West Wittering Beach Action (Late May 2011)

Posted on by Emile Kott

Here are some snaps of last week’s action on West Wittering Beach. The word awesome springs to mind. More Southwesterly, please!

Emile, Simon and Roscoe had a killer session half way down the ebach on thursday. The waves were peeling perfectly along the sandbar to the east and I reckon we got 50+ bottom turns each!

Stu got some great kite shots on his GoPro. The West Wittering Trench was amazing on Sunday and Dick Dale Chips and others were ripping into some flat water love.

James, Jack and Emily (the young-guns) were giving it some in the waves and Chris was kiting after missing the photos last weekend. Mark Twist, Jand, Justin and others were enjoying the action.

West Wittering, once again, at its best. GoPro shots from Simon and Emile, beachshots by Simon Bassett and GoPro kite shots from Stu Holland.

The Wind Came Back!

Posted on by Emile Kott

After what seemed like the longest windless spell in history, the wind has finally returned over the last week.

On Sunday 22nd May, 65 people signed out at West Wittering Windsurf Club. Sailing around watching was akin to watching junkies finally getting their fix after a long spell of cold turkey. Moves were being pulled everywhere as if the world was about to end and this was the last chance to express yourself on the water.

The greatest thing, though, was to see so many smiling happy faces on the beach. Everyone was loving the windy, sunny conditions.

The usual suspects of Paul Hatton, the Perrys, Antony Zavos, Dris Arrissa, Xavier Tornambie, Adrian West, Kyle McGinn, Neal Gent, Jess Napper, Olivia, Andy Tomlinson, Mike McChesney, John Hamer, Justin, Emily and Leah Goodwin, Graham and Jack Pettit, James Arnelle-Smith, the Deblabys, Alex and Frank McKirgan and Levon and the early morning kite crew.

Sorry there aren’t more kiting photos – there were loads of people out loving it but we didn’t make it down the beach with the camera at low tide.

There were also some ‘men from the 90s’: Julian Anderson and Julian Da Vall.

Anderson was showing his pro-heritage with some big stalled forwards. Da Vall was pulling off some huge backloop attempts and endo-forwards. Timo Mullen made a guest appearance and made the most of the conditions with some fantastic jumping and riding.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing can be frustrating sports. Disappearing forecasts, dying conditions and family and work commitments all make these weather-reliant sports hard to fit in with modern, busy lives.

Absence, however, definitely makes the heart grow fonder and there is no chance of taking any moment of water time for granted when they are this few and far between.

The wind carried on blowing throughout Monday and is now giving us a bit of a rest until Thursday when it looks like it will return and blow throughout the bank holiday weekend.

Simon Bassett took the photos shown. The mast-mount shots were taken using a carbon mast-mount that is so light, you don’t even notice it on your rig! The camera was a standard GoPro HD

Thanks to Mark Twist who sent us these fantastic GoPro shots too:

Simon was also testing the new GoPro LCD Backpack attachment – the screen attaches to your GoPro HD and along with a slightly larger water-housing, allows you instant feedback on any filming or photos you have taken.

2XS will have these in stock shortly. They cost £89.99. Call us if you want to make a pre-order (01243 512 552)

Sorry we didn’t get down at low-tide to get more kiting action.

2011 Animal summer wetsuits now in stock

Posted on by Emile Kott

We have just taken delivery of the fantastic new summer 2011 Animal Wetsuits.

The feedback so far has been excellent and the Animal Wetsuits certainly look great.

We now have the following stocks and ready for next-day dispatch:
Animal Amp GBS Wetsuit (3-2)
Animal Amp Womens Wetsuit (3-2)
Animal Animator Wetsuit (Front Zip) 3-2
Animal Animator Womens Wetsuit
Animal Antidote Front Zip Wetsuit
Animal Antidote Back Zip Wetsuit

Bargain RRD Vision Kite Packages from £1225

Posted on by Emile Kott

RRD have just released the Vision kite which has already had a rave review from Kiteworld Magazine.

Kiteworld Magazine were really impressed with the build quality and handling of the kite that puts it well within reach of any kiter from beginner to advanced! The kite is just as happy being

The Vision is not only a fantastic kite that is great for anyone from beginner to advanced, it is also available in a bargain package with the RRD Placebo Board and Global V3 Bar and lines from £1225!

New 2011 Dakine T5 Windsurfing Harness

Posted on by Emile Kott
The dakine T5 windsurfing harness has been up graded this season I had chance to test last year when Jason from Dakine dropped off a sample on a windy day at West Wittering to try.
From the pics you can can see a more sculpted shape to the harness it feels more compact on your body over the Dakine T4,T3 and previous models. 
It has the same bar system with choices of 12 10 and 6 inch bars and comes with Da Kines posi lock replaceable harness strap system. The double waist band has now been replaced by a single elastic waist strap.
What you can see in the photos is a new neoprene surround to the harness and a triple reinforced strapping stitched into the body of the harness .It feels good on the water I tried against my Dakine T4 and I would say it felt stiffer and more supportive. The moulded construction sticks to your suit helps prevent riding up and always feels good and protects your back when your in boardies.
Not sure the pea green was my favourite colour we have ordered some better colours we have Black and white in stock.
New rrp £ 139.00 sizes still the same as 2010.

Preorder the Dakine T5

Stuart Holland at Ponta Preta, Cape Verde

Posted on by Emile Kott

Stu Holland has just returned fromt the Island of Sal in Cape Verde where he scored some epic conditions at Ponta Preta.

Check out some of the big chunks he was riding on his RRD Obsession and RRD Quad. The waves there break very close to the rocks. If the rocks don’t get you, check out the photos of the sharks!

Stuart was British Windsurfing wave champion in the 90s and has travelled all over the world windsurfing and surfing. Over the last 5 years, he has spent most of his time kitesurfing and in particular wave kiting. You can see by the pics that he rips into solid Atlantic chunks just as hard as South Coast waves…

Pics by Billy Wheaton / Stu Holland

West Wittering SUP Sessions February 2011

Posted on by Emile Kott

February has delivered some very decent swell so far. On Thursday 17th Feb, Neal Gent, Matt Argyle, Simon Bassett and Emile Kott got to West Wittering Beach just after first light. The long period swell was hitting the outer banks perfectly and there was a left hander peeling all the way from in front of West Wittering Windsurf club to East Head!

It was hard work as the 5m and tides and rip were both trying to send you over to Itchenor! Everyone got their fair share of waves though, with Neal Gent on particularly fine form, working his Nah Skwell 8’8 and getting “some of the best Wittering waves he has ever had!”

Jem “lie-in” Hall turned up at about 8.30am and was in complete disbelief at the wave quality. He was uncharacteristically quiet and didn’t say “bender” once!

Have a look at some of the photos and see below for Sunday!

The swell continued to pump and a second pulse arrived on Sunday morning, just in time for the wind to swing offshore and go light. Jock Patterson headed over from Brighton to join Simon Bassett, Stuart Holland and a selection of others.

It was particularly impressive to see Justin Goodwin and James Arnelle-Smith going for it two-up in a kayak. We’re pretty sure that Justin looks more scared than James!

So, it looks like February is the month for waves in the UK… Long may it continue!

Photos by Simon Bassett, Matt Argyle and Holly Bassett

A Weekend of Wind (finally)

Posted on by Emile Kott

After a long wait and some skunking forecasts, this weekend just gone finally delivered some strong wind. West Wittering saw 40 knots + on Friday and Saturday with some left over to Sunday as well.

It was great to see so many people out in February, it felt like a spring day! We had gusty 40 knots on Saturyday and a gusty 25 knots on sunday. There were some good size chunks on Saturday and it was nice to get back in the water again. Even though the sea temperature is cold at the moment, the new winter wetsuits are very warm and most people had a hood with no gloves.

There were some no-shows – Perry on a stag do and Hatton doing DIY (on a windy day!!!). Great to see James (12) and Emily (13) out ripping in the strong winds. Justin, Andy Richardson and Adrian (now he’s got his kiteboard back…), Stu Holland, Paul Simmons, Adam and the early doors kite crew. Paddy (we’re still waiting for your kite footage!), Captain Crilley, Nev, Ian, Emile, Neal, Tim, Patrick, Westy, Pat, Glynn, Innes, Xav, Dan Smith and plenty of others!

Here are a few pics that Simon snapped in the rain. The first one is of Andy Chater who has about a foot and a half of titanium in his leg as well as a whole pile of bolts! He could hardly walk this time in 2010 after a ski accident! Nice table-top!

Also, have a look at this little video of Paul Simmons and Neal Gent playing with a GoPro HD and mast mount…

Looking forward to the next session! If you have any pics, please send them over and we will get them up on the web. simon@2xs.co.uk