In September the Reunion Wave Classic took place on the island of La Reunion. A combination of a contest and a trip among pro windsurfers, with riding sick waves as the most important ingredient. Team umi was there, represented by Thomas ‘Old Man’ Traversa and Alex ‘King of Sea Urchins’ Mussolini. Exclusively for umi Sophia Regerbis talked with our guys to find out about the contest, the conditions, if the sea urchins really hurt as bad as they say and why Thomas didn’t win the prize for best wipe out.
Thomas, you went here about five years ago, did the place change since then?
Thomas: ‘No, it didn’t really change, it´s still a beautiful island, with nice waves and a lot of wind!’
And for you Alex, was it your first time to the island?
Alex: ‘For me it was the first time, it had always been a dream of mine to come here because of the powerful waves and the beautiful beaches. I was maybe expecting something else but when you dream, things are always different in reality. I have to say the waves were like a dream though!’
A dream come true, what was it like?
Alex: The first day we sailed at a beautiful spot called Etang-Salé, a dream wave for real, not big, just perfect. The days when we had bigger swell and stronger winds we were at the spot called Ravine Blanche which was totally hardcore. Side off, really strong and big waves of logo to mast high, probably bigger on the last day: super powerful and glassy.’
Thomas: ‘We had all kinds of conditions, from light wind with small waves to over mast high waves and 30 knots! I think we were lucky to get it like this, all the time side-off as well. Combined with the warm water, is was just perfect!’
Alex: ‘Don’t forget to mention the bad wipe outs, overpowered conditions and urchins everywhere though! It’s good to sail in these conditions but I was having a hard time to get the timing right. It’s probably the hardest place I have ever launched in: sharp rocks and urchins, not really a spot for beginners.’
What equipment did you take for this contest?
Alex: ‘I took my new quad of 68 litres, very small but perfect for the powerful waves of La Reunion. I brought three masts, three sails from 4,0 to 4,8 and one boom. I like to travel light!’
Thomas: ‘I used my small quad board, 218 by 52 cm by 60 litres, and my big quad of 220 by 53 cm by 64 litres. They are both shaped by Fabien Vollenweider, and they worked really well here.’
Did the conditions suit you?
Thomas: ‘I like all kinds of conditions, maybe the wind was a bit too strong on the big days but generally it was good. I think everybody had a lot of fun, we rode without pressure and scored some good conditions. One thing I have to say is that we had a hard time with the sea urchins, there were so many of them! Usually the rocks get cleaned with the hurricanes, but they didn’t have any since a while, so everybody got some nice needles in their feet.’
Alex: ‘Man, those urchins… loco! I had a couple of them in my right foot, two in one hand and my harness is the one that suffered the most, I will take home a good collection of them. I don’t think there was one person that sailed who didn’t get in contact with them haha.’
Any big wipe outs?
Thomas: ‘I rode carefully so I didn’t get too bad wipe outs this time! Maybe I’m getting old!’
Alex: ‘I won the competition for worst wipe out! Check out what they wrote about it on the event website: “Without any doubt, and with a maximum of votes (more than 150 people left a comment on our website!), it’s Alex Mussolini’s wipe out that wins in this category. A very awesome crash, full speed in the wave, caught by the lip that was breaking… Ouch!” Well with Thomas riding like a grandpa, someone had to do it, right?!’
© words and photos by Sophia Regerbis – umi 2009
Share
