What is the ‘Windsurfer’ One Design
September 10, 2007 · Print This Article
The WINDSURFER ONE DESIGN is the updated version of the original Windsurfer – the board that started it all, and still one of the strongest classes in Australia. The beloved “Wally” is tough, it’s cheap, it can be sailed in anything from gales to calms, and it’s one design. It’s suitable for everything from laid-back no hassle cruising, to racing against Olympians.
Wally in high wind
Wally with passenger
The One Design is the ideal board for laid-back fun at the beach, in light winds and strong. Forget waiting for ideal conditions – there’s always enough wind for a Windsurfer One Design. Rigging takes just minutes, and the board is almost indestructible.
GET YOUR KIDS ON BOARD THE WINDSURFER JUNIOR
Remember how much fun you had windsurfing? It’s time to show your kids the magic with the Junior version of the Windsurfer One Design – official junior board of the Australian Windsurfing Association.
The “Junior One” is simply the One Design with a smaller sail. It’s tough, simple and cheap – perfect for simple fun, laid-back light wind cruising, easy training or close racing. The new 3.5m and 4.5m sails from Barracouta Sails are simple, tough and cheap, and they make learning a breeze compared to the old sails. They don’t have monofilm to tear or battens to break, but they do have the handling and power you need to sail in light winds as well as strong stuff.
249 Freestyle
As the kids get better, they can hone their skills or just have more fun with their friends, by joining the Junior One racing class. Aimed straight at the under-16s, the Junior One uses the 3.5 and 4.5m sails to keep sailing close, fun and tactical. As your teen starts looking for more challenge, they can move up to the big rig in light winds and race against former Olympic team members. But most important, the One is just right for simply messing about on boards. And with secondhand boards starting from under $300 and complete new boards for just $1590, it’s the cheapest way to get your kids afloat.
THE RACER’S CHOICE
The One Design is the ideal board for close, cheap tactical racing. It’s the Laser of the windsurfers- the board that champions from 420s, skiffs and Lasers choose to race. On a Windsurfer, you measure your sailing by your skill – not by your wallet.
Alisha cruising upwind
The One Design offers more variety than any other sailing class. There’s course racing to test your speed and tactics, marathons to stretch your strength and strategy, the grace and athleticism of freestyle, and the intensity of slalom. There’s a full range of experience, from Olympians, through to less experienced “Silver Fleet” racers and beginners. With weight, age and gender divisions, everyone has an equal chance.
The main Windsurfer One Design fleets are found in Australia as far as we know. If you live outside Australia and you know of an active fleet please add a comment below.
Simplicity is a beautiful thing in Windsurfing. We are trying to establish a fleet of Windsurfer One Designs here in South Australia. What we need is second hand gear for this class. If anyone knows of Windsurfer Class second hand equipment that people are wanting to part with please let me know.
how and where can I buy a brand new Windsurfer?
where can I buy a windsurfer (new)?
They are available from Windgenuity (in Cromer in Sydney) through Wind Surf ‘N Snow at Long Reef in Sydney. However, there is currently a production hold-up and the next run is a few months away, unfortunately. Windgenuity are trying to sort out the problem.
Thanks Chris for the info. I live in Cape Town, do you know where I could find them in South Africa by any chance…?
I am looking for used windsurfer and accessories. I live in Wyoming and am wondering if there is anywhere near here that a person might find what I need.vuca
Guys, of course buying a brand new one is best, as Chris points out.
For used stuff, on top of eBay (which is not great for that), use Kijiji and Craigslist.org. Plus you probably have more Web classified in your area. I always manage to find parts wherever I am using these.
Bye,
P.
Greetings,
I have an 80s model one design that my family and I enjoy sailing every year.
Last season we lost the hand nut that attached the mast foot to the track. The foot is the type with a “keyhole” for connection to the pin on the mast track.
We have managed to rig up something to keep it going but could use the correct part if it is available, new or used.
Any leads would be appreciated.
V/R
Kevin in OHIO
Sorry Kevin, you won’t find them any more. However, it shouldn’t be too hard to tap a new thread into the slider inside the mast track, and then use a standard new one-bolt mast base.
I feel your pains. I’ve been looking for a skeg for mine for a year now. I’m at the point where I might just try to make one out of teak wood myself. My rig is a ‘77 or so model. It has a teak wood wishbone boom and a teak wood universal joint that just plugs into a slot on the top of the board. If I ever need those replaced I’m certain I would have to make them myself. I figure if I complete the set with a teak wood skeg and centerboard it would definately be a one of kind.
Michael
Pennsylvania
Hey Michael, could help you with skeg (I ain’t that far from you). Drop me a personal note.
Guys, I’ve just stumbled on this site over a frozen Christmas in the south coast of UK. I can remember 188457 my own Windsurfer One Design some 25 years ago when I used to howl past the guys on the then “sinkers” with my big dagger board hanging over my arm and a 10′ spout of water shooting up from the daggerboard slot. Yes I know I had to put my toe over it to lessen the drag – but boy was it fun.
As a 6′ 3″ guy I always had to ride the longboards and the smallest I got down to was a Chapter 270 which I had the pleasure of swimming in from Stokes Bay in the SOlent to avoid being run down by the Isle of Wight Ferry when the wind dropped one evening.
I’ve still got a Bic Bamba down the side of my garage, bought for £75 ($150) complete with rig about 6 years ago and used once. Shit summers here in England – if you’re looking for light wind. This website has ensured I’ll get back out again in the spring and re-juventate my enthusiasm. 1980 to 1989 was my time so methinks I’d best be ready for another go – bring it on!
Hi – another post from the UK, London this time. I’ve been trying to get hold of an original wooden daggerboard for over three years now, without success. Can anyone help? I’ve managed to get an original teak boom and teak mastfoot, and my aim is to make a display on my office wall. Anyone who can halp can reach me at nick at publishingexpo.co.uk
Hello, Been looking around on this site, very nice! My question is where can I buy a new Windsurfer One Design here in the states? I have looked everywhere, nothing. I can’t even find who actually makes them. Any ideas? Thanks for any help. Mark
I agree, that one of best way to enjoyed life is to have fun specially when you get bored.
In fact windsurfing can be said to straddle both the laid-back culture of surf sports and the more rules-based environment of sailing.The sport has a potentially shallower (longer) learning curve when compared to other so-called “extreme” sports. But, are there easy way to learn surfing?
Brin @ secondhandwindsurfing.com
Hi all, does anyone know if thw WOD is available new in the uk.
I ,ve given up dinghy racing after 35+ years due to bend knee impact syndrome. Took up windsurfing october 09, love it and no problems with my knees. I am still very much a beginner, completed my level 2 non planing. Currently on a 20 yr old bic semi displacement type board with 6.0 raf sail. I start behind the dinghies and do my best to finish a race. Not really interested in speed or waves just like to race. I think the WOD would be great, however if i can’y getmy hands on one then thinking on the lines of the Kona OD.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
where can I get a windsurfer one design, either new or second hand?
In australia
The Windsurfer One Design is still built by Windgenuity in Australia. Contact them at
windgenuity@bigpond.com
Peter, second hand ones are popping up on Ebay, but Windgenuity (02) 9982 6444 is the place to get a new one.
Jeff, the Kona One is a great boat. In our testing, the Windsurfer was faster up to about 12 knots, then the Kona starts reaching much faster.
The Windsurfer One Design has an Australian yardstick about the same as a Laser Radial. In light winds upwind it will struggle, but across the range of conditions it’s pretty competitive.
For comparison, here the Raceboard has a yardstick of 92 (open rig) or 95 (7.5); Windsurfer is 113 and Kona would be about the same; Bic Techno seems to be around 144.