It's 2020 - the Windsurfer LT has completely passed me by so far. Current number of sales in our shop: one piece. My opinion of the material is relatively clear: perfect for the one customer I had - but nobody else needs it. Why would anyone want to ride such a rag?
2021: The roots of the windsurfing LT scene
My regatta season is characterised by endless action - DWC in St. Peter, iQFOiL World Championships in Silvaplana, ROTS in Hemmelmark, etc. Windsurfing days that we dream of: with overpressure, waves and adrenalin. Until one summer evening around the campfire, I never thought about getting on a windsurfer LT. But after one to three bottles of wine, the question arose as to whether the incentive of travelling to the Chiemsee for the Bundesliga final could be increased.
If we stayed on site for longer and also took part in the first German best windsurfer LT class on the second weekend - as part of the Chiemsee Island Marathon - we would have more of our time. In short: after another bottle of wine, we have four orders for complete windsurfer LTs - including my own.
Less than a week later, the material arrives and I start unpacking: plastic fin, thick aluminium fork, sail without batten, board without loops etc. The friendship motto "If you buy one, I'll buy one too" is really dangerous, I think. But later I am pleasantly surprised. The first test run of our four LTs takes place in around ten knots of wind. The material is fast and - in contrast to a race board - surprisingly manoeuvrable. But my favourite thing is that after five minutes the competition starts. The identical equipment immediately creates the feeling of an absolutely fair starting position. In the following weeks, we test diligently and optimise the set-up for the regatta.
At Lake Chiemsee, the field of the best of the best is made up of just 13 men and women, including four from Wilhelmshaven, and only two are under 40 years old. A sobering result: hardly anyone races LT - and if they do, then only old people. Three days of racing followed, which brought me to the brink of despair. Wind in all strengths and from all directions. Even the locals say: "It's not that bad here either." My final result: 3rd place - and the question: "Do you really need that with the LT?"
A windsurfing community is created
In 2022/23, the question will shift. It's no longer about whether I personally need windsurfing, but what it can mean for the entire sport of windsurfing in the long term. In 2021, we have already launched a Wednesday regatta series in the club, which makes it possible to plan windsurfing like a workout in the gym, a football training session or a round of golf after work. It quickly becomes clear that the Windsurfer LT is superior to all other equipment. There is usually not enough wind for slalom or freeride boards. For foil or race boards, you need astronomically high riding skills to get it over the course efficiently.
The Windsurfer LT, on the other hand, offers easy handling - and at the same time the opportunity to get even beginners round the course quickly and enjoyably. It doesn't matter whether there are two or seven wind forces blowing - the appeal lies in getting out on the water together, competing and then discussing what could have been done better over a beer or another cold drink. All LT riders are rated in a separate category and can compare themselves free of any material battles.
The result is a community: there is a local annual ranking list with over 100 starters (all board classes), an average of four national league teams and starts at both national and international regattas. But more importantly, real club life is emerging again. As soon as there is even a hint of wind, people meet up on the beach to be out on the water with friends. Because a good surf session is also when you spend an hour practising old-school freestyle tricks on the water after work on a Monday. Even the after-work football club doesn't play world-class football every night - the fun of enjoying the sport with friends is what it's really all about.
2024: The windsurfer LT establishes itself
National growth can be recognised for the first time. In Wilhelmshaven, around 20 surfers are now competing in national regattas with the Windsurfer LT. The concept of "easy surfing" is also gaining a foothold at Lake Chiemsee and in Berlin. A total of 28 starters are already taking part in the German Best of the Best competition at Lake Starnberg - with a strikingly high proportion of women and young people. The LT also receives its own classification in the German Windsurfing League for the first time and has four registered teams.
The fitness advantage can only be utilised on the downwind courses. The tactical upwind courses without pumps completely shake up the field."
Personally, this regatta year has shown me that it doesn't matter what equipment we use to compete on the water and that "the old guys" are damn fast. The advantage of youthful fitness can only be utilised on the downwind courses. The tactical upwind courses without pumps - which used to be my personal nightmare - completely shake up the field. Every race win is absolutely deserved: a mixture of tactics and skill. Nobody has the faster foil, the newer sail or the lighter mast.
2025: "Dream BIG!"
For the first time, the DSV is offering us the opportunity to organise an International German Championship - approval dependent on the annual ranking list. The clear objective: to organise by far the largest regatta ever held in the LT class in Germany in Wilhelmshaven. Planning begins in February. The event weekend must be chosen so that it does not clash with regattas in neighbouring countries and the European Championships and World Championships are not too close to the date. The choice falls on 8-10 August - and it pays off.
We are organising with 70 entries:
- the largest LT regatta in Northern Europe
- the biggest German championship in all windsurfing classes of the year
- the third largest German sailing championship (across all boat classes at the time of the event).
The field is so large that the regatta organisers have decided to hold two qualifying days and one final day. There are a total of four races and a marathon on the qualifying day, with three more races in the Goldfleet and two in the Silverfleet on the final day. It remains exciting for me right to the end - but unfortunately I mess up the start of the second race on the final day and have to admit defeat to Ron Hartog from the Netherlands in the overall standings. But much more important is what we created with this event: three days that fully lived up to the motto of the windsurfing class - 50 per cent social/50 per cent racing. Competitors on the water, but in the evening we all celebrated together at karaoke with one, two or three beers.
Conclusion
The Windsurfer LT offers the opportunity to go beyond the mainstream and increase the number of windsurfing days by 100 per cent or more with minimal equipment and regardless of the pro level. At the same time, the regatta class offers tactically challenging races with an extremely low entry hurdle. No matter what surfing level - everyone will find suitable partners to compete with on the water.
Nobody has to deal with board generations or material differences. Everyone rides with identical equipment in the same (good or bad) conditions. In the end, it's all about spending as much time as possible on the water and on the beach in good company.
In the end, it's all about spending as much time as possible on the water and on the beach in good company."
Factsheet and technical data Windsurfer LT
- Width: 73.9 cm
- Length: 365.6 cm
- Weight: 16.0 kilos (with fin)
- Sail: Mylar, 5.7 and 4.7 m2
- Price complete: 2495 Euro, board (1495 €) and rig (1000 €) also available separately.
- Features: folding daggerboard (either race or normal), almost continuous deck pad, aluminium vario fork, 60 percent carbon mast (two-piece). The current windsurfer (LT = Light) is available in the same shape from several brands.
- Class association within the DSV: windsurferclass.org
Why Windsurfer LT? What the fans say
Vanessa (18 - GER) Chris Bierwag (15 - GER)
"We've been windsurfing for five years and previously travelled on the BIC Techno and Raceboard. The LT class gives us the opportunity to compare ourselves on the regatta course fairly and without a material battle. Everyone here is super nice and open - it feels like one big family."
Herbert Weynand (61 - GER)
"My background is characterised by the original windsurfer and later the Euro Funboard Cup. Then I took a short break - about 20 to 25 years. I've been back on the regatta course since 2022 and have discovered the windsurfer class for myself. I'm attracted by the high tactical factor - you have to take every wind shift on the cross to stay ahead. My best experience so far was taking part in the World Championships in Australia, where I was able to finish eighth in a course race."
Femke Stalmann (17 - NED)
"My mum tried to convince me to surf earlier, but somehow the spark didn't ignite. I started surfing two years ago and shortly afterwards I took part in my first regatta on the Windsurfer LT. I really enjoy competing on the water and can learn a lot in the LT class. I'm very happy with my second place in the women's classification at this championship. In the long term, I would like to switch to the Olympic iQFOiL."
Edoardo Thermes (54 - ITA)
"In 2011, we started racing again on the original Windsurfer LT, which was of course much heavier and more unwieldy. In 2016, I had the idea of producing a new board that was similar to the old style but much easier to handle. Here we are today, and I'm delighted that the regatta class is also growing in Germany and that such a great event is being organised. My greatest success is to see how many people are having fun on the water with this material. "
Marc Hollenbach (35 - GER) and Leon Delle (34 - GER)
Marc (l.): "My windsurfing LT career has been going on for a day now, and the funniest thing was crossing the finish line - unintentionally - sitting down in one of yesterday's races. For me, fun is the most important success."
Leon: "In the windsurfing regatta scene, I've tended to ride everything. But here I was able to play the role of the underdog for a short time. I'm pleasantly surprised by the equipment and how incredibly beginner-friendly it is. I also really enjoy the large field of starters and how high the level is at the front of the field!"
Sam van Diepen (21 - NED)
"I've been riding the Windsurfer LT since 2020 and am passionate about racing with my dad and my friends. It doesn't matter to me how old the others are - it's always about the fun and the competition. Last Tuesday at Sneekweek, we had a race where gusts of well over 30 knots suddenly blew through. All 40 riders - except Peter and me - were blown away and the race had to be cancelled. People started to glide while sitting with the sail on the board. These moments will stay with you forever and are what makes the whole thing so much fun. "
Dirk Meyer (65 - GER)
"I first stood on the windsurfer in 1974, before moving on to the windglider and Division 2. I represented Germany at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics at the start. Then I switched to sailing. I still sail 20-metre dinghy cruisers today and am a passionate ice sailor. Even on my first trip on the Windsurfer LT, I thought: "That's exactly it - everything like before, only much better." For me, the perfect moment is still when you have the feeling that your body and equipment are in perfect harmony, the board shoots across the water, you close your eyes and think you're flying. "
