DA KINE 2013 T-6

I have been using a fixed hook Ion Radium for the last couple of seasons, very happy with it and had stopped using a Da Kine T5 as I felt for my back it was a bit soft on the support side of things for my personal use.




I have to say I have always had Da kine harnesses since the first Thermo form was produced – in fact since their first Dave Kalama chest harness!



So I took the new Da Kine T-6 with me on a trip to Maui - sort of like taking the harness back to its original home.



The Da Kine T-6 waist harness has a bigger plan shape than the T-5 so when you put it on it looks a little bigger, but when you sit back into the harness when you are on the water you get plenty of support. In fact I would say it is super comfy – the larger plan shape spreads the load and for 3 weeks of daily use I had no back complaints whatsoever.



I think the light weight thermo formed shape adds some protection when you are using boardies plus you get some added warmth as it sticks to you skin when its wet. This prevents the harness from moving around and sliding up your chest. You have an adjustable velcro strap which tightens the waist band and shapes the back of the harness more into your back.



There isn't any neoprene inside the T-6 so when its wet it doesnt get heavy plus the design has built in shape to improve the fit ( you notice this when it doesn't pack flat in your bag!)



Not everyone is into a sliding hook- you can wrap the harness hook strap around the stainless bar to reduce movement but the theory goes if your harness is fitted correctly to your back the harness bar shifting a little prevents the harness from getting pulled or twisted out of position around your back.



I certainly found the fit to be good I used a Da Kine size large on 33 inch waist.



Check out Graham Ezzy wearing his new Dakine T-6




For further details on the Dakine T-6 check out our product page here..




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I was fortunate to be out in Maui last month to watch WWWC Club member, Alex Mckirgan, 15 years old take his first windsurf session at Hookipa, Maui, Hawaii.




Alex who started with the X-train Rippers - West Wittering as a 5 year old has been windsurfing with his Dad Frank, Mum Sandra and sister Georgia since then. It has been a long journey as a kid getting through the usual barriers that windsurfing has to offer - planing, carve gybing, water starting, carrying big kit to the water and the first jump, the usual frustration of lack of wind, and then having to pick your game up to sail the outside waves in deep water where you imagine the worst is going to happen.



I have been with Alex through most of this and I have to say it was a great day to see him and his coach Matt Pritchard make the decision to go to Hookipa.



Myself and Holly drove down to Hookipa to join Alex after we watched Robbie Naish pulling some big moves whilst doing the 2014 Naish kit photo shoot just outside the house in Camp One.



Alex by the time we got there was already getting into some Hookipa action with Matt who showed why he certainly is one of the best windsurf coaches in the world - when he blocked waves for Alex to ride - keeping other riders off his wave - and selected the good wave sections and exits through the channel.



I have to say it was quite emotional watching Alex who took some good sets, nearly got nailed by a few, then picked up his confidence and started to tear into a some set waves. Hookipa even on small head high with logo high sets has a hefty rip with a small launching and landing zone - shit hot locals (that’s the girls!) plus some of the top pros in the world tearing it up. It has a big reputation as the No1 windsurf wave location in the world.



Anyway, after watching for a while, I left Holly with the camera and thought I ought to get out there and enjoy the surf - came back the following day for another session and started to understand how Hookipa works. We were even greeted with topless yoga models “on the rocks” – seemed like a perfect day!



Have added a couple of pics of the previous days Camp One “Warm Up” and Hookipa session when it was so big only 5 to 6 riders were out ……



If you are planning a trip to Maui and would like to get some lessons try Matt Prichard or Shawna Cropas at Aloha clinics - get a guide to take you to Hookipa, otherwise it could be an expensive trip on the rock pile…



Watch this space – lots more Maui info coming up - 2014 kit & more pics …. ..



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We've had a couple of very decent SUP session at West Wittering over the weekend - small swell, 10 secs, off shore winds and a half meter swell.




The sand banks at West Wittering beach are throwing up some great surf, loads of peaks mainly lefts but plenty of rights. The sand bars were reeling just before and after high tide – Berties Reef was ripping outer banks were starting to work as well as the Hayling Bar.



This makes the multi million pound Boscome reef look like a farce ours is all natural and cost nothing! Holly, Matt ,Adrian West, James myself and Tez all made the most of a very cold session -sea temp was hovering 4 degrees c and air temp 1 with a nasty wind chill.Have to say we all managed a couple of hours in the water –took a while for the feet to thaw out. Luckily hots showers at West Wittering Windsurf club and few cups of tea made the morning feel perfect. Pics of Matt ,Holly, Tez taken by Simon Bassett –who stood in freezing offshore wind on the beach ...

















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I tested the new Ezzy Legacy last weekend in El Medano Tenerfife - firstly it was great to get back into a shorty and sail in air temperatures of 24c in full sunshine, it ensured leaving the 3 degree UK air temp was no hardship!




Popping on a boom and setting the outhaul to the recommended max for a super windy El Medano (4.2 - 4.5 weather) I noted the omission of setting marks in the boom cut out area, and no built in mast pad. Looking closely there's a new lighter luff material and a difference in the amount of seaming in the sail, a little less batten reinforcement compared to the Elites and Tigers and no neoprene piece by the head cap.(You can buy the extra mast pad, pulleys for the Ezzy legacy if you want them )

On the water the vision through the Legacy is incredible, the translucent see through nature gives a full 360 view of the water .I really liked the forward and solid centre of effort, no pulling or moving in the gusts -the sail is very stable and it felt good to be back on a 5 batten sail.

Cost savings normally hit performance first yet I'm not only surprised but happy to report that Dave Ezzy has been able to produce the sail without effecting your performance on the water.

The 5.2 Legacy felt good wave riding, stable, smooth and easy to de power yet, was spot on when you switched the power back on.

So good was the performance, shut your eye's and it would be fairly hard to decide if you're on a Legacy or Tiger!

If you want to test a Ezzy Tiger, Elite or Legacy call the UK Ezzy test centre on 01243 513077 or contact Simon and book it in simon@2xs.co.uk.

Ezzy owners are used to wind range and the Legacy continues that trend, if the wind drops reduce the downhaul, tune the outhaul and the Legacy will have you heading out for a second session.
I've yet to test the bigger sails but if the 5.2 is anything to by then I look forward to a few light days.
So with the 5.2 Tiger costing £505.00 compared to £375.00 for the 5.2 Legacy Dave Ezzy has produced something special for the wallet on a budget, and as that's not saving enough, you can reduce the number of masts you need to rig the range.

You can BUY the sail here



See the Ezzy Legacy on the Ezzy website here

Gear used Ezzy 5.2 Legacy, 400 Ezzy RDM mast, Streamlined carbon boom, Streamlined carbon extension and RRD 83 cult quad.



Pics and test by Simon Bassett 2XS/X-train



Go Pro Pics taken with Carbon Mast Mount>>..



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Wow what a December -West Wittering has been kicking off for nearly 10 days in row – Santa definatly delivered this year!!




If you had a chance to get out its been warm, wet and windy – plenty of decent sessions some great wave riding and jumping – some heavy southerly sessions -and supercharged sessions on flat water. Watched a few people taking some proper beatings out the back even had a few myself –great to be out on the water.



Good to see the kite lords getting down early Ross, Ross' dad, Chris, Adam, Larry, Chris, Paul Rothwell Innes, Barry, Kev, Rich and Tony Philips. Also Mike Black, Mike Stewart, Rick Giddings, Jamie Hawkins, Will Mackie and Stu Holland.



On the windsurfing front - there has been some decent wave riding to be had -Justin, Grahame and Phil seemed to be there every day, the odd showing from Lord Lucan even saw Jonny Wilson out of retirement. I watched James Randall ripping into the lip with some heavy top turns - Paul Simmons has been out all the decent days, good also to catch up with Paul Hatton who escaped the relatives on a decent heavy duty West Wittering day. Tim and Mark Perry have been out a lot Timbo has been tearing a few sails in the process as did Toby on the way out in a big southerly. James Mellor, Martin Edmead, Patrick and Tim Guilland and Mark Twist all have been out there enjoying the festive gales.



If you have any pics then please send them to me and I will add them to the site simon@2xs.co.uk Sorry only took a few its too good out there to stand around taking pics… Lets hope 2013 is windy not so wet season –Happy New year to every one, we hope to see you all on the beach…...
































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