Mine was a white Hi-fly beginner's board circa 1985 around 3.5 metres long and I remember it used to wobble when going over the waves and when planing a jet of water would shoot up through the centre board track. I tried googling it but no luck although found this great video from 1985 with a very young R. Naish and also some info on early windsurefr fin designs which brought back alot of memories.

http://www.stableroad.com/videos/bsy1boards.htm
www.surfresearch.com.au/fs.html

I upgraded from the Hi-Fly to a Bombora South Pacific which I out grew very quickly and by early 1986 (my last year of school) I bought a custom slalom board made by a local sailor for $400 (which was a lot of money for a 17 y.o. kid with no job). I sailed all of 1986 but stopped once I went to uni and only really got back into it around 4 years ago. Only threw out my old boards recently too as per the below photo.

Vinta Kestral. man it was big.
My first short board was Windaction 9ft Army camo colours with a Niel Pryde 5.4 garda

Ten Cate piece of polyethylene rubbish. The shop I bought it from told me it would be ideal to learn and progress on. It was Rubbish. Sold it and bought a HiFly race. That was immensely better (all circa 1985)

A windrush Clubman. 12foot of log heavy flexible plastic

Tyronsea 350. It was big and cheap and ugly and pre damaged so I didn't have to worry about it. I could drop it on the road or ride it onto rocks with impunity both physical and moral. It was pretty much indestructible and I didn't care if it wasn't - an ideal beginners board.

Mine was/is a Bic Nova. I think it is a 2003 or 2004 model - just like the one in this photo except without the carry handle on the nose.

http://www.boardwise.co.uk/2003-nova-p-1931.html

It was great for me to learn on and when I got better I put a 50cm fin in it for early planing. It was good fun.

Similar to a formula board but with a nice soft eva foam deck.

Its a shame I don't use it now, but the formula board is lighter and will plane just that little bit earlier.

first short board was a bombora dromoderry , brought it for $50 from the local sailboard shop it was there advertiseing sign

Mine was a Sea Skip (kids board), it came with a little 2m sail. It was a great board to learn on and I remember spending my summer school holidays at Port Macqarie and South West Rocks learning to windsurf. Back then my Dad and two older brothers were all into windsurfing, the whole family was hooked, it was great.

Once I outgrew the Sea Skip, I got a hand me down board. It was a fibre glass Rising Star speed slalom. I got a new sail to go with it which was a Gaastra Slalom foil 3.2. It was fully battened and cambered. I remember sitting at my school desk (in country NSW) and dreaming about my new sail. I still have the sail, it's in very poor condition now, but I can't bring myself to chuck it out.

laff77 said...
... I still have the sail, it's in very poor condition now, but I can't bring myself to chuck it out.

I still have the board too hanging on wall in garage & can't bring myself to chuck it out.

Plastic fantastic - the TC Spacer Nova which came with a fully battened mylar racing sail circa 86

Bic Hardrock & a pink/purple 6m tyronsea raf sail which was actually pretty good.

Ten cate runner and f2 comet. Sea skip 2.7 m sail as a little gromet. Wish had sail mow for the kids but don't miss the boards.

Windrush storm 10 and a Tyronsea 295.

Windrush storm 8. Good fun learning

F2 Lightning, still have it to teach my wife and kids on!

elmo said...

Precision equip 8'0" Glass epoxy wave board circa late 80's early 90's (guessing)


Check out the mast track and foot straps positions



was an interesting board to learn on 9 years ago

As you say thats certainly an adventurous one to learn on!