POINT-7 Black Mag issueN°2 zero18

BLACK MAG POINT-7 WINDSURFING DARKSIDE MAGAZINE-issue two zero18_

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BULL STORM CHASE YourRED next holiday stop

SALT PRO

STARING RICARDO CAMPELLO

TIP OF THE MONTH: First Session of the year

ITW: Herve Batstide Let’s talk about masts

LANZAROTE DEVELOPMENT AC-K

Ri Bruno Martini | #p7blackteam | AC-K zero18 Ph Tommy della Frana

Your next holiday

THE VERDICT ‘Punchy and precise, the Spy delivers pedigree performance, willing to fulfil a number of different roles and thriving when used by the adventurous and pro-active.’ UK MAGAZINE

Andrea Cucchi ITA-1

February is always an important month for Windsurfing. The windsurfing season for lots of countries is about to begin.

Windsurfing shops are filling up their stores, windsurfers are already planning their Easter Windsufing holidays and strapping up the boards. Most windsurfing brands are finishing their development for next year equipment. This month we have been visiting Lanzarote with the Point-7 Black Team for the winter slalom training. It’s the time our team gets all together and share the feeback to bring more evolution into the gear, is time to get everything tuned and start feeling the need to enter to race mode.

We all hope you had the chance to take some windsurfing holidays over the winter, if not spring is at the door, make sure you have all the gear you need!

Ricardo Campello V111 SELECTED AND READY TO GO! 2018, first event will be the Red Bull Chase Storm. What is it about?

RSC is one of the coolest events I think, the team is searching for the biggest storm on the northern hemisphere and as soon as they see something BIG, WINDY and STORY coming, they give us a call and we basically must leave everything we are doing, hop on the plane and sail on the heaviest conditions.

What is the waiting period ??

We started on February 5th and we can wait until May. Did you ever take part before?

I was nominated on the passed one and made it to enter the event, but when they did the call we were doing the movie that went to the cinema in Venezuela, so I had some really important interviews on Tvs and press conference etc... , it was right on the premiere of the cinema!

How was the location selected, and what type of condition did you find?

I didn’t go, but from what I saw it was gnarly.

Not for everyone to jump in and think is fun!

How is it to get on the water with strong storms? Is it something that even for a prorider like you is scary, or just a little more radical than what you are used too? it can be scary, I try not to think about it much, but it can be very tricky and challenging.

This is what we look for in our career too though. Push our limits all the time to find new emotions.

How is the safety during those events?

Redbull made sure they grabbed the best rescue team possible, and every rider has their own device in case you get lost. There are jet skis, and helicopters ready .k How long before the call of the storm. Are you being informed that you need to pack and go?

2 days, no thinking, tickets packing and go!

Which sails sizes do you normally use?

I think you can use a 3.0 up to the 4.2 Point-7 Salt pro.

Are there locations which are already preselected, or it’s all a last-minute surprise?

I think they have 5 or 6 possible locations that they can choose. Better not to know.

Did anyone ever get hurt?

Not that I know of! We are fit and strong..., but the danger is always there.

What is the contest about? Winning or show? What needs to be done to win? Is it judge as a normal Wave event?

They will tell us during the event. It depends how the conditions are. My goal is to make the show.

If you had to compare this also to other Redbull activities in term of danger, which other of their events could it be compared to?

I think the king of the air on the kitesurf part !

How did you get selected for the event? Which criteria do they use as not all the top pro riders go.

I believe they just search for profiles that likes to crazy jump, that likes crazy conditions and likes to crash and go big! That’s me.

Tania Branzanic

WINDSURFING.......

As always we start from nothing. And this is precisely the beauty of it. We arrived into this world naked, to give and receive, to fill us with meaning and life. We store knowledges and experiences and for the most part through images that enter into us through a three-millimeter fissure in the iris; and this is already a miracle. And after processing the images inside, you decide to try it too.

Who knows what will bring you? You just hope to be able and have fun. So you start the adventure on a funny wide table, a colored sail that makes you go back in time, like when you were a kid and you jumped the rope in front of your house, you climbed on the trees or tried to keep the balance on your dad's bike.

Then the "intruders" arrive: the wind and the water. Until yesterday you looked at them in other terms. They told you that you'll see the wind coming on the water but it seems impossible to you. And instead ... the wind ... he moves everything, it's the only thing we feel in the middle of nowhere, no one knows where it starts and where it ends, he accompanies you in the long sleepless nights, he donates the last flight to the leaves and the dry branches. He will become part of you.

And then the queen herself: the water. She keeps us alive and gives us life.

Now you trample it with this huge board that makes you tremble in front of her and it seems impossible to be able to stand on it.

And that day arrives: the lake angry with the wind, a sail of perfect proportions, a wind that speaks to you whistling in your ears. The moment you dreamed of is here: you start planing, you don't understand this new feeling that takes you all at once, it seems impossible. Not even a moment you dare close your eyes for fear of crushing between your eyelids this world of infinite joy. And this is only the beginning ... of a plane among many others.

DOES NOT MATTER IF 3cam, the ..

AC-K

As you might have seen from the latest video,

.

(https://vimeo.com/248002454) the new AC-K doesn’t hold back speed wise from any racing sail, not even our own AC-ONE. There is no reason for a no cam or a 3 cam to be slower than a racing sail, if the development is done in the correct way. A race sail and no cam sail can have their advantages and disadvantages against a 3-cam sail, and therefore not 1 slalom sail type is existing, but we are offering 3 different types to satisfy everyone.

The development The AC-K really has to be the sail in the middle of the no cam and full racing sail. It has to give the acceleration from the full race sail, and the ease of use from the no cam sail: Is this possible?

In a certain way it is! It can be decided to be either closer to a No cam, or to the full racing pedigree.

Which way to go? The best compromise? Normally yes, but when looking at the performance of the slalom no cam sails, and in particular our AC-X, the AC-K needs a new place in the scale.

Nowadays the slalom no cam sails are closer and closer to the performance of the cam sails in terms of speed and acceleration. Also, the over powered feeling is pleasant on a no cam sail. We had to give a brand new ego boost to our AC-K.

is ready to 0.7 !

As most who already got the zero18 update have already felt the new drive from the sail, the new acceleration, and more racing performance it has obtained.

A bigger boom cut out to release the power into acceleration, a deeper profile to give higher stability in overpowered conditions, and the new stiffer cams, for a more racing locked in feeling. (4 Windsurf magazine just came out with the new issue, were the AC-K was tested in the 7.2 size, and they stated, ‘perfect cam rotation’) Now the AC-K has got its performance upgrade without sacrificing the good things to keep it the friendly cam sail of the range. Meaning the smaller luff, the smaller 7 batten displacements and 3 cams.

If you feel the racing sails are too much work, you will just increase your fun jumping on a AC-K, without having the worries of losing the comfort and performance at its high end.

Bruno Martini I160

In our series of great locations around the world, this month we are presenting the Windsurfing Club LAS CUCHARAS. Situated in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote. One of the Canarian islands, another training spot from the Point-7 Black Team. One of our riders, Kurosh Kiani can call it his homespot and sure one of the places to visit 365 days a year.

YOUR NEXT

destination Name of the Centre: Windsurfing Club Las Cucharas Country: Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain Spot: Las Cucharas, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote Type: Slalom\Freeride| Freestyle | wave All‌‌ Beginner, Progressing, Foil, Free-ride, Slalom, Freestyle, Bump and jump, Radical wave.

Standard wind condition: We get it all, just be ready to choose what you are going to do. You can do everything in just 1 day. We are known for wind and waves in July and blasting in August with less waves. Do not let this fool you, we can get your conditions 365 days of the year. You just have to be here.

Opening months: 365 days a year Opening hours: 10.00 am until 18.00 pm Closest airport: Arrecife, 15 minutes away.

Type of accommodation available in the area: All, from 5* to rbnb. You choose what you want.

Website: www.lanzarotewindsurf.com FB: Windsurfing Club Las Cucharas

Russel Grove

LOLO

ERIC

Tell us when the centre first opened and the evolution during these years.

The concept first started in 1988, you want the best material and service, come to us. In the early days it was just French but people seeing what we offered wanted it.

So we slowly integrated other nationalities. Now we are multi national and welcome all, adapting the staff to cater for the different languages. Teaching/guiding has always been our driving force and we love to explain our sport and Island to you.

Why would a windsurfing client find your spot unique, and chose Lanzarote against the other Canarian island. How can you state a spot is unique? Hard core waves and wind on the outside with a beach that is great for families and children. Wave sailors can be having fun while free-riders are having the time of there lives and beginners are finding out what a wonderful sport this is. Is this unique?

How many days of holidays would be perfect to enjoy the area? A lifetime, the island is such a beautiful place. This is why July and august we are nearly full at the end of these months. They book there holidays for the next year the day they leave. They just confirm there dates as soon as they can, stating the board they would like to book. The island is great for short breaks, grab a cheap flight and come for a long weekend. Or stay a month and discover the island and all the varying conditions we get.

How would a windsurfing client spend a typical day for a windsurfing at your spot. From when he wakes up till he goes to sleep. (Include activities such as other sports, meals, night life, relaxing time..)

What type of client are you?

Live, eat, sleep windsurfing:- The bar next door opens at 8am, so you can be having breakfast studying the conditions. The wind tends to be lighter in the mornings, slalom training can be first up on our ACX sails.

Changing to our Free Wave or Freestyle boards to wait for the waves to be perfect. When the tide is perfect and the wind has filled in, you change to the hard core wave boards. You can always change your material at our club, we have a large selection. We have a buzzing windsurf community, so your evenings are already catered for.

Family:- Spend the morning playing with the kids, with the skim boards, boogey boards, special 1m sails and get them confident in playing in the water. Either back to the hotel for lunch (they are all close) or in the many seafront restaurants. Don’t forget the bar next door, Pocoloco. Then sail all afternoon on your pre booked board that has been waiting for you.

Multi Activity:- This island is made for it, it is small and very easy to get around.

The cycling is amazing, both on and off road. The varied scenery and beautiful small villages are always keeping your eyes and mind peaceful.

You love waves, the many many surf spots cater for all levels. Next to the club we have Volcano Surf who will take you to the perfect beach for your level. People from all over the world will fly in on a forecast to experience breaks that only work on specific conditions.

The walks are breath taking and very well documented. On the other side of the club we have Olita trek, they have over 30 years of experience. The history of the island is fascinating.

Diving:- Lanzarote is a volcanic island, so you are diving in volcanic formations. It is amazing how sea life has colonised the areas.

The tourist resorts are very well planned and restricted, only covering a very small percentage of the island. With in minutes you are out and into the true Lanzarote. Hiring a car is a must, at least for a couple of days. There is so much to explore. You will find your favourite village and small restaurant to enjoy the end of your day.

Costa Teguise has been hosting PWA events and the freestyle EFTP. Last year the spot was chosen by many PWA pros, including the Black Team for their winter Slalom Pro training.

Exactly this month, the training is on for the second year in a row. How did this come up?

Lanzarote and Costa Teguise in particular has a large variety of conditions. We may not be the windiest place on the canaries but we have the most days of usable wind in the canaries. When you add the discipline of foiling, it can be every day.

The team at Windsurfing Club Las Cucharas has many years of experience, we have all competed and have been teaching for over 30 years. Our passion is water sports and we follow the development closely. The level of competition now is very high, training is a must and tuning the material is key. You need people to sail against to do this. Slalom Pro training was born.

Having competed and staged many PWA and EFPT events here, we know what it takes to win. Las Cucharas being one of the hardest places to win but at the same time being the most fun.

Fun being the key word. So it has to be the best place to train.

The infrastructure of Costa Teguise and Lanzarote makes it simple to hold training camps and events. Not always easy but our passion for the sport takes care of that.

We are ready, looking forward to seeing you on and off the water. Let the training and tuning begin, we have a competition to win.

The OUTLET Looking for spares, for a good deal? Jump on our outlet store to find out more! Do not forget that we are always available for technical advice your windsurfing needs!

info@point-7.com

ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE READY FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE

YEAR??

As winter is coming to an end, and some of you might have stopped windsurfing during the coldest months, waiting for the friendlier temperatures, here is something you might like to read!

In the last years, the wetsuits and neoprene components have improved to make our sport possible with more comfort even with temperatures close to zero degrees Celsius.

Practically only when the water freezes it could stop some from windsurfing, even if we know of people walking over ice to get into the non-frozen part of the water!

If you have a winter break from windsurfing, the first session of the year can be a disaster.

It can even turn out to be dangerous from many aspects.

Often the first time we get to the beach after so long, we don’t remember anymore how to rig our gear. You might even forget your masts in the garage, so imagine if you remember where you were putting your mast foot on the board! Even more difficult if you bought new gear and you end up having to rig it for the first time.

Being on the beach every day, we see accidents, people getting picked up by the rescue on their first time on the water after one year. There different reasons why.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Equipment Water Fitness Safety

Equipment: The gear needs to be checked. Often on our first session, we are sailing still in cold temperatures, even if we think that it’s spring. Water and air can be still chilly. Checking the gear, is not only to be sure that nothing is missing once you arrive at the spot, but it’s also to make sure that there is no damage or points of wear.

Rig: Even if your equipment is not new, rig all the sails some days before knowing that you will have your first windsurfing session. Do not wait to be on the spot to do it. Once you rig it, mark all the specs from the extensions, boom length. Check that all the ropes of the boom, extensions, harness lines are in good conditions as well as all the screws around the gear.

Check that all sail battens are there and in good shape.

The tendon of the base, does not need to look dry and cracked. If something is not looking -perfect, do not wait the second session to change it. Do it immediately! If your sail is new, ask advice to the brand or their pro riders on the perfect trim, take time to trim it nicely, and if you have doubts contact them on Facebook. Send them even the photos to ask advice.

Board: If you have a new board or fin, make sure that the fin enters the board, and that you have the right screw lengths. Remember to close the air plug! Check if the strap screws are still all well tightened. This with the strap screws must be checked often, not only on the first session of the year. Often, they loosen up, and if they are not well tightened, they could be damaging the board. Check that your foot fits in the straps. You might be wearing boots now, but not on your last session.

There are a lot of components in our gear, and it’s too simple to leave home forgetting one part. It happened to everyone at least once. So, prepare all the gear before going to the fist session, make sure that everything is easy and well organized to be plug and play, because once you get to the spot, you are so horny to go windsurfing, that being that nervous, it will take ages before all is ready to jump in if you are not well prepared, and the risk to break something, or just rigging stuff the wrong way, can turn out to be less fun and even dangerous.

On the water: After many months you might have missed out from windsurfing, the fitness level for our sport goes down to the drain. Does not matter if you try to keep fit with other sports or Gym, each sport has its fitness, and you will feel it. It’s therefore possible, that the trim you like the year before, could not be feeling good on the first session as the muscles and technique might have dropped a bit. It goes the same way even for a pro rider if he stays 3 weeks without windsurfing. So, we need to realize how much power our body is ready to handle from our gear.

Regarding the rig: • •

Don’t risk going too big in the sail size. Take it easy the first time. Make sure you know how to read the wind. We tend to see less wind than what we think.

When you are on the water, make sure that your harness lines have the comfortable length and are in the right position. If you feel the sail pulling too much at the back, either pull more outhaul, or move the harness lines some cm more back, if we feel we have put already

enough outhaul. You never know that the harness lines might have slipped around during the winter storage.

•

If we have a new boom, or new mast, it is possible that the positioning or the trim setting needs to be re-worked in order to find the comfortable board stance to enjoy it.

Regarding the board: We don’t have the same power in the legs as the months we sailed more often. We could find that we need to keep the mast track one cm more forward to help us lose less power. When you feel it’s getting again too easy, just move it back to the same position. If you feel your front foot is coming out of the strap, lower the boom, make your life easy.

Training As said before…training for windsurfing, is windsurfing! Sure, if you did some physical training as some aerobics and gym, will have some advantage, against who has been waiting for 15°C on the sofa. Still be ready to get calluses on your hands, but don’t do too many hours on the water the first time.

Better to do a bit less but be on the water every-day, especially if you are on a longer holiday. Get some cream with lots of water to put in the evening on the hands, it will help having the skin not to open up. There are good training to keep more fit for windsurfing, and for this we can look at it another time.

Safety Even if you don’t feel tired, don’t push it to the limit. If you start thinking I’m tired, but I want to do a last 10 minutes, forget it! Go back to the beach, de-rig and go home to eat and relax. If you start having cramps, being cold, you will go home unhappy and destroyed. Go home with a good feeling of wanting to do more. If you stay too much the energy goes down and it’s easy to get hurt.

You are on the water, cold water, and alone.

Being often still in the cold months, there is a chance that there are no rescue services around, and not many people on the water experienced to bring you back to the beach with their gear. Try not to be on the water one or two ours to dark. Something breaks it’s hard for people to see you. If you can bring a phone with you, during these cold months, it can actually make you feel safer or save you.

Some of these advices might be obvious but try to do them. It can make the first session much more fun and a 2018 windsurfing season of pure fun!

Cape town is an amazing place for windsurfing.

There are many beaches around and most of the windsurfers here are Europeans escaping from the cold looking for sun and wind.

For me is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and the locals are really nice to everyone.

THE MAGIC OF WINDSUFING IN

CAPETOWN

Ricardo Campello V111

‘Last year I had my biggest jump here on Witsands, and I think yesterday probably my biggest stall forward!’

It’s like the 4th time I have been here and pretty much every time I came, I have sailed every day.

A great place to train and lot’s pro windsurfers are spending their times here to train for the season!

It would be amazing to have a PWA event here, we are on the middle of the city, there are thousands of windsurfers and there are many places to sail.

HOW TO KEEP A SPONSOR

SPONSOr

HAPPY?

It’s not about results only. This does not work any more in our sport. It’s effort, results and media. The outcam of the 3, is not done by adding them up, but by Multiplying them. So if one of the 3 things is zero, the result is zero.

In windsurfing riders are an important marketing image for the brands. It’s proving that the products are working during the competition, and the image of their riders also reflects the brands image. Each brand has top riders or riders in the top 10, so it’s a hard job for them to stand out.

Sponsorship is done mainly to give image to a product and transform this into sales.

Companies that sponsor athletes use sponsorship as a form of marketing to sell their goods.

The athletes they choose to sponsor usually represent their target market. In some cases, that may be elite athletes. In other cases, it may be someone that is exceptionally attractive. All companies are looking for someone that represents their desired image who can help them sell products.

So, why should a brand sponsor a rider?

To compete at events. Shred locals scene. To get support for marketing products and services.

To have a person to stand out with the product in a professional form, to make it look wow through their talent, personalit y and skills. Have photos, videos to be clearly different from others, and loyalty .

Sponsorship means different things to different people and also means different things in spend on hiswhat social different industries. The brands determine typemedia of sponsorship and what level of sponsorship they are willing to offer, according to your marketability as an athlete, which can be evaluated from everything based on talent, results and exposure. Does your image help sell the products? The product sold to clients it’s what creates the salary for the athletes.

When talking with a company, look at their sponsorship as a marketing investment and act accordingly. That means at all times riders are to represent and support the company that is endorsing. At the same time “marketing” is one of the first places to face budget cuts, which is why you must make yourself a valuable asset to the company to insure longevity.

Longevity within a company will come with dedication to the brand, a strong showing of involvement within one’s industry, and a consistent flow of action, whether it is video or photos.

Companies that are endorsing athletes love to be in close contact, and it is important to keep them regularly updated with what projects your involved in. Often riders are wondering why the brands are not so much into contact with them, or why brands are not sharing their media. It should be the other way around. The riders should be keeping the brands updated.

Blogging has blown up and is now considered a standard for any serious athletes. It’s important to have a place to post your current adventures and show off your stuff.

Pics, video, and product updates are common, and sponsors love to see regular activity. The social media such as FB and Instagram, are important, but a dedicated channel can be often a winner too.

The success comes because of regular updates and consistently impressive content.

Lena Erdil Tur 33

Lena Erdil TUR-33 That the athlete:

- adds value to the brand by sharing his/her values as sponsored athlete - creates media content that will help promote the brand/ products ideally free of charge for the company.

- inspires the brand for new products, development and design - representing the brand in the best way possible on a 1 to 1 with possible costumers - good relationship with the company - regular updates and contact - general advertisement Women are disadvantaged, discriminated and payed less across all areas of employment.

I am not some kind of weird feminist this is just stating facts‌. So its nothing that is windsurfing or handball specific, but a general problem our world has due to a history of inequality that is taking long to overcome. It is just that in windsurfing the inequality is at a very extreme level. This, I would like people to be more aware of and hope I can help changing for the good of the sport as a whole and women within the sport.

or a rider is very important that he community notices the rofile of the rider. From the ccomplishments, highlight of the kills and personality. Making riends, connecting with brands, etwork with people and get your ame out there. Getting ponsored can be like getting a ob. You got to be patient, ersistent and creative.

Ricardo Campello V111

Ricardo Campello V-111 There are lots of ways and the best way is to do the best in the water, even if you don't do so well in events, of course if there is a good result is always better, give good coverage everywhere, specially nowadays on social medias, produce cool videos and contents and give feedback on the equipment.

It’s also nice for a sponsor sometimes to make a rider happy, delivering gear on time, supporting them in each way they can and not being negative in all the aspects, so it is a mutual situation!

The best is that both are connected on the same symphony and that they support each other to help the brand and the rider grow!!

If the brand you represent hosts events it is important to try and attend, but if not, at least help promote the event.

Gabriel Browne BRA 50

Gabriel Browne BRA 50 Basically an athlete sponsorship nowadays is a company or individual that provides another individual with products,funds or services to get use for commercial advantages. Many benefits can be achieve by a company while sponsoring an athlete such as media exposure, increased sales, building new products or even brand awareness.Building a long term relationship is very important, the longer it is, more value can be gain from it for both parts.A lot of commitment and hard work from the athlete sponsored to make that you are giving something back is very important, so the brand can see benefits from the agreement done and keep the partnership.Nowadays media exposure takes a big part of a general marketing view.It represents straight contact with possible new costumers and active clients, helps growing the brand at local and international community and also promotes the athlete sponsored adding even more value to the brand.Another key to build good, healthy and long term relationship with sponsors and personally I believe this is very important is to have good communication.Find what your sponsors need from you and make effort to deliver this.Send monthly reports about events, lifestyle and equipment reviews for a better and easier development of products.Keeping the sponsors up-to-date with the anual schedule is very important for future promotions and any other stuff needed .Being loyal to sponsorship contract or even exceed sponsors expectation is always good.A sponsor expect a professional athlete in and out of water taking care of personal image, helping to grow the brand and making sure that the athlete is also a brand that also needs to grow.

BASILE JACQUIN FRA948

Basile Jaquin FRA 968 Having a long-term sponsor is important to have good relationship between the athlete and the sponsor. To start the most important is not to have directly cash money. The good way is to find a good small deal who can help the sponsoree and don’t cost too much to the sponsor. After one or 2 years, if the relationship is good, let’s try to grow up the deal.

When a sponsor give money to an athlete he need to have feedback of that investment.

If the athlete only takes the money and make nothing for the brand, he is not a good investment for a sponsor. A sponsor wants to have the maximum of pub and visibility to grow up his image.

But nowadays put stickers or make post on social network is not enough. Now an athlete need to do more, like for example involve the sponsor on the sport (if it’s an extra sponsor of his sport) or make something for potential client to test the product of the sponsor to make a real publicity.

After all of these things, the best is to work together with different sponsors.

For example, if the athlete is sponsored by a transport brand, he can involve this transport brand on the transport of the gear of his sport sponsor brand.

Now these two sponsors need him because he created agreements for the sponsors to make extra business.

This month we hop to France to meet Herve Baptiste. Our French distributor. Herve belongs to the new generation of distributors who had to fight to get on the market with new unique and outstanding brands. Pushing left and right his way through the existing structures. Herve is a dedicated windsurfers, loving each discipline, and super available .

Herve BaPtiste Dear Herve, when you took Point-7 in your hands it was still the early days of the brand. In France Point-7 has won the only wave event since lasts year, with Ricardo Campello in La Torche. Always in La Torche Matteo Iachino has been crowned PWA Slalom world champion, and Andrea Cucchi has won the Defi Wind in 2014. Lots of important results in the country.

Yes, for sure lot of good things happen since 2013 when I started to work with Point 7 brand. Maybe I’m like the lucky truffle for the brand and you should bring me with the black team to all the windsurfing events.

More seriously the brand evolves well every year building years after years a strong team with good riders and still the same philosophy behind all this. Be on top with top products and affordable for everyone. Point 7 bring to the market a feeling that been part and affiliated to some people who have the same passion, same habits, is easy and possible and this is what make this brand so friendly and special on the market.

How is now the brand seen after all these results on your homeland?

In France, we have a mature market with major brands that are on top for many years and small brands that are trying to win some market share. I think Point 7 now is still seen as a small brand but with top quality products that are becoming years after years better. The fact that Matteo became 2016 Slalom world champion show to people that never tried the sails that the sails are fast and also stable and light which wasn’t really the case in 2013.

Point-7 has been sponsoring a lot of good French riders. In the past Pascal Toselli when he was young on tour, and Nicolas Akgazciyan when he was in his best form. Now we see in the French team Nicolas Goyard, and Basile Jacquin. Who else is in the team, and why have decided to push more for the younger part of the French strong PWA team?

Yes Point 7 has always been in France sponsoring great riders. Today we also have Romain Pinocheau and Baptiste Mure in freestyle, CĂŠciles Descourt in Slalom for the women as we are not forgetting girls, Arthur Arjubin also in Slalom who finished 5th in IFCA, Jim Cloarec in speed and finally Patrick Vigouroux, Gauthier Lefevre and Florient Daubos in wave. Recently we also have Richard Boudia in foil. Richard is developing the TAKUMA foils and promoting his brand along with Point 7 sails.

We have a small team but with people who are feeling close to the brand. We decided also not to push too many riders and opinion leaders and to let the shop deal with this. As they are the best to know who is good on their home spot and who can bring them some customers.

In freestyle you have on the team a lot of good opinion leaders?

Yes in France we have as I mentioned before Romain Pinocheau, Baptist Mure and lot of other young that are ripping their home spot with the SLASH.

What do you feel Point-7 has that it’s creating so much interest and more demand for the product in France?

For me Point-7 has an image and give people access to gear with a unique look and affordable price. We don’t forget that this brand is quite new on the market but it has already amazing results on the world cup. When you look at the sails on the water they look different, they look cool and we try to make people feel like part of a family, of the black team.

Do you think France is the biggest windsurfing market in the world?

I think the market world wild is about to change a lot. Since I started in the windsurfing industry I can see the model of shops changing a lot. Now we can see shops that are big on the net becoming bigger and bigger and small local shop diapering. I think France is still the biggest market in the world but with the Euro zone, shops in France having hard time against big online shops in Germany for example. But there are still places like in Leucate or big windsurfing places where you will always need a local shop.

Foiling is already being very present in France, which disciplines do you enjoy most yourself, and which disciplines are the ones most practiced in France?

I started foiling a bit during this summer. It’s fun bring you back when you started windsurfing. Going out 10 minutes and coming back breathless on the beach. But then it is going fast, working on jibes is also quite fun but to be honest it also becoming boring very quickly. On my side I enjoy the most wave sessions, but it not happens so often in Montpellier. I think France is a country where people are practicing windsurfing in ever disciplines and windsurf places are always busy.

Which sail do you enjoy most from the Point-7 range?

As I said I most likely going for waves session and I’m using a Quad 87L. So, I feel the 3 battens SWAG is the best for the combo with this board. But in small size where I need more control I also use the SALT PRO which is amazing. Everybody should have a go with this sail.

Windsurfing Blacksheep The Point-7 Community

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227994750582874/

Windsurfing Blacksheep community: The people behind.

Behind the scenes from the Windsurfing Blacksheep community, there is a group of people who run it, run the activities, ideas and event organization from some years.

Some years ago, a group of friends realized that Point-7 was just more than a Windsurfing Brand but had a pure windsurfing lifestyle behind it. Having Black Sails meant being out there on the water and being different to the others..

Having a special sail, a special way to live windsurfing, being part of something exclusive. Just like when moto bikers cross and greet, even without knowing each other. It was the same, you would see someone on the water with a Black sail, you would smile and greet.

An enjoyable way to socialize meet new people on the beach and share the windsurfing day. It all came naturally, till there was a moment where a group was formed. It became a solid base to share fun with friends, trips, weekends and did not matter in which part of the world. To distinguish on the water, the black sails did their job, but on the beach, they had prepared apparel and fun gadgets to feel more part of the group.

In 2012 there was the first real meeting from the Windsurfing Black Sheep in Torbole. It was amazing to see so many people joining in. More meetings and trips were organized over the years in the different countries.

Such as holidays in the Canaries, meeting on the southern German lakes and much more.

Now running the hype is, Tobi Ullrich, Roberto Spaggiari, Marco Gabbatel and Frank Maibach.

Tobi, you are the Blacksheep warrior! We see you with your thick wetsuit windsurfing also in the winter in the southern German lakes. You are more behind the duty to follow the FB group page. How many people are in the group? There are 908 members for now, but we are getting more and more.

Really nice to see how this project grows and gets more than just a project for me it is passion, meeting and helping friends.

It’s a closed group, what characteristics must have the perfect black sheep? The perfect sheep. For me the following aspects are the most important. Loyalty, join the dark side and once you go black you never go back. Ahahah. You must stand behind Point-7, you have to be friendly and you must always be willing to help each other!

What do you think about Point-7 support? I am happy that Point-7 supports us now in bigger ways. And specially I am happy that Andrea pushes our group and really takes part a lot.

Roberto Spaggiari, is also running the hype, and is the balanced person to guide windsurfers and calm down the hype with no planning for bigger projects. Roberto has done a lot of work to guide the group in the right direction, even though, he is probably the most radical and innovative of the group in some sense!

Roberto, comes from a totally different job, and is part of a community which is fuelled by fun, and completely opposite to what he does during the week. He finds fun, friendly and amazing spirit in this project and group.

Marco comes from the north-west area in Italy. He is addicted to windsurfing, and please share the photo on the inside of you perfect van! Do you want to give some advice to the others how to set up a good black sheep van? We have beautiful sails, high-performance equipment, why should we not keep everything in perfect condition including the van? I think it is important not to put too much weight on the sails, I don't like sails to get wrinkles and crashed, so I decided to set up my black sheep van to load all the equipment quickly and easily. With a little more order and organization i got a lot of space and in the end now I can take with me more equipment. How many times did it happen that you did not have the right sail or board with you because there was not enough space? ;)

What do you think about the monthly interview on the Group FB page, with a member of the black team that any fans can ask any questions to the pros? The monthly interview is a wonderful opportunity for all people to ask technical or personal questions to the athletes. They are very friendly, and they can really help a lot with their tips about trimming and their great experience. I hope that in the next month’s anyone can find the right answer thanks to the black team riders. Till now we had Lena Erdil in January, and this month we have Bruno Martini

Frank, what brought you to be so addicted to Point-7, to be willing to be part from the Point-7 community as the Windsurfing Black Sheep? Well, I’m a windsurfer from 35 years. One day I took notice of a black sail blasting down in a hot sunny day and I thought: Wow, either the producer is stupid or ingenious. Curiously I met Andrea Cucchi in 2014 at Tenerife at the 5 DAYS WITH THE BLACK TEAM and after huge surf sessions, a lot of conversations and many after surf beers I was convinced that his windsurfing darkness is ingenious in material terms. What I did not know until then was all about that special community called Black Sheep which was already growing up around an outstanding product. The truth is I was in search of an unadjusted likeminded pack of windsurfers who don´t indulge in the mainstream willing to take a stand offside and to do his own thing – and so I became a Black Sheep staying in constant contact with guys who became friends to me. I got excited about the sail performances and the sail developments over the years by Andrea trying out all kind of black slalom sails.

And suddenly I had over 20 different Point-7 sails in my private stock and that has changed no more. For me it is important to identify myself with the product and the people behind and not to change for a nice gift from another side.

What are the most interesting things that people can do inside the community? First, the possibilities of being active for everybody inside the community are nearly endless if you are creative. Whether posting good or bad black things on Windsurfing Black Sheep or fixing arrangements to go together on the water… … whatever you want to do to live your dream. If you communicate it will enrich our community. I would wish that every member feels part of a big family where you share and take care of each other as well. Respecting each other and the nature and having fun with the most wonderful sport in the world – live it and talk about it, let us participate in your windsurfing adventures, that´s it.

Windsurfing lifestyle...tell us something about it. Haha, I knew that you would ask me that question. I always get excited about it. No wonder because it´s not simply to style your exterior with nice P7-T-shirts, driving a nice car or something like that. No – it means that your own art of windsurfing in your own special matter becomes part of your entire life and fulfills everyday life with something magical – it´s like a faithful companion sometimes even showing you the way… yes, he is able to do that. But that mate can also insist in a special matter. My companion for example hurries me up to go in my own gym and so she cares about me to stay fit for the next windsurf adventure. If you still haven´t met him and you want to meet your own faithful companion, then join the next Black Sheep Meeting – if you already know him then anyway. We will inform you in time. When there will be wind (Tobi will arrange it! Yes, he can!) and the black pack enters the water (and later the sunset transfigures the scenery… haha) you will feel The Black Sheep Windsurfing Lifestyle… and then we drink a beer…. you know! Life is Beautiful!

GET YOUR BLACKSHEEP STICKER

Windsurfing BLacksheep

36x22cm

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER When we say things we do them! We promised prizes for the best photo of the month, on the Point-7 Windsurfing Black Sheep group, and here is the photo and the winner!

Walter Tofalvi | GERMANY | Walchensee Prize won: Point-7 Extension 48sdm

The Point-7

Girls corner

Interview from El’ Matelot What are the objectives in the different PWA event?

Objectives: slalom 1st place. wave: top 5 What you think about the number of events in PWA for the girls 2018?

We have 3 confirmed events but a couple more potentials! it would be great to get a girl’s only event going. It’s a lot cheaper to organize and will bring more attention to just the women riders.

Which fins do you use?

I used chopper fins ca fins and carpenter fins. in 2018 I will be using only chopper fins.

Which sail is the preferred one?

From the AC-One range I Love the 7.1 and the 5.6 the most. overall. I just sailed for the first time on the slash freestyle sail and was surprised how light and stable it was, so I really like this sail as well!

Which kind of sailing session is the preferred one?

Preferred sailing session is medium size waves with 4.5 sail wavering :D Do you have an insurance in case of injury?

I do have a special insurance in case of permanent disability, but I think I really need to renew my insurance for smaller things and travel.

What is her training apart of windsurfing?

In the winter I try and go surfing and supping next to all the wave sailing. I do stretching and yoga as much as possible to balance the strain on my body. when I start the slalom training combine it also with strength and cardio functional training in the gym.

LENA ERDIL TUR 33

What is your Vmax? How was it in Luderizt. Planning to go back again?

LĂźderitz is very expensive, and I found that in the end after all the preparation LUCK was an extremely important factor in the range of speed we were gambling at. You need to have the perfect gust from start to finish otherwise immediately the average speed will drop a lot! So, I don't know when and if I will be back.

But I have some other big projects planned! My Vmax in Luderizt was 48.5 knot!!! with an average over 500m 45.74. Red Bull support me in many ways, financially but also in my trainings (helping to develop specialised training programs) and mentally.

Do you have something to say about Myriam Rasmussen? She went from very low level in PWA event thanks to sponsors and finally is becoming better. Is it easier for girls to get to Pro level?

I think Miriam is doing a great job at promoting windsurfing. It’s great to see her progress, I hope she will be doing some more races with us! I don't think it’s easier for girls to get sponsors in fact I believe it is harder. But hard work always pays off which I think Miriam be a great example for this.

What about Lilou Granier which did a very impressive performance in Noumea. Do you (with the other pro girls) help her to manage an event like a PWA? No, we didn't have to help Lilou at all she is a strong girl despite her age super competitive and talented, I think we will be seeing more of her in the future and am looking forwards to racing together.

What is the best tool to upgrade your tuning? Feelings? GPS? Sparing partners? Video?

All the above I would say, testing partner feeling and GPS need to all be part of a successful tuning...

LENA ERDIL TUR 33 How many time do you need to spent on social media?

Too much! Haha but its ok I see it as part of my job and I love my job so there will always be things you like. Also, I do enjoy sharing my experiences with friends around the world and am always stoked to get feedback!

What about Foiling?

Foiling is still a work in progress now. I still haven't had enough light wind time to significantly improve but I still have some time to go. I have all my equipment ready so if I feel ready by the time we go to Japan, I will surely participate.

Can P7 make you a personalized sail again :D Yes Please Andrea Cucchi that would be great I loved the colours we had! t in focus, the rest is useless.

Do you train some youngers Turkish guys or girls?

When I get the chance I always try and give advice and spend time training together. It’s a great feeling when I see that kids that I've been training do well. But I don't have enough time to train anyone full time now....

What is more important in slalom. Speed , jibing, mind set?

It’s all important, but if the mind set in racing is not in focus, the rest is useless.

Black Team KK after few sessions on the foil

Eric , Kerfoil, Lanzarote

AC lines. Which one to chose!

It’s all about curves: don’t miss this!

LET’S talk

MASTS We often believe that the carbon content percentage from the mast is the main important thing. The truth is that it’s better to have the correct curve, rather than any random 100% carbon mast with the wrong curve.

The mast is not only about the Imcs, which is the central stiffness, but also mainly about the curve percentage of the base and of the top. These curves are what classify a mast to be flex top of constant curve. The percentages do not give only these two options though.

There are many combinations, which different brands can use, to fit their development needs through the mast. For example, a flex top mast can be more flex top than another mast.

High quality windsurfing masts are mainly manufactured in Italy. Nowadays, there more options in other countries, but with Point-7 we still prefer to keep the quality at its top, so we stick to the production in Italy. Even for the lower percentage masts are still produced in Italy. Our supplier is based in Italy, and produces in Italy. Most of the masts might look the same, but often produced by different manufactures with different machinery, materials, and technology. By having the mast production based in Italy where Point-7 is situated, it’s possible to have a continuous development into new products and ensure that the quality of all finished products that leaves the factory is second to none. Further guaranteeing the quality of the materials being used in production are up to the specifications needed for making a durable performance product.

The mast is a very important accessory for our rig. It’s the back bone of your windsurfing sail.

It’s where the development starts. Once you have defined and developed a preferred mast curve and material characteristics, the sail designer starts cutting the sail on that mast.

Just like having a suit tailor made.

Most of the masts on the market are constant curve, but this is only a general term to explain the characteristics. What is important is the curve percentages values of the bottom and top sections of the mast, including materials, shapes, and reflex. These are values which are very different in each sail brand, and all kept secret. This is why the best efficiency is reached by having an integrated rig.

We don’t keep our curves secrets, we have them printed our masts. We prefer to be transparent with our clients. Our curves are progressive, and each mast length has a specific curve to work best in that specific condition. Shorter mast lengths are having softer bases and stiffer tops to guarantee comfort and stability, longer mast length are stiffer in the base and softer in the top to give more power in light winds and breathing of the sail. From now our mast lines have the bend curve printed on them, so you will know more of the product you are buying!

Point-7 masts are manufactured using the Prepreg-Autoclave process which creates an extremely homogenous carbon/resin mix under high pressure. Using a newly patented procedure which allows the resin to be distributed in equal quantities around the mast walls

the masts are guaranteed to have an equal curve around all its diameter, and thus more uniform in comparison to former production procedures. The resin is reduced to an absolute minimum for unprecedented durability. The resin used is top quality as well and will give support to the carbon even on very hot temperatures and on water crashes.

Each mast is quality tested before leaving the production facilities.

Each mast is quality tested before leaving the production facilities.

If you like to get more into detail about curves, read more in this section: http://www.point7.com/knowledgebase/mast-curves/ Check out also this video with Andrea Cucchi to have even more: https://vimeo.com/246099064

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Date

Type

Country Point-7 Black Team Lanzarote

Spot

1 Feb- 7 March

Team slalom Training

7-10 March

Costa Teguise PRO AM SLALOM CUPLanzarote

Costa Teguise

24 Feb-3 March 1-3 April

Black sheep Meeting Black Team training

Lanzarote Lake Garda

Costa Teguise Circolo Surf Torbole-Lake Garda

7-8 April

No Rules Slalom Stage REVII | U22 Lake Garda

Circolo Surf Torbole-Lake Garda

11 April-14 April

Distributor Meeting

Lake Garda

Lake Garda

28 June- 1 July

EFTP Point-7

Matas Blanca

12-13 May 19 May

Point-7 Test day Point-7 Test day

Fuerteventura AUSTRIA Neusiedel Achensee ESTONIA

Jun-Oct

Hiiusurf Ristna Wave Classic

Estonia

Ristna

Jun-Oct

Vääna Wave Classic

Estonia

Vääna

May-Oct

Estonian Slalom Championships

Estonia

4-5 different events in different spots

End of July

FUN Race series Hiiumaa stage

Estonia

Kärdla

May-Sep

FUN Race series

Estonia

4 different events

Apr-Oct

Slalom training

Estonia

Kärdla

Sometime in July

Costa Teguise

Estonian Surfcamp (over 2000 participants) Estonia FRANCE 10-13 May Defi Wind France GERMANY 20-28 January Boot Dusseldorf Boot Dusseldorf-Exhibition Germany 10-13 May Surf Festival Fehmarn Germany

TBD

7-8 July

Black sheep meeting

Walchensee

end of sept

Sylt

25 April

Black sheep meeting: follow the BLKGermany TM at the PWA ITALY Point-7 Test day Italy

28-29 April 30 April 1 May 5 May 6 May

Point-7 Point-7 Point-7 Point-7 Point-7

Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy

Vindicio Lago Di Bracciano Campo Di mare Numana Igea Marina

23-24 June

One Hour Classic | Team dinner

Italy

Circolo Surf Torbole-Lake Garda

end of oct

Black Sheep Meeting: Tune and TrimItaly zero19 sails JAPAN

Malcesine -Lake Garda

Dec 2nd-3rd, 2017

Kakegawa Surf Slalom 2017, 2017 JWA JAPAN Tour

Omaezaki, Shizuoka

Dec 9th-10th, 2017

Japan Amature Championship slalom,JAPAN 2017 JWA Tour

Miura, Kanagawa

Mid January, 2018

Amamioshima Slalom, 2018 JWA Tour JAPAN

Amami Oshima, Okinawa

Mid Feburary, 2018

Team Training

JAPAN

Okinawa

Late in March, 2018

Oita Slalom, 2018 JWA Tour

JAPAN

Oita

Early in April, 2018

Japan Maters Slalom

JAPAN

Miura, Kanagawa

Late in April, 2018

Demo/Promotion Event

JAPAN

Miho, Shizuoka

Mid May, 2018

Motosuko Champiionship Slalom, 2018 JAPAN JWA Tour

Motosuko, Yamanashi

Late in May, 2018

Black Sun Photo/Video

JAPAN

TBA

Mid June, 2018

Miyako Classic Slalom

JAPAN

Miyako, Okinawa

Late in July, 2018

Kemigawa Slalom, 2018 JWA Tour

JAPAN

Kemigawa, Chiba

Early in August, 2018

Miho Cup Slalom

JAPAN

Miho, Shizuoka

Early in September, 2018 Mid October, 2018

Demo/Promotion Event Demo/Promotion Event

Test day Test day Test day Test day Test day

Germany

JAPAN JAPAN NETHERLANDS Oct Dam X Holland SPAIN 2 al 5 de Enero National Championship Wave/Slalom ALMERIA CEF 2018 2 al 4 de Marzo National Championship Slalom CEF TARIFA 2018 29 de Marzo al 1 de Abril National Championship Wave/Slalom ALMERIA CEF 2018 28 de Abril al 1 de Mayo National Championship Slalom CEF MURCIA 2018 1 al 3 de Junio National Championship Slalom CEF CATALUNYA 2018 12 al 14 de Octubre or 1 al 4 de National Noviembre Championship or 10 al 25 Freestyle/Slalom de Noviembre ZARAGOZA CEF 2018

Leucate Expo Fehmarn

Conca D'oro- Lake Garda

Motosuko, Yamanashi Miura, Kanagawa Dam X El Ejido (Club Deportivo Víctor Fernàndez ) Valdevaqueros El Ejido (Club Windsurf Mar Azul) Los Alcázares (CN Los Alcázares) Roses (GEN Roses) La Loteta (Club Windsurf Zaragoza)