Former WindSurfing mag editor takes aim.
The 2013 Aloha Classic: Where Was the Windsurfing? Ho'okipa delivered.
The world???s best arrived. And what a show it was. The organizers, sponsors
and competitors deserve our gratitude...
danewsblog.blogspot.com/
I didn't mind the format so much. it reminded me of a surfing comp. and the reality is a comp like this doesn't need wind. the guys limp out, catch a wave and it's game on.
look at all of the classic wave comps over the years. they've all been the ones with the best wave riding conditions.
Definitely agree. Even for an avid wavesailor it was pretty boring COMPARED TO WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN.
On a further note; what ever happened to slalom racing through a break (look at the video from 1985)? Does that even happen any more? Its a great way to make racing interesting for non-sailors.
Gestie don't you think it was btter when it was best jumping move and best wave/s?
I can understand dropping transitions years ago (which was previously counted) as it just became a freestyle comp for the inside gybe / tacks, and not always visible on the outside. ..... but making it just riding waves seems silly
the problem with best jumping move is it requires wind.
the thing I thought could have been improved was the commentary. that was putting me to sleep.
I thought the format was fine. Biggest problem was lack of replays and additional cameras. More guest commentators would have been nice too.
Webcast was pretty low quality - but we have been spoiled by the high level ASP stuff now :P (and their commentary isn't always the best either...or they get fired if they say something the higher ups don't agree with lol)
Would LOVE to see the media guys at PWA go talk to the ASP guys and beg, borrow, steal, hire, whatever it takes to get the same tech and ability as those guys for the webcasting and it's awesome instant replays etc. no matter where the event is. The way they have all the heats available to watch in full and key scores highlighted available later on (for those that work ;) ). It's really a must if we want to keep this viewable and entertaining for more than just the hardcore few windsufferers.
Wind isn't something you can always get, but sorting the media side is something that should be more in control. We wanna see one handed goiters in slowmo replay not waves cut off mid ride to watch someone gybing out the back.
Select to expand quoteGestalt said..
the problem with best jumping move is it requires wind.
the thing I thought could have been improved was the commentary. that was putting me to sleep.
But it is the same for everyone in that heat.
If jumps were counted you would have seen some (like Robbie and Josh did) and then later when the wind died nobody could jump.
Adds extra skill - if nobody else can jump but you manage one and ride waves just as well, shouldn't you deserve to win that heat?
The waveriding nowadays is insanely good - but not counting jumps reduces the spectacle greatly
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..Gestalt said..
the problem with best jumping move is it requires wind.
the thing I thought could have been improved was the commentary. that was putting me to sleep.
But it is the same for everyone in that heat.
If jumps were counted you would have seen some (like Robbie and Josh did) and then later when the wind died nobody could jump.
Adds extra skill - if nobody else can jump but you manage one and ride waves just as well, shouldn't you deserve to win that heat?
The waveriding nowadays is insanely good - but not counting jumps reduces the spectacle greatly
It's a tough call, I think if a whole round can include jumping then it should be on, but not decided on a heat by heat basis.
I do think the Aloha could have pushed for jumping on a couple of rounds, especially early in the event. If you do it on a heat by heat basis it adds an extra dimension to the luck of the draw which might not be so good for a fair result. I'm a good jumper/average wave sailor and end up in heat 1 with waves only and loose, where as if I was in heat 2 with jumps counted I would have won. Sort of skews results a little too much if done heat by heat.
Select to expand quoteGestalt said..
the thing I thought could have been improved was the commentary. that was putting me to sleep.
Bring back Corky Carroll, what a dude.
To be fair, I think if the conditions would allow it, Duncan Coombs would have included jumping, he has been on the PWA long enough to know when there should be jumping or not. However, he could have been cohered into making it waveriding only by some of the local guys perhaps?...
