DAY 1 - A SHAKY START
Due to yet another strike, there were no more flights available in or out of Germany, so mine and Friedel's spontaneous trip to Ireland was almost a non-starter. Fortunately though, we were able to rebook our flights to the Netherlands for free, so the opportunity to chase the forecast was still alive.
The forecast in question promised strong southwesterly winds, two consecutive swells and mild temperatures accompanied by clear skies for the northwest of Ireland. Friedel and I had no major trips planned, and we were both tired of the 4°C air temperatures, and the perpetually grey North or Baltic Sea waves. The prospect of long-period groundswells, clean reef waves, and delicious dark beer was reason enough to take a short-term vacation, pack up the camera and windsurfing gear, and embark on what is already a somewhat strenuous journey.
Around midnight, we crossed the Dutch border, and spent the evening sleeping on the bare airport floor at Schiphol, which I can promise you is not very comfortable. After almost two hours, I woke up rather cold, but luckily we were able to get our hands on a warm cup of coffee before setting off again. Our travel was on a tight schedule; once we'd landed in Dublin, we would pick up and load the rental car, before driving across Ireland possibly with a quick stop at a drive-through - until we reached Magheroarty, in the far northwest of Ireland.
This story is from the Issue 438 - October 2024 edition of Windsurf.
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This story is from the Issue 438 - October 2024 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
