Push loop water camera sequence

Chris Brown snapped this awesome sequence from the water of one of my push loops during the first round of the Freewave. Felt really close to landing on him!

Wellington Freewave Report - Round 1

Awesome conditions for the first freewave of the season. Plenty of wind, about just right for the 4.0 and SW which is cross-onshore. A good size swell, not too big and not too small. Sun out - at least periodically - 20 plus keen competitors, all more than competent to handle the conditions. A really good vibe on the beach.

The only downside was that it freezing. Not as cold as it has been this year, but still cold enough to make sailing for extended periods uncomfortable. Competition was really well run and organised (cheers Nick Hunn and David Rowe), and we managed to get through the heats reasonably quickly.

The early heats were held in primo Lyall conditions, good grunty ramps, heaps of power. lots of big moves being laid down. Stand outs were Tim Haxell's total disregard for life and limb - launching into huge tweaked end over forwards at every opportunity. Rob H's big shove-it's, and of course Clayton's perfect run of flawless sail away back loops and slashy down the line bashes.

I felt like I was sailing OK too, and was really gunning for the win. As usual Clayton's form throughout the heats showed that he was going to be the main to beat and I went into the final thinking that I would need to concentrate on the wavesailing to stand a chance of getting the no 1 spot. So after laying down my routine of reasonable aerial moves I set about making sure that I had some good waves too.

However, rather than the wavesailing, it was Clayton's impressive planing backloops and big springy forwards on the inside that undid me.

So great conditions and great sailing, but 2nd place for this round.

Time to learn a new move I think . .

WWA Report by Nick Hunn

Results:

1. Clayton Dougan

2. James Court

3. Troy Purcell

4. Rob Harrison

5= Lawrence Young / Tim Haxell

7= David Lee-Smith / Uli

9= Colin Doig / Eric Torvelainen

The top 4 fought out the final with Clayton just beating James by a very small margin. James was marginally ahead on the wave-riding but Clayton was slightly further ahead in the jumps. With equal weighting, the result went to Clayton. Highlights were Clayton's huge back Loop, followed up with a very high and clean forward, and James' big clean Push Loops and contest savvy wave riding.

3rd and 4th was just as close, with Troy taking the 3rd spot with better quality wave-riding. Highlights were Troy's now world-famous bail, and Rob's 1 handed forward (almost clean!).

Highlights from earlier rounds included monster, fully commited forwards from Tim - perfect except for the crash landings! Quality wave riding from David Lee-Smith, dangerous photo journo impersonations from Chris, and the judges (almost) deducting points from Gary for pulling off freestyle moves on the inside!

It was a seriously cold day so we didn't run the B final - and the sausage sizzle will have to wait till next time!

Exposed on Continentseven

Continent seven is an Austrian based website dedicated to windsurfing news, moves, pictures and videos. A long time favorite site of mine. Tim Haxell send the previous posts vid to them and surprise surprise they posted it. Super stoked to be mentioned on this site.

Summer freestyle session

Tim Haxell and I having fun in the ditch taking turns with the camera. Thanks Tim for editing and posting the footage

THE DITCH summer 08/09 from Haxell Tim on Vimeo.

Mid Winter Lyall Bay Session

I don't like the cold much, but I do like the Mid Winter sailing on offer at Lyall Bay. Especially when it is not too windy, with a nice chunky swell, and 4.0 - full power! This video shows a classic example of Lyall Bay at its mid winter best. Footage is thanks to Troy Purcell. Hope we get a few more days like this before spring.

Great Southern Land

Recently returned from a family trip to the South Island. Highly enjoyable and hugely scenic. Heaps of wave sailing potential especially around Kaikoura and the Catlins. Heaps of cross shore wind and heaps of swell the whole time i was there. I plan to make a return trip with others to fully explore in a warmer season!

Windiest windy wind

We have had some crazy wind recently in Wellington. Crazy wind and crazy cold, hail and snow and -5 degrees wind chill, couldn't keep the boys out of the water.