2012 IFCA Pro Kids, Youth and Junior Freestyle World Championships

EFPKT Six Fours The End

Clouds and rain showed up on the last day of the efpkt finals and the 3rd edition of the European Fun board Expression.

Riders were put on standby throughout the whole day, unfortunately the predicted forecast failed to show up and the last day turned out to be a groovy cozy waiting day.

A few interviews and lifestyle shots were done while some riders had a bit of fun doing a small tow in session. The awards ceremony was held at 6pm and all of the event supporters and event sponsors were present including local star Valerie Ghibaudo-Arrighetti Vice slalom World Champion in 2008 and World Champion in 2009 who was one of the proud supporters of this event. The amazing event and the European Freestyle Pro Kids Tour has come to an end with many happy faces positive vibes and new European Pro Kids Champions.  

EFE/EFPKT final results

Girls Final results:

1.Rolien Caers

2.Anna Chiochetti

 

U 15 Final results after one dingle elimination:

3.Loick Leseauvage

2.Mattijs lasore

1.Steven Max

 

Tow in Final results after 2 rounds:

3. Adrien Bosson

2. Nico Akgazciyan

1. Julian Mas

images by: © raffi cherbedjian/EFE

EFPKT Six Fours Day 4 Update

A cloudy morning welcomed the riders on the 4th day of the EFPKT finals and the 3rd edition of the European Fun board Expression. After the skippers meeting took place wind gusts were meassured up to 20 knots on the outside, short after riders were put on standby with the first possible start straight after lunch. The boats were organized and ready to take the riders and the judging crew out to the competition area which was put together a few hunderd meters of the coast.

Continuing with the rounds that were canelled yesterday we saw two Dutch brothers Robbin and Remco van der Vet battling it out against eachother. Robbin won with a few more moves than his little brother and was up against Steven Max from Aruba. Steven Max beats Robbin and makes it into the final against Mattijs lasore from Belgium. In the losers finals we had French kido Loick Lesauvage versus Robbin van der Vet who actually had a hard time keeping up.

In the battle for first and second we saw Steven and Mattijs giving their best performance in the gusty conditions both riders mannaged to impress the judges with stylish looking flaka’s, grubbies and a few sail tricks combinations including a gecko from Mattijs where he took both hands of during the rotation.

 

The girls were up next but the head judge decided to wait as the winds droped down to 12 knots. After a 15 minute break the winds started to peek up to 18 knots again, so the girls got ready for their action. A few tricks were done by Rolien Caers while Anna Chiochetti was trying to get some more speed to show off some of her airial manouvers, however the heat got extended with a few more extra minutes as the conditions continued to be tricky. Rolien added a body drag and a switch stance vulcan to her trick list just before the end and down the winds go.

 The head judge decided to extend the waiting period for the other rounds untill the forecasts would become better. So everyone was brought back to the beach and the winners could finally be announced in the main event tent.

The Tow in sesnsation was on for the sun set afternoon session.

Winning moves and riders:

1.Double Burner by Julian Mas

2.one handed Burner by Loick Viandier

3.Air funnel by Jordan Ema otu

 

EFPKT Girls results # 1:

2. Anna Chiochetti

1. Rolien Caers

 

EFPKT U15 dingle elimination results # 1 :

4. Robbin van der Vet

3. Loick Lesauvage

2. Mattijs Lasore

1. Steven Max

We are on our way to upload new photos of the day on the « photos » page of our website www.efe2011.blogspot.com. By tomorrow morning, you can follow our live news and the course of the day via our Facebook page and (www.facebook.com/EuropeanFunboardExpression)

A second video podcast is available soon online

The event program is available on the "Program" page of the website which is set to be flexible depending on the conditions
All the best,

IFCA/EFPKTRuben Petrisie
& Steve Palier

images by: © raffi cherbedjian/EFE

EFPKT Six Fours Day 3 Update

Another great day here at the final event of the EFPKT and the 3rd edition of the European Fun Board Expression. After the skippers meeting was held at 10am the kids were introduced to a group of kids from AJIR a local student association. The students got to meet and greet the Pro windsurfing kids and got their first lessons and introduction to windsurfing, both group of kids had fun in the light morning winds.

After lunch the head judge went out in a boat to measure the winds on the outside as the winds finally started to pick up, wind measurements were between 12 and 18 knots and very gusty.

After a small meeting with the event organizer Fred Bosson they decided to give it a try for the U15 age category while others were put on standby encase the conditions would become better later in the afternoon. The Kids were transported by boat to the competition area further out the coast while the judges got organized in their own boat ready for the first heats to start.

Steven Max from Aruba was able to pull of moves like flaka’s, willy skippers and spock combination's advancing all the way trough to the final rounds. Local kid Loic Lesauvage also did great but did struggle a little in the gusty winds against Mattijs lasore from Belgium who mixed up his performance with a few aerial tricks and light wind tricks combination, Mattijs made it to the final. Unfortunately the competition had to be cancelled as the winds started to drop down. The head judge decided to wait for better winds but instead of up the winds went down, so everyone was send back to the beach and released for the day.

Short after another late afternoon tow in show was organized for the crowds on the beach of Six Fours. Some of the younger kids got a chance to learn and try out the tow in session.

Mattijs Lasore quotes: It was awesome so cool I think I would like to try again soon.

Steven Max quotes: It was cool but its not so easy

Yentel Caers quotes: It was great I did a clean funnel, I actually did try it before back at home the feeling is quite interesting

Top freestyler's such as Antony Ruanes, Davy Scheffers, Julian Mas, Bastian Rama, Nicolas Akgazciyan and even Thomas Traversa and many others gave a great late afternoon show pleasing the crowds with some fascinating spinning moves.

Best tow in impressions came from Nicolas Akgazciyan with a one handed burner, Antony Ruanes with a smooth switch kono close to the beach splashing water sprays in front of the girls and cameras.

Dutch Boy Davy with the highest switch kono making the crowds scream Ooooooooooh and the final craziest move was a really high almost double burner supported by a wave from another boat performed by the tow in king Julian Mas.

The wind forecast looks better for the coming days and we hope to see more freestyle action from the kids and the seniors.

We are on our way to upload new photos of the day on the « photos » page of the events website www.efe2011.blogspot.com. By tomorrow morning, you can follow our live news and the course of the day via Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EuropeanFunboardExpression) and (here)

A short video podcast is available online here: video 1
The event program is available on the "Program" page of the website which is set to be flexible depending on the conditions
All the best,

IFCA/EFPKTRuben Petrisie
& Steve Palier
images by: © raffi cherbedjian/EFE

EFPKT Six Fours Day 2 Update

Another great day unfortunately with almost No wind but, the clear skys and the sun shine created nice vibes here at the event site. After the skippers meeting the riders attended an interview session to share their windsurfing stories and back grounds. The schedule for the rest of the day contained a tow in show and a Sup contest. Short after lunch a tow in warm up session was held and 10 riders got selected to enter the official tow in show.
Each rider got 3 chances to show of their tricks and only one of the best tricks could be scored by the judges with support from the crowd who where able to manipulate the scores by screaming for their favorite rider or the one who impressed them the most.

In the spot light we had Nicolas Telle who smoothly managed to pull of a clean one handed funnel followed by Jordan Emaotu who surprisingly popped into a Air Funnel. As the action continued the next riders; Adrien Bosson, Nicolas Akgazciyan and Julian Mas dominated the the show with a selection of higher and faster rotations of new school freestyle moves such as Huge burners, double Air funnels and a double Air Bob.


Later in the afternoon a sup contest was being organized by the board brand Fanatic.
A course was set and the stand up paddling contest was on for kids, woman and seniors.
Another tow in show was quickly organized as the sun started to set, creating a cozy atmosphere on the beach. Riders were pulling of cool freestyle moves in front of the chilling crowds while photographers, cameras and flashes were actively in action snapping amazing shots of the sun set freestyle tow in show.


Another no wind day yet again filled with activities and action here on the beach of Six Fours

Tow in Show top 3 results:
1. Julian Mas
2. Nicolas Akgazciyan
3. Adrien Bosson

Crash of the day went to Thierry Castillan

Sup contest senior results:
1. Jean Marc Viande
2.Nico Akgazciyan
3. Nico Liminana

For more event info, pictures and video you may also surf to the events website www.efe2011.blogspot.com

The program is available on the "Program" page of the website which is set to be flexible depending on the conditions
All the best,

IFCA/EFPKTRuben Petrisie
& Steve Palier

images by: © raffi cherbedjian/EFE

EFPKT Six Fours Day 1update

A Sunny welcome on the first day of the EFPKT Finals and the 3rd edition of the European Fun Board Expression. The inscriptions took place from 9-11am, with participants registered from France, Holland, Belgium, Italie and Aruba. After the skippers meeting was held riders were being put on standby because of a too light off shore breeze. During the waiting period a tow in demo session took place where one could see explosive freestyle tricks from the local freestyle stars such as Nicolas Akgazciyan, Julien Mas, Bastien Rama, Adrien Bosson, Anthony Ruenes and Davy Scheffers from Holland.

There was a great summerish atmosphere and a nice crowd enjoying the windsurfing activities here on the beach of Six Fours with in the background, a play list of classic hip hop music tunes.

 

The event Head Judge decided to run a light wind super session for the pro kids. All the riders including two girls had to go out and demonstrate some of their best light winds skills infront of the judges.

We had a few impressive performances from the girls Anna Chiochetti (ITA) and Rolien Caers (BEL) as well from other riders like Remco van der Vet (NED), Loick Lesauvage (FRA), Paco Mercader (FRA) and Tim Ruyssenaars (NED).

Riders who scored best where put into a final round containing out of the 6 best riders. Short after, another great show went down and this time the riders tried to pull of the most interesting sail and board tricks. In the spot light today was Mattijs Lasore (BEL) who pulled off some ”eye poping“ gecko combinations and a viriaty of sail and board tricks.

 

The first day with a tow in demo session and a light wind freestyle super session! hey it was fun and exciting for the crowds and everyone else around eventhough the winds failed to show up.

Continueing into the night with an opening ceremony including a welcome cocktail on the schedul, now puting everything together makes the first day of the event a great one.

IFCA/EFPKT Ruben Petrisie

Super session results:

1. Matthijs Lasore (BEL)

2. Steven Max (ARU)

3. Rolien Caers (BEL)

images by: © raffi cherbedjian/EFE

This event is organized by the dynamic local windsurf club "Six Fours Windsurf Organisation" and managed by Fred Bosson, It also gathers professionals and amateurs not only from all over France but also Germany, Italy and even the Netherlands. Open to all levels and all ages, the "European Funboard Expression" is a great meeting for all nationalities addicted to windsurfing.

During the 5 days, the organization will adapt the championships schedule and rules according to the local conditions, in order to launch either a wave contest or  freestyle battles. This will count for both the "National Funboard" and the "European Freestyle Pro Kids".

The« National Funboard Expression » gathers the 2 extremist windsurfing disciplines wave & freestyle open to all nationalities, levels and ages. This race allows the riders to compete either in the freestyle discipline or in the wave discipline and they may also do both discipline during this event.

Issued from the famous european Freestyle championship EFPT, the "European Freestyle Pro Kids Tour" (EFPkT) is all about Freestyle ! The race only concerns the young freestylers bellow the age of 20. After tour stops that had been run in England, Netherlands, Belgium and Turkey this season,  France and the city of Six Fours les Plages have been chosen again to organize the finals of this European circuit.

At this final tour stop, the winners will be crowned with the attribution of "EFPkT European Champions" titles for each category.

So stay tuned from October 29th to November 2^nd as we again expect a 5 days showdown on the Southern shores of France. If the local "Mistral" is here to play, be sure to expect a bunch of cool wave & freestyle action from riders like Adrien Bosson (EFE 2010 overall winner), Vincent Mellouet (EFE 2009 overall winner), German Valentin Böckler (2010 EFPkT european champion -20), Italian Mattia Fabrizzi (2010 EFPkT Six Fours winner) or young Dutch Tim Ruyssenars (2010 EFPkT european champion -17) !

Our website is already online :  www.efe2011.blogspot.com. You may find more informations (press Kit to download as well as the EFE logo, official poster, banner, pics and videos of last year's event…).

You can also find us on facebook to stay up to date : www.facebook.com/EuropeanFunboardExpression.

All the best,

EFE / Steve Palier

EFPKT Bredene day 3

EFPKT Bredene Day 3

A chilly sunny morning with no wind. A few activities were discussed at the skippers meeting and an hour after, riders were having a beach soccer competition. The locals won with 7:3 against the other riders from the different nations. A tasty Beach BBQ was provided by the crew at the Twins Beach Club.

The Roxy Camp girls and the Quicksilver Grommets  did a few rounds of fun races while the windsurfers including Freestyle World Champion Steven van Broekhoven got organized for a windsurf tow in session. Steven was around and did a few interviews with the press and the kids got a chance to hang out a bit with the local hero.Steven gave an exclusive freestyle show in front of the camera for the media. One could see him being pulled behind a boat and busting moves like Burners, Flakas and Goiters. It was a great session also for some of the kids who managed to pop out a few tricks.

Groovy music by BNG was pumping out of the beach speakers during the tow in session and at the same time the crowed was being entertained by Colin Hemet who explained and announced the moves to the crowds. The music sessions continued until the sun began to create this beautiful orange purple looking sky above the horizon here at the Twins Beach Club.

The official awards ceremony was held for the Quicksilver King Of the Groms and the winner of the surf contest got a wild card for the next Grommet event that will be held in the UK. Windsurfers were released and would have to be back tomorrow on the final day of the EFPKT Bredene oh and there might be a chance to continue the freestyle eliminations.

Stay tuned…

See images here…

IFCA/EFPKT Ruben Petrisie

Pictures by Patrick Kindt

EFPKT Bredene, Belgium

Day1

On the first day of the joint event with the Quicksilver King of the Groms and the Roxy surf Camp we found ourselves in an interesting Belgian summer weather with light winds, small waves and a bright smiling sun with lots of local beach goers who came to hang out on the beautiful sandy beach in front of the Twins Beach Club.

 

The event organizer and the race director at the Twins Club had prepared a few activities for the participants such as long distance Sup, Volley ball and Frisbee sessions. Later that night a welcome dinner was prepared and served at the Twins Beach Bar followed by a Birthday Dub DJ jam session with BNG.

Day 2

Skippers meeting at 10:00 am on a nice calm morning with slightly side offshore winds with gusts up to 15 knots. The race director and the head judge decided to run the freestyle eliminations a few kilometers outside the coast with a best trick format, because of the gusty conditions the winds were better further on the outside. The riders came out towards the anchored boat as soon as the judges were located and the competition could officially start.

In the first rounds the wind was still light but some riders like Steven Max, Yentel Caers and Marco Livraghi managed to do a few plaining tricks while others did a few light wind sail and board tricks combinations. After the first rounds were done the wind started to get stronger so we continued straight after with a double elimination.

Day 2 High lights:

5th place for Mattijs Lasore (BEL), who did vulcans and gecko combinations right infront of the boat with the judges.

4th place for Michiel de Cooman (BEL), who had a few nicer tricks with variety compared to his friend Mattijs.  

3rd place went to Marco Livraghi (ITA) with his personal flakas, spocks, punietas and sliders in the gusty conditions.

2nd place for Steven Max (ARU) busting clean tricks such as one handed spocks, fast grubbies, punietas and a few shuv-it’s of the small waves on the outside.  

1st place goes to the local kido Yentel Caers (BEL) who popped his tricks with a bit more power and style than rest of the riders. We saw him nail one handed flakas, a forward, punietas and a few more of spock combinations.

After the double the lunch break took place on the beach and the results were announced to the crowds. Straight after lunch the race director decided to go for another single but, the wind started to get very tricky and it started to rain and rain and rain during the first rounds of the single elimination #2.

In the end the wind got way too light and the current got even stronger so the races were canceled for that day. Riders were on standby until 17:00 and were released after because of too much rain and still too light winds. It was an interesting day with a full double elimination done.

Stay tuned for the next reports…

 

IFCA/EFPKT Ruben Petrisie

Pictures: Patrick Kindt/Twins Club

Minnis Bay, Kent event summary

North Kent delivered 15-20 knots on Saturday followed by 20-25 knots on Sunday allowing a stunning display of freestyle trickery by all competitors, including top World Tour Riders Andy ‘ Bubble’ Chambers and Adam ‘Ginge’ Sims. Side/offshore winds, produced relatively flat conditions on the inside, but some very challenging and confused ‘whitstable chop’ on the outside – some big moves going down close to the promenade created a great atmosphere on the beach for spectators and competitors alike! Two complete repercharged rounds were completed on both Saturday and Sunday for all fleets, allowing 1 discard and 3 rounds to count towards the final positions.In the EFPKT fleets, Tim Russanaars and Oscar Carmicheal had a close battle for the top of the podium in the under 17’s, Both throwing some big Culos in an impressive show.

In the end, Russanaars took 1st, with Carmicheal in 2nd. Chasing hard in 3rd was Josh Sparks. The Under 20’s saw UKWA regulars Sam Conroy and Alex Mitchell having a close battle with Conroy taking the glory. The under 15 fleet showed incredible windsurfing talent, with 11 year old West Kirby local Ike Bradley Baker taking the win over Harry Davis. Both Sailors are defiantly ones to watch for the future!

     

As a bonus to the weekend, Trevor Funnell organised for the supporting girls (Julia Slack and Lara Johnston) to have a heat to get the feel of what competition is like. Both came off the water after showing the judges a display of smooth carve gybes, chop hops and duck gybes totally buzzing and hungry for more competition in the future!

Sunday closed up with an Expression Session, with best and biggest moves winning. An incredible display of some of the latest moves including Culos, Burners, Konos, and double spocks. This was won by Sims for a really high Matador in the Pros, Tim Russenaars for a great shaka in the Youths and Josh Sparks for an awesome first time forward in the Juniors.

       

Many thanks, for a brilliant weekend organised by Trevor Funnell in association with the UKWA. Thanks, for the Sponsors, Judges (Julian Da Vall, Mike Archer and Ruben Petrisie). and of course Minnis Bay for giving us some sick conditions!

     

  

By Will Rogers..

Youths Expression Session Winner: Tim Russenaars
Junior Expression Session Winner: Josh Sparks

Pictures in Gallery here…

Event results here…

Pro Kids Worlds is next on the calendar.

The event will take place in Holland, Brouwersdam 20 – 24 July

Registrations are open on the IFCA website.

Tour updates 2011

The EFPKT is back this year with a selection of 5 confirmed events throughout Europe. The first stop this season will take place for the first time in the UK, where windsurfing freestyle is well recognized among the young generation.

The event is a joint event with the UKWA Freestyle Tour and takes place at Minnis Bay, Kent from the 28^th to the 30^th of May. Pre registration is still open, drop a mail to info(@)efpkids-tour.com We are proud to announce that the local windsurf legend Nik Baker is involved and has provided great prizes from Fanatic Boards, North Sails and Ion , there will also be accessory prizes from DaKine provided by Surf Sales the UK Distributor.

Holland, Brouwersdam is this season’s second stop where we will combine the IFCA Freestyle World Championships with the EFPKT from the 20^th to the 24^th of July; only at this particular event EFPKT riders are able to earn double points for the 2011 EFPKT overall Rankings. The event NOR is already online and pre registrations are open online on the IFCA website. Or you may also send an e mail to info(@)brouwersdam.nl or info(@)efpkids-tour.com

The third stop will be happening shortly after the World Championships on the sandy coastline of Bredene in Belgium. This year Twins Club is hosting the EFPKT event from the 3rd to the 6^th of August.  More information will be online soon on the event website. Stay tuned for the updates.

Our fourth stop will be down in the bay of Alacati in Turkey. Where the crew at ASPC windsurf center are again more than ready to host yet another event this season from the 21^st to the 23^rd of October. More info will be available later in the season.

Last but not least the Finals are happening at Six Fours, France a great location that offered super conditions last year. The European Freestyle Pro Kids Champions will be crowned in France on the last day of the event which will be held on the 29^th of October true the 2^nd of November. 

The EFPKT defending Champions:

Velentien Boeckler from Germany // www.valentinboeckler.de

Rick jendrush from Holland // www.rick-h120.nl

Tim Ruyssenars from Holland //  www.windmaniac.nl

Julian Wiemar from Germany //  www.g-2111.de