Grassroots Longboard Racing
September 1, 2008
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
Equipe III development
August 11, 2008
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 stage.
“With the Equipe III, we want to produce the best board possible and are under intensive testing with our proto type board against the competition currently out there. We have been testing it against the
Mistral back in the longboard game
August 4, 2008
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]
Mahalo Pluses and Minuses
July 22, 2008
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.