It's the beginning of 1979 and the windsurfing world is still a bit in the grip of patent shock (see surf 6/1978). In the meantime, however, the first attempts have been made to get one over on Hoyle Schweitzer and his lawyers and bring their own material onto the market. "It has to go on somehow," said boat builder Siegfried Blech and constructed his own "sail boom": basically a smaller version of a boom, but with a tube around 70 cm long at the rear end. The leech is attached to this and trimmed, which works perfectly, as surf realised after the first test strokes.
The sheet metal construction would be legal if the patent text were to be interpreted literally, which is why Mistral and other brands have taken notice. However, Mistral's in-house patent attorney is also unsure whether this is the case or whether a judge considers the new boom to be too close to the protected original. After all, the "sail boom" is a success for its inventor Siggi Blech: "Hoyle Schweitzer had seven years to develop his rig, I only had four weeks!"
The nursery of foiling
In his report on his hydrofoil board, John Speer from Hawaii enthuses about the "quiet whisper of the hydrofoils cutting through the water compared to the hissing and gurgling of a conventional board". Speer designed this forerunner of today's foils himself, tested it extensively before Kailua and even won a race against a catamaran. "Since then, many of the best surfers from Hawaii have ridden the hydrofoil, and none of them have had any particular difficulties," reports Speer.
Niko Stickl had already used the basis of his design for a prototype at the Smirnoff Cup the year before (also see surf 6/1978), but back then with a 40-kilo board. Speer optimised the design and built the board and wing from carbon and PU foam. Despite the success in Hawaii, foiling disappeared from the scene for a while - the wings at the time were very bulky compared to modern foils.
Ski brands have their eye on the windsurfing market
Skiers want to get on the water: several winter sports brands are reportedly planning - more or less openly - to enter the windsurfing business. Marker already had a prototype, Kneissl is cooperating with the Stickl brothers and has already officially presented its "Windstar". Blizzard and Rossignol, on the other hand, have waved goodbye, citing the difficult patent situation. Fritzmeier is at the forefront: the manufacturer of skis and boats has secured shares in a small company in Switzerland and has already launched its first model on the market. The name: Mistral Competition.
And what else?
- An invitation to the "catapult" surf carnival party is enclosed. It says: "There, all participants can cause or prevent the aforementioned drop by sheeting in or sheeting out the rig, which may also be called 'Rita', 'Karl-Otto' or similar."
- The VDWS is taking action against surf schools that do not train according to the association's guidelines. It is threatening to no longer provide diplomas. In addition, only 50 surf instructors are to be trained per season in order to prevent a "teacher glut".
- In response to a parliamentary question to the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs about windsurfing in general, the minister responsible stated for the record that windsurfers would disturb fish spawning grounds on the lakes, prevent reproduction (of the fish) and "ecologically devalue" entire areas. Where these claims came from, however, remained completely unclear even when asked.
- The Point company shows a board with Manta-like spoilers at the tail, a folding metal daggerboard and foot-shaped recesses on deck for better stability.
- A few years before the legendary "Speed Machine" (surf 11/1980) shows surf how to build a board out of wood. For around 300 marks in materials and in 70 hours, you can build yourself a visual highlight.
- Riding technique with Naish: Robby shows tricks in the boom, including edging. Also included: How do you get out of the boom again?
- A sports student investigated whether you learn to surf faster in a simulator or on a tandem. Winner: the tandem because it is more sluggish than the wobbly simulator.
- How important is weight for windsurfers? Jim Drake says: not decisive. Surf shop owner Burckhard Manzke, on the other hand, is of the opinion that heavyweights have an advantage in stronger winds.
- surf was on a windsurfing cruise in Norway: a fun surf trip instead of a "floating retirement home", with sessions in the fjords in between. The most important tip: "If you still want to fit into your wetsuit at the end of the trip, you have to lose a few kilos before you set off!"
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 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
Tobias Frauen
Editor
