On the cover, Robby Naish jumps with a board that, for once, was not designed by his father Rick, but by Australian shaper Mark Paul. Down Under, after a comparatively late start, an innovative windsurfing scene had developed that surprised the rest of the world with strongly curved fins in 1980. The "Kanga-Cock" fins (kangaroo tail) are already very close to today's wave fins and were already convincing back then with a well thought-out flex and fewer spin-outs. In an interview, shaper Mike Maguire philosophises about steps in the gliding surface and explains what happens during a spin-out. The Australians were also ahead of Europe back then when it came to shapes: with swallow tails, foot straps, a width that was far back and the omission of centreboard boxes, the boards looked much more modern than the models that were popular here at the time. According to surf, Robby Naish muttered after testing an Aussie board: "This is one of the best boards I've ever ridden!"
Better than expected: boards made of foam
Boards made of foamed polyethylene, which are built in a similar way to bodyboards, have a completely different target group. Only half as heavy as "real" boards, but very robust and soft, models such as the "California Sidewinder" and the "California Windjammer" are exciting alternatives for newcomers and families. In the test, surf attests to the boards' very good wave performance in strong winds, although you will probably have to get used to the much more sensitive steering at first. Despite the manufacturing problems that still exist, the concept is convincing: "So if the technical problems [...] can be solved, the 'soft wave' should quickly take hold on our lakes, even if you first have to get used to the feeling of being 'up to your ankles in the board'," is the prophecy.
Windsurfing becomes Olympic
In the summer of 1980, the time had come: the IOC decided that windsurfing would be an Olympic discipline from 1984. Despite opposition from elite sailing circles ("Putting a board under the sails of a yacht is about the same as replacing the chassis of a car with roller skates."), the vast majority of delegates in Moscow voted in favour of inclusion. This is also the starting signal for discussions that are to continue for a long time: Will there also be a women's classification (no), will there be weight classes (no), which courses will be run and, above all, what kind of material should be permitted? Both Ostermann Windglider and the Open Class see their chances at "60 to 40", and Windsurfer and Mistral also have ambitions. surf launched a survey among its readers, at that time of course by sending in a postcard. In the end, as we all know, it was the Windglider, a design that was already several years old at the time.
The displacer discussion
surf invites some opinionated representatives of the surf industry to the editorial office for a debate. "Which is better - displacers or gliders?" is the question that is hotly debated. Niko Stickl, on the side of the displacement fans, describes it as "dangerous to sell boards with which I can no longer backcross properly". He accuses surf of using Hawaii reports to get the scene excited about planing boards that are hardly available, that hardly anyone can ride and that then break quickly. Manufacturer Hannes Marker is in favour of planing boards: "In Europe, people have made the mistake of not developing the sport according to its own laws (he refers to the relationship to surfing, E. ed.), but they were based on the sailing sport that already existed." Above all, the emphasis on the cross on triangular courses has influenced the boards, Marker continues. Looking to the future, the displacement faction is hoping for mixed forms for the masses, while the gliding corner had the right instinct from today's perspective: a mixed form as a transition to pure gliding boards: "These fun boards are, as the name suggests, boards that you have fun with," says Sigi Hofmann. "You should actually have fun with all available boards. [...] And everything is easier with the gliders."
And what else?
- Then as now, exits and wipeouts exert a strange fascination. While today, spectacular crashes by professionals are real eye-catchers (see our large gallery), surf 1980 organised a photo competition for the readers' best exits
- A rainy summer plunges the industry into what passes for a crisis at the time. Instead of 100% growth, only 20% is expected for 1980, prices for boards fall by several hundred marks in some cases, and sales of sailboards, for example, fall by 2,500 units. Manufacturers today can only dream of that...
- Foot steering is the latest trend: instead of just travelling straight ahead, "strong wind expert" Klaus Simmer shows you how to wag across the water
- With the "Jumping Board", wind glider manufacturer Ostermann is launching a new strong wind alternative with loops and a contoured tail. surf conclusion after the first test: easy to ride, but at almost 24 kg still clearly too heavy.
- "What exactly is windsurfing?" surf asks passers-by on Munich's Stachus. Almost all of them have at least a rough idea, and some of the younger ones have even tried it themselves
- surf starts a series of tests of club holidays for windsurfing. We start off with a Club Mediterranée holiday in Corsica. After "singing the club song" - Club Las Piranhas sends its regards - "the Teuton" stands there a little confused because all the explanations are only given in French. There are only a few power sockets, so if you want an electric shave, you have to get up early and join the queue. "Very modest accommodation without any comfort" is the verdict, although the sports facilities and catering are impressive
- How do I transport my windsurfing gear in a convertible? surf presents several, sometimes adventurous constructions
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
More surf reviews:
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1977
- These were the highlights in surf 6/1978
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1979
- These were the highlights in surf 11/1980
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1981
- These were the highlights in surf 5/1982
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1983
- These were the highlights in surf 10/1983
- These were the highlights in surf 9/1984
- These were the highlights in surf 8/1985
- These were the highlights in surf 8/1986
- These were the highlights in surf 9/1986
- These were the highlights in surf 5/1987
- These were the highlights in surf 8/1988
- These were the highlights in surf 5/1989
- These were the highlights in surf 7/1989
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1990
- These were the highlights in surf 6/1991
- These were the highlights in surf 3/1992
- These were the highlights in surf 9/1993
- These were the highlights in surf 10/1993
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1994
- These were the highlights in surf 7/1995
- These were the highlights in surf 11-12/1996
- These were the highlights in surf 7/1997
- These were the highlights in surf 8/1998
- These were the highlights in surf 4/1999
