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Peter Volwater  overall world champion

 

Until late 90s, the title of world champion and best overall there was the supreme reward dreamed that any competitor. Since the change of disciplines and specialization of riders has eliminated this title. Naturally we would say, but overall this title would have its place today? True Internet users Windsurfjournal.com Gipsy Dalais investigated Windsurfjournal.com ...  

 

The 90, some of which are still nostalgic duels Naish-Dunkerbeck then Dunkerbeck-Bringdal, have now given way to a World Cup which has sought a little (lost?), Particularly in disciplines liabilities: end and back slalom, freestyle arrival, brief stint at the Super X, became Formula Race, etc, etc ... This has been one factor in the specialization of riders. Indeed, there are 2 large families riders now: on the one hand the racers covering disciplines slalom / speed (we have voluntarily set aside the formula) and the other the "expression riders" not aware that the vague and or freestyle. Where the situation is radical is that even in these 2 families, few are 2 or 3 disciplines. There is a specialization of specialties. Should we be concerned or is it an obligation for riders to achieve their world title? A response could be made: who can do more can do less ... Let us remember Antoine Albeau, the symbol par excellence of racer, was world champion freestyle in 2001 ... We see you smile, could it be today Today saw the turn of moves? Maybe not. But look more closely if Kevin Pritchard: 5th in wave this year, 3rd in slalom, his versatility is impressive. Is it the exception that proves the rule? No! Other riders have this versatility that would make the overall title today: Björn Dunkerbeck did not run today but the waves would be able to return within 10, within 20 Albeau. The question now is: How should be produced the overall? With or without discard? What subjects?
We have established 2 overall 2008 rankings one takes into account the 3 disciplines PWA (Wave, Freestyle and Slalom) and recognizes the 2 best results, so with a discard. Kevin Pritchard took first place in the rankings following Marcilio Browne and Josh Angulo, both current respectively freestyle and waves, the Slalom 42 and the Waves.
 
  The second ranking takes into account the same disciplines this time with speed, discipline of the International Speed World Cup, always with a discard. The classification is different here: Peter Volwater is the most versatile and be world champion in 2008: in the 16th round, 6th and 7th in slalom speed. Only by doing this ranking that we have achieved so high performance and on three tables.
After Antoine Albeau and Cyril Moussilmani, both in the 36th vague but very well placed in slalom and speed. The latter classification overall "manufactured" results from the 2008 seems more relevant and provides analysis on what might happen in future years if the supreme title really existed. Indeed, if this ranking shadow in the first place shows a deficit of riders playing on at least 3 tables, it justifies especially what a World Cup overall title awarding a return of racers in wave, the arrival or return waveriders or freestylers of tests on slalom or speed (Julien Taboulet, Ricardo Campello), like Josh Angulo and other Taty Frans and above all a fight between a dozen or more riders fighting for THE title of World Champion all categories, which would bless the riders today in the shadow of Albeau, Dunkerbeck such as Peter Volwater or Ross Williams.
Gipsy Dalais  ( source windsurfjournal)


Interview with iWindsurf's : George Haye, the man behind the scene 

 

Rick Randall: Beorge, where are you from originally?

 

George Haye:  I was born in Hollywood. One might think that says something about my personality, but I think it does not! Luckily, my family moved a bit south to Huntington Beach right in the middle of my high school years, so I had the chance to discover windsurfing in Long Beach.

RR:  Are you a windsurfer?  If so, when did you take that up?

 

GH:  I started windsurfing in 1988. I trace the very beginning to my being inspired by a commercial on TV that featured Naish, Waltze, and Kelby Anno that had the most amazing windsurfing action and the tag line "there are much better things to do than drugs". I thought "oh yeah, I agree, I'll do that!"

  

RR:  Did windsurfing have an influence on your life path?

 

GH: Few things have made a bigger difference on my life path! I moved to San Francisco for law school, not because I wanted to be an attorney that badly but because the windsurfing was so damn good! I sailed after class on average 3x/week, which, considering that I was in law school was an insane amount!  I work in the business office at windsurf now (since the year 2000), so I stand no chance of impressing any of my former classmates in regard to what I did with my law degree, but I am having fun and that is what matters! Actually, it was my law-related activism with the San Francisco Boardsailing Association that helped me get the job at iWindsurf: around the time that there was this job opening at iWindsurf, I was deeply involved with fighting the high-rise office building development plan in Burlingame, CA, that would have ruined windsurfing at Coyote Point. The iWindsurf guys knew my name from all of the S.F.B.A. flyers, newsletters, emails, and meetings. We (the SFBA) have had many other major access battles over the years, so check us out at SFBA.org.

 

RR:  Any parting thoughts?

 

GH: Working recently on iWindsurf's world-wide wind report coverage has made me quite interested in sailing in many places around the world. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to windsurf in Egypt, New Caledonia, and South Africa... I've never been to any of those places, heck I've never even been to Europe, but you can be that when I do finally get there, I'll be on the water!


LABOR DAY   at
Homestead    by:    Sergio Kapul

With tropical storm Hanna in the gulf giving us a temporary relieve from the light summer winds, few of us regular Causeway windsurfers decided on a trip to Biscayne National Park (Homestead) Labor Day Monday. The drive was extra ½ hour coming from the North of Miami, There’re 2 parking areas, one with the boat ramps ($5 per car) and the other one free to the left and used by windsurfers. The area is large, clean and picturesque, with plenty of parking and picnicking areas. The excess to the water to is small, one windsurfer at a time J but once you’re out, and it’s great for flat water blasting!

There were around 20 or so windsurfers this day using anything from 70l and a 4.5m2 to 9.0m2 and a formula. I think formula guys had more fun overall… Winds never got too strong but we had gusts up to 18 knots. All had great time on the water and off, with the grill working hard to satisfy the appetites. Time flue by and before we knew, we had to pack for drive home, park closes at 5 p.m. . . .Few things to remember for the next trip: arrive earlier and DO NOT sail though the jetty area unless you want to loose your fin on rocks…


VIRGINIA KEY,  MIAMI     master plan to develop waterfront  areas to the public

City of Miami held the last of the public meetings regarding VK on Tuesday. EDSA, the consultant company, presented a huge amount of information including their vision of what they believe is the best use for the island.
 Their findings and proposals where based upon the feedback received from users groups and stakeholders generated during the 2 prior public meetings.Our main concern as windsurfers is to retain water access and to improve facilities that will benefit our presence in the area (board storage). 
 
The vision given has Virginia Key divided into 5 different sections: (1) the north side which will create mountain bike trails, canoe-kayak launching area, Eco camping and a BOAT LAUNCH RAMP; (2) The beach area(us)including the bear cut preserve which will mostly remain as is with some improvements; (3) the Bill Sadowski preserve with elevated boardwalks and others; (4) the old landfill which will host a series of soccer, baseball, softball fields plus educational centers; and (5) the area by the rickenbacker causeway.
 
The Rickenbacker Area has the most appeal to the City since it might serve as a large revenue source. Ideas include marinas, retail shops, aquatic centers, and 5 stories parking lots.This is just the beginning of a long process that could last for many years and will certainly see a lot of opposition from many different groups.
 
On a personal note, the boat ramp proposal close to the north end of the beach and adjacent to the shrimpers lagoon is a bad idea. The presence of power boats launching upwind of us and the negative repercussions that might result from it are many. Traffic, gas in the water, lights close to turtle nesting areas, boats close to manatee zones, and speeding jet skis by the reef break are possible nightmares. The north side should stay green with active and passive recreation.
 
This is, of course, their vision. As one of the largest users groups in the area, we must remain vigilant and actively involved in all aspects of future developments. Your input is so important. In the next day or so, the below link will be active. Please plan to take the time to visit the following website and make intelligent remarks on our behalf

 

City of Miami's site:http://www.edsaplan.com/Virginia_Key/home.html
 
Ovidio DeLeon
South
Florida Windsurfing Association