In the latest events of PWA riders changing sponsors Kurosh Kiani leftSimmer and Fanatic to join his old sponsors Angulo and Point-7.
Words from Kurosh:
“First and mostly, I would very much like to send a big thanks to Simmer Style for being there for me from the beginning. I will be always grateful for their support not to mention the great people behind it I´ve become friends with. And of course a thanks to Fanatic for taking me on for a couple of years. But its times of change, lots of things have been re-structured, and ultimately I have brought my life closer to friends and family with this sponsor change. I even changed my sail number and will be rocking D83 in the future!. I have been riding for both Angulo Boards and Point-7 before and have great relationships with both Josh Angulo whom I have learned so much from and also Andrea Cucchi. I was one of the first “black team” riders back in the day when Andrea took me in and I stayed with him on Sardinia for a whole winter. Back then it was pretty much just him and I, today is a different story. We always have great battles out on the water and I look forward to kicking his ass this year!
I feel really at peace with coming back to Angulo Boards because they are a personality brand, and they support my visions to give me the space in my mind to evolve. Even though we parted ways back in 2012, Josh and I actually stayed good friends and I believe our friendship actually strengthened, and now with Pieter involved, I know I have the backbone and support along with Point-7 to pursue my goals and kick some ass! Last but not least I embark on a great upcoming time together with my friend Christian in Denmark as we have started up the company Gear Direct which is going to take over distribution of both Angulo Boards and Point-7 in Denmark and expanding with SUP´s and other products we think are great!”
Kurosh will be representing Angulo Boards and Point-7 on the PWA world tour along with his other sponsors, Doppstadt and Maui Ultra Fins in the 2014 season.
Ricardo Campello rapresents the top expression as an athlete in the sport of windsurfing. 3 times world champion in Freestyling and 2 times vice world champion in waves. Ricardo has now chosen Point-7.
Ricardo Campello made news after he parted ways with long time sponsors JP and NeilPryde. The other day it was announced he was riding Patrik Boards. Now he has signed with the Point-7 Black Team.
New year , new Gear , My Final new toys will be Patrik boards Point 7 Sails and Powerex Windsurfing , thank you all for the motivation and I hope I can finally realize my dream with my new Equipment! I will do my best to improve everything I can!! super Happy with my new Sponsors Im more motivated then ever!! Change is good!! – RC
We are often seen as a slalom oriented brand due to the results we have obtained from the beggining of our brand. Ricardo has chosen us for our wave products, proving that our wave range is ready to prove the same as we did in slalom. We have 3, 4, 5 batten wave sails so there is a lot to choose from, for everyones different needs. We chose Ricardo as our top team rider as he is not only a multiple world PWA Champion, but also an icon in our sport. He fits with us, as he goes over the limits. If some are trying the double forward, he is already thinking and trying the tripple. If Ricardo needs to go to Canaries, Sylt, Maui,.. anywhere he is prepared and can fight to win the title in any conditions. He is know in the world and our product is distributed all around the world, so a great amabassador. Ricardo is a mature professional rider, who has experience not only for obtaining the winning results but also to start new projects with our brand. – Point-7
Read the full interview with Ricardo Campello from Point-7.
Early this morning Ricardo Campello announced he will be riding for Patrik Boards this season. Here’s what he had to say via social media, “I can now proudly announce that I will be riding Patrik boards from this year on and yes I will still be fighting for my dream to become wave world Champion!”
Neil Pryde has set that he wil retire as Managing Director of Pryde Group, effective December 31st, 2013. Neil Pryde will become the Chairman of the company after retirement and will devote most of his time in promoting and supporting the company’s business activities around the world.
Patrick Pender, currently Deputy Managing Director, will become Managing Director and Peter Lui, currently CFO for the company, will become Chief Operating Officer. George Poon from Shriro Pacific Limited will be heading the financial functions and all new appointments will be effective from 1st January 2014.
Patrick Pender has 30 years of experience in management, brand building, manufacturing and retailing. Having been a part of management teams at the Gaastra Group, Guess Watches, Oozeeki and Bvlgari, he brings with him a broad range of experience and an understanding of the European, American and Asian markets. Mr. Pender is also a world-class sailor with first hand understanding of the sports the Pryde Group is involved in.
In making this announcement, Neil Pryde commented:
“The decision for me to step back from active management of the company that I founded 43 years ago is obviously a significant milestone in the company’s history and in my life. Pryde Group represents my life’s work and I am extremely proud of what we have been able to create in one of the world’s leading action sports companies with market leading brands in Windsurfing and Kitesurfing.
I certainly could not have achieved anything we have done without the support of an incredibly loyal group of colleagues and employees and I will not forget the effort you have made on behalf of the company. I wish you well for the future.
I am confident that Patrick with his experience and leadership will bring us greater success and I hope you will give Patrick the same support you have given me over many years.
Peter Lui has been my close associate for more than 13 years and I am delighted to see him in his new role as Chief Operating Officer and I am sure he together with Patrick will be instrumental in the future success of the company.
As you are aware, I will become the Chairman of the company and remain as a member of the Board of Directors. You may be assured, I will continue to maintain a very strong interest in all of the company’s activities and the progress of its employees.”
Vasco Fung, Group Chief Executive Officer of Shriro Pacific Limited, the controlling shareholder in Pryde Group, commented on Mr. Pryde’s retirement:
“We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Neil Pryde since 1986 and are very grateful for his considerable contributions to the success of the company.
Neil has shown strong leadership since founding the business in 1970 and successfully transformed the company into an international sports group with operations in Asia, USA and Europe.
We all wish Neil a very happy retirement and surely he will continue to provide valuable support and advice to the new management which will be important to the continuous success of the company.”
Philip Koester has joined Severne Sails after leaving NeilPryde. He will be staying with Starboard.
We’re stoked Philip Köster is signing up for the SEVERNE team for 014 and welcome Moritz Mauch as the second edition to our wave team. Philip has redefined modern windsurfing and we’re really looking forward to what he’s going to be able to do with lighter, better gear. The future is looking red hot! – ©Severne 2013
Ricardo Campello has just announced that he will no longer be riding for JP or NeilPryde. He has been a staple on the team since 2000, consistintly at the top of the PWA rankings.
After 11 or 12 years sponsored by Jp boards and Neilpryde sails I sadly Announce that I won’t be riding them anymore for 2014 . it is a very sad news for me but I have learned a lot with them and maybe now its time for a change , Still Don’t know what Im going to do next year but I will try as much as I can to be on the water !I will give more details soon – RC
5 Times Freestyle World Champion Gollito Estredo is back to Maui Fin Company.
His progressive style has been and still is a main trendsetter for the sport.
Welcome Back Gollito! ~ MFC
Naish International is stoked to bring Maui’s own Harley Stone to the team!
Since he was 3 months old, Harley has been a permanent fixture at windsurfing competitions across the globe while accompanying his father, former world champion windsurfer, Josh Stone. Considered a “Child of the Tour”, he has not only watched the best, but he’s also learned from the best, allowing himself to become well-seasoned as he works his way to becoming one of Maui’s hottest rippers.
“I’m super excited to become a part of the Naish Team! It’s such a great environment and group of people – Naish will help bring me to levels I’ve only dreamed about. I can’t wait to reach my highest potential!” –Harley Stone
As one of America’s top youth windsurfers, Harley is currently ranked 4th overall in the AWT and is quickly becoming a permanent fixture on windsurfing podiums across the world, taking 1st at the 2012 Waddell Creek Event (Youth) & most recently, 2nd at the 2013 Aloha Classic (Youth) here on Maui.
Harley continues to make a name for himself by striving for excellence not only on the water, but off the water as well. In addition to his perfect 4.0 GPA and State Championship Title in Gymnastics, his ambitions range from windsurfing Jaws and nailing goiters to excelling in Math & Science to become an Aeronautical Engineer.
He’s very much a part of the young blood of windsurfing and is an extremely strong windsurfer in his own right. Be sure to keep an eye out for him in 2014 as he takes to the AWT & local competitions to make his mark in the circuit. This is talent that can’t be missed.
Welcome to the Team Harley!
Meet Starboard Windsurfing’s Brand Manager Tiesda You, in this series of Starboard’s Tiki Documentary. Starboard has even called him, the “Golden Child”. Tiesda has been designing boards since 2000, including the famous Carve, the first Kodes and now the Atom IQ!
Official Press Release from Fanatic and North Sails International:
We are happy to announce that with Matteo Iachino from Italy, a very talented windsurfer has joined our International Windsurfing teams for Fanatic & NorthSails.
His name is well known is the Slalom scene and he for sure has a great talent to make it to the top of the rankings. Matteo will be charging the race season on our renowned Falcon Slalomboards!
Matteo Iachino:
“I really wanted to join an experienced windsurfing brand and to have top boards top in our sport. And now I’m in this team and I can’t ask for more. I tried all Falcon Slaloms and was quite stoked how easy and fast they are. Fanatic´s Product Manager Daniel Aeberli is a good friend of mine, he helped me a lot during these years and I believe in him and in the great job he´s doing for Fanatic.”
Daniel Aeberli, Fanatic Product Manager:
“Matteo is one of the most talented upcoming Slalom guys on the PWA tour. Following him since the start of his professional career gave me the possibility to see him develop his skills and Racing. He is a great personality and has the right attitude and motivation to make it all to the top of the Slalom scene. For us at Fanatic he is the perfect guy for our young and dynamic Slalom crew. The time has come to boost our 2014 Falcon line to the next level. A big welcome to Matteo.”
The international Funboard Class Association wants to lower the minimum wind requirement for racing from 11 knots to 7 knots, in order to give event organizers certainty more races will be sailed and sailed on schedule.
We want to give our event organizers certainty that more races can be sailed, and sailed on schedule. This will make our sport more attractive to the media; they will send reporters and camera crews to report live about our events.
Increased media attention means that our sport is more attractive to potential sponsors. Better funding for events will also bring more competitors to our events.
We do not want to search for venues with just enough (7 knots) wind for organizing the IFCA Class Championships. We remain committed to our principles – we are the Funboard planing class with the motto “the more wind the better”.
In addition to the wind mimumum changes IFCA has also proposed to allow competitors to register 3 boards and 6 sails for an event up from 2 boards and 4 sails currently allowed.
The final decisions will be made until October 2013, so that manufacturers can adapt to the new rules and be ready for the 2014 season.
NeilPryde team rider Guy Cribb has been awarded a place in the UK Windsurfing Associations Hall of Fame for “outstanding contribution to windsurfing” and as one of the “greatest windsurfers the UK has produced”. Guy has won 13 British Championships over the years, firstly as Youth champion in the late 80’s, then Mens champ through the early ’90s and even Masters champion in the mid 2000’s.
INtuition Coaching travels all over the world coaching windsurfers of all levels. He briefly returned to the race circuit in 2010 and won Slalom, Raceboard and Long Distance championships outright, proving he’s still got what it takes!
His favourite competitive achievements though have been the two mega long distance battles: the 108 miles in a 50 knot storm from Bournemouth to Brighton and the extraordinary crossing of the English Channel at one of the widest points, from Cherbourg to Poole – 70 miles in a 30 knot storm, with World Champion Antoine Albeau.
Guy is currently busier than ever with his INtuition coaching, attracting guests from all over the world to his courses in Brazil, Australia, Hawaii, Morocco, Texas and Egypt, wave sailing in perfect conditions.
Hot Sails Maui is pleased to announce the signing of their latest team rider, 18 year old Morgan Noireaux, check out his first day at the office, complete with new sails!
Gun Sails is happy to announce the return of Josh Angulo, this is the third time in his career he will be on Gun Sails, after leaving the Point-7 Black team this fall.
“Some guys compete to travel, some to party… I’ve already done both those things, now it’s time to win!” says Josh Angulo who hopes to attack the podium on the 2013 PWA Tour.
Simmer Style is proud to welcome the talented and cheerful polish wave sailor Justyna Sniady to their international team.
Her sailing has always had a flair for the dramatic and this year her enthusiasm and hard charging demeanor will shine bright Worldwide. She charges hard in every situation and can’t be taken lightly in any heat, either tack. The Polish sensation is only getting started with us, welcome to the Simmer Nation, Justinya. – Simmer Style
I’m really excited about joining Simmer Team! It is a great bunch of people who know how to have a good laugh while pushing the performance on the water as well. I have really good memories of Simmer as I landed my first frontloops and pushloops on their sails a few years ago in Pozo. Also as soon as I jumped on my new 2013 Simmer Sails my backloops just clicked so I think we make a good match!:) I really like both Icons and Blacktips – they are light, maneuverable, really stable and most importantly for my style of sailing – pretty unbreakable! 🙂 It’s great to be back on the water and get the support despite my severe injury from last year. – Justyna
