IWT Pistol River Wave Bash opening day
by International Windsurfing Tour 16 Jun 2019 00:23 PDT
15-22 June 2019
IWT Pistol River Wave Bash 2019 © Si Crowther / IWT
The 10th Anniversary Edition of the Pistol River Wave Bash is set to be one for the ages, as the forecast has lined up with winds exceeding 30 knots each day of the contest window. Strong and steady winds have already built up a solid windswell, making for head high and bigger conditions to warm up with. With a new groundswell expected to fill in on top of the already strong windswell, riders are excitedly looking forward to the competition to come.
Today turned out to be a waiting game. Conditions were slower to arrive than expected, and when they did, winds were slightly gustier than normal. Head Judge Duncan Coombs kept competitors on hold throughout the day, as conditions appeared ready to turn on at any moment. Finally, at 5:30 with the sun just starting to drop in the sky, winds looked good enough to call the contest on.
Phil Soltysiak had been out putting on a display of waveriding and jumping in the somewhat tricky conditions helping to convince the IWT Judge crew to call the contest on. Amateurs were scheduled to go first, but unfortunately right as the opening horn was set to blast, a big lull in the wind settled over the contest area. Being that it was already fairly late in the day, Duncan made the call to cancel the heats and finish the day.
While no official heats were run today, it was still a good day. Plenty of riders managed to pick the best moments, scoring solid wave rides and jumps. Competitors spent the time catching up with old friends and enjoying the warm sunny weather. Spirits are high as expectations for this contest remain at a fever pitch.
Riders will meet at Pistol River for a 10:00am Skipper's Meeting Sunday, with a first possible start of 11:00am.
Pistol River 2019 Schedule:
The 10th event
June 15 Saturday Open Competition Day
June 16 Sunday Open Competition Day
June 17 Monday Open Competition Day
June 18 Tuesday Open Competition Day
June 19 Wednesday Open Competition Day
June 20 Thursday Open Competition Day
June 21 Friday Open Competition Day
June 22 Saturday Open Competition Day