Longboards versus Hybrids

[G12]

Thanks to Wind Surfing for being so positive (compared to other mags and many others in the sport and industry) to the new wave of longboards. Having said that, I just looked at the Longboards v Hybrids piece and thought I'd take issue with the ideas that Hybrids were better in strong winds and offered a route to shortboards, unlike longboards.

For the first point; according to guys like one of the very best Olympic triallists, who has moved from IMCO to RSX, the Hybrid style is actually INFERIOR in very strong winds to the longboard. The Hybrid is fatter (therefore bouncier) and because it's such a planing machine it has a much bigger rig, which gets to be a problem in strong winds. Patrice from Exocet says something similar; his Hybrids, he reckons, are better from 10 to 20 knots but the longboards are better under 10 AND over 20 knots.

While those examples don't prove the point for the longboards, they may show there's plenty of room to doubt that Hybrids are better in strong winds.

Secondly, the longboard CAN provide a route to shortboards. Carve gybing, waterstarts, footstrap use.....all these techniques can be learned on a longboard.

As I said, I'm not criticising Wind Surfing which has been much more open to longboards than the other mags who want to keep on pushing the same tired old "short is better" line. Good work!

[Anonymous]

Hey G12,

It's funny - as a windsurfer who basically learned to windsurf on a Formula board, my first inclination has always been that they lead to shortboarding skills much faster. However, having sailed a lot of longboards recently, I'm no longer so sure. there's a certain thrill to longboarding in light winds that you can't get anywhere else.

Anybody else have any thoughts?

[infinity]

I'm experimenting with a long board (AHD raceboard from 80's) as my lightwind board. One great thing about it, is it overcomes the "got get planing!, got get planning! ...." mindset. Recently I had a great time cruising the waters off the east coast of Australia, not planning, but working my way up and down the coast, saw the dolphins, saw the turtles. When the wind did reach planning thresh-hold I came in to get a 85cm wide free-formula board, sure I got planning (on and off) but it was just reaching and on the balance I preferred the longboard.

I'm not saying it's for everyone, it's almost a different sport. I used to do a lot of cross-country skiing, I liked being out in the snow with the freedom to go anywhere. So longboard Vs shortboard is kind of similar to comparing x-country skiing to downhill skiing.

It is good to see this magazine giving exposure to these boards. I'd really like to read more about the hybrids particularly the exocet.

Mal

[windsurfer100]

the longboard CAN provide a route to shortboards.
It would be very interesting to see how well those who learnt on a shortboard can actually sail a raceboard properly. Imagine if we lived in a world where a shortboard provided a path to the great longboard.

Funny times we live in. Viva la windsurf

[Rotorhead]

I'm a convert, from slalom boards to longboards. I don't care what anyone says about who is better than what, which board has better top end, jibes easier, or "transitions to short boards better". Here are the truths I've discovered. All this applies to one board (Kona) and one sail (Naish 8.3).
1. I can sail in as little as 8 kts of wind, on all points of sail.
2. At about 15 kts the dagger goes up and I'm planing. When it dies down I just glide through the lulls, no more slogging.
3. At about 25 kts I need to go to a smaller sail. The board is amazingly forgiving regarding sail size. (Yesterday the NWS recorded the winds at my break at 20 to 25 with higher gusts, so yes I can back this up).
4. It surfs almost as good as my 12' Country Surfboards tandem, and gets me into the waves in any wind range. I can use a smaller sail as I don't need to plane to catch the wave. (Caveat: have not taken it out in >4' surf).
So, why do I need any other board? Slalom boards do give you a higher top end. I guess wide boards plane easier, I don't know as I think they are ugly and won't ride them. If you can't tell, I'm sold on the longboard idea. It makes me sail more.

[Swiftsailor]

What so many seem to conveniently ignore in this discussion would be the fact that long boards, hybrids and other alternatives remain roughly twice as heavy as the fast freeride boards around 150-160 liters in volume. This is a considerable difference if you are going to load a roof rack, drive to the launch parking lot, unload the rack, carry the board to the water, sail, carry the board back to the car, re-load the rack, drive home and then unload your rack one last time.

[Rotorhead]

Swifty-
I'm not ignoring it; I'm celebrating it. It's big. Huge in fact. And heavy (although lighter than I thought it would be). And yes, I have to he-man carry it on my shoulder, just like my tandem board, to the truck/beach/truck/home again. I guess it is a big deal for smaller folks, but for a big fella like me it's just part of the experience. Aloha, RH

[Hanalei]

Has anyone tried the Exocet Mahalo? How well does it work for standup paddle surfing and for windsurfing?

[photodad2001]

Long boarding has been my way of life . As one who does not have the means to have the "current" equipment and does not live in a place where the modern "style" of windsurfing is possible... what else is there? I don't own a trailer with multiple boards and sails and I don't live where the wind blows consistent... And when it does blow it's cold enough to freeze the lake over... I must agree that in low winds... and high winds, my 12 foot Mistral Comp will hold it's own against any short board. I own 3 sails and I've never know a short board to out sail me outside of one or two more experienced sailors who have been in this sport before I was aware of it. I'll say this... If you can sail Dayton, Ohio... with it's inconcistant winds, getting backwinded in a small puddle of a lake... you can sail anywhere.

Step on an oldschool longboard and get "extreme".

Modern technology takes the extreme out of the extreme. Go long-bow hunting... ski outback country in free-heel skis... get back to the oldschool way and make it hard. It's too easy to do stuff with the most modern equipment. In other words... "Don't be such a mamby pamby wuss!"

[pierrec45]

Much the same as previous poster here. Am an Aussie from ocean-side NSW, currently living in some land-locked, winter-ladden location in North America.

Wave sailing is fun in Sydney, but here for me, no point for fancy equipment and the trailer - the season is too short, the wind too flaky. Yes, there are people with the quiver and trailer and all sort of fancy equipment. Much time is spent talking and ever changing gear to suit the wind. I don't have that time - the wind awaits.

I reverted to longboards here - mainly old, dinkum, banged up Windsurfers from garage sales. I enjoy what I can - cold, low wind, too strong winds, teaching, etc. I freestyle a bit - keeps me in good shape, helps my back and all, and forces me to use triceps as well as biceps. No harness.

I don't need the knot meter to spend my day deciding what sail to use (and what colour equipment). I go out anyways, since I have only one kinda sail.

Nowadays, there are a few more of those old or longer boards. Good on them too. They go out in a wider wind range, they always seem to have fun, regardless of gear and wind. Good.

Sure I (we) stick out like dogs balls. Once in a while, I borrow short gear to blend with the quiver people, so they know I'm with them.

See the following for possibilities to keep in shape on a longboard, and how to prepare for the return to Sydney wavesailing, shape-wise :

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=pierrec45

Cheers all. Enjoy sailing, not the gear.

[photodad2001]

Pierrec45, I tried rail riding the other day, I should have worn shingaurds! Once you get it on rail you can really cut up wind too! The whole board becomes a giant keel. Starboard is making a very unique windsurfer called the "Serenity", check it out...

http://www.star-board.com/2008/pages/products/v_serenity.php

[pierrec45]

> I tried rail riding the other day

Good on you mate! One doesn't have to do it to have a good time, but hell it's fun to do! And they're all different, all behave differently.

Try pulling the leeward rail instead of the windward, no shin involved, but a bit more difficult. I can post instructions and video, if you want.

Not sure that Serenity thing would be my first choice for freestyle though. I'm happy with Mistral, the OD still being made in Australia, probably some of the Kona models, or just plain old Windsurfers.

Now, I wanna see a Tube of your freestyle! Keep up the good work,
P.