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Grassroots Longboard Racing

September 1, 2008 · 2 Comments 

When can an event be fun for all? I was alerted to a video on the Kona website which demonstrated how far longboards and Kona has come since the return on the longboard. The Kona has without a doubt restored to windsurfing a spirit which was really only a memory a few years ago. In July in the northern hemisphere summer season the 18th Aber Wind Cup 2008 was held. While I did not go to the event I saw a link to some great [Read more]  Read More →




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Equipe III development

August 11, 2008 · 13 Comments 

LBWS have just had word from Nik Baker, Mistral’s Product Manager, on the progress of the two new longboards set to feature in Mistral’s 2009 range. Nik took the helm of Mistral’s product direction in 2007 and has been working with shaper Mark Nelson to inject new energy into the board line up. Nik informs us that both the Ventura and the Equipe III have been high on Mistral’s priority list for some time. The Ventura testing phase is complete and is being built at the Cobra factory right now and the new Equipe III is still in its development... [Read more]




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Mistral back in the longboard game

August 4, 2008 · 10 Comments 

Mistral have finally joined the longboard revival by releasing 2 new longboards, the Ventura and the Equipe III, which will stand alongside the aging One Design (IMCO) in their quiver. The Ventura looks like an all round freeride longboard that could be an alternative to the Exocet Kona as a rec. board. The Mistral website suggests the Ventura to be good for cruising, beginners and even advanced sailors using large freeride sails. The board specs out with 255 litres volume, 343 cm in length and 72 cm wide. [Read more]  Read More →




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Mahalo Pluses and Minuses

July 22, 2008 · 1 Comment 

We got one of the first Mahalo’s in the US and after using it a season would like to comment on it. We’ve been using that Mahalo as a big boys (read fat mans) (sometimes racing) board, general all around beach toy and standup paddle board for the family. For reference I am 118kg and a local B Fleet quality sailor/racer, my primary sail is a 10.5 Sailworks Retro, I weigh 265 lbs. and over the years have owned and sailed several of the earlier generation WC Race Boards and have sailed the *board Serenity. [Read more]  Read More →




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Waiting For Joel

July 16, 2008 · 7 Comments 

Lessons from surfing. It looks like we’ve made it. Rumours of the longboard windsurfer’s death were much exaggerated. We know the longboard works, and we’re out there making converts. Manufacturers like Kona are pushing the concept. The Kona One, they say, is the world’s top-selling board. We may not be the biggest part of the windsurfing scene yet, but we’re not going away. In a sense, it’s déjà vu. About two decades ago, longboard surfing was in the same position. There was a low groundswell of support, and the old walruses [Read... [Read more]




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Phantom Hits Aussie Shores

July 9, 2008 · 4 Comments 

While it is the middle of our winter, the first batch of the long awaited Starboard Phantom 380 raceboard has arrived in Australia. An eager bunch of Australian raceboarders joined the NSW distributor, Sam Parker from Wind Surf n Snow, for a small Phantom arrival celebration at his shop. The lucky three who had their name down for the first boards enjoyed a beer in the festive atmosphere as foot straps and centreboards were installed and the new board was inspected and discussed. [Read more]  Read More →




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Ensuring supply of longboards

June 15, 2008 · 5 Comments 

The past 24 months has seen a number of new longboard windsurfers arrive on the scene. While, there are clearly some design improvements when compared to the longboards of old, in reality it is a clear recognition from the industry that they should have never stopped making long boards in the first place. Included in the new crop of boards are varieties of raceboards, the Kona family of boards and a range of SUP’s to mention a few. One thing that all of these boards have in common is that they are all longer than your average slalom board and... [Read more]




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Raceboarding & light wind technique

May 10, 2008 · 3 Comments 

While the Northern Hemisphere gears up for their racing season, winter is upon us down here in Australia. After a long season of racing, it’s a time to finally get those board and sail repairs done, and abit of fine tuning. The winter traditionally on the East Coast of Australia (NSW) is alot of the time blowing a 30 knot freezing southerly but mostly it puts on a sun filled, light 2-8 knots. So if you wish to brush up on your light wind technique & tactics it’s a good time. The photos of AUS 053, Russell Jones from Illawarra... [Read more]