JOHN CARTER
Having missed out on an epic Ireland forecast the previous weekend, something was nagging me that I needed to pursue at least one big wave forecast during the winter season of 2023/4. When Timo Mullen pinged me his flight reservation, which was with Air Lingus from Southampton to Belfast, and then returning from Dublin to Southampton, that was the game changer that swung it for me. Southampton is by far my most accessible airport and with a solid two day forecast consisting of strong southwesterly winds and 20 feet waves, I decided this was my moment to commit. The outbound flight was a mere £41, while the return was even cheaper at £29, so it doesn’t get much cheaper than that, even after shelling out an extra £60 for my baggage.
So, after a few clicks on the Air Lingus website with flights and bags all booked, I was good to go and all set for an Irish adventure. Fast forward 24 hours and we had landed in Belfast, picked up our hire car and we were soon on the road bound for the west coast. Magheroarty is probably your ‘go to’ spot on most southwesterly forecasts and is simply a stunning playground for wave sailors of all levels. That was probably the location we were most likely headed as it is the most reliable on a big wave forecast.
SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO?
This story is from the Issue 434 - June 2024 edition of Windsurf.
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This story is from the Issue 434 - June 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!
