Knowledge Base
Blast from the past
May 26, 2008 ·
Chris Thompson, one of the founders of LBWS, has a proud windsurfing history having been around in the beginning of a great sport and competing against the likes of legends such as Robby Naish and Phil McGain. Over the years Chris has sailed a plethora of boards and competed at a high level in both windsurfing and many dingy classes including the very competitive Laser Class. As well as being a talented sailor Chris is a great commentator on windsurfing and sailing in general. He has been writing on sailing and windsurfing... [Read more]
Longboard freestyle – the basic forward railride
January 24, 2008 ·
In this article, we will learn to ‘pull’ the basic, forward railride. We sailboarders are lucky. The wind Gods - or the Gods of wind, if you will - have given us windsurfing, and for longboards, they’ve given us the possibility to railride. Here is the move: This may look like a difficult move to learn at first. However, you are near guaranteed to ride the rail eventually if you follow my instructions and persevere. After all, most sailors could do it in the old days. Learning to rail will require lots of practice... [Read more]
Longboard freestyle or the art of fun windsurfing
January 7, 2008 ·
Why freestyle? Simple: freestyle is fun, and I want to share this with you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s longboard or short board, beginner stuff or advanced - there’s nothing more delightful than seeing someone try new moves, try to improve, and just have fun. To see their face when it works for the first time, and having them going out for more (in my case, for more punishment!). The Rail Ride I’ve been doing freestyle almost exclusively ever since I started windsurfing, in 1981. In fact I started... [Read more]
The Mistral Equipe & Pan-Am
December 27, 2007 ·
Latest Mistral Pan Am The original Pan-Am boards were developed in 1983 and were course raced through the surf, they were of similar design to the modern mistral raceboards i.e equipped with retractable dagger boards, sliding mast tracks and footstraps and were the precursors that all modern raceboards were founded upon. In 1989 Mistral Windsurfing produced their first Mistral Equipe which was designed by Rick Naish father of the legend Robbie Naish. This board was approx 3720mm in length max width 635mm and a volume of... [Read more]
Longboard freestyle - generalities & terminology
December 6, 2007 ·
This article is a mish-mash of general advice and thinking around freestyle and practicing freestyle. There is no one-shot, magic tip that will make all tricks easier to learn. Freestyle is an attitude as much as skills. If freestyle was pure skills, I just wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure. Learning a new move is all in the approach, the forethought, the perseverance, the will to perform, the visualization, and so on. By the way, these tips apply to general windsurfing as well: perfecting, learning gybes and... [Read more]
Longboard freestyle - on the railride (rail ride)
November 19, 2007 ·
This is an article on railriding in general. Further articles will address the different railrides, one at a time. This is special enough a move that it deserves its own introduction. Railrides is half the specialty for competitive-level longboard freestyling, if there was one. Railriding is more advanced freestyle, but it’s not incredibly difficult either. After all, in the 80s a fair portion of the sailors could do it, and even non-freestyle racer friends could pull at least the basic railride. You can still see... [Read more]
Race checklist
October 27, 2007 ·
BEFORE LEAVING HOME Equipment is in 100% working order. Gear is packed securely on the car or trailer. Sailing bag is packed and includes wetsuit, towel, sunscreen, food, drink sailing instructions and any necessary race registration information. Toolbox is packed and includes screwdrivers, emergency repair kit, shackle key, spare rope, spare parts etc. Make sure you leave with plenty of time to spare. ARRIVAL AT THE RACE VENUE Check briefing and race times. Check weather conditions and local forecast. Register... [Read more]
Front-to-back sailing (part 1 of 2)
October 10, 2007 ·
Today we look at a move that is both simple and elegant, and within anyone’s reach. This move has no pre-requisites (other than having a board to do it on!), you need not be a pro, and it’s a lot of fun to learn and to perfect. Pushing the rigThe move is simply pushing the rig - normal people pull the rig, they don’t push it, right? You may have seen this move at your local beach, it is used for instance in what some short boarders call an “heli-tack”. I’m not too strong on pet names,... [Read more]
Front-to-back sailing (part 2 of 2)
October 9, 2007 ·
In the first article on front-to-back sailing we learned the basics of pushing the sail, or sailing front-to-back. I promised then that this move could lead to much wilder fun sailing, so let’s look here at some of the possibilities. The very next fun step is to get into front-to-back from sailing clew-first (sail backwards). Have a look. Showing off.As usual, start slowly, in low winds. You don’t have to jump, that was just me showing off. Just step in front of board and follow the sail as the wind swings... [Read more]
Longboard windsurfing at the Olympics
September 27, 2007 ·
This article first appeared in “On the Wind” Sep 2000. “On the Wind” is a newsletter put out by the Stormriders Sailboard Club and the NSW Boardsailing Association. While It was obviously written some time ago It still provides an interesting history into longboards at the Olympics. Boardsailing - An Olympic Class History by Bruce Kendall of New Zealand: (dual Olympian Medal winner) Our sport is still called Boardsailing in Olympic jargon and was a demonstration sport at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles... [Read more]
A brief longboard history
September 19, 2007 ·
In 1968 Jim Drake a sailor and aeronautical engineer and Hoyl Schweitzer a surfer and computer executive got together and developed the windsurfer. It is a remarkable achievement that their original design is still in the market place to day ( in slightly modified form,) and is still actively raced and enjoyed worldwide. The Original Windsurfer is the original longboard, the great grandfather (or mother ) of the raceboards we sail to-day. Grand Father Stew with his Cooper S and Mistral Panam Whilst others dreamed of sailing... [Read more]
Racing sails - shape & rigging
August 27, 2007 ·
Barracouta Sails has been building longboard racing sails since 1980, over that time the sails have evolved a lot from Dacron soft sails set on soft fibreglass masts, to the monofilm and camber induced sails set on carbon fibre masts of today. Longboard sail design is very different from Formula sails, I consider that what works for one won’t work for the other. What I am looking for in a Longboard sail, is that it has enough power, (depth and tightness of the leech). I would always sail a Longboard with an adjustable... [Read more]
Raceboard handling - the basics
August 27, 2007 ·
1. KEY POINTS - Be decisive. - Do not give up. - Use the art of visualisation. - Be observant. - Trust yourself. If you think that there is a lift go with it. 2. UPWIND - Railing the board is critical – push the leeward rail down to create an edge for the board to push against. - Stance – straight body with shoulders back. - Dagger fully down in light to moderate winds. May need to rake slightly in windy conditions if the board over rails. - Make sure that you always have a transit line to monitor your knock... [Read more]
Railing a raceboard - The key to good Pointing
August 27, 2007 ·
The art of railing a race board is one of the keys to upwind success as it delivers critical extra height compared to riding the board flat. If you are to be a successful “uphill” Raceboard sailor you will need to master this in all wind conditions. While there is no hard and fast rules on how to do it and different people have different techniques the following points may help. 1. PLANNING CONDITIONS In over powered conditions the board may want to rail up on its own. If this is the case you will need to control and... [Read more]
Race tactics - The basics
August 27, 2007 ·
The following basic race tactics are a must for all LB racers. 1. PRE RACE Make sure that you go to the briefing. Get to the coarse area early to investigate wind including patches, lifts and knocks. If possible sail the course before the race. 2. START LINE Start is critical to a successful race. Get clean air – don’t be afraid to head down the line. Pump your way to clean air and to get the board railed up and away. Where a watch that allows you to count down the start so that you can be on the line at go time. Use... [Read more]
Getting a good start
August 27, 2007 ·
We have discovered over the years that one of the most critical elements to any race is the start. If you don’t get it right and end up at the back of the fleet it can be very difficult to fight your way through all the dirty air and your position will often get worse as a consequence. The key to a good start is preparation. No doubt you may have seen a sailor, or you yourself have barley made it to the start line in time. You hit the line with speed at the favoured end and end up in the front end of the fleet, or,... [Read more]