Winter training & looking ahead to the BSA 2012

We caught up with UK team rider Jon White to see how his winter training was going as he prepares for his debut on the British Slalom Association (BSA) tour this year. For a number of years he has been at the forefront of the UK raceboard scene and finished 11th at the 2011 World Championship. For 2012 he decided to change codes and we were very pleased to have him join Hot Sails Maui.

Jon training with his 7.3 GPS / Starboard iSonic / Black Project combo at Blithfield Reservoir (UK)   

"For 2012 I have decided I wanted a new challenge, something more exciting than pumping my way around a course in light winds every weekend so as slalom seems to be on the up I will be focusing my efforts on the BSA Pro Fleet.


I have been training with a few of the 2011 GPS sails which the team sent me while I was waiting for my full quiver of 2012 GPS's to hit the UK shores,  so far I am very happy with the performance and quality of this kit - it is one of, if not the best I have seen. Slalom puts very different demands on the body to race board sailing and as a result I had a new training plan written for me with the aim to gain muscle and endurance to bulk my raceboard physique up from 75kg to 85kg. Th plan seems to be working as I'm already up to 80kg after the first two months. 

Jon claims this was a warm day, umm looks cold to me, full respect to the UK crew for this hard work this winter

I always wondered if weight really is that important instead of just good technique and fitness but at a recent trip to West Kirby using the 5.5m GPS I was hitting 35-39 knots and eventually hit 40 but no more until a friend gave me an 8kg weight jacket and on my very first run hit 41 knots, second run 42.92 and actually never went below 38 knots while I wore it so the answer is yes I really do need to eat more pies and hit the weights! Basically this extra weight stopped me getting lifted and helped me to keep the sail locked down, when you sling shot yourself from 25 knots too 40+ in a matter of seconds this is really important. I only wish I had put it on earlier which would have seen my 10 second average higher (39.7) - next time I guess! It is true what they say, doing a 42 knot speed run on flat water isn't that scary and yesterday doing 25 - 29 knots on large slalom kit in chop was far scarier!

Jon has been training for pure speed at Kirby

We are only a month away now until my debut slalom event and I'm both excited and nervous as I don't really know what to expect. I have been windsurfing for 16 years now and spent most of that time course racing on longboards so moving to slalom, although not alien is different but I do have a lot of racing experience that I hope will get me through the first few events while I learn slalom tactics and what board, sail and fin combination works best for me to get me to the front. I'm sure looking forward to it starting, it's going to be fun and we are developing a cracking team here in the UK." Jon White (Sponsors: Hot Sails Maui, Starboard, Black Project Fins & Dutton Law)


It is great to have such a dedicated and professional racer representing us in the UK, from working closely with Jon I know that he will be very competitive and certainly will stir a few feathers on the start line. The BSA tour kicks off next month at Hayling Island and we are looking forward to seeing how Jon and his team progress this season. Throughout the UK season there is certainly the possibility of a couple of Hawaiian imports making appearances at the events but more of that later. Keep track of Jon's progress here and follow him on Twitter @jongbr720. 

Over the next few weeks we will be chatting to more of the UK race and wave team as they prepare to make an impact on this year's competitive season. Next up we will be hearing from another slalom team rider Andy Freeman who is currently on his way to a week of training in Egypt.

More to follow...