Talk to any windsurf retailer in Australia, and they will likely observe that their largest customer segment are the 40 and 50-something's that started windsurfing in their youth and are now re-discovering the sport.
Over the past 5 years, a resurgence in youth windsurfing has also begun, anchored by the Techno 293 which attracts large numbers of young sailors across the world.
So what is going to spur the next wave of interest in windsurfing beyond Techno 293?
In one word .... Foiling.
I spoke candidly with Neil Pryde in Vietnam last month. Neil whom no longer has a financial interest in the global brand that he built back in the 1980's, predicts that windsurfing will attract a whole new generation of windsurfers whom want to sail in light, medium and strong winds. Neil remarked that the sheer efficiency of a foil reduces the physical demands on a rider due to the fact that they are flying above the water and not being buffeted by chop; and the fact that they can carry smaller sails.
Foilers can beat upwind at crazy angles, glide downwind like a formula board, and reach like a slalom board in as low as 8 knot wind speed.
Interestingly, there is anecdotal evidence that many hard core kiters are part of an early shift to foiling windsurfers - they needed a reason to return to the fold - this may be it!
There is strong speculation that the RS:X will move to a foiling platform for the 2024 Olympics, with boards already in production.
Foiling windsurfing has been around for many years, but the innovation that has occurred in Moths, Kites and Catamarans will ensure that windsurf equipment manufacturers will leverage 20 years of development before unleashing production models on the windsurfing public. That unleashing is happening right now. Windsurfers don't need to fear a crazy pace of development - foils will no doubt improve, but foiling is no longer a cottage industry - it is soon to be mainstream and not experimental.
All the top brands and your local retailer will have stock on the shelves ready for summer.
