Robby Naish: Separation after 25 years!
No, surf didn't take a trip into the realms of the rainbow press, it was "only" about boards: Robby Naish left his own brand Mistral in the summer of 2001 after a quarter of a century and launched his own boards on the market at the same time. Naish sails had already been around for a few years, but now Robby was turning his company into a full-range supplier: "We didn't just want Naish mixed into a soup with North, Fanatic, Mistral, F2, Arrows and so on," says Robby about the background. Just in time for the deadline on 1 July, Naish is launching 13 boards in four lines, with more already in the pipeline. The shaper is Papa Rick. Brand manager Joachim Siegmann is hoping for "great demand" thanks to the prominent name. Only one is missing from the new boards: Robby Naish. "His separation from Mistral will only take legal effect from 1 July," explains Siegmann. "We wanted to do this properly." Naish himself says his goal is to "stay in the business for a few more years." It worked, Robby only sold his successful empire in 2023.
The Watermen of Hawaii
They are legends and are always surrounded by a touch of the mystical: The Watermen of Hawaii, who seem to be one with the water and ride the biggest waves in the world. They are the spiritual descendants of Duke Kahanamoku and Eddie Aikau, but in modern times they are increasingly the focus of media and sponsors. Laird Hamilton, Pete Cabrinha, Dave Kalama and others are the modern-day waterman, they go windsurfing, surfing, tow-in surfing and anything else that is fun in the waves. "You can only earn the title of Waterman over many years, and it is rewarded with respect," says Laird Hamilton. But material things are also becoming more and more important, with the media and sponsors paying a lot of money for spectacular images. Craig Maisonville, surfing hero of the 80s and now absorbed in family and faith, doesn't get much out of this: "I don't understand glorifying someone just because they came closest to death," he says to surfing author Steve Chismar. Brand new in 2001 and enthusiastically received by the Waterman gang around Hamilton: Foiling. "Once we've mastered these things better, we'll be able to surf swells from island to island without engine power!" predicts Hamilton.
Frank, the Spock ghost
Frank Lewisch is a surfing veteran and has been part of the test crew for more than 20 years. In 2001, the man from Lake Neusiedl was also one of the world's top freestyle surfers, knocking a string of stars out of the race on Fuerte. "To be at the top permanently, he needs to train properly," is the unanimous opinion. Franky, on the other hand, plans his trips perfectly, often buying a house and car on the spot for longer stays, which he then shares with other surfers. "Franky is only interested in three things: surfing, food and Playstation," says his test partner. Frank has largely retained this lifestyle to this day, and his immense riding skills and experience flow into many surf tests!
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
And what else?
- surf is calling for a singles get-together; windsurfers who are willing to make contact can send in a profile, which will then be published in one of the following issues.
- Boom shortages at almost all manufacturers, only Nautix still has a large boom in stock. At the Euro Cup, Andy Laufer even had to connect the spars of the boom, which was actually too short, with ropes through a hole in the sail (!) to keep the handle bar in some shape.
- A perennial favourite, 23 years ago as well as in the childhood days and still today: Lake Garda. The big spot guide has all the information you need to find your way around the hustle and bustle of Torbole and co
- Jason Prior is to host the Nea Awards at ISPO: "The 28-year-old Canadian is said to have the aura of a rock star and also real entertainer qualities."
- "King of the Lake" Diony Guadagnino is facing growing competition: "My tip is Ricardo Campello," he oracles. "The boy is only 15 years old, but he jumps diabolos and wymaroos with such enormous confidence that you'll be blown away!"
- With the Genesis, Mistral has designed a board that is set to become the new Olympic board after the One Design. The concept is reminiscent of the RS:X, which was later awarded the contract: Wide, short, daggerboard.
- Formula riding technique: Andy Laufer shows how to get the giant boards and sails under control. Indispensable: a lunge when jibing and plenty of courage when dropping off
- Courage is also needed for the front loop. surf gives you all the tips in a big special, from dry practice to rotations with a board dummy to the completed loop.
More surf reviews:
- surf 4/1977
- surf 6/1977
- surf 6/1978
- surf 4/1979
- surf 9/1980
- surf 11/1980
- surf 4/1981
- surf 5/1982
- surf 6/1982
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- surf 10/1983
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- surf 12/1984
- surf 8/1985
- surf 8/1986
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- surf 2/1987
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- surf 8/1988
- surf 5/1989
- surf 7/1989
- surf 4/1990
- surf 3/1991
- surf 6/1991
- surf 3/1992
- surf 10/1992
- surf 9/1993
- surf 10/1993
- surf 4/1994
- surf 7/1995
- surf 6/1996
- surf 11-12/1996
- surf 7/1997
- surf 8/1998
- surf 9/1998
- surf 4/1999
