Windsurfing – fluttering flags in the wind, sails of all colors that rush past in front of me in a flash and loud music that echoes from the big loudspeakers. In between, the moderator’s announcements. There is a lot going on at the beach of Sant Pere Pescador and there is a lot to look at. Crunchy surfer boys waiting for their start in the race, enthusiastic fans and relatives, onlookers tourists, big tents and lots of colorful surfing sails and boards. The wind is blowing around my ears. Sand rubs in his eyes. I have to orientate myself first. After a few photos, I look for a place between the surfboards lying in the sand and sit down wrapped in a towel. If I had put on something warmer… It doesn’t matter, the hustle and bustle on the water captivates me so much that I stare spellbound at the sea for a long time and forget everything around me…
Third Stop Catalonia – Windsurfing
From May 23rd to 28th, the World Windsurfing Championships took place here on the Cortal de la Devesa beach in Sant Pere Pescador, which offers excellent conditions due to the Tramontana Wind. After Korea and Japan, Catalonia was now the third stop of the PWA World Tour, where the male Surf Elite from all over the world gathered for the regatta.
A meeting among friends – windsurfing
What began 25 years ago as a meeting among windsurfer friends is now a world-famous competition. This is organized by the windsurfing association PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) based in Hawaii, which delivers the Surf World Cup every year under the name PWA Worldtour. Over time, there was already a wide variety of disciplines within the competition, such as freestyle, boarder cross and now slalom. The discipline of the Foil windsurfing. You see the boards floating over the waves, almost flying. The hydrofoil, as it is correctly called, not only lifts surfboards, but entire boats or ships from the water at a certain speed.
What are hydrofoils?
Hydrofoils are wings on long fins that create lift under a moving boat or board, lifting it out of the water. The contact surface with the water is reduced. It accelerates faster due to the lower resistance. According to the definition of Duden, hydrofoiling is considered to fly.
This new surfing technology makes it possible to get to speed even with little wind.
Hydrofoils are considered the latest hype in the surf and kite world.
Antoine Albera won
64 windsurfers competed against each other in the slalom competition that weekend. This year’s race of the Frenchman won Antoine Albera. Countryman came in 2nd and 3rd place Pierre Mortefon and the Italian Matteo Iachino.
