Windsurfing history encyclopedia

V – the vulcan: windsurfing’s first new school freestyle manoeuvre

Invented by the inimitable and colourful Maui based windsurfing legend Josh Stone the vulcan was the very first new school aerial freestyle move, and is the foundation for many of its follow on tricks, such as the spock. Essentially a vulcan is an upwind aerial with a mid-air sail transition. Landing backwards, switch stance, the rider then aims to slide […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

F – the forward loop: windsurfing’s most iconic and crowd pleasing manoeuvre

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hardened pro or every day windsurfer the forward loop remains one of the most iconic and crowd pleasing moves you can pull. For anyone at their local going over the handle bars will earn you instant respect, mainly because all sailors appreciate the amount of will power needed to perform such a trick. Whilst […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

W – Weymouth, Dorset: the UK’s premier speed strip and event site

While other spots around the UK have gained popularity among speed sailors (West Kirby being one) it’s Dorset’s Weymouth that continues to attract large numbers of riders looking to test their mettle and go fast. The yearly Weymouth Speed Week, organised by Pete Davis, is held every autumn and sees a large turn out of enthusiasts, from near and far, […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

H – Ho’okipa, Maui, Hawaii: windsurfing’s wave sailing proving ground and Mecca

What can be said about the island of Maui and its windsurfing focal point, Ho’okipa, that’s not already been discussed? The epicentre and proving ground for any rider into wave sailing; the spot where each season brands descend en masse for company photo shoots; the spot where many a name has been forged as legend; a location that some sailors […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

B – Boards windsurfing magazine

Simply put: if there was no Boards windsurfing magazine there would be no Windsurfing UK. Laying the foundations of what a (mainly) UK focused windy mag should look like Boards took a slightly different approach to their presentation of the sport. For many years Bill Dawes edited the magazine and it was he at the helm when Boards started inviting […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

P – Peter Chilvers: inventor of the windsurfer

Peter Chilvers is credited as being the godfather and inventor of the modern windsurfer as we know it. Pete created his sailboard in 1958 and used the waters surrounding Hayling Island, south coast, UK, as testing grounds for his invention. During the 1980s a lawsuit was filed against Chilvers/Tabur Marine by Windsurfing International who disputed Pete’s patent. The court eventually ruled in […]

Windsurfing history encyclopedia

A – Arnaud de Rosnay: windsurfing pioneer, adventurer and photographer

Arnaud de Rosnay was a French windsurfer, adventurer and photographer. His sailing featured many long distance, solo windsurf crossings including navigation of the Behring Strait, sailing between the Marquesas and the Tuamotu Archipelago, crossing the waters between Florida and Cuba and crossing the Strait of La Perouse between Hokkaido and Sakhalin. He was eventually lost at sea whilst attempting the crossing […]