“Kevin Pritchard has 8 windsurfing world titles and also makes films about windsurfing. Being the subject of his latest sport short, “Take 1”, makes me one of the happiest pro windsurfers on and off the water.

When Kevin showed me the first edit, I got goosebumps (or as they say in Hawaii: chicken-skin). It was surreal to see one of windsurfing’s heroes making a short about me. Some of my earliest memories of watching windsurfing events involve seeing Kevin boost 50 feet in the air before rotating into a delayed forward rotation. Or, when I was 16 and competing as the youngest pro on my second year of the professional windsurfing tour, KP added yet another world title to his collection.

Being filmed by a legend has benefits beyond the cool factor. Windsurfing is one of the hardest sports to film, according to every filmmaker I have ever worked with. The first take is the only take. Each wave breaks differently than every other wave. Framing can’t be planned but must be improvised. The strong winds vibrate the camera and the long lens required to keep a tight frame on the windsurfer half a mile out to sea.

There is only one take for every shot. If that take is blown, the whole shot is gone.

When nothing is planned, having an 8x world champion behind the lens makes a difference. He can read me as I read the waves, anticipating my maneuvers. It’s like a dance to an unfamiliar song with a familiar partner.

KP doesn’t have to imagine what its like to jump 50 feet into the air or drop into a 50 foot wave at jaws. He has done all that and more. When I take a foot off my board during a back rotation, I know that he was the first one to do it, winning a world title off that jump in 2002.

And even with Kevin’s skill, shots still get missed. By some version of murphy’s law it seems that the best moves escape capture and must live forever as a memory. Making a short like this, even just 4 minutes in length, takes a few months of filming.

My favorite part of Kevin’s edit is that it feels really honest: the feeling it gives reminds me of what it is like to be on the water.”

Music: “Bullet Train” by Stephen Swartz Ft. Joni Fatora

The winter windy season is coming to an end in southern Baja. It’s Easter weekend and the population of the village has more than doubled the past few days, and it’s not because of an influx of wind enthusiasts. In Mexico it’s a tradition to pack up the family and head for the beach during Semana Santa. The campground was nearly empty of kiters and windsurfers on Thursday, but was packed to capacity by Friday afternoon. Last night we could see campfires on the beach from La Ventana to the lighthouse 9 miles to the east…the party is on.

It was a fun packed season both on and off the water. Late summer and early fall brought some badly needed rain and storms to the southern half of the Baja peninsula. The Baja water supply is dependent on the rainy season and in dry years the plants, animals, and people can suffer. On the drive down in mid October, the mountains and deserts of southern Baja were beautiful, lush and green. There have been seasons here where a shower is the only rain we’ll have in 6 months, but this year Nature blessed the region with much needed water.

THE WIND

The winds were a little slow in developing in the fall, but fortunately I had brought down a 5.3 and 5.7 Panther Elite for demos, and everyone quickly found the lightweight and power of the new 4 batten sail to be very sweet in light winds. From October to mid November the majority of days had light winds. The typical Norte pattern didn’t really get going until December. It seemed that the forecasts of strong winds seldom turned into reality on the water. For whatever reason the typical north wind patterns were inconsistent through much of the season, and a strong sub-tropical jet stream brought untypical periods of overcast skies from Christmas through February. I think the overcast cut down on the afternoon thermals that usually give a boost to our wind every afternoon. What’s the old saying…you can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails? I think most people found a combination of sail and board size that increased the fun factor; I found the solution was sailing my bigger board which let me sail in the up and down conditions, but still make it home if the wind dropped.

THE SAILS

The 2013 Panther Elite and Tiger are the sails I brought down for people to demo. The new 4 batten Elite was released just before we left the Gorge in the fall, and the 5 battenTiger continues for 2013 with a new panel layout and calibrated down haul system. Interest in David’s newest 4 batten design was pretty intense, and was the “talk of the beach”. Personally I love the new sail’s light and balanced feel with no loss of power or range. I think that sailors who thought that a 4 batten sail would be a radical change from how Ezzy wave sails have performed in the past, were surprised and instantly won over by the Elite. I’ll be demoing the Elite and Tiger this summer in the Gorge, plus the new Legend.

La Ventana and Windsurfing

Southern Baja and La Ventana in particular is a wonderful place to sail and share the windsurfing lifestyle. It’s amazing how many people find a way to spend the winter sailing and enjoying this special place. And it’s not just sailors who have retired early or decided to “sail now and work later”…no one seems to care what your title was or what you did in you pre-windsurfing life. Sailors are here for one reason; to share their passion and love for windsurfing with other windsurfers.

A great example of sharing the passion was in February when two brothers spent a week here learning and working on the basic skills that are the passports to high wind sailing. From Eric nailing his water starts, to Pat getting comfortable in the straps and harness…the cheers of encouragement coming from other sailors with each successful step, let them know they weren’t alone in their struggles. Watching the young sailors reminded us how challenging and rewarding learning to windsurf can be. Pat said it best, “of all the sports/activities that I’ve been involved in; I’ve never experienced such thrilling rewards from learning each next step. It just keeps you coming back for more”.

Pat and Eric…the smiles never stopped.

The La Ventana campground is the central gathering place for wind enthusiasts coming to the area from October to March. I would estimate that there are several hundred people during the peak of the season this prime piece of real estate on the Sea of Cortez. Los Barriles, 35 miles south is the other major gathering place in southern Baja during the winter months.

Pat with feet in the straps and on a plane…he’ll never forget this day.

The La Ventana/El Sargento area has experienced a major boom in development over the past 12 years we’ve been coming here. Our first winter here in 2001 the villages were just beginning to welcome winter visitors. Baja Joe’s was the only established resort and there were only a couple restaurants and taco stands. A handful of American & Canadians had purchased property and/or built a home. There were only two public telephones and no Internet or cell coverage.

What a difference a decade can make. I would estimate that several hundred homes have been built by people who have decided to make La Ventana part of their lives. We even have cell phone coverage and DSL in the villages.

Meet me in the Gorge this summer and I’ll get you out on the new Panther Elite.

It’s been a fun filled season of sharing great times on and off the water with new and old friends. As we head north back to the Gorge, I’m looking forward to a repeat this summer in the Columbia Gorge. Once again I’ll be at Doug’s Beach, The Hatchery, Bob’s Beach and other sites demoing David Ezzy’s newest designs. Stop by and try one yourself, I look forward to seeing everyone on the beach, Gary

David Ezzy sits down with Continent Seven to discuss Ezzy Sails, and where the sport is headed.

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE

I am from the Netherlands 28 years old, I live in The Hague, close by to the Beach.
My home spot is Scheveningen, a few hundred meters from my house.
In the normal life I am a self employed carpenter. I also recently started a surfboard repair shop.

When did you start windsurfing?

My first windsurf experience was on a holiday with my parents. I was about 9 years old.
My dad taught me the basics on a lake in France.

How did you get into windsurfing?

When I was 12 years old I saw some guys windsurfing on the Noord Aa, a lake in the area of my parents home.
I became friends with them and from that day on I was hooked on windsurfing.
Very soon the lake was not enough anymore, when I was 15 I sailed at Scheveningen and practiced on my first jumps.

How long have you been riding Ezzy sails? What do you like about them?

8 years, I really like the stability of the sails. The sails are strong but light.

What is your favorite Ezzy Sails Model?

The Wave tiger 4.2

What is your favorite move?

I like to jump forwards.

When you go on a windsurfing trip what is the one thing you never forget?

I always triple check on the plug in the board.

What is your favorite beer?

Castle in South Africa. At home: Jupiler

What is the best windsurfing location you have been to??

Cape Point, South Africa

“Windsurfing is a great sport. I have many fond memories of reaching warp speeds, jumping to the moon and racing down mountains of water and sailing in high winds.

But none of the those “extreme” and by many considered desirable conditions come even close to the pure enjoyment of sailing in 12knots of wind on a Sunday afternoon next to my kid. I still hear the laughter and joy in my ears right now. I am truly blessed and I know that many dads would love to share their favorite sport with their kids.

Yet at the same time I see the same “parental windsurf mistakes” repeated over and over again. Below are 8 personal experiences that made our kid love windsurfing.

The list is by now means complete, nor do I claim to be an an expert on any topic – but I can claim that my kid asks me to go windsurfing and not the other way around.

• Wait until your kid(s) ask you if they can learn. They really need to want to learn how to windsurf.
• Don’t try teaching your own kids – even if you are an expert. Sign them up for lessons. Group lessons are often very affordable and your kids learn with other kids which increases the fun factor.
• Get specialized kids gear – it is cheaper than you think. Do not have them use your “small” wave sails they are way too heavy.
• Wide boards are Fun. Give wide floaty boards a try. Don’t be afraid of larger pure “Freestyle” boards. They make for great light wind sailing for adults and are great beginner boards for lighter kids.
• Learning to windsurf is emotionally exhausting for your kids. They want to make you proud. Let them be kids. Let them play with just the board and float around at their leisure.
• Remember they are kids – 30 minutes of windsurfing for them is the same as 3 hours for you. Be happy and encourage short sessions. Better to have 15 minutes of fun as compared to 2 hours of agony and your kid never wanting to do it again.
• When sailing next to your kids use an easy to handle sail such as the Ezzy Panther Elite or Tiger. Do not use your 5 Cam racing sail. You’ll be battling with your gear rather than enjoying the moment.
• Enjoy every minute. Your kids grow up faster than you think. Aloha!”

(Part 1 of a series of videos by Kevin Pritchard)

Click on sail image for zoom view

Color Choices – Based on Head Color

Gold | Black

 The Legacy Series – an all new “stripped down” collection from Ezzy.

At the heart of the Legacy is the bare elements of David’s design philosophy.  The Legacy Sails deliver all the power, range and stability you have come to expect from Ezzy but with a twist.  We keep a utilitarian philosophy with the Legacy by removing all the extra features present on our premiere sails.
A high performance wave and freeride collection that delivers awesome performance for your more budget-minded customers.

Here is a review from Simon Bassett from 2XS in the UK

Ezzy Legacy 5.2 – 2013 Sail Test

I tested the  new Ezzy legacy last weekend in El Medano Tenerife – firstly is great to get back into a shorty and sail in air temperatures of 24c in full sunshine,  it ensured leaving the 3 degree UK air temp was no hardship.

The Ezzy 2013 Legacy is Ezzy’s  first take on price point orientated sail, though first impressions  I wouldn’t put it this category but knowing Dave Ezzy well it didn’t surprise me. He’s not a man to cut corners on performance and quality just to save a few dollars, he’s even been able to keep the look sharp with clean graphics for a cool looking sail. With a profile and dimensions appear to be similar to that of the Panther 3 / Tiger, you’d easily mistake the Legacy as a flagship model if you’re coming to Ezzy from some another brand.

With time on my hands I took the unusually task of reading the instructions before rigging on the recommended Ezzy RDM mast, rigging the sail using the wind setting dots on the leach of the sail as my guide I found it very easy to tune the downhaul even though the Legacy come with a pulley less D-ring. Popping on a boom and setting the outhaul to the recommended max for a super windy El Medano (4.2 – 4.5 weather) I noted admission of setting marks in the boom cut out area,and no built in mast pad. Looking closely there’s a new  lighter luff material and a difference in the amount of seaming in the sail, a little less batten reinforcement compared to the Elites and Tiger and no neoprene piece by the head cap.(You can buy the extra mast pad,pulleys for the Ezzy legacy if you want them )

On the water the vision through the Legacy  is incredible, the translucent see through nature gives a full 360 view of the water .I really liked the forward and solid centre of effort, no pulling or moving in the gusts -the sail is very stable and , if felt good to back on a 5 batton sail. Cost savings normally hit performance first yet I’m not only surprised but happy to report that Dave Ezzy has been able to produce the sail without effecting your performance on the water. The 5.2 legacy felt good wave riding, stable, smooth and easy to de power yet was spot on when you switched the power back on . So good was the performance, shut your eye’s and to would be fairly hard to decide if you’re on a Legacy or Tiger.