Archive for March, 2009
Action shots from Italy
thank you Mino for sending these!
“Here gianmarco revel with good action moves in Porto novo ANCONA town (100 km under CESENA)”
Greetings from California from Gerritt Rutgers
Good things come to those who wait. Last Friday, the wind along the Santa Cruz coast was very marginal early on and despite going out many of us wound up landing on the point and packing it in. Some of us waited. A few adjustments to the new panther and a half hour later the wind had shifted from side on marginal to side off powered. The waves all began to magically line up forming perfect head high walls and clean sections. Jordan Deltscheff got this killer shot of me popping an off the lip out of the shadow of the wave into the light of the late evening sun. I just love the way the colors work in this shot.
Gerritt Rutgers
Dahab shots from Tim Verhoeven
thank you for sharing these Tim!
“hey there,
here are some pictures of me and my blue panther sails in dahab.
i love them.
cheers from germany
tim verhoeven
german pro rider ezzy sails.”
Ezzy scores great test result in Germany
Just in from Germany:
“we just received the Panther Windsurfing Jahrbuch test result.”
Here is the text in English:
Sail tested: 4.7 Ezzy Wave Panther.
The first impression:
The Panther makes at first sight has a very good and well built impression. The largest difference to the predecessor Wave SE is the shorter boom. In the Leech a new material is used, that allegedly is more UV resistant and in addition lighter than monofilm. The mast sleeve is likewise very high-quality. Apart from the good building quality a surprise waits at the foot of the sail. One can use a trim block or alternatively a d-ring in case you prefer using a trim hook with your extension. The Panther has no longer as much profile as its predecessor, but nevertheless a strongly preformed belly within the foot area.
Rigging and tuning:
The sail is to be trimmed mainly over the outhaul. At the downhaul one has actually only a very little range to play with. The downhaul should not vary more than one cm. That has the advantage that you can get along with mainly tuning the sail on the outhaul. The 4.7 needs a four-meter mast. Rigging is easy.
Handling characteristics:
The Panther lies well in the hand, feels directly and the new material in the Leech lets the sail feel light and respond quickly. The drive, which the sail supplies, is very pleasant and although it has less belly as its predecessor, it is quite early to plan. If the wind picks up it mostly is enough to increase the outhaul and the sail again is balanced and neutral in the hand. There is a wide tuning range without touching the downhaul which is very pleasant. The pressure point is very stable and gives the rider the pleasure of riding very relaxed also in rough conditions. If one adjusted the harness lines correctly, one can remain on the water for a long time on the water without getting tired. The sail has enough power to plan through lulls and accelerates quickly, as soon as the wind is back. Also because of the large wind range the sail is not only suitable for waves only. The large wind range of the sail, however, compensates this small deficiency by far.
Result:
The Panther has everything, for which Ezzy stands: It offers simple handling in combination with a lot of performance and a really huge wind range. According to our opinion, the Panther is the best Ezzy ever.
Pro: Great power, well balanced and very large wind range.
Con: None.
German Mag interview with Graham Ezzy
Go here for interview in German
(here is a very rough english translation)
Hello Graham. This year started very well for you. You won the supersession on the Worldcup Cabo Verde 2009. Cabo Verde offers the biggest waves on the tour. Was it your first Worldcup participation?
This was my first time to Cabo Verde…ever. I showed up the day before the contest straight from Princeton without windsurfing for a month. That wave is so long, so powerful, so smooth, but it took me a few days to learn it, so only by the supersession did I feel comfortable on the wave.
Riding big waves is business as usual for you. You were born in Maui on Hawaii. But how did you come to windsurfing?
My father taught be to windsurf when I was around 10, and I started sailing Hookipa in less than a year because my dad did not want to sail anywhere else. In fact, I was sailing mast-high Hookipa before I could jibe- not because I wanted to, but because it was the only place my dad would drive me!
Your father is the owner of Ezzy Sails and a former Windsurfpro. Is he still a big role model for you?
David is a large role model for my life. He has always followed his passions (skiing, windsurfing, sail designing), dedicating himself fully. I want to have the same motivation, focus, and discipline in my life.
How does it work father and son in a brand and the family as your sponsor? Are there sometimes troubles?
No, not really. We have a relationship more like friends.
So it works. Are you involved in the sail development?
Sail designing is my father’s passion, not mine. I am really interested in business and economics though, so I might run Ezzy Sails one day, and I try to give my dad good ideas.
Windsurfing is a big part of your life. But on the other side you graduated high school in May of 2007. What goes first studying or windsurfing?
Both! I am trying to compete at the highest level academically and athletically. But I still skip a lot of school to go windsurfing…
As I heard you are studying at Princeton University. It is a renowned university. Why did you choose Princeton?
I chose Princeton because it is the best university in America. I decided that if I was going to take time off from windsurfing to get a degree, I should go to the best school. I’m studying economics at the best department in the world; I love it.
Wouldn´t it be easier for you to stay on Maui and focus on your windsurfing-career?! Why did you choose the east coast?
I have never devoted a whole year to windsurfing! I’ve always been in school. The East Coast is really new for me, but it’s great to spend time in cities, wake up to snow on the ground, and do some mental work.
Princeton is famous in the world. But how does “a day of Graham Ezzy on the campus” look like?
I have classes in the mornings and early afternoon (economics, math, more economics, physics, and poetry), then I row with the Princeton Lightweight Crew team (one of the best in the country). After rowing, I eat dinner, do some studying, and write a bit. Then I either go to sleep or party! All the parties here take place in mansions we call Eating Clubs. Dancing, girls, and intellectual conversations about philosophy! Sometimes I stand back and laugh at how funny and different my life here is.
For outstanding people your life may appear unmanageable and overwhelming? How do you keep the balance?
It’s incredibly overwhelming! But that’s what I love about it. I love waking up in the morning and having a million things that I have to do, and not knowing if I’ll be able to do them. Such an adrenaline rush.
Does Princeton support Windsurfer and are there any other famous athletes on campus?
I’m trying to convince Princeton to support a Princeton Windsurfing Team. I’m not the only professional athlete here. Joey Cheek is also in my class; he has an Olympic gold, silver, and bronze in speed skating. I also have some friends who are some of the best rowers in the world. The best part of Princeton is that everyone is amazing at what they do.
Is there a good spot around New Jersey and how often do you go there?
A couple months ago, I had a perfect mast-high waves a 30-minutes drive from New York City. When it’s good it’s good! But it’s a secret spot, so I can’t tell you where it is.
How often during a season do you have the chance to train on Maui?
I go back to Maui for about 4 weeks per year to train and do some photos. I’m never home; It’s like I’m a tourist now!
On the island of Maui you are on the water with the world´s best windsurfers. Who is your favorite and why?
I grew at Hookipa watching the windsurfers, so I have many favorites. Polakow throws down the best turn even to this day. Teritehau was doing triple forwards before Ricardo was doing spocks. Levi Siver, Alex Mussolini, and Florian Jung are my favorite to surf with. It is so much fun to be pushing each other to try new moves, ride bigger waves, and do higher jumps. Flo is a great training partner; he’s always motivated, happy, and fun to be with.
You won the supersession on Cabo Verde with a taka on the wave. How much freestyle-elements are good for Waveriding in the future?
It is good to combine freestyle and waveriding, but that’s not my style. I am a surfer. The tricks that I do in the waves (the 360s, takas, goiters) are surf moves, not freestyle ones just put on top of the wave. I place the moves into the line of the wave. Not many people do that. Surf-style is a lot harder and has a lot more flow.
Thank you for answering the questions.
thanks to www.windsurfersmag.de
National Australian Wave Sailing Titles 2009
thanks to Kaleb Smith
Images from White Caps Photography
“The start of February saw sailors from across Australia converge on the pristine and wind ravaged waters of Tasmania’s North West Coast, primarily the world famous coastal areas surrounding Marrawah and further south to Arthurs River and its adjacent beaches that are buffeted by the Southern Ocean and it’s ‘Roaring Forties’, the name given to the extreme elements that traverse the Globe at 40 degrees latitude. The reason for this gathering of like minded wind and wave specialists was to test their wave sailing skills against the elements and each other. The last man standing from the double elimination man on man heat format would walk away with the 2009 Australian wave sailing Title.
Six days had been set aside for the event, unfortunately someone forgot to tell Huey and it took several days before the first expression session could be run. The Expression session format was used to cull the numbers in the open division down to a more realistic number of competitors. Sixteen places had to be filled in the Open division, three of these places had already been filled with Dan Berry, John Pott, and myself Kaleb Smith being seeded through from last years National placing. The conditions for the expression session were marginal Port tack, with 15-20 knots of wind and a small 1-2foot mushy swell. Many were claiming that it was the flattest they had ever seen Marrawah, but it wasn’t any surprise, it was the Nationals after all, that’s got to be enough to scare the wind and waves away.
All week saw Marrawah bathed in sun with little to no swell (shoulder to head high); however, spirits were still high as there was always plenty to do; surfing, diving, SUP boarding, four wheel driving, beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, table tennis -the list goes on and on. Oh! Did I mention the pub! The sponsors and organisers had done a fantastic job, every night there was a social event to go to, be it the local bands, Nationals table tennis tournament, a huge spit roast and crayfish night or just a gathering of friends for a few quiet drinks.
Saturday 7th February saw the first day of man on man heats held at Greens Beach, to speed things up two heats would be run at the same time. The conditions were not ideal with a very gusty north easterly, starboard tack wind ranging from 5 to 20 knots. The swell was small with sets around shoulder high. The forecast was for a south west change during the afternoon and an increasing swell, this didn’t eventuate and the north easterly only eased as the day progressed leaving only the first few heats in all divisions with a result.
Sunday 8th February, the final day of the competition and Huey had answered our prayers, finally the swell had increased. It was only a marginal increase but it was due to build as the day progressed. Unfortunately the wind was cross on and around 18 knots, so it was going to be a battle. The first and second round of heats in the open, women’s and masters were fought out in challenging conditions. Around the middle of the day things hotted up, the wind swung cross shore, the swell cleaned up and increased to be over head high on the sets and best of all the competition stepped up a notch. I was knocked out during the second round of heats by my good friend and sailing buddy Simon Hanson. This relegated me to the double elimination standings and I had to fight hard to get back up the rankings.
By late afternoon the competition was into the final rounds, the Women’s was being hotly contested, local sailor Karen Robertson and Lisa Edlund-Tjernberg from Victoria were set for a showdown, until Karen hyper -extended her left elbow and had to settle on third with Marieke Machinnon moving into the final and taking second place. Lisa dominated the final with her aggressive wave riding, taking home the Crown of National Women’s Champion for 2009.
Terry North from West Australia took out the Masters crown with some huge forwards and impressive wave riding. Oliver Barta from Queensland proved that age had no boundaries as he ripped the waves apart to take home the Grand Masters trophy.
Unfortunately only one junior sailor, Alistair Mcleod was able to take time off school to attend, thanks to his Mum! Alistair also entered the Open, he sailed aggressively and proved to all that he is going to be a dedicated and serious contender in years to come.
Heading into the Open finals I had battled my way through the repechage heats to finally find myself pitted against Victorian pin up boy Joel Ryan. We were both on a high; the worst we could do was a third place. The conditions were looking good, clean waves, 18 knots cross shore. We were both using 85 litre twin fins and 5.2 sails. I had my Ezzy Panther rigged with very little down haul to try and maximise the amount of grunt I could receive. Dave Ezzy has nailed it with the Panther; the stable crisp feel of this sail delivers power when you need it without wanting to rip your arms off or compromising the performance needed to get you into, and out of the most critical section of a wave.
I started the heat with a ripper set that gave a long clean wall with several sections to charge and smack through. This sent me down the beach several hundred yards; I milked all I could out of the wave until finally I turned to head back out. My heart was pounding, my arms ached and for the life of me I couldn’t seem to get enough air into my lungs. The full day of sailing through the repechage heats to get to this point was starting to take its toll on the body, but I didn’t care, this was a Nationals semi final and I had to dig deep.
During the semi the wind dropped to around 10 to 15 knots and even back to no wind at all in the break zone. The wave riding was still great with enough wind on the face to do what was needed and get the wave count up, however, there would be no jumps to be had and it took all our stamina to continue to battle out through the white water.
At the end of the heat there was not enough wind to try and sail back to the car park, Joel and I had to settle on carrying our gear 500meters back up the beach, this was going to be hard as we were both collapsed on the beach near exhaustion and feeling very ill. Luckily for us a couple of mates ran down to carry our gear and inform us of the result, I had made it to the final.
As I stumbled off the beach, I was informed that I had 5 minutes before the final would begin; I ran for a drink and headed back to the beach to great my final opponent, Dan Berry and exchange pleasantries. As we headed into the water it was apparent that the wind was not improving, if I thought the semi was tough this was going to be tougher. Dan started the heat with a good sized wave and tore it up in usual Dan style, heaps of speed and impeccable timing. I wasn’t careful enough with my wave selection. I wanted to start the final with a good set wave, as I had done in the previous heats but I just couldn’t find one quick enough, so I settled on what I thought was a moderate sized wave that would wall up nicely on the inside. This didn’t happen and I ended up riding a fat mush ball with no wall and no wind. Then as I dogged back out the sets appeared with Dan charging back in, that’s when fatigue left me and with a scream of frustration grabbed the last set wave and finally had a great wave all the way to the beach and passed Dan as we hooted at each other.
Dan and I both managed to get our wave count for the final but I knew Dan had the superior rides, the conditions certainly suited the lighter riders and Dan only rubbed this into me further by floating past me on a 76 litre board while I’m up to my thighs on an 84 litre. He just smiled and said ‘not much wind’. Dan also rubbed salt into my wounds by getting the only jump of the final, a nice loop out the back. Regardless of who the conditions suited it really didn’t matter, Dan Berry’s sailing is flawless wether it’s 10 knots or 40 knots, waist high or mast high, he proves time and time again the he is on of the best competition and free sailors around.
Back at the Marrawah Pub that night for the presentations I was knocked for six when competition organiser John Pott announced that I had won Wave of the Competition as well as coming runner up, what a great bit of icing on an all ready fantastic couple of days.
To have events like this come to fruition you need to have special people behind the scenes, working hard, sometimes with no thanks and reaping little reward other than the personal satisfaction of being an asset to the community they selflessly represent.
To that note I would like to thank John Pott for doing the ground work in Tassie. If John didn’t step up as a representative of Tasmania the event would never have gone ahead.
Event sponsors Neil Pryde and JP. Represented by Hudson and David Godfrey-Smith the dynamic father/son combination that has given so much to the sport over the years once again put in all their effort to ensure the event was the success it was and always ran on time, with all the information past onto competitors.
Head judges Matt Tobin and Stuart Martin ensured that the consistency in their judging was impeccable. As extremely talented watermen with both judges having spent many years as highly competitive wave sailors, their contribution to the competition and development of competitors was boundless, freely giving advice when approached.
Big personal thanks goes to Damien Wallace from Jay Sails in Tasmania and Ezzy Sails for supplying me with the fantastic gear that I use. Ezzy Sails have for years been my only choice, they have never let me down regardless of the punishment they receive. The sail I start the season with is the sail that’s there at the end of the season. That is no fact to take lightly. With Ezzy’s latest developments in materials and sail shapes, the sails have entered a new level of excellence with a crisp controlled feel that delivers power progressively as you ask for it.
And well done to all those that took the time to come to Tassie, see you next year!
Competition Results:
Open Mens
1st – Dan Berry (Neil Pryde/JP)
2nd – Kaleb Smith (Ezzy Sails)
3rd – Joel Ryan (Hustler, RPS the Board Store Calvin Kien,)
4th – Simon Hansen
Womens
1st – Lisa Edlund-tjernberg (SHQ)
2nd – Marieke Machinnon
3rd – Karen Robertson
Masters
1st – Terry North
2nd – Matt Cudmore
Grand Masters
1st – Oliver Barta
Junior
1st – Alistair Mcleod (SHQ)
Best wave: Kaleb Smith (Ezzy Sails)
Best Jump: Oliver Barta”
Great pics from Cyprus
Some pictures of my friend Theodoros my team rider.
Thanks
Vassos
Maryhill – please help
Maryhill State Park
Washington State Parks is facing major budget cuts. As a result, Maryhill State Park is on a list of 32 Washington State Parks at risk of being “mothballed” in the event of $23 million in budget cuts. Mothballed means that basic operations would stop, the gate would close, bathrooms would close. More information is available here.
The CGWA Board of Directors wants to hear from you- do you use Maryhill? How? What would its potential closure mean to you & your family? Please click here to help us gather more information via a quick & easy 1-page survey.
Please feel free to share your comments with Washington State Parks: pao@parks.wa.gov. All public comment will be shared with the Commission.
Thank you for helping us.
New Video from Guy Trudeau
Enjoy!
Speed Freestyle Montreal Windski 2009 from Guy Trudeau Jr on Vimeo.
Ezzy welcomes Second Wind, our Newest Dealer
We’re stoked to announce our newest Ezzy Dealer! Drop in and say “hi” to our ripping team rider Russ Faurot, manager Jake, or owner Ralf.
Second Wind Sail, Surf & Kite
111 Hana Highway
Kahului, HI 96732
Ph: 808-877-7467
Fax: 808-877-0091
info@secondwindmaui.com
www.secondwindmaui.com
