Shitty or challenging?

Stimulated by the comments of the previous post and by the fact that the video of the double elimination is finally available online (two days delay... almost real time!), I feel like saying something.

First, let's watch the video.


Those have been recognized as epic conditions for Sylt.
And now let's watch the video of double elimination of the 2007 Cabo Verde contest, also universally recognized as epic.


IMO, the difference is staggering.
Some may say that MOST of the world windsurfers usually sail conditions that are more similar to the ones in Sylt rather the ones in Cabo Verde and that a wave riding world champ needs to be good in all kind of conditions. I agree with that.

Let's look at the smarter, richer and better organized pro surfers. Here's their schedule of events. In addition to locations where you can expect to find perfect waves (Pipeline, Teahupoo, Jeffrey's bay) they have a bunch of locations where the waves can be either epic or average and a couple of locations where the waves will most likely be average, but it's good for the business and for the growth of the sport in general to have a contest there (specifically Brazil and Trestles).

So, nothing wrong with keeping Sylt and Pozo, but - again - can't crown a wave riding world champion based on three contests two of which are mostly based on jumping or backside riding. That's bad.
So what the PWA wave world tour needs is more contests in a better mix of location.
The first place one would immediately think of is Maui.
It's shocking that there's no wave contest in what is the universally recognized as the world's windsurfing mecca.

More spots? No problem...
This year I've seen a bunch of great independent contests organized around the world. Like the Fuerteventura Wave Classic.


Or the Reunion Wave Classic.


So it's the usual lack of money and sponsor problem, I guess.
Or is it lack of management capabilities? I don't know. It just seems odd that such a great, spectacular discipline like wave sailing doesn't get the attention it deserves with a proper world tour.