GUEST TESTERS WANTED FOR THE 2003-2004 SEASON!
Fancy two weeks of sunshine and warm winds
in BRAZIL (!!) this December, or Egypt in February,
testing out all the latest equipment alongside the BOARDS TEST TEAM?
Before you get too excited, this is NOT a freebie...
Nor is it an experts-only thing.
Let us explain...
Over the past three or four seasons we have been using "Guest Testers" in our board and sail testing, whereby half a dozen or so 'ordinary people' join our test trip to do their own evaluation of the kit, and help us reach the most rounded, useful conclusions possible in our test reports. It has worked fantastically well so far, so once again we are looking for volunteers to join us in our 2003-2004 testing program. We need people of various ability levels and various bodyweights (and both sexes!!), to help ensure that our testing conclusions are on the right track.

If chosen, what you will get out of it is:

The chance to sail a wide selection of the latest gear. (If you're in the market for a new board this year, this will be the perfect opportunity to try before you buy!).
Your picture (windsurfing, and mugshot) in BOARDS Magazine, as taken by our professional photographer (and a couple of good sailing shots for yourself to keep).
The chance to learn an immense amount from the Test Team - ask questions, glean tips and hints, and generally learn a whole shedload more about the sport.
Professional coaching/instruction available from the qualified instructors on our test team at no extra charge.


However...

This ain't no picnic. We would expect you to work hard. It won't simply be a case of finding the board or sail you like best and cruising around on that from there on. We'll want you to try everything, changing board and sail regularly. At times you probably won't like the kit you're sailing - you'll be underpowered, overpowered, and/or wishing you were on a quite different sort of board or sail. But that's what testing is about!

What we want are people who are genuinely interested in windsurfing equipment, would genuinely like to learn more about the art and science of testing, and are prepared to work hard and try and contribute as much as possible. It can be arduous work - long hours both on and off the water. There is much time taken up tweaking and measuring the equipment off the water, and time spent in the evening writing up and discussing the day's findings.

Unfortunately, it's also NOT a freebie. We don't have the budget to employ extra testers, so you will be required to pay your way. The total cost (inc. flights, transfers, accomm and half board, use of the kit and rescue cover), will be equivalent to a normal windsurfing holiday + kit rental price. So it won't be everybody's cup of tea. If you're just looking for a nice relaxing windsurfing holiday then this won't be for you. But if you want to learn a vast amount about windsurfing equipment, and have the chance to review a whole range of kit for yourself, and are prepared to work hard and generally muck in as part of the team, then this is a unique opportunity.

If you are selected for a trip, you will travel as a client of a professional holiday company such as Sportif, so you will have their full ATOL/ABTA back-up etc.

We have two trips planned for the forthcoming season - both are to new venues, so we cannot be 100% sure how they are going to work out. But hopefully they should both be pretty spectacular!

Jericoaroara, Brazil - December 2003
This venue has only just come 'on stream' in the last year, and was reviewed in the March edition of BOARDS. Apparently it's 4.5-5.0m weather all day every day, with small-medium sized waves rolling on from the Atlantic Ocean. The water is warm, the food is cheap and delicious, and - hey, it's South America! Not somewhere that one tends to visit that often! We don't have any price details for this trip yet, but it might be a bit pricey. The flights are via Portugal, and there's a 3 hour transfer at the Brazilian end. So it's quite an excursion! But by all accounts the place is just extraordinarily good - an absolute paradise. The testing will be focussed to small/medium freeride/freestyle boards, bigger wave boards and 4.7-5.5m sails, so it will be a trip for competent sailors only...

El Tur, Egypt - February 2004
This is a relatively new venue, and just an hour away from Sharm el Sheikh airport, on the Sinai Peninsula. The wind stats for this time of year are pretty good - regular 5.0-6.5m weather. The conditions range from flat water to rolling swells. The trip would be over the end of February and the beginning of March.

So, if either of these trips tickles your fancy, why not put your name forward to go on our candidates' list? But before applying, check these three main criteria one more time:


Are you in to, and up to, the type of sailing that the trip will mainly be offering?
Can you afford it (there probably won't be much change out of £1000)?
Can you get the time off?
If it sounds like your kind of thing then click here to put yourself on the candidate's list...

And please note - one last time. We are NOT just looking for hotshots.
Far from it! The trip is open to anyone who is comfortable in the straps and harness, and making at least a reasonable proportion of their gybes...

Just to add, if you're thinking of doing this, do it. You wont regret it. It's not cheap but your will benefit so much in terms of knowledge of the kit and your actual sailing skills. I went twice a few years back and it was well worth it.