeling better day by day and also healthier. Staying on Aruba for this winter training for a better preparation mentally and physically. Really looking forward to get back to some racing!

So, everyone is aware that you suffered a really bad injury in Fuerteventura last summer, but it seems like you are on the road back to full fitness now… how hard was the rehabilitation process for you?

Yes I’m on the good road to full fitness. Still missing some strength and stretch on my foot and leg, but we are more than 100% on the good road. 

About the rehabilitation it was hard I can tell you that. I never had a serious injury in my windsurfing career until this incident happened, So I didn’t know what would happen. I also started the season with some nice results, so I was aiming for the best season in my windsurfing career and then everything stopped in one second. 

Mentally the first 3 weeks were really heavy. I can say that I think I learned all the ins and outs of doctors, hospitals, physiotherapist , wound care. I went to many doctors and physiotherapists in Holland and Aruba that helped me get a better image about what works for me and what doesn’t. During this process I learned how to have patience, care more about myself, be grateful for what I have, feel my body more and that the work never stops (never ending process).  When you are injured the only thing you think of is that you want to get back to what you were doing, that could be walking, swimming and even running. When I started walking again I was the happiest guy in the world! 

The Rehabilitation was also hard for me, because I needed to spend time every single day in physio sessions, gym sessions, massage sessions, wound care appointments and for me this was completely different from what I normally do and that is windsurfing. 

From all the difficult things and hard moments that I passed through there is only one thing I can tell you and that is LISTEN TO YOURSELF/BODY. Don’t let anybody tell you what you can and can’t do.

Thank you to my team (Family, physiotherapists  and doctors) for making good decisions and trusting each other. 

You are now back on the water both freestyle and slalom sailing by the looks of it… how good does it feel to be back on the water doing what you love?

Yes now I’m back on the water doing freestyle, foil and slalom and I can tell you that it’s amazing to be back! I’m not holding back what so ever. I’m going full throttle in every session and giving it my all every time I’m going out for a session. I went for a trip to Peru, Paracas for more than 2 weeks and I have been sailing freestyle, slalom and foil every single day! I just love it. Just got back on Aruba and now the work starts, preparing for this season. still many things to do, but I’m confident that I will be more than ready. 

The start of the 2018 PWA Slalom World Tour is now 2 months away - do you expect to be able to compete on the Asian leg of the tour?

Yes it’s 2 months away! Time is flying. Yes I expect that I will be more than ready to compete on the Asian leg of the tour. I will put the last pieces of the puzzle together these last 2 months  and I will be there ready to fight! 

Last year it looked like you were really making some progress - starting the year with a top 16 result and also being crowned IFCA World Champion - it must have been a tough pill to swallow when you got injured in Fuerte?

Yes definitely it has been tough, but I believe everything happens for a reason.

This season is another one and I will be giving my all to get back into it. The Hardest thing for me was that it felt like the whole world stopped, because my world was windsurfing. I learned that it’s not only windsurfing there is so much more that you could do in this beautiful world.

You are still only 20 - which is extremely young in the world of slalom - after your injury have you had to change your goals for 2018 or are you just aiming to come back and hit the ground running and hopefully pick up where you left off?

Haven’t changed anything. I have the same game plan. Come back and hit the ground running is a good one! haha. Yes I’m coming back and I will pick up where I left off or maybe even better. It all depends how I will feel in the end of these 2 months. These 2 months will be 2 key months for me. Let’s see what will happen. I know many other riders are also pushing, so I will just wait and focus on myself to be ready.

What are your goals for 2018?

I’m coming in this season with no goals. I’m coming in full throttle, so of course I’m thinking of hitting the top 16 and top 10, but no goals. No pressure and just giving it my all. 

Let’s have some fun this year!

Thanks for the interview PWA!

Hopefully I will be seeing all of you soon again.

Regards Ethan Westera

Thanks Ethan. Glad to hear that the recovery is going well and look forward to seeing you competing again soon. Good luck with the rest of your preparation.