Introduction
Windsurfing was 'invented' in 1969 by Americans Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer. The aim was to combine the wave-riding platform of a surfboard with the wind-harnessing power of a sail. The new sport then was considered simpler than conventional sailing requiring less time and skill to rig. Windsurfing has advanced and evolved with the help of new technology.
Windsurfing can be described as one of those hard to learn and even harder to master sports. Nevertheless, recent advancements in equipment user-friendliness has resulted in a mini-boom. Although hard pressed to match its heydays in the 80's and early 90's, windsurfing is definitely on the uphill again! Widestyle boards are now the rule of the day, allowing for more water-time, especially in not-so-windy places like Singapore. Currently, windsurfing can be divided into the following disciplines:
| Formula Windsurfing | |
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A new and exciting discipline that is loosely limited to 1 board, 3 sails and 3 fins per sailor. Considered largely to be at the forefront of today's board and sail R&D and raced widely around the world. The "mahjong tables" or "barn doors" plane in excess of 7 knots and is linked closely to the revival of course racing. |
| IMCO | |
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Olympic discipline longboard which has been competed in '96, '00 and '04 Olympics. Strictly "one-design" racing pushes athletes' skills and fitness to the max! Although it has been criticised as a "air-rowing" machine, it remains a very strong class in many developing countries. |
| Wave & Freestyle | |
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These competitions have been getting more and more radical these days. Young guns are pulling out complex maneuvres with such ease that seasoned pros find it hard to catch up. Wave sailors continue to charge down huge swells be it at "Jaws" in Hawaii or elsewhere in Europe. Double loops, table-top forwards and huge airs combined with smooth wave riding are the order for the day. The world's best compete in the PWA tour. |
| Super X | |
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Currently the hottest new thing in Windsurfing... it combines the thrills of downwind slalom racing with the spills of compulsory freestyle maneuvres. Includes jumping over obstacles and has been a crowd puller in Europe owing to the wipeouts and pile-ups |
| Speed sailing | |
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Following Bjorn Dunkerbeck's highly publicised 50 knot speed challenge and Finian Maynard's sucessful attempt at breaking the speed record, speed sailing has roared back to the forefront of windsurfing. Events are up and running again in Europe and manufacturers are devoting time and enrgy into going fast again. After all, we all have a "need for speed"... |
