The highlights of boot 1985
In March 1985, surf looks back on boot Düsseldorf after the "annual navel show of the surf industry" was held in the surf hall "in a garish tinsel look and [...] disco sound". The manufacturers wanted to cater for beginners, but according to one commentary, they mainly had "high-priced fun boards" on show. There were new materials for the sails, many brands experimented with the then new camber or wanted to establish similar systems. Footpads, pulley-like roller systems for trimming and seat harnesses are standard today, but new back then. Following the company's reorganisation, Mistral has tidied up the range and given many models more volume: "Finally, heavyweight surfers are no longer discriminated against!" Pacific wants to enter the market with three new boards - if you apply to be a factory rider, you can get a complete set of equipment with advertising prints for less. Klepper has an "embarrassingly fast projectile" with an aluminium stringer, today's major producer Cobra is showing its own high-end range and a "ladies' board" called "Lady Fun". All the new products at the trade fair are clearly summarised in a two-page table at the end. And: At the surf stand, Mike Eskimo will be showing a film with his most spectacular loops - with live commentary!
How satisfied are surf readers with their boards?
Over 6000 windsurfers were asked how satisfied they were with their equipment. After a series of horror stories about fin boxes falling out of the Klepper S 206 and other emergencies at sea, it's down to the numbers: 66% of surfers would recommend their board, only 4% would advise against their model. When it comes to material, the gap is wide: unsurprisingly, PE boards turn out to be more durable, but relatively few owners are satisfied with the riding characteristics. Otherwise, there has been quite a lot of movement in the ranking compared to last year, because: New boards have a better image and therefore higher satisfaction than models that have been on the market for longer. Despite their impeccable quality, long-lasting favourites give their owners the feeling that there may now be better boards.
Windsurfing in the Himalayas
Is this the most unusual travel report of all time in surf? In any case, travel stories that are not recommended for imitation are not commonplace. A team of four surfers climbs to an altitude of almost 5000 metres in the Himalayas to surf Lake Tilicho. Almost 30 porters lug the equipment up, but some have to turn back during the course of the expedition. The journey to the lake takes almost 20 days, first through tropical rice terraces, then through masses of snow. The experience at the spot rewards the effort, everyone is thrilled by the unique feeling of surfing such a place for the first time. The descent is quicker, but with almost no supplies and bitterly cold nights, it's no walk in the park.
And what else?
- From the following issue, surf will feature a 16-page special "surf Switzerland". Editor Elisabeth Tschiemer observes the Swiss windsurfing scene from Zurich and aims to offer a "consumer-orientated reader service"
- In Italy, meanwhile, Radio C broadcasts daily windsurfing news and weather reports. The content comes from surf.
- surf tests service steel locks for fin boxes. The sobering result: all models can be cracked within seconds with a screwdriver.
- A beautiful fall: Mike Eskimo shows how to turn a fall into a show element. Stay in the loops, spread your arms and... smile!
- For the Year of Water, surf is taking a close look at our favourite element and getting to the bottom of causes and solutions for environmental problems
- Spot Guide Israel: The best spots and travel tips for the Sea of Galilee. In summer, there are up to 28 days of gliding wind per month - thanks to thermals!
- Graz has one of the largest surfing scenes in Austria, although there is only a small lake with the nickname "Schott'Azur" nearby. The reason: an enterprising association regularly organises trips to the Adriatic, which are a cult event in the city. The association even had the second largest paella pan in the world forged for this purpose
- In the TÜV laboratory, surf explores the best position for the highest possible speeds. The result: seat harnesses are significantly faster than hip or chest harnesses
You can click through the entire magazine in the gallery above!
More surf reviews:
- surf 4/1977
- surf 6/1978
- surf 4/1979
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