Perfect Move in Windsurfing: Flessner’s Spot Guide

6 min read

The spots are set, the brand-new test gear from Neil Pryde is on board, the photographer is ready – time to find your Perfect Move. No easy task, because every windsurfer has their own idea of the perfect move on the water. Good thing windsurf legend Bernd Flessner is on board and shares his personal tips here.

It really does exist – the Perfect Move in windsurfing

Every windsurfer, whether pro or recreational rider, has one: the perfect move. A classic manoeuvre, a trick or a jump in a certain style – anything can be your perfect move.

How would I describe my perfect move? Where do I have to travel to pull off my Perfect Move? Questions upon questions that have been on my mind for a while, especially with the Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt 2016 ahead. Above all when I watch the newcomers: wild kids trying just about everything on the water to stand out and to win. Whether in slalom, freestyle or wave – the trick or jump that could be called „perfect“ takes plenty of patience, experience and a bit of luck.

Back then the deal was: as part of a Mercedes-Benz promo tour across five locations, we went hunting for the Perfect Move together with German windsurf legend Bernd Flessner and JP pros Marco Lufen and Leon Jamaer.

Campaign ended

The Perfect Spot

A good place to start is the spot where the move is meant to happen. When the wind is right and the water plays along, plenty of cool spots in Germany are within reach in summer and autumn. I am always after side-shore wind, meaning the wind comes in parallel to the beach from the side. On top of that, there are some great spots on inland waters close to our coasts.

Of course the conditions on Norderney or Sylt are even better – now all we need is for the wind and weather to cooperate.

Preparation means perfection – and, above all, fun

At the various events and contests I have competed in, you had to hold your own against the rest. That still goes for the contests of today. Winning takes good preparation and a cool performance. Most of all, that means having the right gear with you.

This year I am getting my sails from Neil Pryde in a limited colour. Back in the ’90s, every team rider had their own sail colour. Inspired by my V-Class in the Exclusive AMG Line, we had the sails made in the same shade of blue. These sails exist in this colour combination only once in the world. It makes my Perfect Move look especially stylish – but that still does not mean your Perfect Move cannot look just as good or even better.

„To be honest, I am often travelling abroad and cannot always drive from spot to spot in my V-Class. But a really cool and practical thing is that so many spots up here in the north are close together. With enough storage space in the car, the right gear and sails, just about any surfer can make the most of their Perfect Move.“

– Bernd Flessner

The Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt 2016

Our gear was stowed in the boot and it was time to head to the spot and try the Perfect Move. A good dose of courage is always part of it. In late September, the windsurf pros lined up for the Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt as part of the PWA World Tour. From 30 September to 9 October 2016 the pros could be seen at Brandenburger Strand in Westerland on Sylt – in the wave, slalom and freestyle disciplines, things got serious on the water.

The spots of the Perfect-Move tour

These were the stops on the Mercedes-Benz Perfect-Move 2016 tour – all of them real windsurf spots between the North Sea and the Baltic that are still worth it today.

„Everyone has a Perfect Move up their sleeve! Come and visit us at the spots, or just upload a cool picture of yourself! See you at the World Cup!“

– Bernd Flessner

Cool-down

Click a question to reveal the answer.

What is the Perfect Move in windsurfing?

Every windsurfer has one: a classic manoeuvre, a trick or a jump in a certain style. Whether you are a pro or a recreational rider – anything can be your perfect move. It takes patience, experience and a bit of luck.

Which windsurfing spots does Bernd Flessner recommend?

St. Peter-Ording, Heiligenhafen, Fehmarn, Heidkate, Kühlungsborn and the Steinhuder Meer. Bernd seeks out side-shore wind and likes that many of these spots in the north sit close to one another.

What does side-shore wind mean?

The wind comes in parallel to the beach from the side. Bernd seeks out this wind direction because it creates good conditions for manoeuvres.

What was the Mercedes-Benz Perfect-Move campaign 2016 about?

As part of a promo tour across five locations, Bernd Flessner teamed up with JP pros Marco Lufen and Leon Jamaer to chase the Perfect Move around the Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt 2016 (30 September to 9 October 2016). The campaign has ended.

Cover image: Bernd Flessner / Mercedes-Benz Perfect-Move (2016)