Starboard & Severne Team Rider Matt Eddershaw has a somewhat envious lifestyle where he lives in the UK through the summer and retreats to Thailand for the winter months.

There are 2 Annual National Windsurfing Competitions here in Mui Ne Vietnam in the strong winter winds. The first being the Surf4You JP Slalom Cup, followed by The Funcup sponsored by Starboard held further down the bay in late February.

Both these national competitions attract many competitors form around the world, Korean Japanese Russian and European countries all taking part.

The resort of mui ne vietnam is now beginning to be a winter retreat for many sailors of all disciplines in windsurfing. Many top PWA riders make the trip over here to train during the winter season. It’s easy to understand why after you’ve sailed here, constant strong winds from November till March with warm waters make it a paradise. The location is also used for the testing of prototype boards from starboard, usually making two trips over here.

So onto the competition:

There are three categories pro’s amateur and a kids run race.  After spending a little time back in the UK competing within The British Slalom Association Amateur Fleet  managing to secure podium positions gaining valuable experience.  I thought I’d enter the pro fleet, as I train and know these waters really well myself spending many weeks out here.  There were 5 rounds completed in total, the wind increasing all the time. I sailed the whole competition on my Starboard Isonic 87 & Severne Overdrive 7m with 32cm R2R drake slalom fin. This setup is pretty much what I use all the time out here. The conditions were strong, winds constantly around 30nkts and choppy. I like to sail here with a slightly bigger fin as I like a lot of back foot pressure plus in the choppy waters this gives me more grip and control.  The Pro Fleet consisted of 16 competitors and competed all afternoon for around 5hrs or more, where I secured a  2nd ,2nd, 3rd ,2nd, and 1st for the last round of the 5 rounds. Pretty consistent results securing me 1st place overall. Very pleased with the result and great start to the 2016 race season and looking forward to the next event over here the Funcup held later on in February, hope I can make it.