Sonics on Sale

My Starboard Sonics are on Sale. I will replace these boards with something new, lighter and with heel bumpers. Heel bumpers help to absorp impact when landing bad after forced jumps. The choppy waters where I sail a lot will certainly feel less choppy.

Session at Brouwersdam (05 april 2008)

A nice session at the Brouwersdam with a NW wind from 12 to 18 knots. Although the weather forecast for today was filled with rain and even snow it turned out to be a sunny day. It was quite chilly but I surfed 54 km on the Starboard Sonic 125.. There was a nice section of flat water behind the dam, unfortunally the wind on that spot was also less strong.
The Neil Pryde RS6 8.4 was powerfull and at the same time light. I used a Select RS7 45 Silver. (nice overview of Select fins on this site) Very pleased with this fin. Enough flex to pump onto the plane and at the same time stiff enough to fully power downwind.
For some time I have been using a seat harness, but now I use a waist harness more and more. I gives me better control and the sailing position is more upright which simplifies the upright position of the sails.
When I was in Gruissan a couple weeks ago I got some very good sail-tuning tips from a pro-windsurfer Ben Vandersteen. He told me to use less downhoal for more power and less outhoal for more shape in the bottom of the sail.

Gruissan : Belgian Speedweek 2008

The Belgian Speedweek took take place at Gruissan (South France) from monday 24th of March till friday 28 of March.




While driving to the South of France it is always strange to see 95% of the cars with skis on the roof while we have windsurf-equipment on the car. You see them people thinking, "where are they going"? To the beach of course!



This year we through Paris and passed over the higgest tow cable bridge in Europe "Viaduc de Millau".

When we arrived in Gruissan there was already a strong Tramontana blowing but it was only 10° celsius. The bravest guys were already on the water.




Monday morning at 10 am registration. It was impressive to see all the new stuff lying on the beach. Boars : F2 Missile and SX, Exocet Warp Speed and Warp Slalom, Tabou Manta, Fanatic Falcon, Starboard iSonic, ... Sails : NP RS-Racing, NP RS-6, North Warp, Gaastra Vapor, Simmer SC, Naish Stealth, ...






During the first heat on monday the wind was constantly changing in force and direction and it was difficult to be at the water with the right equipment. Wind from 18 to 45 knots. (For me 22nd place.)

Results 1st heat.
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1 BEL-7 Pascal Somers
2 BEL-52 Patrick Van Hoof
3 BEL-3 Wolfgang Verlaeckt


During the second (and also last heat) on tuesday the wind was more constant but there was a nasty wave comming in over the course. During the run you had to cope with 2 or 3 waves which resulted in some major crashes. I also was washed by a wave and broke a sailbatten. Bying a bit overwelmed by the conditions I only managed to do one run during this heat.




Results 2nd heat.
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1 BEL-52 Patrick Van Hoof
2 BEL-2 Koen Sonck
3 BEL-3 Wolfgang Verlaeckt

Unfortunaly the following days the predicted wind never materialised and the event was over. No discards, bad luck for competitors which didn't have good results in the difficult second heat.

Overall Results
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1 BEL-52 Patrick Van Hoof
2 BEL-7 Pascal Somers
3 BEL-3 Wolfgang Verlaeckt


Patrick Van Hoof BEL-52


Pascal Somers BEL-7


Wolfgang Verlaeckt BEL-3


Although I was disappointed with my results the nice atmosphere on the beach and the nice tuning tips from Ben made up a lot.

Looking forward to the next events.

za 26/apr 3games : Wild Games G-dam
zo 27/apr 3games : Wild Games G-dam

za 10/mei BK FW & Slalom Oostende
zo 11/mei BK FW & Slalom Oostende

za 24/mei BK FW & Slalom G-dam
zo 25/mei BK FW & Slalom G-dam

za 30/aug BK FW & Slalom G-dam
zo 31/aug BK FW & Slalom G-dam

za 6/sep 3games : X-stream G-dam
zo 7/sep 3games : X-stream G-dam

za 13/sep Finale BK Slalom Stby
zo 14/sep Finale BK Slalom Stby

za 20/sep Finale BK Slalom Stby
zo 21/sep Finale BK Slalom Stby

za 27/sep 3games : Master Games G-dam
zo 28/sep 3games : Master Games G-dam




(pictures Jan-Cas Smith)