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!”
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
Kai Lenny suffered a pretty gnarly injury while surfing Jaws the other day. Below is what he had to say and a few pics. (Warning: Some of the pics are pretty nasty and if you have a weak stomach put some saran wrap over your keyboard.)
I had a few really good wipeouts today, but it was my last wipeout that gave me wound! Basically Air dropped on a set wave at Peahi and once I landed and committed my bottom turn I hit a rib in the face of wave and face planted in the barrel. My fin tomahawked my foot while I was getting sucked over the falls. Once I surfaced I was all the way by the rocks on the inside so besides getting cut I got a good beating as well! That is why its called the ride after the ride!!
It’s official, Camille Juban’s 7 minitue 3 second wave ride got confirmed by The World Guinness Book.
Dear Mr Camille Juban,
We are delighted to confirm that you have successfully achieved a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for ’Longest duration surfing a wave – windsurfing’. We would like to congratulate you on your record-breaking achievement. You are OFFICIALLY AMAZING.
Your official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS certificate confirming your world record is being created and will be sent to you within ten working days.
Yours sincerely,
Records Management Team
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS
Congratulations Mr. Juban!
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
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!
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 2013 JP Aloha Classic was less then memorable for the 19 year old 2 time World Champion Philip Koster. He was eliminated in the first round of the double elimination, and would have no further chance at defending his World Title. Koster sailed his heat yesterday despite a staph infection on his leg, after the heat he headed to Maui Memorial Hospital in Kahului, where he will likely remain for the next couple days.
A staph infection can be caused by a reef cut, and needs to be treated quickly to prevent further complication.
We wish him a quick recovery and hope to see him windsurfing again soon!
Camille Juban has set the world record for the longest wave ride ever!
“On Monday 19th August 2013 at 16h24min, Camille JUBAN realise the record of the world of the longest duration surfing a wave – windsurfed with a time of 07min and 03sec on the mythic wave of Chicama Peru.
“The American Windsurf Tour 2012 champion, currently leader of the AWT 2013 and his young brother Tom JUBAN attempt the fight for the GUINESS WORLD RECORD before to participate at the competition Pacasmayo Classic 2013.”
We definitely want to check out Peru now!
Tragic news struck the windsurfing world today, as word circulated that Andre Paskowski lost his battle with cancer. Andre Paskowski was a World class freestyler and created many award winning films that highlighted the best windsurfers on the plant. He was a true inspiration and a brave person.
Andre will be missed and was a great ambassador for windsurfing. He will be remembered. RIP.
Andre took a moment to say goodbye in the touching letter below:
Hello my friends,
It’s time for me to say goodbye. Over the last years we have given everything, but this was not one I could win, not even with the great support I got from all of you. Your comments and compassion have greatly helped me and my family during this difficult time. It has given me energy and motivated me to continue fighting and makes me feel that my public dealing with this illness was right.
In the first months I was able to build on the great strength reserves in my body which enabled me to pursue my passion of windsurfing almost fully, despite chemo and surgeries. During this time, the chances of complete recovery were still very high, but with such a diagnosis, I tried to organise my life anew.
In the 10 years of my professional windsurfing career, I rarely spent more than 30 days a year in Germany. My parents almost spent more time with me at the airport than at home in Hamburg. This is why, besides putting a lot of energy into my last film project, I’ve tried to spend as much time as possible with them. I got to show them the most beautiful places in the world, show them why I loved my job so much and make them acquainted with many of my good friends. We enjoyed this time very much and are thankful that we were able to experience it.
My greatest joy was the I met my girlfriend Carolina and was allowed to spend the best time of my life with her. Despite the fact that by this time my disease was already advanced, we went on some great trips and didn’t leave a single wave unridden. She was by my side until the end, something that demands great strength and for which I am grateful.
Carolina and a few other friends will finish my last film “Below The Surface”. My Facebook page will stay on to feature news about this project in the future.
It is very hard to let go forever, I hope my family, my friends and especially for Carolina, that they will soon get over the pain.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, be nice to one another and enjoy every moment in life.
Aloha, Andre
The latest on Robby Swift’s injury.
After his injury in Pozo Robby Swift is back recovering in the UK after undergoing surgery and screws to hold it all together. The big question is when he will return and will he be competing today? It’s still uncertain, but with 5 hours plus of rehab a day he is working hard, here is what he had to say, “Denmark will be tight, but he said it’s not impossible so that’s what I have my sights set on!”
The Denmark event he is talking about is none other then Klitmoller World Cup which takes place in mid September. We wish Swifty a speedy recovery.
The Hawaiian waterman Kai Lenny has launched a new website. After a year of working on the content and images for the website it is ready. Bringing you even closer to my world and for me to share my passion about water sports and the ocean with you.
Maarten van Ochten was a victim of some turbulent wind and got his foot stuck in the foot strap. As a result he will miss out on the next few competitions. We wish Maarten a speedy recovery!
