Our man on the ground this year at PWA Gran Canaria, Simon Crowther, will not only be bringing us excellent shots of all the Brits but getting an inside look at how they prepare and cope during competition.

First up, before the contest kicks in Crowther finds out about the rigging areas and set-ups of the various riders, it’s an important business in Pozo!

“It’s kinda interesting this year on the beach, there seems to almost a third, second and first class when it comes to the rigging areas!

“Skye and Proffitt are on the beach, huddled down in makeshift boulder bunkers.

“Lewis has a locker in the windsurf centre’s rigging store for €20 a week, and Swift has gone 3rds on a large storage room at the centre with Campello and Marcillio.”

Lewis:

“I’ve managed to get a locker in the windsurf centres storage room, it only cost €20 for the week, but they sell out fast. I keep my boards and booms in the locker along with my 4.7 and a few other sails I don’t think I’ll need to rig.

I then rig my small sails on just the masts and keep them lent up against the wall along with a few other sailors sails, we try and keep out of each others way, but it can get busy and a bit hectic when the wind kicks in.

“I’ve also got my trusty white Crocs, you wouldn’t believe how nice it is to walk from the centre to the waters edge with your crocs.. so much better than struggling with your gear barefoot.”

Proffitt:

“It’s tricky for me this year, I’m commentating on the live stream as well as competing, so I need to get my stuff together on the beach really early.

“Everything I think I need has to be rigged and ready to go. When the comp is on I’m commentating right up to the heat before, this gives me around fifteen minutes to get down to my little makeshift bunker to get my gear together, get in my wetsuit and get on the water… timing is pretty tight and it feels stressful!

“So, if everything isn’t ready, it does my head in and that’s not what you need before a heat, trust me!”