THE 2008/09 Clinic Tour

DATE           WHERE               WHAT  
29 Sept - 3 Oct Donegal Waves and gen skills
19-26 October Dahab Egypt Gen skills
6-10 October Tiree/Scotland Waves
17 Nov-1 Dec Mauritius waves and gen skills
1-15 Dec Mauritius waves and gen skills
8-18 January 09
'Jeri' Brazil waves
18-22 May 09 Kerry/Ireland waves

To book and find out heaps of details about the venues, the courses and what goes on on a PH clinic, go to the clinics page 

PETER HART
Professional Windsurfer, journalist, coach and filmaker

harty

According to a world wide pole, Peter Hart is the third most influentiall windsurfer of all time having been active and inspirational in every conceivable corner of the sport.
This former British speed and slalom champion now devotes his time to passing on his considerable knowledge via various media. He's written 4 books, made (to date) 19 instructional videos and DVDs and runs international coaching clinics at the world's finest windsurfing hotspots.
He also works with his principal sponsors Starboard, Tushingham Sails and FatFace testing and developing the tools that make the upper levels of this amazing sport ever more attainable.

THE ULTIMATE ENCYCLOPAEDIA

Peter's new bookwindsurfing book (WINDSURFING) is written, edited, bound and on the shelves. With 176 pages, 13 chapters and 250 images it covers the lot from the rawest beginnings right up to freestyle and waves.
 Learn more and order
To get a signed copy, send a cheque for £15 to Peter Hart, Rose Cottages, Woodmancote, Emsworth, PO108RD

THE BLOG 2008

25th Sept

GLORIOUS LESBOS
Just come back from checking out Neilsons beach Club Centre in Lesbos or LesVos as it's otherwise known.I've never heard tell of it before in windsurfing terms but it's got a great wind record in high summer and has a beautiful sailing area.Lesbos
It was late in the season and we didn't luck out wit the breeze. However, it's one of those places where 'it's always a good day for something.' Over 6 days we swam, played tennis, mountain biked, played water-polo, table tennis, canied, paddle-boarded and were even seen sailing a dinghy(although we don't like to talk about it.
Great place for kids - check it out.

12th August

HURRICANE LOOPING!
Finally the wind came good for my looping clinic at West Wittering - and how! It peaked at 55 knots at lunchtime but did moderate to a gentle 30 knots by mid afternoon ( a mere force 7-8).
The team were amazing - by the 7 pm every craled to tghe ebqach shattered but uninbjured having ALL thrown temsleves over the handlebars in conbditions which can only be described as brutal.
wwloopJo, Mikey, Mike, John and Simon - you're all bloody heros!

3rd July 2008
IN PRAISE of SUNSAIL
With planing wind on every day but one, the clinic at Sunsai's recently refurbished centre Javelin in Turkey, exceeded expectations.
I say 'exceeded' only because 'beach clubs' often try to e all thing to all people and so spread themselves a bit thin. But here the Starboard/Tush kit is brand new and true windsurfing enthusiasm pervades the place.
Windurfers with kids need look no further - twe took the sprog-ettes an the childcare was amazing.
I was also quite looking forwrd to a windless day so I could play some tenno, do some mountain biking, maybe even have a play on one of those dinghy things.
The one downside was the offshore wind - not because of the safety issue (there as a bout one safety board per person, but becasue it was a bit gusty inshore, which made kit sellection and getting back a tad tricky.
Those on the clinic, most of who m had brought kids, agreed it offered the perfect balnce between selfish fulfulment and quality family time.

8th May 08
TROPICAL KERRY
For the spring wave course, not only did te wind blow on 4 out of 5 days but ... and here is the wild thing ... the sun shone with unbridled vigour. Brandon Bay is one of my favourite places on earth even in the lashing rain; but when the translucent waves are bathed in sunlight, the place is beyond dreams.
The truly international crew including Filiipo (Italy), Gerry (USA), Steve (Yorkshire,), and Ed and Adam (ireland) were the very best company both on and of the water.

12th May 08
CLASSIC DAHAB

If I'd put in my ideal wind order to the gods before we left, it couldn't have been any better than this. Moderate to start building every day, apart from a day off in the middle just as people were reaching breaking point.
It was another great team - and happily not just blokes. Thank you Louise and Steph for adding much grace and poise.
Despite a growing number of centres, it wasn't over-busy. 'Baby Bay' has to be the best carving and trick arena in the world.
A return trip is planned for October

22nd April
CAP VERDE JOY
Just back from the first clinic of the year in Sal. We were unlucky wuth the waves but still planed on 5 out of 7 days .
A few stayed on for a second week and got the real deal. Beautiful non-threatening riding and jumping waves, breaking round a point off the Angulo centre.
The team of 13 were an awesome band who sailed and drank themselves into a stupour most days.
Josh Angulo was a great host.
We'll be back!

18th March
HIGH SPEED filming
Not much of a blog is it when you get 2 months betweeen entries - sorry about that. Truth is I've been hard at it in the Alps making the next installemnt of our 'Skiing Skills' series - how to skii with style and flare. This time the topics were bumps and carving. We had a hellava team on board including Lesley Makenna - 4th in the world in half pipe.

high speed
Sean Langmuir at 1000 frames a second!

For the last five days we blagged the use of an extraordinary camera called 'THE PHANTOM'. There are only 4 in existance and it takes 1000 frames a second! (A normal film camera takes 25). The detail is just stunning. It normally hires out for £3000 a day - but we have connections (or was it blackmail?) and I hope to get to use it again for my next windsurfing production.
The big problem, of course, is that you see EVERY line and wrinkle. The program will be sponsored by botox.

LOOKING BACK at 2007...
2007 came and went incredibly quickly - which is strange since, thanks to 2 toddlers, I was up for most of it!
The highlights? On the windsurfing front - pretty much all of it. We had that great windy patch over Dec, Jan and Feb - and then again in July. Never have I sailed so much off my local beaches.
However, for many apparently it wasn't such a windy year. From my smug perspective I hadn't taken it that it was actually only windy during the week - not weekends - sorry.
The Tiree clinic in October was especially memorable as our group was joined in the Hynish Centre by Kauli Seadi and Josh Angulo who also asked to come sailing wth us. We grudgingly said 'yes'.
TireeThe clinic plus Kauli
From that happy meeting, I'm now running a clinic with Josh out of his centre in the Cap Verdes this April (check the clinic page).

The crowning glory of 07 was a month in Mauritius. The 2 clinics were just awesome. The second one had 100% wind to the extent where we had to pinch ourselves to stop becoming complacent. When it's working, which seems to be most of the time, that place defies description.
MuaritThe Mauritius posse
.
9th January 08
BACK HOME ...
I have to admit that it's taken a while for me to dip my toes back into UK waters. The December freeze has reduced the water here to a bracing 5º. My winter sailing rule is that the combined air and water temp has to be 18º or more. It's currently WELL short of that - still I gave it a go on Monday - it was OK until I fell in. The headache has only just gone.
I'm home for the next 2 months so I will be right into the winter sailing thing - just as soon as I get Mauritius out of my system.
Expect some startling images. Top Photographer Jon Nicolson (a conformed windy in between shooting Grand Prix and other major features) now has a 1200 Olympus lens. The shot below was taken about half a mile away of the outer Wittering banks!
WWOuter West Wittering - photo by Jon Nicolson
___________________________________

ARCHIVE - BLOG 2007

13th November
DOCS DELIGHT
Of all the professions that windsurf, it's doctors and dentists that seem to embrace the sport more than any others.
They also have a canny knack of integrating work and play. In November I traditionally look after 2 windsurfing doctors conferences in TARIFA. They do their lectures in the morning and evenings and then sail their boots off during the bit in between.
The first group were mostly opthamologists (eye docs) and the second radiologists. All are terrific company (what is it about doctors and fine wines). They were both rewarded with fabilous conditions - 13 out of 14 days of sun and 'levante' wind. Combine epic winds with the understated luxury of the HURRICANE HOTEL and you have the perfect holiday - er I mean 'work trip.!'

13th October
THE ISLANDS TOUR
3 weeks and 1700 miles later I return from a quite amazing clinic tour of the British Isles. Out of 24 days there were only 3 when we didn't sail. Here's the pick of the highlights.

Stop 1 Kerry. Highlight - down-the-line perfection at Gowlane. Not life threatening, just perfect. Everyone imprived. Was it them or the conditions? Who cares!

dumps'Dumps' sunny sideshore

Stop 2 Galway and the WOWIs (Windsurfing Women of West of Ireland)
Highlight? sailing with 15 gorgeous girls for a weekend wasn't so bad and, of course,
Sue Honan's fore-arming email: " It's one of the girl's birthdays on Saturday night, so brace yourself"
Thanks Morine et al for a special weekend.

Stop 3 Donegal
The conditions were as usual superb in this very special corner of the globe, as was the company and the amazing social calendar put togeher by Brendan Hone - thanks Brendan. The highlight - probably the music night with Percy, Richard and George in Muckin Muffins on Wednesday.DonegalDonegal - beauty on a huge scale

Stop 4 TIREE
It was a first - and what a first! We really lucked out

with conditions sailing every day, which is more than the PWA did.
Highlights - so many. Staying at the Hynish Centre to be joined at our dinner table by Kauli Seadi and Josh Stone. Even better the next day when Kauli said, 'can you wake me up tomorrow so I can come sailing with you?' The boys' gobs were well and truly smacked. Windsurfing trip[s didn't get any better!

TireeThe clinic Plus Kauli

12th Sept
CUTTING THE RIBBON
I was given the considerable honour yesterday of being asked to cut the ribbon and officially open Spray Watersports new centre in Eastbourne.
It is a fabulous cedar-clad building right on the shoreline and saw 3000 people pass through its doors in its first 3 months of business.
It's beena huge journey for its manager/director Peter who first sought permission for such a building 20 years ago, Finally thanks to the East Sussex CC and a bit of lottery funding, the dream has become a reality.

2nd September
ESSEX? It could have been Maui!
I did a clinic this weekend down in the wilds of Essex at a spot called Goldhanger. No I hadn't heard of it either. Ok it's tidal and a bit muddy but it' has a secluded private sailing club with grassy lawns and a beautiful open sailing area in the estuary.
What's more we had sun and 11-20 knots of sideshore wind. Perfect! Thanks to Mick West for organising that - it was a great day.

21st August 2007
INTERNET SILENCE
Due to holidays, buying a new house and signing up to a terrible internet provider (TALK TALK - if they offer you the packagae just say NO!) I've been offline for a while. However it's all go now.
The 'learn to loop' DVD is basically edited!! . What a relief!

I've got 3 weeks at home now before heading to Kerry to start the autum clinic fest. Check out the clinics page as there are a few spaces left.

-2nd July
Summer Winds

Well it's my birthday. Nothing to boast about. The age is a mystery. I feel somewhere between 20 and 60 depending on the time of day. I married a younger woman so I'll be all right!
railrideAnyway, I celebrated it with a day on the water. Whitey came down to take some pics for my next article, which is all about rail riding. That's normally something you do in a light summer breeze. We had 25 knots which gave the move a whole new meaning (planing railride?)
In the afternoon we had a classic session down at Joliffe Rd near the Witterings. It was just like the good old days. Julian Anderson, Julian da Val, Timo, Jamie Hancock all turned up. We had a wild session all trying to out-crash each other. By happy coincidence the Acrobat Film crew were down getting some final shots for the Learn to Loop Epic. All in all a great day and I have the bruised buttocks to prove it!

12th June
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
(S)!
I don't normally believe in fate but I found out recently that my wife Annette and the sport of windsurfing, are almost exactly the same age.
On 21st May 1967 Jim Drake launched his first prototype "Skate' (the 'Windsurfer' was though of a year later) down in St Barabara California. Then just three weeks later 'Netty' popped out some 3000 miles away on the east coast. Spooky eh?
Well both are 40 and both are in very good shape!

25th May
KERRY JOY
Just back from a glorious week in Kerry. Well it was all glorious apart from the trip over and back on the infamous'Vomit Comet' fast ferry from Fisguard. We timed the crossings perfectly with raging gales and ... well, I'll spare you the details.
We had swell every day, often huge, and enough wind to get out there on every day but one.Kerry May is a fab month in Ireland. It's still very quiet - often we had the whole 14 miles of Brandon Bay to ourselves - but it doesn't get dark until past 10pm.
Jamie Knox, ably assisted by Sam and Jeremy were amazing hosts to the group.
If you're looking for an off season break, check out Jamie's place. Honestly, it just gets better and better

10th May
THE WARMING PLANET
Had a very strange experience ten days ago. We had a run of easterlies. The temp shot up to 24º and I found myself going out on a 6.0 in a shorty in APRIL! I don't know what's going on with the weather but it all seems totally positive.
Normal south westerly service was restored this week. I've sailed the Witterings on 3 out of 4 days on the 80 Evo. We even had some rain which was caused a cheer. It's been so dry I haven't cut the grass yet this year.

22nd Apri
DAHAB CLINIC - THE FINAL FLOURISH
Classic Dahab Red Sea conditions kicked in for the last 2 days of the clinic. With late flights we milked it to the bitter end crawling off the water at 4pm after a dreamy 5.5 session on the 'Speedy'.
It was a great week and thanks to Graham Louise Richard Adrian Simon Joze Andea Liesbeth Nick David John and Jjeerd for their unending enthusiasm on the water and in the bar! Dahab
The 07 team - shaken but unstirred

17th April
WELCOME from DAHAB
I've been in Dahab for 3 days. After 2 stangely joyous light wind days where we heli-tacked, flare gybed and freestyled for Britain, the wind kicked in at 25-30 knots today. Its arrival coincided with that of the 30 new boards at the Mistral centre. There are many reasons to be cheerful.Dahab Club Mistral happy hour

We have a truly international clinic here. The group includes 2 Dutch, a Kiwi, a Scot, a Swiss, 2 Essex girls and 2 Lebanese. We can thank the Kiwii (Simon Hodgson) for the wind, as he instigated a l Tequilla shots session which carried on into the early hours of this morning. Sacrifices had to to be made!

5th April 07
(Trade gossip)
A VERY STRANGE MARRIAGE!
I nearly choked on my Turkey Twizzler when I got a press release stating that Dave White and Graeme Fuller were joining forces to import Tabou and Gaastra!Whitey

 

 

Harty and Whitey

This is like Bin laden and George Bush being found in bed together. You see there was an era when Graeme imported Mistral and Dave imported F2 - and lets say the rivalry did, at times, get a little heated. At one Boatshow I had them both by the throat to hold them apart as they snarled and clawed at each other like a couple of Pit Bulls.
The strange thing this is that underneath the growling and spitting, I always suspected that despite an 80kg weight difference, they came out of a similar mould and actually quite like each other. What is certain is that they share an undying passion for windsurfing. Good luck to them!


27th March 07
HAYLING ISLAND SLALOM
I checked out the first round of the Tushinghamsponsored UK slalom series down at Hayling Island last weekend. The only thing that put me off was the northerly wind. Now I love slalom but somehow it stops being fun when you can't feel your fingers. But it was a good event - especially the Masterblasters (straight out and back in) which gives everyone a chance to get involved. The next round is down at Marazion Cornwall at Easter. Give it a go!

22nd March 07
DVDS and CLINICS
I'm really busy at the moment - I'm not trying to sound high flying and successful. I'm busy because it takes me twice as long to do things these days, thanks mainly to the joyful interruptions of 2 toddlers. Hart at work
I'm desperately trying to get our Learn to Loop DVD out for the spring. (All ten thousand of you who've been emailing me asking where it is, I promise it's not far off.) And I've a flurry of clinics coming up from. I've got looping and gybing at the Witterings followed by a general skills week in Egypt. If you finish a last minute dash, check out the clinics page.

10th March
SKI HEAVEN
Even windies need a break and I write this from the frozen wastes of Norway where for the past week the temperature has not crept above -10º! However it has snowed every day and the conditions are superb.ski Sean and Pete

It's actually NOT a holiday but the shoot for a 'Learn to Ski' DVD due for release in the autumn. I'm here with the very cream of British skiing. Our demonstrators are Sean Langmuir, former Olympian and head of BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) and Deidre Angella, former British team skier and eminent sport's psychologist.

And what am I doing? A bit of everything. I'm directing, presenting, doing some specialist 'on the hoof'' camera work, the odd demo - but one of my most important roles seem to be to lug 80 lbs of camera, tripod and sound gear across the mountain! Acrobat TV, who've helped me make all my DVDs, are the production company so the quality is assured.

It's a while since I taught skiing but it's great to keep in touch with what's going on. BASI have some excellent ideas and teaching strategies. There are so many obvious cross-overs between windsurfing that it's really useful to get some new takes on the general subjects of plateaus, fears, goal setting, bio-mechanics etc.

The program (yet to be given an official title - any ideas?) is sponsored by Fatface, Neilson and Salomon and is due for release in October - much more news will follow in the summer.

22nd Feb 07
FATFACE - NIGHT SERIES
fatfaceThe Fatface rally at Hayling Island last September was the best event EVER. The sight of our top pros 'competing in 30 knots of wind at NIGHT and still managing to loop and Spock their way round the SuperX course IN THE DARK, will never be forgotten. Fatface have produced an awesome DVD on the whole night series. Check out the promo by clicking on http://www.fatface.com/page/nspromo

12th Feb 07
Wild wonderful weather
Be it el Nino, Global warming or just a blip, there is no doubt this has been the strangest winter in my own living memory (which sadly is quite long). Betweeen Dec 15 and Jan 20 I windsurfed on 20 days.
On 25th Jan we built a cracking snowman.snow
And then this last weekend 10-11 Feb I was once again on a 4.2 in a 35 knot south westery at Bracklesham Bay in with a tropical 10º air temp.West Wittering waves
May the winter of content continue!

 
TIREE WAVES 6-10 Oct - late spaces
26th Oct 08
tiree
A late cancellation has left us with 2 spaces on the 'Intro to Waves' clinic on the glorious Hebridean Island of Tiree. The course is open to all those with open sea experience who can sail a sub 100 litre board in the straps and can swim!! The wonderful proximity of the island's nine beaches means that we can always find conditions to suit the wind and swell direction and the will of the group. There's even a waist deep loch if it all gets a bit wild. Full board accom is available in the Hynish Centre for just £30 a day.
For more details click here
 
 
The HART WHITE collaboration
8th August 08
White
It's no secret that Harty and Dave 'Whitey' White have an almost fraternal relationship. For 10 years they shared bedrooms(and sometimes even a bed) on the speed tour. Since then they've produced a number of DVDs together, the latest of which FASTER has been declared a classic. We they're currently joinng forces on the printed page. Whitey has taken the pictures for all Harty's latest series in WINDSURF magazine. He also gives his technical input - after all Whitey has a special way of doing things!
 
 
HALF TERM in DAHAB, (and others ...)
23rd July 08
dahab
I normally try to schedule my clincs outside busy holidays - selfishlly forgetting that many windsufers do have kids and many of those kids windsurf very well. Hence we're heading to Dahab for October half term week (19-26) - it's 'Dads and Lads' and 'Mums and maidens.' Lots more details on the clinics page. And while you're there, take note of the Jan 09 trip to 'Jer' in Brazil - ticks all the windsurfers boxes and then some Booking now through SPORTIF on 01273 844919.
 
 
NEW TURF-DOGS
18th March 08
Turfdogs
Last autumn I told you about the now well established 'Turf Dog' - the windsurfer on wheels with a difference - the free floating front wheels allow you to perform all the spinning/sliding new school stunts. If they had a draw back, they went a bit nuts when you went fast and tried to carve them. Well the new Freemove and Freestyle models have been tweaked to make them carve and footsteer much better. I have one with me on my UK courses - they are the BEST simulator for wave riding and gybes. Check out the new modles on. http://www.turfdog.co.uk/
 
 
JAE WALKERS Music
29 Feb 08
jae walkers
Choosing the music for the DVDs is always a tricky job. But over recent projects like Faster and Learn to Loop, we've been lucky enough to use some of the excellent compositions of jae walkers. The trio features John Bradshaw , his daughter Emma and a certain Netty Hart. To check out their website click here.
 
 
TIREE Team 15
13th Oct 2007
Team 15
It was truly a great honour to be invited to run a couple of sessions with the local Team 15 on TIREE. It's great to see the local community embracing this strange activity that threatened to take the island over. Tiree is famous for its waves but it also has a beautiful inland lough perfect for learning and practising. Local boy John entered the youth UK wave section - and watch out for young Finn - he's only 5(?) but he's going to be dynamite!
 
 
TOASTY O'NEILL
5th Feb 08
O'Neill
I was never the biggest fan of winter sailing. The cold combined with being encumbered by all that clobber makes the pub suddenly seem very attractive. But my whole attitude to the chilly Solent has been changed totally by the O'Neill Evo. It's warm as toast but has the flexibility of a spring suit. It's the best winter suit I've ever worn - and I'm not even officially sponsored by them. After my old sponsor Salomon stopped doing suits my good friend Dee Caldwell, the O'Neill sales manager, lent me a suit and I'm delighted he did. Check out the suits on www.oneill.com
 
 
HART teams up with JOSH ANGULO!
10th Jan 08
SAl
The hottest news is that Peter is going to be running his Cap Verde 'intro to waves' clinic at Josh Angulo's centre in the Cap Verde Islands. Josh himself is going to be there and join in a few of the sessions. As well as being the world wave champ, he is THE MAN on the island and has promised to give the Harty clinic a very special and very local time! Places are going fast so gobble one up by phoning Sportif on 01273 844919 . Check out the clinics page for more details.
 
 
NEW SKIING DVD!
2th Jan 08
ski skills
Peter, returning once more to his skiing roots, has just released, to critical acclaim Skiing Skills. It's the most comprehensive 'learn to ski' DVD ever. He was joined on set by ex Olympian and head coach from the British Association of Snowsports Instructors, Sean Langmuir. As usual it was produced in conjunction with Acrobat TV. To find out more about this and alll the other ski, snowboard and windsurfing titles, go to the DVD page.
To order a copy click here
learn more
 
 
Happy New Year!
1st Jan 08
harts
Fellow windies! What a year! We were blessed with good health and awesome winds wherever we went. We'd just like to thank all of you who supported us in 2007 by coming on clinics, buying the DVDs or by visiting the website. May 2008 be even better; so hopefully we'll catch up with some of you on a wild and breezy beach. In brief - HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! Peter, Netty, Mondo and Lola. (By the way, the photo was taken at Heathrow after a 12 hour flight. They should make flying with toddlers an Olympic sport!
 
 
LEARN to LOOP! IT'S READY!!!
22 August 07
loop
No more excuses. Finally the LEARN to LOOP epic has been FINISHED!! Acrobat TV in Manchester are just applying the polish so the release date is predicted to be 10th September 07. For those who have not folllowed the epic, it started way back in 2004 when we took 7 hopefuls out to Fuerte with the aim to getting them to loop in a week. The conditions were rubbish so we granted them an extension to complete the move at home. Well what a story! With over 200 hours of violent, hilarious but informative footage, the challenge has been in getting it down to under 2 hours. It's now been packaged as a double disc set. I really think you'll enjoy it! Click here to order .
 
 
LONG BOARDS are BACK
9th July 07
railride
Who'd have thought it eh? Ten years ago when the short wide concept really took hold, we fervently believed that the classic long board had been permanently buried. Short wide boards allow you to feel that planing feeling within weeks of beginning so why would you need anything else? So saying we ignored the joys of light wind cruising. A few weeks ago I took delivery of a Starboard Phantom, a 3m hybrid with mast-track and big dagger, and have had some terrific sessions with a few mates doing pub crawls around the estuary. We've also rediscovered the joys of such old school stunts as railriding!
learn more
 
 
THE HIRE CAR FROM HELL
12th June 07
Car
Whitey sent me this classic pic last week to remind me just how badly behaved we were on the World Tour. We reckon in was 1994 down at Sotavento. (That's him driving and me pushing by the way) It's a great beach - most of the time. However, once a month on spring tides, it floods and catches someone out every time. This actually wasn't our car, but we couldn't resist the photo opportunity. If you hire a car in Fuerte, don't boast that you're a windsurfer!
 
 
'"FASTER" on a ROLL!
1st Jan 07
speed sailing
 
 
Donegal Perfection
20th Oct 06
Donegal clinic
Five out five days of planing wind, temperatures in the 70s and a team whose committment on the water was matched only by their tenacity in the bar - this annual jauant to Ireland's staggeringly beautiful NW coast was surely one of the best. As a result TWO consecutive weeks are planned for 2007 - a freeride course and a specialist wave week. Dates will be posted soon. Check the clinics page for regular updates.
learn more
 
 
date
 

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