Today's windsurfing community predominantly consists of shortboard sailors of various categories. They are advanced windsurfers with modern high performance equipment. Some are executing radical maneuvers and high jumps - or racing technical "Formula 1" boards, while others goes flat out at blistering speeds with one goal in mind; breaking their own record. Its spectacular and they all truly enjoy the sport and take it to its very limit. Windsurfing in non-planing conditions is unthinkable, or not windsurfing at all.
Well looking back, I dare to say that people were attracted to windsurfing primarily in a non-planing mode. The initial sensation of being able to cruise around the bay or at the local lake inspired thousands to join the sport. How and why could that be.?
Early in 1979 I was visiting the Rip Curl factory in Torquay, Australia. Interesting place with interesting people, and the following interesting (retrospectively) statement was served to me by Brian Singer. A professional surfer and co-owner of the Rip Curl company;
(I remember his exact words very well)
You "Wind Wankers" are lucky bastards. Look at what happened to the surfing industry. It got too radical when the short boards arrived and we scared the crowds away. Believe the sport is only 10% of what it was. That will never happen to Windsurfing.
I was comfortably agreeing with him. It was too far fetched to imagine a short windsurfer or a sinker at that time. It would not perform, or it could only be used in …..exactly - planing conditions. We all know the rest. With the arrival of the short boards windsurfing limited itself to advanced sailing and windy conditions or windy places.
Pushing the limits is a natural attribute in most of us, and the development of new gear and shapes is imminent and healthy, - BUT didn't we forget something.? The entire industry shifted to performance oriented equipment and foolishly neglected the entry level and recreational segment.
(The surfing industry has rectified its mistake, and the "Malibu's" (longboards) was re-introduced some 10 years ago and surfing has been steadily growing ever since.)
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Looking back we know what kind of boards attracted the masses at the peak of the sport. Modern wide boards are excellent learning platforms, (although tacking and upwind performance are inferior) but they will never replace a longboard with a centerboard, good sub planning characteristics and maneuverability. Reality is that the path to planing ability is long and bumpy with obstacles of various kinds, and many (the majority) loose interest for obvious reasons; The "vehicle" that offers excitement in sub planning conditions and progressively takes you through the footstrap and harness hurdles has been absent for almost two decades.
The Exocet team has developed and added just that "missing link" to its 06 program. The Kona is designed with sub planing conditions and simplicity in mind. (Delivered complete with two optional sail sizes) We have given it sufficient volume, a flat rocker, soft rails and a gently curved outline. In other words nothing over stated or Titanic'ish. Our aim was to build a practical, (easy transportable) maneuverable, - thus making it challenging for all skill levels -(executing classical tricks becomes a breeze) good looking, and most of all excellent sub planing performer. This has been an exiting and rewarding project for us, and for those of you that have the opportunity; Come and have a close look at the very first (new generation) longboard displayed at the Paris Boatshow in early December.
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