The WSA Tour dates for next season's slalom racing have been finalised. Next season will kick off in Port Elizabeth from September 23 to 26 over the Heritage Day long weekend. The second round will take place in Durban from 8 to 12 December, and the final round will take place in Cape Town from 18 to 21 March 2011 over the Human Rights Day long weekend.

Keep your eyes on the site as we bring you all the new developements on the Tour, and the final details for each event so you can start planning your trip.

Despite some killer wind and waves in Cape Town this last weekend, the end of the summer season is basically upon us; with those after work sessions becoming increasingly more difficult. The good news is that it's not too long before the NW kicks in at Witsands, you'll then finally have a use for those rediculously thick 5/4 wetsuits, and of course it's time for the super cool end-of-season party... 

For those who missed the e-mail, or for those that have never been, be sure to check out the annual end-of-season charity dinner next week. Besides good food and fun, the event always raises money for a noble cause, as well as recognising those people who have made great personal sacrifices to make the sport what it is. Click on for more info and go rope those mates of yours in to join us at the Italian Club...

After Monday's action, Zeekoevlei proved once again to make an excellent slalom racing venue. The wind held a fairly steady 15 - 20 knots, slowly picking up through the afternoon. The super flat water allowed most riders to stay on their 7sq.m - 100L boards the whole afternoon, despite the wind slowly picking up over the 4 scheduled races. The course was a 5km, 7 leg, downwind slalom course, starting at the top of the vlei and ending just off UCT Yacht Club's shores. It was great to see a bunch of new faces in the slalom races, and judging by their performance we should be seeing a lot more of them in the future. In the end, old sea dog Jac le Roux just edged out slalom ace Pete Lumley, closely followed by Steve and Robbie. After the races, a couple of us headed to Forries for some great FNB Varsity Cup action and support the UCT Ikeys putting on a good show against the Freestate Shimlas.

Special thanks to UCT Yacht Club for hosting the event... watch out for the UCT-Stellenbosch final next Monday, and more great slalom action in Langebaan over Easter .... click the title for the current WP rankings...

The wind for Monday is looking very solid so the call has been made to run it then. The UCT Yacht Club students have been very cool to offer their club and run the bridge and rescue for us. The bar will be open, but I recommend bringing your own food... Braai place available for those who want. Entry fee is R20. First race from 2pm.

Provisional overal results after Saldanha Bay out now... special thanks to Ocean Spirit for loaning us their buoys and SBSC for hosting us. Pete Lumley, Mitch Wagstff and Robbie Bense currently lead the way... look forward to some more great action at Zeekoevlei!

The forth round of the WP Points Series is due to happen this coming weekend at UCT Yacht Club... but the forecast is not looking spectacular. Our aim is to get just one days racing in and Monday (public holiday) currently looks like the best day for that. We will watch the weather and keep you posted about whats happening.

This weekend there was some great racing from the Saldanha Beach Sailing Club. Leaving the early Saturday morning rain behind in Cape Town, the rideres were greated by sunny skies and 15 - 18 knots of wind. Most guys pulled out their 7.0 - 8.0 sails and 100 - 110 L boards for the downwind slalom course. The start was set between Dial rock and a flag on the beach and finished just in front of the club, with 5 shorter races and one long distance race in all. Many thanks to Malcolm and his crew for organising everything at the club and Captain Muis for laying all the marks. The club is looking really good this year and for sure we'll be back for future races.

Entrants; please check over the results and e-mail me if there are any errors... wil collate the results if all is good...

The third round of the WP Points Series is this weekend. Racing is scheduled to take place on Saturday with some good wind forecast for the day. The kiters have been invited to compete against the windsurfers.... click here for more info

Latest WSA Tour results out now... check out who finished where and if there's any ground to be made up before the GPS speed season ends.

The Resolution Downwind Dash reinvented itself amidst some pretty light northerly winds over the weekend, with some pretty surprising results....

Congratulations to Ivan Newmark for winning the BulkSMS pre-event Expression Session. With the wind forecast not looking so good for the final round of the WSA Tour, BulkSMS set up a last minute fun wave photo session for all our entrants on the Wednesday afternoon - with the rider scoring the best "photo of the moment" winning R1000 cash.

Sporting his lastest thruster Long Ocean wave board/Ezzy Sail combo, the radical youngster was judged the winner by a panel of his peers. We hope to see more of his crazy style soon. 

I also wanna give a big shout out to BulkSMS for showing some initiative and creative thinking, and for sure we'll see some more of this kind of action in the near future.

What an awesome days racing!! From the talk in the pub, yesterday must have been one of the best days racing in a long time....

The call for today (Saturday) will be slalom racing. The wind is expected to pick up later this afternoon. We'll call a skippers briefing at 2pm with a first start not before 3pm.

With tomorrow's forecast not lookong so good, the prize giving will be held tonight around 8pm at Friday Island. All welcome and there'll be some drinks and snacks available.

Slalom results: with the wind kicking in around 4pm some super tough racing was held yesterday afternoon. the field was very strong with a placing in the top 10 hard to come by.. even if you nailed all your gybes perfectly and were well set up!!

Ben van der Steen was on fire with his new kit and completely unstoppable. Tom Malina was on his ass the whole time, but just couldn't quite crack Benny. Local boys Pete Lumley, Cameron Bruce, James Moore and Hennie Bredenkamp had a close battle the whole day just behind the top two, but it was Pete just edging out ahead of the chasing pack. Jamo made a great effort despite being sick as hell. The rest of the fleet was locked in a tough battle, with the standard of sailing really high compared to the first two rounds in PE and Durban.

The wind is up and we look forward to some great wave sailing at Swartriet later today. Tomorrow we should get some more slalom action and hopefully continue the great racing.

Friday will be wave at Swartriet. Late registration will be from 12pm. Skippers at 1pm. First heat not before 2pm.

Should there be no sailing by 4pm, slalom will be run from 6pm back at Langebaan.

Due to changing weather conditions the final call for Thursday's action has been changed to SLALOM.

Those who have not pre-registered must do so from 09h00 - 11h00 Thursday morning at the regatta centre in the Friday Island conference hall. Skippers briefing will be at 11h00. First start will not be before 12h00.

Riders who have pre-registered and not received any of the SMS or e-mail regatta updates, please contact Mark Derman (083-488-8777) and make sure he has your correct contact details.

The final call for Friday's action will be posted no later than 20h00 Thursday evening.

Here is the preliminary list of entries. Late entries will be accepted on site no later than 2 hours prior to the start of the first heat/race. Notice will be given no later than midnight as to which discipline will be held the following day.

Here's the official press release from the organisers. For those of you not entering through the WSA Tour be sure to check out the registration details. You might also wanna check out the bit about BulkSMS sponsoring R2500 cash to the first dude and chick (each) on wave gear...

This is the (short) story of the Langebaan Downwind Dash. I must give due credit to Matt Swart for the original article in 2006 and the organisers for supplying us with all the data...

With just 1 week till the start of the final leg of the WSA Tour things are really starting to hot up. The big news this week is that IFCA Slalom World Champion from the Oxbow Big Bay Classic last year, Ben van der Steen, has decided to enter our event and make use of the great conditions here on offer. In fact we've had a couple top riders from last years' event throw their names in the mix. 

We are also very happy to announce  addtional support from Oxbow Surfwear and Kenings Car Hire this week. Oxbow will be preparing our rash vests this year and I think they are gonna look great. Kenings have once again made a massive contribution by providing us with vehicle support for the duration of the contest... Looking forward to seeing you all there!!

We have received the GPS coordinates for the 2010 Resolution Downwind Dash course... check 'em out...

This is a brilliant article on how the Cape weather system works... a must read!! The author has also shown interest in conducting an online survey with riders to get feedback on how the different spots around the peninsula work on any given day... something we'll definitely help to get going. The text is a bit small here, but you can download the orignal PDF (much better)... Enjoy!

More MAC action is coming this weekend with the MASTERS and BLASTERS club racing. The series has been a great success and attracted over 50 entries, so get your asses down there and help them save up for a new container...

Accommodation status for the WSA Tour final: Friday Island has one room left over the event period - e-mail Kathy for the "bro-rate" if you wanna snap up that last room. Otherwise get hold of Cape Sports Center's Puza Moya and get sorted there [ accommodation@capesport.co.za ]

Sorry things have been a bit quiet lately, but your trusty team of windsurfing fanatics have been super busy in the background getting ready for the final showdown in Jan. Furthermore, we are super-stoked to welcome the support of three brands already very active in the SA windsurf scene.

Long Ocean, manufacturers of high end kite, windsurf and SUP boards have made a very welcome return to competition windsurfing... we look forward to showcasing their latest range of twinser and tri-fin wave boards, as well as their entry to the slalom market.

Long time supporters BulkSMS.com and Ballistic Eyewear have once again shown their continued technical and financial support... we can all look forward to a great event because of it.

Riders; don't forget the 2010 Resolution Dash forms part of the (slalom) WSA Tour... entry in the final Tour round will guarantee you entry in the downwind dash pro-fleet, but only up till registration on Thurs, 21 Jan. We do have limited entries though, so make sure you get yours in early.

We are super-stoked to get confirmation from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport to come on as title sponsors of the final leg of the WSA Tour. The WC leg will be held at Friday Island, Langebaan and scheduled to take place over the weekend of the Resolution Downwind Dash. Riders can expect a top event and a ton of racing with the 2 events on the go. See the events page for more info.

Last weekend was another great day of club racing for the boys up in Langebaan. It also formed the 2nd round of the WP Points Series, so we thought we'd take a look at how the super windy day went and who's looking the most consistent so far this season...

Entries for the worlds' biggest windsurfiing vs kitesurfing event are now live. Check out the Gust site for the latest info on entry forms.

There's more MAC action coming this weekend with a truck-load of wind... check out the latest results and info...

The second round of the WP Points Series is up this weekend and hosts, Cape Sports Centre, are looking forward to having the slalom boys back in town. The basic details can be found here... and hopefully we can pull some of those surf test guys into the mix.

The NOR has just come out this week for the biggest single race of the season, now in it's 25th year, the Langebaan Downwind Dash. Once again Resolution have shown their support for this spectacular event and no doubt will not dissapoint.

From what we're told, there's a seeded list based on past attendance/performance (?), but entries for everyone open Dec 1... so get them in early to claim your spot (see www.gustmagazine.com). Those competing in the WC leg of the WSA Tour get automatic entry to the pro fleet in the Dash, so no need to stress... just make sure you get those entries in when they open. We'll post more news as it comes.

More MAC action is coming this Sunday, and with the SE cranking the Blaster class better bring armour plating and scrum caps. For those who missed out last time, they had a massive entry of some 40+ dudes, making the gybes super fun to watch...

Having just got back from an epic trip to SA's favourite holiday island, Piet Streicher share's his little Mauritian adverture with us...

Ok, we got the plan for tomorrow's action, and it goes a little something like this:

The organisers and MAC-windsurfing will run the fun fleet separately from the pro-fleet. The fun fleet racing is a MAC (club-level) circuit where the funster's can duke it out over the course of the season to be MAC club champion. Expect a beach start, figure-8 course. Any kit will fly. Any slacker will do.

The pro-dudes will likely race a downwind slalom course off a timed water start. They're competing for provincial honours over the season. Only the best riders and kit will do... so get your sh#t together and down to the club on Sunday. Skippers briefing 1pm. First start 2pm.

This Sunday the first round of the WP Points Series kick off at MAC, and with a solid 19 knots predicted on the guru, it's looking like it's gonna be a cracker....

Today we woke up to a weak easterly pushing in off the sea. This left us with plenty time to haul our battered bodies to breakfast at the hobie. A fresh south-west breeze was forecast to kick in around 2pm... which it did, so the call was made to give the wave-riders a 2nd bash at it. Unforetunately, by the time we made it to river mouth there was only a pitiful wave. A few riders made a good effort to impress us, but it was decided to call it a day. Right now we're off to prize giving and final dinner are about to start. Final results stand as they are and can be found on the rankings page.

Day 3; my word... what great racing!!  bear with me... racing was packed up early after 6 grueling races and we are now enjoying the beers and bikini's from an optimal vantage point on the deck of the hobie club.

the forecasters got it a bit wrong... instead the wind picked up through the day, topping out this afternoon around 18 - 25 knots. A 2-lap figure 8 course was set. Total course length was around 4km. No official results to post yet, but Jamo Moore put in a steller performance today. Pete Lumley made a good effort to reign him in, but james's pace was superior today. A great fight for the final podium posi came from the likes of local wave champ "the Eugenie" and steve-o, but word on the street is that the local old guy got the spot. other top performances came from newcomer dingle rhodes, reuben venter, don lawrence and his brother pete.

otherwise, racing had to be put on hold while a whale and her baby cruised through the start line. we'll post some pix of them and the racing when they come in. and some results. tomorrow will bring us some more wave or slalom action depending how the wind goes.

Day 2 everyone met up at the hobie club for breakfast. Not much wind came through, so the boys and girls did some sight seeing. Some of the Durban and CT fellows headed to J-Bay for the day.

The forecast for tomorrow is looking good; 25-35 knots in the morning from the SW and dropping slowly  through the day. The organisers are looking to kick the day off early with the slalom event... the strong offshore wind should give some great action down the PE bay area. Anyone in the area should head to the upper decks of Barnies, Blue Water Cafe or the hobie club for the best view of the action. All slalom equipment registered for the season has been posted here. We pick up the rest of the action tomorrow.

The 09/10 season will see the Goya brand hit SA shores and kick off the season as title sponsor of the PE leg of the WSA Tour. I think the importers, Suntrax, deserve a big up for adding some spice to the scene and showing their support for SA windsurfing. Brian says we can look forward to almost the complete 2010 range and I will certainly add some pix and reviews when they land.

NOR for the KZN round of the WSA Tour has been posted. Click here for more info.

Unfortunately, due to difficult circumstances, the organsiers have decided to cancel the Walvis Bay GPS Speed Challenge that was due to start next month.

 Time is flying so fast; I have been here almost six months and only have two more months to go. The place is dry, drier than the Karoo, so there’s not much on this island... mostly just German’s. And wind. 24/7 the wind blows, some days just going out on a 3.5 is over powered.

The Notice of Race for the 4th and final round of the WSA Tour. Entry form now available as well. Please note that entry to this event includes your entry to the 2010 Langebaan Downwind Dash and secures you a spot in the first start/pro-fleet. Click here for more details

The Notice of Race and Entry Forms are out now for the second round of the WSA Tour. Hit the PE event button on the home page to get all the info.

I am very pleased to announce that Peter Lumley and Hennie Bredenkamp have been nominated for SAS WP Colours based on their performances over the past season. Sjoukje Bredenkamp also earned a nomination based on her outstanding world speed sailing record last October. The nominations have been formerly accepted by the Colours Committee and will be presented at the Colours Awards Ceremony at Zeekoevlvei Yacht Club on Friday 31 July.

I would encourage all to attend this usually dinghy-dominated event and support the local windsurfers (and kite). For a list of all the SAS points scoring riders see the nominations list here.

The WSA Tour page is finally live. Be sure to check it out for all the latest results, event documents and list of sail numbers. I've also added a few quick links to some popular pages, including the four Tour events.

The NOR for the Sterkies event is out now... hit the Sterkies button above to get all the latest info, equipment registration and entry forms. The remaining Tour event info will go up shortly.

[ed. Here's one from the archives I liked so I thought I'd republish it.]

Windsurfing Africa June Newsletter

The third round of the PWA Slalom World Tour has come to a dramatic end. With frustrating wind conditions bordering on the minimum wind limit, tension was bound to be high. In the end with only one round of heats completed; Antoine Albeau, Ross Williams and Steve Allen took the top three spots.

This leaves Antoine with a growing lead in the world rankings, followed by Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Finian Maynard tied in 2nd pace. Ross pulls in at 4th place after recovering from a somewhat poorer performance in Korea. (see www.pwaworldtour.com for more info)

Local hero James Moore was left languishing in tied 52nd place after half his equipment failed to arrive on time. Despite the setbacks, Jamo remains upbeat and sends us an onsite event wrap-up following his Spainish adventure.

Day 3:

With some of his kit finding its way to Spain, James finds a computer to give us an update.

Tuesday, June 9/Bay of Roses

On the first day of competition it looks like Team Moore is still suffering from every travellers nightmare - lost baggage. With 3 lost bags, including their whole quiver of fins, screws and extensions, James may not even make day 1. Fortunately they have managed to pick up a few spares from some familiar faces (Ross Williams and co), but their biggest savior could be the wind... with only 11knots forecast today they may catch a small break. 22 knots tomorrow though, lets hope they come right.

I can't remember the last South African to represent at the PWA, so as news of James' litte adventure reached the WindAf team, we decided to get the lo-down before his flight on Sunday.

Windsurfing Africa decided to get the low-down on our Wave/Slalom Tour champions, Reuben and Dave... here's what they had to say

In the past several years, the SA championship has been run as a single event in one of the three coastal provinces of Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. At the end of last season, the organizing committee comprising of a representative from each province made the decision to run an event in each of the provinces with the result counting toward an overall ranking for the year...

On the 17^th of January, 312 windsurfers and kitesurfers lined up on Langebaan main beach for the biggest combined wind- and kite-surfing race in the world. 

January saw the legendary Big Bay Classic return to the shores of Big Bay, Bloubergstrand. The epic wave contest that first began in the 80’s, was further enhanced by the addition of the IFCA Slalom World championships. But a dismal wind forecast looked like the event might never deliver the spectacle we had so been waiting for. Or so we thought…

22.10.08 - By: Andrew Buchanan

We ask the undisputed king of waveriding to talk us through one of windsurfing’s most dynamic moves, the bottom turn.

Mr. Seadi shows how it's done in CV.

Mozambique – soul sailing 2007

So here we go again – time for soul sailing 2007. After being skunked by the ‘Baan last year, we decided to make a change in venue. Mozambique it would be – our destination was Ponte Torres tented camp on the Santa Maria Peninsula just to the south of Inhaca Island 50 km due east of Maputo. Purpose of the trip – sail our butts off and flatten a case of Leffes. According to those in the know, October is slap bang in the middle of the Mozambique coastal windy season. Only three of the 2006 soul sailors made this trip – the rest came up with a host of crappy excuses and are no longer considered “soul”. We were joined by Gabi’s bud, Andre, who would take us to Ponte Torres on his large twin engined fishing boat, and some fishing fellows and their women folk.

Ja nee. The moment of truth approaches – I write this in anticipation of the 2006 soul sailing trip to Langebaan scheduled for the 1st week of November. Just to kick our enthusiasm off, the 2005 soul sailors received greetings from Matt Pritchard (“say Hi to the JHB guys”) via Anthony – ah, fame at last for the puddle sailors.

by Malcolm.....

Matthew Swart wins Langebaan Dash for the 6th time.

Here are the full results... 

Are we there yet ? (Just a bunch of middle aged blokes having a fun time)...

P.E. Wavesailing Expression Session 2005

Angelo Angelos

I live in Johannesburg and I have been windsurfing on flat water my whole life. I always wanted to venture into the ocean and do proper wavesailing but it seemed beyond my grasp........