Fun Speed Meeting 2009 - 3 Octobre

An excellent format, GPS-speedsurfing along a restricted course. Sadly I arrived when the event almost ended, still great to do 3 runs along the course. (I just found this picture on windsurfspot.nl)

Many thanks to William Breukelman!!

This was my gp3s session:
http://www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=53531&uid=870

Links

For my complete blog list just check MY PROFILE. Its amazing (online) windsurfing is getting more and more bloggy, I believe the trend is for the next 5 years, (mini)blogs suits windsurfing way better than most forums.

Speedsurfingblog is still hosted thanks too www.blogger.com. It is totally free, I have to thank all the smart people making this possible. I am not a webdesigner, I had to learn a few simple tircks like basic HTML, basic photoshop and basic search engine optimalization. The total running costs for a website like speedsurfingblog is 10 dollars/year or 7 euro's/year (I have to pay only for the domain).

My favorite top 10 websites for 2009:

1. www.GPS-Speedsurfing.com, thanks to this team I found the beautyfull sport which is very important in my life. Roger, Martin and Dylan thanks!!!!
2. Dailybits.be, this is always the first blog I check. Herman inspired me a lot, I learned most of my blogtricks by checking his website.
3. Windsurfing.nl, this is still a high quality content website, despite the fact the uncomftable athmosphere. About 2 out of 3 articles I wrote on the forum never made it actually on the windsurfing.nl website. Because I thought up 1 reason why someone could burn me down. 
4. Vliegerweer.nl, this website was for me the holygrail. The website is for me the fastest way to deside what to do. All my 2009 sessions were based on predictions showed on vliegerweer.nl
5. Peter Volwater, big respect beside his full schedule his blog is really up to date!!! Intresting for all windsurfers.
6. Beach Telegraph, really passionate about bringing News in very a good format
7. Continent 7, very complete website, this is one of the big spines of windsurf weblog community
8. Madwindsurfing.COM, also a good newsfeed. Updated +- once a week.
9. Windsurfing44.com, if you want to see NEW PROTO WINDSURFING GEAR watch this site. I hope some day the "Les nouveautes des marques" becomes a blog on itself. Would be great to follow
10. Cindy Koopman, new to blogger for 2009. Allready intresting to follow, hope she makes to olympic team.

Not forget to mention to the master of speed: Peter de Wit  (he can win it all if he wants too)

The most important feeds are displayed on the homepage of Mark: www.windsurfblog.nl . Mark (editor windsurfing.nl) is for me one of the very few reasons to visit www.windsurfing.nl. I have high expectations of Mark his brandnew blog!

And some older links I found in 2008 hope most still work....

Surfdudes BLOG

• Alessio Stillrich
• Andreas Macke
• Andy Chambers
• Ben van der Steen
• Bernd Flessner
• Bob van de Voorde
• Chris Pressler
• Cobus Windsurf world
• Dailybits
• Dave White
• Dennis Littel
• Erick Gonzalez
• Eyal Shelef
• Erik Loots
• Hubke
• James Douglass
• Jeffrey van Hoe
• Jonas Handekyn
• John Munten
• John Sky
• Josh Angulo
• Kay van Berlo
• Kenny de Jager
• Kevin Pritchard
• Kevin van Duijn
• Konan Lang
• Marco Bal
• Markus Bouman
• Martin ten Hoeve
• Nick de Wannemaeker
• Niels van der Beek
• Pascal Somers
• The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing
• Peter Volwater
• Robbert de Leeuw
• Robby Swift
• Sean O'Brein
• Speedsurfing Huizen
• Steve Bodner
• Steven van Broekhoven
• Teade de Jong
• Thijs van der Meer
• Thorsten Niehaus
• Windsurfblog.nl

Surfchick’s BLOG

• Alessandra Sensini
• Allison Shreeve
• Anna Jönsson
• Astrid Muldon
• Bunts Blog
• Cornelia van der Schilden
• Emma Johansson
• Femke van der Valk
• Ivana Farias
• Juliana Farias
• Laure Treboux
• Lucy Horwood
• Maria Lyness
• Moreno's 
• Nayra Alonso
• Surfchica's
• Tatiana Howard
• Windsurfdiva's
• Yoli de Brendt

New Speedsurfingblog 2010 blogger website design

With this new website I have tried to make succesful part of the website more important (this is based on google analytics). All things like small news you can still find with the search function. I got rid of all lists with (old) less important links.

I hope this website works in most webbrowsers. At least Firefox and Chrome are tested.

If you like the new design please let me know !!! Wish all readers a fast speedsurfing year 2010!

Cheers,

Erik Loots

2009 Photoshow

Windsurf surprise 2009 (Sinterklaas)

Sinterklaas is a dutch event like Christmas, we make in my family a surprise for another familymember. This year I had to make a surprise for my Bro Wouter, he wants to buy  a Neilpryde H2 8.2. First I thought to make something like BBC2 (he is a bigtime topgear fan), however making something like the BBC2 logo is boring!!!

I didn't had much time but this is what I made::: From the loots R&D factory the new miniature H2 made within  60minutes.

 I think when taking more time than 1 hour it should be possible to make a much nicer miniature sail. Spagetti isn't ideal.... but after 5min trying with glasfiber I thought this wouldn't work on short term.
 

Ingredients:
-Spagetti aprox. 20cm
-Plastic bag (clear)
-Tape
-marker
-Some wire&needle


Now I understand how to make a good profile, AOA of the profile and forgivingness. Its DAMN hard, and the bendcurve of the mast is very very veerrrry VERY important. My spagetti mast didn't had a really good curve ;), it sadly broke short after presenting it.

Also Spagetti is not a very good material for battens, the extreme curve near the mast is at this scale impossible, the spagetti breaks instantly by tensioning it to the required tension. To much loose leech in the top of the sail, whole outline is not good (all these flaws mainly caused by the building method).

How to make a miniature windsurf sail within 1 hour:

1. Tape 3 or 4 spagetti's together to the required mastlength is there. I made it 3 spagetti's at the bottom and it ended to a single spagetti in the tip.
2. Tension the mast with some wire 
3. Make battens and attach the battens in the tension wire. I taped the front of the battens together with the mast. By pulling the rope back on the batten you tension the batten (like a arch wire)
4. Now cut the plastic bag and lay in underneath the mast&batten frame. With some reserve area arounf of 1-2cm.
5. I used some wire and needle to attach the plastic to the frame. And tape to attach to battens to the sail
   
6. Finally use the marker to make all details on the sail!
   

Windsurfing-Partners Story

Without good support speedsurfing competition on higher levels gets almost impossible. I have been really lucky with good results at the right moment. Before I got sponsored my best speed was constant around 60-62km/h 10 sec runs and 65km/h topspeed. My experience was being to much overpowered/ out of control from 20kn plus.

Begin 2007 I sold all my expensive North Sails/ masts/ booms, my brother sold all his Neilpryde sails/ masts/ booms. And my little boardcollection Mistral Razor+ F2 Thommen 270II+ all fins. With this money I imported 2 Carbon Art Speed boards and bought 5.1+5.7 and 6.3 Arrows Maxx Speed+ magic stix masts+ AMEX carbon boom 160-220+ chinook extenders (my brother bought the bigger sizes)+ 6 tectonics fins. Totally I invested all my money about 4000,- euro's in a complete speedsurfset. This was my only shot, if it wouldn't work my speedsurfing career ended.

My first session on the Carbon Art was on Strand Horst with the Arrows Maxx Speed, the feeling was really good and gave hope. Eventhough nothing fitted like normal windsurfing gear (I did about 2 hours rigging)

May-2007___I did 3 session on Strand Horst in good wind, just a medium breeze. Good enough to get used to speeds around 70km/h.

26-June-2007__The Day my speedsurfing career went high speed. Lots of +70km/h Runs, topspeed was 77 km/h. The day itself I took small steps up the speedladder, much fun! Upwind I felt unbeatable sailing past all big hero's.

July-2007__I spoke Bert den Boer one of my best sponsors ever, his loyalty has impressed me a lot! After a good conversation Bert offered me his very own Gaastra sails+ masts. From this moment I used Gaastra Vapor 5.5 or 6.5. Still these sails are one of the very best I have ever sailed. Now I think it had a lot to do with the good battentension (Bert did that I suppose?). Bert den Boer asked me what shop I prefered to sail for, my choise was easy! I wanted to sail for Kater Funsports together with the local hero's Peter de Wit, Rene Mienis and Serge Beumer.

2-Decembre-2007__I ended 4th place USM, what a year!!! Incredible

Decembre-2007__After testing some S07 Speed proto's I wanted to join Select fins. Thanks to Peter de Wit I entered the team.

Januari-2008__After heavily frustrated about online forums I decided to try work my way up and report this on a blog. Somehow I was (still am actually) not accepted by a few forum members........

April-2008__ I got my new Gaastra Vapors 2008, however after much trail and error I couldn't get a good feeling about this 5.5 and 6.7.  Now I blame my own lack of expertise to tune up a sail decent, really a shame I had to leave Gaastra. There was at that moment no gaastra rider with enough speed experience to help me further. I still regret this change of sails.

June-2008__Gerrit Kater, Peter de Wit and Bert den Boer helped me a sponsorship with Neilpryde. I knew for sure the NP team would have enough know-how to help me further.

1-Oktobre-2008__USM 27th, My worst result in 2008, I felt I was stuck in a downward cycle.  I had to change something but what????? Thanks to Peter de Wit and Caspar Verhagen I found the upward cycle lateron. Peter and Caspar educated me very good, this helped a lot finding oppurtunities.

March-2009__My biggest board has been the CA Speed 50 for a really long time, but to get some better training I bought a secondhand Fanatic Falcon 91.

23-March-2009__ After 1 crazy session on Amstelmeer with Falcon 79 I decided to change my CA SP50 for a Fanatic Falcon 79.

May-2009__I  decided to go my own path again, eventhough  everyone was wild about the RS:Racing E2 I chose to buy the RS:Slalom MK3, the first session with 5.5 was hopefull again. 78kmh average.

June-2009__ I Bought the Fanatic Falcon speed, because I was always faster with this board on Strand Horst. And BOY this board is fast on strand horst!!!

July-2009__I decided to end the Select Sponsorship, I wanted freedom of trying more fins. But as a  teamrider I wasn't allowed.

August-2009__Joerg Sonntag made an appointment with me, he was making fins again. We met in 2008 and spoke a little about fins. Also Joerg met me in la Franqui 2009 holiday. After the first test on Amstelmeer I knew what fins I wanted!!! The best news Joerg asked me to be headtester for speedfins, my answer was YEEESSSS!!!

3-Septembre-2009__With the first Sonntag-Fins GPS_2 260 series I was able to almost break Gerlof Hansma his Strand Horst AVG. 2nd in 71-80kg class now!!!!! 75.13km/h AVG

5-Septembre-2009__With the brandnew Sonntag-Fins SL-S finetuned on my request I was able to finish 1th in the (later) unofficial FSM Amstelmeer. The event became unofficial because the conditions were to hard ;).

14-Septembre-2009__Crashed my RS:Slalom MK3 total loss, according to Jan Wolters the crash was quite hard... I was totally down, this happened after crashing 3 booms, 2 board had to be repaired now this sail. Total in 2009 I had to pay a lot of money to keep on speedsurfing. I was a bit dissapointed lack of gear kept me down. I felt when I open full throttle nobody could pass me, but my gear just didn't survive long.

Begin Oktobre-2009__I had a good discussion with Gerrit Kater about my current situation. From Neilpryde there was no room for improvement in my deal. However Gerrit understood my situation and decided to support me the last bit I needed.

16-Oktobre-2009__Finished 8th on USM my best result since 2007!!! I was carefull not wanting to break any gear. Another good news was short after this USM I found work to pay all my gear/costs in 2009..

22-Novembre-2009__Haringvliet made me aware of my bad tight-angle speed. Together with Joerg Sonntag I decided to join Gruissan BK event.

January 2010__ Rolf Aalders mailed me about a photosession, we met half january at his work in Utrecht. I really would like to do this photoshoot right now, but still ice on the water (19-02-2010)

Februari 2010__I met Mark from www.sportzeker.nl after a very good experience with his insurance in 2009. We agreed to do more and sportzeker becomes a partner of speedsurfingblog.com

Speedsurfing Statistics, big part of the thrill!!!!

I am not going to lie about this. Statistics are most important for speedsurfing, actually I cannot really tell the difference in speed between 2 sessions. Only thing I can tell is when I go faster, equal or slower speed than the actual wind: Conclusion for a good session I need good statistics. In 2009 I did not achieve my goals, but still when searching in the database I can find nice achievements. It seems each year my speed- progression gets smaller BUT more achievements. I checked most achievements, please let me know if the list is not accurate.

All stats are generated with www.gps-speedsurfing.com database, using the goldmember features.

One thing I concluded is my achievements are very local, I would like to explain this. The focus on local spots was my 2009 strategy, this to make myself more worth in the market. I almost believed it didn't pay off, but in the end it did :). I believe windsurfing in some flat dark corners isn't best value for money concerning sponsorship. For potential wind/ speedsurfers I tried to surf as visible as possible. One of my best (or my best achievement ever...) isn't listed, the unofficial FSM Amstelmeer 2009 I would have won :) This (unofficial) achievement still makes me very happy.

For 2010 I hope to get even faster, and get more achievements on my name.

About Erik Loots

Erik enjoying quality Time on Water

On speedsurfingblog.com:  Founder/ Headeditor
Expertise: Speedsurfing in the Netherlands, Tuning Windsurfequipment, Windsurf Development, Blogging

Contact Erik Loots
Telephone: +31 (0) 6 533 92 188
Email: Loots.e@gmail.com

Erik Loots & Social Media
Facebook
Twitter
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What does speedsurfingblog.com means to Erik?

In 2008 Erik started speedsurfingblog, first the blog was about the personal journey. Lateron speedsurfingblog also featured articles to promote speedsurfing/windsurfing. In mid-2010 the goal is to make speedsurfingblog much more accessible for a broad public (also non-windsurfers and windsurfers in other disciplines).  Now 2011 the goal contains even more, we would like to attract experts writing on speedsurfingblog.com and really promote "FUN speedsurfing" throught this website. 

Stats and Numbers

• lenght: 1.92m
• weight: 82kg 
• Sponsors: Kater, Starboard, Severne, Sonntag Fins, Sportzeker
• education: Bachelor of Build Environment
• birthdate: 27-10-1986
• sailingstyle: very dynamical sailingstyle, favorite is fullpower and leaning a bit back while having the greatest acceleration possible. Underpowered trying to keep gear as loose as possible
• Hometown: Broek op Langedijk, the Netherlands

Some Results

3th in current 2011 worldranking www.gps-speedsurfing.com

5th alltime overal individual http://www.gpsteamchallenge.com.au/

22th (out of 3000++) in 2010 worldranking www.gps-speedsurfing.com

Teamcaptain 2nd team in 2010 GPSteamchallenge (www.wad1team.nl)

Best Topspeed over 45+kn

Best Average 43+kn

Latest highlights:

-Starboard iSonic Speed Special W54, average GPS speed 77,31 km/h (41.74kn)

-Sonntag-Fins GPS_2 30cm, average GPS speed 77,31 km/h (41.74kn)

-Starboard iSonic 107 woodcarbon, best 10sec average run 66,91 km/h (36.12kn)

-Sonntag-Fins SL-P 35cm, best 10sec average run 66,91 km/h (36.12kn)

-Sonntag-Fins SL-S 40cm, topspeed 67 km/h (36.17kn)

-Starboard iSonic 86, average 1 hour speed 47,69 km/h (25.75kn)

-Sonntag SL-S 30cm, peak speed 77,67 km/h (41.94kn)

-Severne Reflex 5.6, average GPS speed 81,09 km/h (43,79kn)

-Starboard iSonic Speed Special W44, average GPS speed 81,09 km/h (43,79kn)

-Severne Reflex 7.0, best 10sec average run 75,38km/h (40,7kn)

Some History

At young age learned how to sail (with 420 sailboat), after a few seasons sailing Erik wanted more time on water.  The neighbors had some surfgear they wanted to get rid off and donated it, started windsurfing around 2002, with a custom 95 liter ex-waveboard from mid 1980 (masttrack way in front) and a pink sail.

End 2003 Erik bought a used North Sails Spectro 3d 8.0 and 7.0, with recommended mast. This was very competitive gear at his local windsurfspot (Geestmerambacht). After buying  the Starboard Hypersonic 105 wood the speed was good and Erik was speed-addicted for life.

The first experience with a real racesail (Neilpryde RS5) was in 2005 thanks to Marcel working at the vandenberg shop, this made Erik buy a Gaastra Nitro5 6.3 and Starboard Isonic 105 DRAM. This was much faster than my normal freerace gear!! After  working a lot beside his study, Erik bought a few Arrows Maxx Speed sails (2006)+ 2 Carbon Art Speedboards. To finance the speedgear all big gear was sold, since 2007 Erik has only bought sails smaller than 6.7 (to be competitive in speedcompetition).  For a few long periods with a 6.2 or 5.8 only as biggest sail (sometimes frustrating).

My Windsurfing Gear

Last update: 01-01-2010

Windsurfboards:
-F2 Missile XS
-Carbon Art Speed 44===>good for 50kn!
-Fanatic Falcon Speed ===> good for 50kn!
-Fanatic Falcon 79
-Fanatic Falcon 91

Sails:
-Neilpryde RS:Racing Evo2 4.7
-Neilpryde RS:Slalom MKIII 5.5
-Neilpryde RS:Slalom MKIII 6.2
-Neilpryde RS:Slalom MKIII 7.0

Masts:
-X9 Wave 370
-X9 Wave 400
-X9 430

Booms:
-X9 160-220
-X9 180-230


Fins:
-Caspar Speed 23 - 29
-Select Caspar Speed 25 - 31 (PRO&ELITE-series)
-Sonntag fins SL-S 28 - 46
-Sonntag fins GPS_1 28 - 32
-Sonntag fins GPS_2 22 - 30
-Sonntag fins GPS_3 24 - 34


Other gear:
-Neilpryde X6 MXT extender 48cm
-2x Neilpryde M-base
-Neilpryde 5000 series wetsuit
-Neilpryde 2000 series shortarm
-Neilpryde 5000 series boots 6mm
-Neilpryde seat harnass crossover

Events for 2010

My focus will be on testing, development and completing my new goals for 2010 (will be published 01-01-2010).

But some events will be a good thing to see where you are at that moment:

• Belgium Speedweek 2010, I want to compete on tight angles. Just a hard confrontation for myself, otherwise I will never be fast in these conditions.
• USM 2010 series, try to compete all of them, hope to score even a higher position than 9th overall
  
• Karphatos, maybe I am this year lucky enough to enter the event...
  
• NK Speed 2010, I don't want to miss this one. Probaly another lightwind event ;)

I considered competing a lot of ISWC events like Jacques vd Hout, Hans Kreisel, Anders Bringdal and more. Only paying all entry money and being there would give me a good result, but somehow I don't want to pay a lot of money for a high ranking ;). I don't think in my case that I am able to cover all costs, the biggest problem would be breaking gear. My gear is quite expensive you know.

Risks is related to succes, also for speedsurfing this rule applies. However taking high risk both financial investment and on speedcourse doesn't always guaranty a good result. This is a lesson learned in 2009, I have to advance step by step.

My 2009 Goals

I didn't even remember my goals soo I had to look in the speedsurfingblog archive these are the Goals:

1. New 1 hour record at least 26kn or 47kmh
2. New distance record 
3. New Nautical Mile Record at least 36kn or 65kmh
4. New AVG record at least 44kn
5. Compete more speedevents

And now seeing those results there is only one conclusion. I achieved only 1 out of 5 goals this year, quite a poor result. This has a lot to do with some changes I didn't see comming, I choose to be more selfdependent. Also I something I didn't see comming, more and more I can test new gear from producers. And the best achievement would be the Sonntag Fins, thanks Joerg and Alexandra for the good cooperation and chances you have given me.

I only achieved the Nautical mile record... I will add the other goals to the 2010 list which will be published 01-01-2010

[review] Sonntag fins SL-S

The Sonntag Fins SL-S is made for slalom and works over a large range (even very good for SPEED). This is the first (and so far the only) fin into production, you can buy this fin (click on sonntag logo on speedsurfingblog homepage)!!

I tested the SL-S in sizes range from 28-46cm, with rakes from 11 till 14 degrees. The best fact of the fin is the very wide windrange + low drag. I like to sail the SL-S in extreme conditions, chop/waves going everywere. But I also like to sail it in minimal conditions (because of the low drag)

The SL-S has a very flexy tip, this makes a sort of hydrofoil-lowdrag feeling. The fin has a shorter cord than other famous fins (like Select SL7), still the SL-S is not sensitive for spinout.

The SL-S in my weapon of choise in the speedrange 50-70kmh, speaking for those speeds it is possible to double windspeed without problems for me (even with messy water you get close). When you're getting overpowered the fin is giving enough control so it will not get you into problems. I tried some crazy things with the SL-S... So far the best speed I did was 72kmh, I feel there is much more to get. I have actually added on my to-do list:
-Taking the SL-S on a flat spot and do 40kn+
-Trying the SL-S in real lowwind conditions <10kn

Also the SL-S will be my weapon of choise when I finally do an attack on the hour-record... Gybing is so easy, the SL-S is really great in handling lowspeed and lowwind. It is still a very new fin/concept, sooo many thing to test, there will be a second review with all information!

My lightwind board for 2010

Again I chose to buy the fanatic falcon 91. The shape of this falcon 91 is a bit different than my last one, it would be intresting how performance compares. Basicly the monoconcave is overall less deep, also I chose a bit less tailkick. The older fanatic falcon 91 was extremely fast, I hope the new one is near the old one. Otherwise I have to use some sandpaper.

These are the reasons why:

• This board is brandnew, it was still wrapped in plastic. At the Kater shop there are still 3 other brandnew falcon 91 boards
• The falcon 91 board is strong build. Dutch hero's like Gerlof Hansma/ Pieter Hamstra did thousands of km's on this board without big problems. I broke a little part of my board maybe because sailing to much on the edge, to powerfull. Also my falcon 91 I bought was secondhands...
• The price was low €599,- in the shop, when you see what people ask for the boards secondhands I loose at most 200,- euro's in one year. All other boards would have been much more expensive. When this Falcon 91 is a genius shape (I hope sooo... :) I won't loose any money on this investment
• I have already 3 very gooood fins for conditions from 12-30kn for this board

Only thing I regret is not to be able to finetune a totally new board. But the advantage of the falcon 91 is that I can totally 100% focus on findevelopment, which is for me at this moment more important.

19 & 22 Novembre 2009

These sessions I have learned my weakest spot: Tight Sailingangles. This weak spot is really not nice, together with Joerg Sonntag we try to find out what my problem really is with these sailingangles. It seems the boardangle isn't balanced. Now we have several thoughts:

• The RS:Slalom delivers other vertical lift than RS:Racing therefor much slower on tight angles
• I don't have enough experience to deal these conditions, my surfstyle is not working. I tried some different things during testing. In the end it was fastest the "Martin van Meurs-method"
• The fanatic falcon speed... YES I KNOW lots of other speeders stated this board to be not competitive on tight angles. I still have my Carbon Art Speed 44 hanging on the wall, sooo I have to fix a few thing and make it ready for testing against the falcon speed.........
  
• The fins, this will be one of the first this Joerg and I decided to test. If we can make it work by changing the fins/ lay-up than tight-angles will work like broad angles..

Together with Joerg I decided to enter the BK speed (belgium championships), at this point I still don't feel 100% confident about the conditions...

the "Martin can Meurs-method"