The windsurfing boom is causing a whole new set of problems: local authorities and tourism associations (still referred to here as ‘tourism directors’) find the masses of windsurfers a thorn in their side. They put off bathers, take up too much space and spend too little money at their destinations. As a result, more and more local authorities are issuing limited licences, which must be attached to the sail either as a badge (Ratzeburg) or a flag (Münster). Other towns allow surfers access to their waters only to a very limited extent. At Walchensee, for example, there was already a massive car-parking problem back then; the police “could spend the whole of Saturday and Sunday handing out fines”. In some cases, even ambulances could no longer get through. “The surfers aren’t doing us any favours,” is the complaint heard at the Achensee too. Most of them bring their own provisions instead of ordering a proper schnitzel at the pub, as one ought to. However, there is a strong suspicion that a few grumblers are trying to stir up trouble. For instance, the police have largely been able to refute the accusation that surfers leave the beaches at Walchensee littered with rubbish; at the same time, overnight stays have risen in line with the number of windsurfers. Elsewhere – not least in the run-up to the sport’s Olympic debut – a move towards liberalisation is being observed: following persistent campaigning, many restrictions have recently been lifted or brand-new surfing areas established. Anyone who is still against it often simply has no idea: “I saw a TV programme about it,” an anti-surfing campaigner from Austria is quoted as saying, “even an experienced surfer can be caught out by a gust of wind!” Well, I never.
Robby Naish performs his first jumps on Lake Garda
Evolution right before your eyes: during the surf test weeks on Lake Garda, Robby Naish leaves hundreds of spectators in awe. The then 18-year-old rising star performed the first jumps on the lake, “thereby disproving the notion that such high-flying manoeuvres were only possible in the giant swells of Hawaii”. Photographer Dominique Merz was right up close – so close, in fact, that at times only the vented fins are visible in the pictures. Yet these were a sensation back in 1981; alongside the cover, Robby also features in a lavish photo spread. “I don’t jump with the board – I pull the board up with my arms,” says Robby, describing the technique. Anyone wanting to try it out needs a fast, light board (“under 15 kilos”) and three foot straps. Robby has it a bit easier, and not just because of his talent: he’s riding a custom board from Papa Rick on Lake Garda – 2.07 metres long and weighing 7 kilos. To go with the photos, there’s a guide to jumping technique by Jürgen Hönscheid further on in the magazine.
The Secrets of the Sailmakers
Whilst people have been tinkering with and discussing boards for quite some time now, sails remain largely uncharted territory for many. surf looked over the shoulder of legendary sailmaker André Lefebvre as he tailored a sail and shows all the steps involved in creating a triangular sail. A key criterion back then was the number of sail panels. Whilst one sailmaker boasts of using up to 12 panels, others adhere to the principle that ‘a good sail needs no more than five panels’. The coating of the fabrics and their stretch behaviour were also decisive factors at the time. Some brands built ‘tear-testing machines’ to test every batch of sailcloth. In contrast to the hand-sewn sails produced by smaller brands, almost all mass-produced sails from board manufacturers came from the Hong Kong factories of NeilPryde and Gaastra. However, modern materials such as Dacron and Mylar were already appearing on the horizon. Only mono-film was something nobody dared to dream of yet.
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What else is going on?
- There is a stir amongst manufacturers: patent guru Hoyle Schweitzer is apparently considering granting licences to Mistral and two other brands for the German market. Naturally, the existing licence holders find this rather unwelcome. Incidentally, Schweitzer is happy to summon everyone else to Hawaii for negotiations – only Windglider boss Fred Ostermann replied that they should please meet halfway.
- Advertising gems: “Petrol price fever is rife”, and at the petrol pumps “one bitter pill after another is being dished out”. We recognise this today too, but back in 1981 it was already the central theme of an advert for the Renault 5.
- Karlheinz Stickl wants to introduce a T-shirt colour-coding system for ability levels at his school.
- Windsurfing: a major trend. According to a survey, 37 per cent of young people dream of learning to windsurf themselves. 5 per cent are even saving up to buy their own equipment.
- In France, some local authorities near Bordeaux are introducing a special tax for windsurfers. The reason given is that they need to be rescued more often than swimmers.
- Advertising Gems II: “What does the ideal wetsuit look like?” asks manufacturer Aquata, inviting people to submit their own designs via a colour-in advert.
- Things you’re lucky enough not to need any more: surf shows you four knots for setting up a rig. Praise be to quick-release fasteners and cleats!
- The Spotguide Ostsee offers some wonderful aerial views and a few surprises: in Laboe, there used to be a campsite right on the beach, and the Bülke lighthouse used to be red rather than green, with no sewage treatment plant further inland.
- At the European Windsurfing Championships in Weymouth, it seems the focus wasn’t solely on the sporting side of things: a competitor from France spent two days in prison upon arrival for possession of cannabis, whilst winner Jan Wanggaard sailed with a bottle of champagne at the base of his mast during the final race.
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Tobias Frauen
Editor