When someone with a sail number turns up on the beach, they immediately gain a little more respect - regardless of their level on the water. A sticker with a country abbreviation and number subconsciously acts like a medal: "Look, there's someone who means business and competes with the best!" And just like a car licence plate, there are people who have a close emotional connection to their number, while certain sailing numbers are also surrounded by a myth. Anyone who has got hold of the 1111 sees themselves as a direct relative of Robby Naish, E-11 has become a brand, and almost every child knows G-16.
Apply for a sail number
In Germany, the German Windsurfing Association (GWA) is responsible for the administration of sail numbers in the shortboard sector. Official GWA sail numbers are issued exclusively to members of the organisation. The allocation is carried out by the GWA office according to a fixed order. If a desired number is still available, it can be allocated without further ado. However, anyone who does not actively participate in GWA regattas for a longer period of time can lose their number again.
Windsurfers who wish to obtain an official sail number must first become a member of the German Windsurfing Association. In addition to the opportunity to obtain a sail number, membership of the GWA often offers other benefits such as access to competitions and first-hand information.
One You can apply for a sail number here at the GWA - there is also a list of the assigned sail numbers!
Exceptions to the sail numbers
However, sail numbers are not mandatory for junior and amateur regattas such as the Racer of the Sea. The organisers of official ranking list regattas in particular often attach importance to a clearly legible sail number. This applies above all to the racing disciplines, and in the Wave and Freestyler disciplines there are always some riders at the start without a sail number, even in the World Cup. This is often tolerated, but can also have disadvantages, especially with the same material. "If I can clearly recognise a rider with a number, I talk about him or her more often," explained PWA commentator Ben Proffitt during an event last season. When it comes to pictures, it is also more appreciated in reporting if the athletes can be clearly identified.
In some regions, you also see a lot of fantasy numbers with abbreviations such as BY for Bavaria and SAX for Saxony. In contrast to car licence plates, anyone can stick whatever they like on their sails. However, if you want to take part in a race with it, you should first get the go-ahead from the regatta organisers.
Country abbreviation for sail numbers: G or GER?
In windsurfing, sail numbers were regulated internally for a long time; it was not until the end of the 1990s that the regulation from sailing was adopted, according to which the country abbreviation must consist of three letters. Many riders who also take part in IFCA regattas were therefore forced to change, and today almost all racers use three-letter abbreviations. In the wave and freestyle sector, on the other hand, the old abbreviations are still common; these often only consist of one or two letters and fit better in the smaller sails. In addition, the windsurfing abbreviations are simply "cooler" for many than the specifications from the sailing world.
While G and GER are still obvious for Germany, the IFCA abbreviations elsewhere differ significantly from the old windsurfing designations. "K" stands for "Kingdom" for Great Britain, and numerous former colonies were also given the K ("KA" for Australia, "KBA" for Barbados). Switzerland simply had a "Z" before "SUI", Denmark was "E" instead of "DEN", and the Netherlands was simply Holland with "H" instead of "NED".
This is what sail numbers should look like, they are printed here
Some organisations also specify exactly what the sail number should look like. The GWA, for example, stipulates that the individual numbers and letters must be at least 230 mm high, the spacing must be 45 mm and the background must be white. Other organisations may deviate from this, but if in doubt, you should speak to the judges. Many manufacturers provide their teams with sail numbers in a specific look - if you don't want to take part in official regattas, you can let off steam.
There are several suppliers who create and print customised sail numbers and other stickers to order. Tramontana Grafixx for example, not only supplies many professionals, but also prints the sponsor stickers for the World Cup on Sylt and many other events. Another point of contact is stickers4sails.com
