FINDINGS
The physical weight of a sail is a very important parameter as any reduction in weight (particularly in certain areas of the sail) can make a marked difference to the sail’s handling and performance. In recent years this ambition and appetite to pursue the lightest handling possible has seen some clear development paths adopted by many of the major lofts - the birth of three-batten wave sails and the introduction of some highly specialist and expensive scrims, none more so than the membrane sail, which at least four brands have their own version of this season! Conventional details are also being considered - head cap protection, batten pocket material, clew and tack layups and reinforcements. Nothing is immune from being probed for weight reduction; no stone seemingly left unturned. Without the opportunity for us to test over an extended period, time will tell if there is any expense to all this weight saving in terms of durability.
In the race to achieve the lightest result on the scales, it is possible that the four batten sail may well steal the thunder of its three-battened sibling … for now at least anyway. Indeed, David Ezzy admits on his website that his new four batten “Wave” sail is lighter, like for like, than his three batten Taka. And when Neil Pryde have dispensed with the three-batten sail line in their range altogether, the question has to be asked as to whether it was a step too far for the consumer market? Did it sacrifice wind range and stability too far for most to swallow? And likewise, with the weight savings being made across the board, will the five batten wave sail experience a resurgence in popularity? If the two submitted for this test are anything to go by, they are undoubtedly still worthy of consideration.
SUMMARY
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 392 - January/February 2020-Ausgabe von Windsurf.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 392 - January/February 2020-Ausgabe von Windsurf.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!