How do we get longboarding back ??

[GURGLETROUSERS]

The sea is always flat when the wind is light could only be claimed by those who never use it, or understand it! Swell travels from storm force winds hundreds of miles away. (Surfers delight and windsurfers woe, big smooth glassy swell and surf, with NO wind.)

Mostly, on EXPOSED (to long travelled swell) beaches, there is some swell and surf activity which bears little relation to local wind strength or direction. (Our N.Sea coast - swell from Arctic regions- very prevalent in winter - hence explosion in winter surfing on our shores.)

As for successfully using them by windsurfer in LIGHT winds (often offshore or cross off prevailing) VOLUME always trumps silly small wave boards, unless you actually enjoy trashing your gear in the impact zone, and swimming back in! Image is irrelevant.

Incidentally, I once used the old Bamba in a light dead offshore breeze, to barge it out on a dead slow run, using its sheer bulk and momentum to break out through a hefty white water zone. There was no way a small waveboard (my Evo for example) could have done so, and the others (waveboards only) didn't even try, and went elsewhere to avoid the surf! Again, so much for image!

[jingebritsen]

bryan, just to be clear. all sails have extended range when put on a long board. some short board folks in florida bought zephyrs from a website, not realizing they were long board specific. one guy nicknamed his the rib buster.

[GURGLETROUSERS]

I should have added the reason for wanting to barge the longboard out through the impact zone. There was clearly a stronger band of wind further out from the semi-sheltered shore (often the case in offshores), and a nice swell out to sea. It was an enjoyable semi-planing playtime on the longboard , with the clear certainty (daggerboard) of beating back in again from as far out as needed.

The obvious issue was carefully picking the way back in between sets, and using gravity (swell face) to force the way back in and avoid a smash up! Once in, I wasn't pushing my luck to try back out again!

[gvogelsang]

[DanWeiss]

[GURGLETROUSERS]

Yes, there are videos of what the 'best' are able to do on a Kona.

We have some predictable reef breaks which are almost mechanical at times, on our coast. In light winds longboard (able to get there) can be exhilarating while belting down the line with the runaway momentum of a freight train. Certainly different from a normal small wave board, and a bit more scary. (Well, for me!)

Also, when trying to break out in light offshores with a longboard, hitting straight head on into a rushing mass of white water, the climb and knock-back effect significantly increases the pull in the sail which helps lift you up and over through the turbulence. Fascinating - provided you don't lose balance and drop the rig!!

[Xxwindsurfer]

Gurgletrousers- you refer to videos showing what the best can do on Konas.
Would you be able to direct us or link to such videos ?

Thanks

[wynsurfer]

Not a Kona, but this is real old Robby Naish in rather rough conditions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP_bIRODVmE

[GURGLETROUSERS]

Xxwindsurfer. There were videos of the original Kona in big surf , especially of Patrice (Exocet) , but I can't seem to bring them up now.

However, if you Google 'Patrice Riding Kona Windsurfer' it brings up 'Images For Patrice Riding Kona Windsurfer' (third one down), and if you click onto 'More Images Of Patrice Riding Kona Windsurfer' you will at least find a still of him bottom turning the original Kona at speed, at the foot of a mast high plus face which is about to break. (It comes from the original video I think.)

Whatever, it shows what a real expert can make that board do! Perhaps either Dan or John can direct you to the video?

[capetonian]

Not Patrice but here's an old video of Kona longboard in the waves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab8xxPmDx4w