WindsurfingSA news » longboard

Raceboard info

John Rohde — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:43:56 +0000

For a wide range of information on raceboards and hybrids, have a good look at www.windsurfraceboard.blogspot.com

It’s not just about the boards, but
- racing techniques
- the equipment
and lots of other interesting stuff

Filed under: Kona, longboard, One Design, rs:x, Windsurfer

Return of the Original Windsurfer

John Rohde — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:51:02 +0000

The Original Windsurfer (Photo: Jean Souville)

It’s never really been out of use in Australia. The Australian manufacturer of the Windsurfer One Design (Windgenuity, Sydney) reports interest from Italy & USA. I have also received queries from these areas in the last few months. In the latest issue of Windsurfing (US), Winter 2009 (Aug), p46 states: The Original Windsurfer was the board that started it all – and now you may be able to by one. Ted Schweitzer, son of Original Windsurfer founders Hoyle and Diane Schweitzer, has plans to reintroduce the board to the US market. “I can’t believe how many people have expressed interest in ordering, sight and price unseen”, says Schweitzer.

Photo: Michael McGrath

Some of us can remember sailing the original craft – dacron sails, teak (square-ish to rounded) booms, and manual adjust centerboard (pictured top). Following the Perth worlds in 1985, a new board was introduced, and it’s still in production today. The new board (see right) has a shorter aluminium boom, retractable centreboard and mylar sail. For more info, see our windsurfer page.

1985 marks the beginning of the funboard era. About that time, alternative boards began to move into the Australian market. The longboard era lasted into the early 2000′s when Formula Windsurfing took over. Longboards, and the Windsurfer one-design are making a comeback as the noughties close…

What about wavesailing… that’s never gone out of fashion!

Posted in history, longboard, Windsurfer

Australia Day Long Weekend 2009

John Rohde — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:44:13 +0000

Attention all longboard Windsurfers,
As you may have heard the Longboard Windsurfing Festival will now be split over two event locations on the Australia Day Long Weekend. The Raceboard Oceanic Titles will be at Illawarra Yacht Club and the Windsurfer One Designs will be remain at Port Stephens Sailing and Aquatic Club.

Event poster and initial information (2mb PDF)
for the Raceboard Oceanic Championships. Further information will be available as we get closer to the event.

Cheers
Pat Coleman
Windsurfing NSW Raceboard Representative
Please call me on 0414 244 144 if you have any questions.

Longboard Windsurfer Festival

John Rohde — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:04:14 +0000

In 2009 there will be a “Longboard Windsurfer Festival” running from Jan 23-26 @ Salamander Bay, Port Stevens in NSW (north of Newcastle). This event will include the Oceanic Championships for the Raceboards as well as the Windsurfer One Designs. There will a class for the Kona One and also include a section for longboard wave sailing. 80 – 100 competitors are expected. For more information, see the 2mb brochure. I was there for a Wally Nationals, once apon a time – JR (will have to find the pictures).