New Adventures

Antoine Albert on joining Goya Windsurfing and popping his Maui and Western Australia cherry

Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing) has just completed two trips to two new destinations for him — Maui, Hawaii and Western Australia. The New Caledonian, who finished the 2015 season in joint 16th place, also recently joined Goya Windsurfing after moving on from Tabou and GA Sails. Read an interview with Antoine below and also view his latest video.

You recently changed sponsors to Goya - how's the new equipment working?

AA: “Well, it’s quite different from the gear I used before, but once I got uses to it it’s working very well! It’s feels super light and I get so much control with it.”

You also went over to Maui - were you helping with some freestyle development over there or just for sailing?

AA: “Yes I’ve been in Maui for my first time ever. I mainly went there to collect my new gear but it also gave me a chance to meet with the crew working at the Forward Company and the team manager Lalo Goya. We talked about my feelings with the gear, what we can make better, what’s already good… Unfortunately Jason Diffin and Fransisco Goya were missing but I was able to test some freestyle boards and sail prototypes.”

You've just got back from WA - was that your first time there? And what did you think of it?

AA: “It was my first time in WA and it was actually as everybody who went there told me it would be — Lot of flies, a few hours spent driving, good wind, good waves, great people. It’s definitely a place to train because you’ve got everything out there, both freestyle and wave spots, dead flat, jumping, surf sailing, choppy and I used all my sails (3.8 / 4.4 / 4.7 / 5.1 Bounce). From NC isn’t that far (1 day of traveling) that’s why I’ve been able to go there.” 

Where was your favourite spot?

AA: “Well, it’s hard to say… I love diversity. I’ve sailed in Margaret River, Esperance, Coronation Beach, Scarborough (Perth) (unfortunately not in the video) and Woodman’s Point (Perth). I really enjoyed each spot because they’re all different. But let’s say my favorite could be Coronation. You can do everything there it’s crazy. You have the flat lagoon in front of the beach and the further out you go the bigger the wave are, cross on shore port tack so you can freestyle, jump and wave sail.” 

How does it compare to NC?

AA: “People speaks english instead of French? ahaha No it’s hard to say… It’s definitely something else. Just the side is similar (port tack) ahah..”

You've also been doing a bit of wave sailing and have double forwards in your bag of tricks are we going to see you venturing on to the wave tour as well? 

AA: “Wave sailing is the root of windsurfing I think and I really love it. It helps so much for every discipline because you learn to read a spot, sail with super small gear, know how a board and a sail work, learn about the fins... I think it complements freestyle and slalom.

I tried my first double in 2011 in NC on port tack actually, but just did a few not really landed, then I’ve been in Wellington (NZ) for 2 months in 2012 where it’s only starboard tack and tried on this side. I could get one not so bad, but broke may mast so I stopped it because I was scared to break the others. Then 2 years ago when I was in Marseille, Regis Bouron pushed me so hard to try it again… so I did in Carro and now I’m able to land some. I landed one pretty dry in WA but didn’t get it on video…

The wave tour isn’t for me yet for sure (maybe one or 2 trials, but not much I guess). It’s already so hard for some guys who are way better than me… I guess I can’t say double is really in my bag of tricks, it will be when I’ll be able to land same like Marcilio, Victor and all those guys. ahaha I’m not consistent enough.”

Thanks Antoine. 

You can view Antoine Albert’s latest video, shot in Western Australia @ https://vimeo.com/157012076.