How much and what equipment is needed?
When traveling with gear you need to be as efficient as possible, but when you are traveling it is better to ensure that you have what you need, after all why are you going?
Competition sailing is different and while we try to have long heats you are looking to get maximum performance in a compressed time. Hence you will tend to ride slightly bigger equipment (especially in earlier rounds) than you would normally. A floaty wave board is a must when traveling and competing. This year we have seen an explosion of three batten sails on the AWT with Quatro and Goya leading the constructors rankings. Each stop is a little different and some advance planning can help you reduce your baggage charges.
Based on a 75kg rider these are some suggestions:
Santa Cruz – 83 – 85ltr board and sails 4.3 – 5.3, slightly bigger fins than normal, thrusters work well.
Pistol River – As with Santa Cruz but also make sure you have a 4.0 or 3.7 in your bag!
Mexico – The wind is very offshore on the wave so smaller sails are the norm even in light winds somewhere between 4.5-4.7 will be ideal.
Peru – Typically light, so make sure you bring your big board and 5.3.
Hatteras – Same as Santa Cruz.
Maui – 4.7 heaven 80 – 84 fast wave board.
Some example quivers used by AWT regulars:
Morgan Noireaux
Division: Pro
Weight 74kg
Height: 6’ 1”
Boards: JP Australia 83 Thruster Quad, JP Australia 83 Radical Quad
Sails: Hot Sails Maui KS3 5.2, 4.9, 4.6, 4.3
Ruben Lemmens
Division: Amateur
Weight 89 kg
Height 6’ 0”
Boards: Quatro custom boards 103 and 93 Thrusters
Sails: Ezzy Sails Taka 5.4, 4.9, 4.5
Sam Bittner
Division: Women
Weight: 65kg
Height: 5’ 8”
Boards: Naish RN Wave 78
Sails: Naish Boxer 3.6, 4.0, 4.4
Kate Barker
Division: Women & Amateur
Weight: 55kg
Height: 5’ 5”
Boards: Quatro 69 Quad
Sails: Goya Banzai 3.4, 3.7, 4.2
You can typically get away with one board and three sails, often there is demo equipment on offer too and being as it is a big family nobody is going to let you sit on the beach if you have brought the wrong sail! If you have any questions just ask.
