January/February 2011: Riks General News Update! As I was putting this news update together I couldn't quite believe that the first month of the year has gone already! Despite what was an extremely cold end to 2010 (see image from my truck) that inevitably flung even the keenest souls into hibernation, I have had more than enough to be getting on with which I guess is why the weeks have flown by! That said despite the cold a good few of you have already braved it in the recent milder conditions around mid January (much 'warmer' by comparison!) when some Atlantic storm systems pushed across the UK. Well done to the crew who all got themselves through 40kts at the Southend Speed course that weekend - what a way to begin 2011! Early February is also showing lots of potential so fingers crossed for that!! Many of you will have already noticed or read online that Riks has just completed a relocation within the Rutland area. The cold spell, although not particularly pleasant for undertaking such a task, did however allow us some extra time to get through the upheaval! I am pleased to say that everything is gradually now getting organised and back to 'normal'. In addition to the move there's been the usual flow of excitement through the turn of the year. The very special Pryde 40 sails arrived just before Christmas (how sick do those look huh!?!) and the new JP Australia Slalom boards are also now available ready for the forthcoming season. The new NP RS:Slalom sails will also be arriving any day now so provided with a little bit of warmer weather I'll be out there like a shot to give all of the new toys a test run or two!   At the moment by brother Rob and his better half Rose are approaching the end of their two month trip to Chile. I've spoken to them a few times now and it sounds like they are completely surfed-out having been able to windsurf or surf in excellent conditions nearly everyday...if they are worn out then we'd have been done-in weeks ago!! Some of the images from their trip are shown on Facebook...sickening! Also since initially drafting this Rob & Rose have put a trip report on their site here which makes for good reading - an excellent insight into what it has been like. Hopefully a few of you have also managed to get overseas or are planning a trip for the coming months. I'm am still on a high from our two week trip to Ireland in September last year - what a break that was!! I've scribbled down some notes about one of the most crazy windsurfing experiences I've ever had - going offshore with Rob and Jamie (read story here). There's also a host of images from the trip in general uploaded to the website gallery here so check those out. Anyway that's enough from me. Whatever you have been up to over the winter I hope it has been good and that you are now looking forward to the home windsurfing season starting again very soon. Try and get going at the earliest 'sensible' opportunity - for some inspiration just consider what the speed sailors have already achieved on the first proper sailable day of the year - those guys are all now buzzing for more! Best wishes and catch you all soon, Rik Winter Sail On Now - Savings On Most Items! There are some extra special winter price reductions across the store right now which will be valid until the end of February or until stocks sell out. These price drops are applicable to current stock items in addition to products that have already been on offer...so be sure to check around the entire online store as well as the specific offers page. In some instances Riks returning customers can also make further loyalty savings - simply log-in to the site to apply these. We are also really busy getting new products added to the site! Over the next few weeks the aim is to get everything online! If in the meantime you can't find something that you'd expect to see then please contact us right away.   We're slightly over-stocked on the '11 Combat! Sale On Here     Top range 3D's from £74.99     Cool Models! 'sale on now'       Riks Has Moved - New Contact Info Please note our new location and contact information effective from the start of 2011. We no longer have a physical showroom but orders can be collected by prior arrangement (info). New VAT Rate & Pricing Review With the media up to their usual tricks you won't have missed the 2.5% VAT rise that became effective on 4th Jan. As a result of this I have closely reviewed all of our costing's and the good news is that in most cases prices have been held, and in some instances I've even been able to apply some reductions! If you're an existing Riks customer please be sure to log-in for further loyalty savings. Know The Meaning!   Whilst trying to buy various items online in the run up to Christmas I got a little infuriated by the number of stores that displayed items as being   available when in fact that wasn't the case and they couldn't therefore deliver - has that happened to you? I've never run Riks like that but it made me think about whether you guys actually take note of my stock status lighting system...just in case here's a run down: Item in stock at Riks, or it was the last time the site stock was refreshed (see shop index page for latest update time). Stock due in shortly as already on order from a supplier. If there is no arrival date shown on the page please get in contact. Not currently a stocked item but may be available as a special order from our suppliers. In some instances we do not re-stock after an initial shipment has been received and sold as we often run down some seasonal items or clear stock prior to releases. Out of stock items that we do not expect to be available again as we believe all supply sources have been exhausted. Staying In Touch - Social Networking More and more people are getting connected with each other using free social networking mediums such as Twitter, Facebook and My Space etc. Although it's easy to get bogged down with information overload it is a superb way of staying in touch - even my Dad is on the case! I regularly post news in this way so if you want to keep abreast of the latest from Riks then why not follow me on Facebook or Twitter? Offering More Ways To Pay - And Save! As you'd expect with most stores payment can be accepted via credit or debit card. However did you know that it is also possible to transfer funds to us from PayPal or via a direct bank transfer? For a transfer we offer a 2.5% reduction on your order so if you have the funds in your current account and have online banking then this is something you should consider - view full details here. Customers in Europe who have the euro as their banking currency can also make payments to us in euro. Please request this when placing an order and we will quote the specific euro amount to pay.