In Windsurfing, there are no limits for the proper ability. Some of the actual surf professionals did their first turn on a small lake, to ride giant Hawaiian waves years later, where every little mistake can have consequences. But this is also part of the fascination of this sport- with every good wave ride, new learned maneuvres or jumps, new possibilities and perspectives open up, as well as new spots which require a certain experience for navigating safely.

Only the Best can last
Some special waves will always be reserved by a tiny elite. Seadi, Naish, Dunkerbeck, Polakow, Seeger: Only the top riders of each generation can stand their ground in the most powerful breakers of this planet, like "Jaws" on Maui for example. They need to know everything about wind conditions and wave periods, memorize the behaviour in case of emergency, be physically fit and be able to control board and sail. On the really radical surfspots it occurs that a surfer is pushed under water for one minute or longer by giant breaking waves. In that situation you have to stay calm and avoid panic - even when your lungs are burning like fire.

Currents, Reefs, Rocks and giant Waves
Different factors can make a surfspot become the ultimate challenge: Strong currents, difficult ways to get in the water, high and powerful waves and reefs which are hidden under the water surface. Inconstant wind conditions can, in combination with the danger of the breaker, also push the riders to their limits.

Europes most radical Breaks
Every professional surfer who travels a lot has probably found an unknown spot which pushed him to his limits. But there are some spots which give the goosebumps to every surfer. And not all of those are far away. At the wide beaches of Brittany, which is actually a popular place for leisure surfers, massive waves higher than twice the size of the mast (approx. 8-10 metres) can appear in late autumn, when the Atlantic ocean is most powerful. The amount of water can become a life-threatening trap.

Regarding this, the North of Fuerteventura also offers a lot: high, hollow breaking waves, crashing on reefs, make El Cotillo to a place that sifts the surf-chaff from the wheat. The local Stéphane Etienne, is delighted to ripp there, when the swell is right. Whoever gets annoyed at El Cotillo and paddles in its water like others in a non-swimmer's pool, should turn its back on Europe and head towards more exotic climes.

The World is not enough
Just a few hours away from the Canaries' airports is the next adventure playground for the toughest surfboys of the world. Punta Preta on the Cape Verde Islands is attractive because of the incredibly powerful waves, which break on rocks. Not without reason, the wave guru Josh Angulo has made this place his home. The PWA Wave World Cup in 2007 has become known as the best and most radical contest of all times.

Nice for warming up? If so, the Hawaiian Hookipa Beach Park or the coast of Mauritius, where huge waves break over shallow reefs will only make you yawn. There are two spots in the world which only very few surfers have ever dared to enter. The Hawaiian "Jaws", which is situated on the open sea, and where the winterswell creates the highest surfable waves in the world. Those monsters can pile up to 15 to 20 metres. Whoever prefers fast, unnormally fat, steep waves, which hit a sharp reef, should go to the mystical Teahuoo on the coast of Tahiti. The wind there is often light, but if the conditions are right, superstars like Jason Polakow can use the devastating power of the wave for breathtaking Aerials.

If you have been through this danger you can be counted a windsurfer who has seen (and survived) everything. Then it is true: The world is not enough.

Links

Video of a windsurfer in Jaws