Windsurf.me.uk

One of the strongest Auroras in recent years arrived on St Patrick's Day 2015. I had always wanted to get shots of an Aurora over Lough Neagh but knew it would require one of extraordinary strength. Luckily this Aurora was strong enough and also luckily there was clear skies. Unfortunately mist obscured a lot of the Aurora but it still managed to sneak through! I also took the opportunity to hop on my Starboard Standup Paddleboard and experience paddling under the Aurora!:)

Last year, we released the Taka: a 3-batten wave sail that combined maneuverability with stability. We loved that the Taka's profile adjusted itself during sailing. Power when you want it, and none when you don't--like in the middle of a gybe or cut-back. But we wanted to make an even more stable sail, especially in high wind. To do so, we re-shaped the foil and added an extra stabilizer batten above the boom.

This makes the Taka 2 better in three areas:

1) Improved high-end control and stability thanks to the extended stabilizer batten.
2) More power in super-light wind because the Taka 2 holds a more rigid foil, which is especially noticeable when pumping for waves.
3) The Taka 2 rigs on any mast while still using our proprietary calibration system.



Size Luff Boom Boom Ezzy Mast Base
m2 Med Min Max Base/Top Extension
3.4 355 132 140 340 / 340 15 cm
3.8 371 136 144 340 / 370 16 cm
4.1 380 143 151 370 / 370 10 cm
4.5 391 152 160 370 / 400 6 cm
4.7 397 157 165 370 / 400 12 cm
5.0 404 160 168 370 / 400 19 cm
5.3 418 166 174 400 / 400 18 cm

There's no easy way to say goodbye to a friend, especially when they've supported you through your darkest times.

Made possible by Patagonia
Generous support from: First Descents, Ruffwear and Snow Peak

In order of appearance: Ben Moon & Denali
Producer: Ben Moon // Moonhouse
Directed / edited / written: Ben Knight // Felt Soul Media
DP: Skip Armstrong // Wazee Motion Pictures
Second Camera: Page Stephenson
Co-Writer: Katie Klingsporn
Wet Camera: Justin Harris
Sound Recordist: Jim Hurst
Music Supervisor: Ben Knight and Ian Anderson
Sound Mix: Justin Harris
Narrated by: Ben Knight

Music by: Chihei Hatakeyama, Images of a Broken Light — www.chihei.org
Music by: Odesza, It's Only [feat. Zyra] In Return, www.odesza.com, courtesy of Counter Records 2014

Still Photographs by: Ben Moon, Lisa Hensel, Carli Davidson, Miranda Moon, Vivian Moon, Jean Redle Dawn Kish, Lisa Skaff, Pete Rudge, Kristen & Ian Yurdin, and John Sterling