Kai Lenny to MFC Fins
KAI LENNY AND MFC HAWAII / MAUI FIN COMPANY
2012 is here and MFC is celebrating 26 years in the fin business.
We are very excited about our newest collaboration with Hawaiian Waterman and 2 time Stand Up Paddle World Champion, Kai Lenny. We’ve known Kai since he was a little kid and we have been supporting him since the early days. A very motivated athlete with a great personality, Kai fits perfectly into the MFC family; his spirit of Aloha and his amazing qualities will definitely make us proud to have him on our team. He is one of the new Hawaiian Water Ambassadors. In the last years he has achieved many titles and awards, and the time has arrived to develop new fins together, especially for SUP. We will support him in his SUP, windsurfing, surfing career; we will be working with him on his new “Hydro-Foil Board” for a top-secret project he has in the works.
These are some of Kai’s achievement in the last couple of years.
2009 PWA Rookie of the Year-Windsurfing
2010 SUPWT Sunset Beach Pro Winner
2010 SUPWT Hawaii Island Pro Winner
2010 SUPWT World Champion
2011 SUPWT Sunset Beach Pro Winner
2011 SUPWT La Torche, France Pro Winner
2011 SUPWT World Champion
MFC HAWAII welcomes Kai with open arms and hopes to continue their long- standing relationship. We also thank him for his trust in our brand and philosophy.
Aloha,
Pio Marasco
MFC HAWAII
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Fanatic Sign Noah Voecker-Roche
Another fresh face welcomed to the Fanatic team…
Fanatic is proud to announce the signing of only 12yr old talent from Lanzarote, Noah Voecker-Roche to their International SUP & Windsurf team!
Noah uses our Fanatic boards since a while already as he mostly sails and SUPs at our FBC Center in Lanzarote. He lives to be on the water and express his talents all year round, with that big smile always stuck on his face! Also, Noah speaks 4 languages and has been trained by FBC employee Russell Groves for the last few years so the new generation is indeed already there.
The new sponsorship with Fanatic should give Noah more chances than ever to develop his skills even further and on the best equipment on the market!
Craig Gertenbach, Fanatic Brand Manager:
“I´m very happy to welcome Noah to our Fanatic International Windsurfing & SUP team. I am watching him since a while already and he was highly recommended by Russell Groves, who works for Fanatic The Boarder´s Center Lanzarote and also trained him for the last few years. For sure Noah is a big talent who can grow together with the brand. Noah, we wish you all the best and keep on ripping!!!
Antoine Albeau to RRD – Official
The rumours have been confirmed and the PWA Slalom superstar Antoine Albeau has moved to RRD, check the official announcement below…
Credit Eric Bellande/RRD
“The multiple world windsurfing champion Frenchmen is the highest profile athlete in windsurfing ever entered in our family.
His great windsurfing experience on water surfaces of all kind across the whole planet, will push our R&D team to develop boards and construction technologies that will be tested in the toughest conditions where only top performance is the #1 priority.
We know Antoine is a highly demanding sailor of equipment trim and a perfectionist on every detail of his preparation before the race, and we gladly take the challenge with him to prove the world that together we will be second to none.
Antoine will also help us in the development of new SUP boards designs where he has gained great experience and is capable of precious inputs and suggestions to develop new standards for this important new water sport.
RRD and Antoine will join forces to represent the Italian company colours for the next 3 years and hopefully for many more years to come.
The challenge is on, and we love it.
Benvenuto a bordo ANTOINE!”
Roberto Ricci
Antoine Albeau, Dylan Duffus, Aurelio Verdi, Ovidio Ferrari - Credit Eric Bellande/RRD
Right after signing, the toast was made and Antoine had this to say – “I’m really happy to join RRD for 3 years, I’m very confident in my new slalom boards and I’m very much looking forward to the first PWA event. We’ll see how it will go… but I want to get all the first place!”
BWA 2011 Constructors Titles
The BWA have announced who their constructors titles go to for 2011…
2011 BWA UK Wave Constructors’ Championship
Board
1st: JP Australia
2nd: Starboard
3rd: Simmer
A win for the JP Australia team secured by some consistent podium finished by Phil Horrocks and Andy ‘bubble’ Chambers. Starboard also found good form with great performances from Timo Mullen, Alan Jackson, George Shilitto and Chris Murray.
Sails
1st: Simmer
2nd: Neil Pryde
3rd: Tushingham
Between them, Ben Profitt and Sarah Bibby secured an impressive tally of 4 wins 3 second places over the four events ensuring a solid win for the Simmerstyle team. Neil Pryde team members Horrocks, Bubble and Lucy Robson came in a well deserved 2nd overall and once again Tushingham showed strength in the waves with consistent performances from Mullen, Jackson, Shilitto and Murray.
2 very impressive Constructor Championship trophies are on their way to the winners.
BWA would like congratulate the winners and thank all of its brand sponsors for their continued support in another great year of wavesailing. 2011 has been a very positive year for wavesailing as we are seeing record attendances and much improved media coverage with 2 of the 4 events now receiving major coverage from Sky Sports TV.
We wish you all a very happy new year and look forward to seeing you once again in a windy 2012.
On behalf of the BWA Team
Nigel
Phil Horrocks to Tabou
The transfers continue and Phil Horrocks is the next in the line up, moving from JP to Tabou boards. Find out more in his own words below…
In Memory of Harold Iggy
It is with a heavy heart that we must report this deeply saddening news, that the legendary Naish shaper, Harold Iggy suddenly passed away just two days ago, whilst Stand Up Paddleing…
THE PASSING OF A LEGEND
Our world was rocked this week with the news that Harold Iggy, my dear friend and shaper for over thirty years had passed away from a heart attack while standup paddling in Kailua Bay. His sudden death came as a shock to us all. Harold was one of the purest, most humble, fittest, and seemingly healthiest men of any age that I have ever known.
For those lucky enough to have known him, Harold Iggy was a very unique and inspiring man. He loved shaping boards with all of his heart. Harold had been making and riding boards of every shape and size basically his entire life, and did so with total commitment and passion. He shaped with curiosity, an open mind, and a constant desire to improve and discover. He shaped because he loved it. Whether a shortboard, longboard, windsurfing wave or race board, paddleboard, standup short board or eighteen footer, Harold crafted and rode them all. Harold Iggy was THE master shaper in every sense of the word, and a true waterman. His eye, his hands, his feeling for curves and what they ultimately came together to do…and his magical ability to turn a block of foam into a functional work of art was legendary.
His skills and dedication aside, he was simply one of the nicest human beings that ever lived. He had so much to teach, so much to share, and so many amazing stories. He was soft spoken with a wealth of knowledge, and he never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. If there is a heaven, you can be sure that Harold was welcomed like few men before him.
Harold’s passing will leave a void in many hearts and many lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his beautiful wife, Susan, his two daughters, and his grandson. I feel blessed to have been able to call him a friend, and I’ll cherish my memories and all that he taught me forever. Harold passed away doing what he loved. He was in the ocean, riding a wave on his latest masterpiece. May he RIP for eternity, and may his legacy live on through the people whose lives he touched and through the tens of thousands of boards around the world that came from his hands.
I will miss you Harold.
Love always,
Robby and the entire Naish Ohana
Jon White to Hot Sails Maui
Another UK transfer and Jon White will be challenging the BSA Slalom series this year…
Words from Hot Sails Maui
We are very pleased to announce that leading UK racer Jon White GBR-720 has signed for Hot Sails Maui (UK) for the 2012 season. Jon who has been at the forefront of the national and international raceboard circuit for a number of years has decided to change codes and compete on the challenging BSA circuit this year. As part of his training he has been putting in some time at West Kirby with plenty of input from team mate Martyn Ogier and has recently started an intensive training scheme aimed at adding bulk as the physical needs of a slalom racer are rather different from that of a raceboarder in light winds!
Jon is also sponsored by: Starboard, Black Project Fins & Dutton Law, you can follow his movements on Twitter (@jongbr720), he will be using the GPS together with our Hot Rod 97% Carbon masts.
We wish Jon the best of luck for the season and look forward to following his progress.
James Randall signs with Goya
New Zero Gravity Team Rider – James Randall K656 On his new Goya boards and sails…
Since Finishing University, Windsurfing has rather taken over. I felt I needed a change and began to test some 2012 quads and freestyle boards, I knew that the Goya Custom Quad was the one for me as soon as I stepped on it, really planted in the turns and very controllable in the air, having a bit of a fetish for freestyle I have also chosen the Goya Air 99 as my freestyle weapon, being so light, short and wide has allowed me to push my freestyle to new limits. These boards twinned with the new lighter Goya Eclipse sails have really improved my confidence and my sailing and I look forward to using them every time the wind gets up!…
Hunting warmer climates I have since moved out to Tenerife with the OTC to get some port tack training in ahead of next Season.
For more information and to keep up with James visit www.k656.wordpress.com
Freestyle World Champion moves to JP/Neilpryde
The 2011 PWA Freestyle World Champion has accepted a two year contract with JP/Neilpryde…
STEVEN VAN BROECKHOVEN SIGNS WITH JP-AUSTRALIA AND NEILPRYDE
JP and NP proudly announce that the 2011 PWA Freestyle World Champion has signed two year agreements with both brands. Steven made this decision after carefully testing the freestyle boards and sails of JP and NP. During this process he also got to know Werner Gnigler (JP Board Shaper) and Robert Stroj (NeilPryde Sail Designer) and their way of working.
This is what Steven van Broeckhoven had to say:
“JP and NeilPryde already approached me last year but I felt very loyal to my old sponsors as they supported me right from the beginning – so I did not want to leave. This year JP and NP talked to me again and I got to meet Werner and Robert and was able to try the boards and sails. I was very impressed by the guys and the equipment. Werner and Robert immediately understood what I am looking for – we simply speak the same language. I really look forward to work with those guys and develop stuff which will take me to a new level.
2012 will be a special year for me as for the first time I will be the one everybody wants to beat. It will be tough and interesting, but this is where I always wanted to be. I am positive that with the support of JP and NP I will be able to defend my title and hopefully further develop the freestyle discipline. I am also really happy to be part of a team which includes some really big names – like Jason and Kauli and some guys I really like to sail with like Andy Chambers, Tilo Eber, Youp Schmit and Bryan Metcalf-Perez. I also like the way both brands support the youth with their Young Guns Camps and I look forward to be involved in that as well.”
This is what Martin Brandner (JP Brand Manager) had to say:
“Steven is super professional and fit. He perfectly matches with Werner and the rest of our team. He is not a crazy youngster but a really cool guy with great personality. He knows exactly what he wants and will be able to help us greatly with our product development. He will not just compete for us and hopefully win but will also be very involved in the development of our future Freestyle line. Since he is not from a Caribbean island but from Belgium and started out sailing on a Lake, we also see him as a figure head for all those kids who do not grow up in windsurfing paradise but still dream about a professional career in windsurfing.”
Marco Leconte (NeilPryde Brand Manager) added:
“We are stoked that Steven is joining TeamPryde. We are putting a lot of efforts in our freestyle program and, with Steven on board, we believe we can bring freestyle to the next level. Robert Stroj, our Designer, is very impressed with his input and knowledge and absolutely enjoys working with him. The future looks great.”
Micah Buzianis joins MauiSails
More transfer news now…
Micah Buzianis, former World Champion, joins MauiSails in 2012. With over twenty five years of racing experience and several World Titles under his belt, Micah will be blending his experience with Barry Spanier, Art Szpunar, and Phil McGain to go after another Title.
Micah commented, “I couldn’t be happier about my new relationship with MauiSails. This is an exciting opportunity for me to work with Barry, Phil, and Art. The knowledge, experience, and history these three guys have in our sport is immeasurable and unsurpassable, with more World Titles under their belt than any other team in Windsurfing. For me to have people like this to work with and support my racing is going to be magical”.
Phil McGain said,“The TR-8 race sails are our best effort yet. They are primed to win and have been delivered to the market. We expect big things in 2012 from a sailor of Micah’s caliber . Having him based here in Maui will advance our development, help him with his preparation, and improve the performance of all our products at MauiSails”.
Micah further comments,”I’ve had some good sessions on the TR-8s already and am very impressed. They suit my boards very well and the comfort and speed is going to allow me to focus on the course, get a good start, pursue a tactically clean race, and finish ahead. I’ve also had a chance to play with the Legend and the Ghost XT… both feel very light and lively in the surf and in the air”.
All of us at MauiSails wish you prosperous New Year and good winds on the water.
For more information go to mauisails.com