E.P., RIWmag Manager, tells of the original windsurfisticamente afternoon spent Friday’ last:

“on the highway I was on the phone on speaker phone with Christian Siringo, Vice President of AICW, to discuss some details of the freestyle Championship. When I explain that I was going to Hyeres for a mission RIWmag, he laughingly now answer me: “I know you go to make windsurfing”. And I'm ready to put my hand on fire explain that there are no conditions to go out with my equipment, and that indeed, We chose meteorologically just one day with little wind on purpose so we can concentrate on the job.
When I arrive at the beach of the Madrague waiting for me there are Patrik Diethelm and Karin Jaggi.
After we said goodbye and I chatted briefly in the most’ and the less we realize that conditions to accomplish what we set out there are, and so’ Patrik, sorry that I have made the trip for nothing, me to get out on the water slalom: “Don't worry, I have all the materials I!” Adds.
Thanking you kindly rejection, If I get home before I have other commitments that await me. But Patrik is pressing: “the foil ever tried?”
To that question I am speechless, in fact I hadn't ever tried the foil because’ Whenever I had the chance was during an event and, to follow an event, on the beach there and’ so much to do that always fail to enter the water becomes almost impossible. But this time and’ different, There’ an event and by chance on the moment I don't have other activities’ to play … the sun warm and crystalline waters of Hyeres colors seem to really be a good time to try this new dimension of Board with veil.
I accept the proposal and so’ Patrik I prepare his table prototype with the carbon foil of the NeilPryde Karin SailLoft sail her Ultimate weapon while I (Sail Racing camber).
I am surprised and honored by the find me two great champions of their caliber to arm myself the equipment and to have Patrik as a teacher for a private lesson of windsurfing foil: and when I get an opportunity of this type?

“Patrik I trust you but maybe not’ better get me started with a sail more’ small with no camber?”
Patrik I takes your hands jiggling arms extended as if they were on the boom and start getting them alternately swing.
“This movement affects the rest of your body” tells me “up the hips and legs, and then up to the table. With the foil serves the maximum stability’ and maximum stability’ You can't’ have with a wing camber. A wing camber makes you swing your arms like you I did sway me now, that's why’ and’ better a wing camber!”
I understand and nod. Then Patrik explains me the rest: First we have to enter into the foil NeilPryde glide with the front foot in the strap and then slowly you have to try to take off the table but only a few centimeters above the water. The first objective and’ to try and fly stably without climbing too. The table prototype that gives me’ has the shape similar to that of a formula because’ to make the foil more’ stable and’ better to have a table more’ large.
I try to memorise every single word and view the implementation and finally go down both into the water.
The wind blows offshore making the water perfectly flat but in the first few metres below and’ gusty. Patrik I suggest not to get too far from shore because’ outside the wind becomes rapidly more’ strong.
On the first edge comes the first gust, My Board and sailing take speed’ but as I try to put the foot in the straps come the first problems.
I'm used to a two-dimensional table and practically have the perception traps in “your feet”, but on a Board like this’ the wide straps are much more’ distant and as soon as I move my weight comes into play the vertical component of the foil that I throw the table in a start of “Backloop” from flat water …
Impallidisco for, I remain a moment petrified by fear is to hurt me that to break the equipment but the survival instinct prevails and quit jumping away from equipment.
The maximum dimension of the foil and’ much greater than that of a normal fin, so you have to really be careful not to fall close to the table.
Patrik reaches me and reminds me of what's already’ explained to the ground: First you need to keep the Board flat, cast it in speed’ and then you have to lift the table just a few centimeters above the water.
His explanations are very clear but’ appropriate to say, This time between saying and doing there’ really half of the sea.
The enterprise for me and’ even more’ difficult as in memory can't remember more’ When and’ the last time both rose on a Board more’ big a wave from 90 litres and with a wing piu’ big of 5.3: the bulk of the boom, of the shaft and the weight of the rig of a race are not the same as the ones I'm used to with a wave sail and I am sure I am not ascended before on a formula Board!

My attempts are followed and after having observed for half an hour Patrik impetosito joins me again and told me that if I want I can take a slalom Board. But for me is not an option, now I started with the foil and I need to do something about it!
And in fact in the second half begins to show some results.
Once the plane does not take off the table alone but slowly I find best points of support and balance and little by little I can do take off the foil.
In reality’ I still can't keep the low and stable flight as required by Patrik but slowly strokes out of water also spread out if style “Dolphin” or up and down!
Thankfully the large bow avoids ingavonarsi and its effects catapult.
Just the equipment off and’ as impressive as the feeling of friction suddenly disappears and disappears also the noise of the impact of the table against water.
Now I get it, movements should be more’ docile and fluids possible but just the foil will lift provides a boost upward with an inertia such that and’ not easy to keep just a few centimeters above the water.
I suspect that the table itself when raised to take air and provide a further thrust upwards. When I realize I climb too, with most movements’ possible millimetric I Luff softly Board and sail until the glider loses its boost and wonderful dive.
This up and down it’ funny but at least I can check by avoiding unnecessary risks for me and for the equipment.
After an hour of trying I begin to feel the contraction of muscles that I didn't even have: the concentration and’ revolt all looking for that balance by minimizing movements.
At this point, for this first time I feel satisfied and I decide to come back to earth because’ I still expected the road back!
On shore there’ Karin it with the enthusiasm of a little girl puts on a suit and goes into the water with the Board and the sail I used I.
Time to change and even Patrik returns to Earth and so’ can I work with a final debriefing before him off and returning home.
Deal with an online magazine is not’ always easy and fun but opportunities out program like this pays for all the work and effort spent.
Tthank Patrik and Karin for this incredible opportunity’ and experience!”

text & photo: www.RIWmag.com