Hey all,

My mate has recently picked up an old Bombora Proto Wave Board.
With the excellent help of sick_em_rex he has given me some history on the old board and a few recommendations to get it going again.

What I am after is some more info on Mark Paul the designer and Alf Jefferies the Shaper of the board.

I would really love to get in touch with Mark some how. Below is some pics of the board. I would love to get this old board going as I love to see vintage things running and not gathering dust.

Please dont go saying to throw it in the bin as that is not going to happen anytime soon.







Thanks all (ps. sorry about the size of the pictures)

Definitely never throw that out !

That one looks to be a pretty early one. The paint jobs got a lot wilder later on.

When I was in my teens, all I ever wanted was a Bombora proto board. At one point I had a Bombora Tri-Fin, and then upgraded to the Bombora 'New-Toy', which I thought was way better than the Windrush "Storm 8"'s that my mates had.

You'll need to find rope type uni-joint and a big plastic "Kanga Dick" fin to keep all authentic. A dacron Bombora sail to go with it would make it all complete.

Hi we actually have all the gear to get it going but the sail that came with it is too loose for the boom, (BIG green sail with a nice Cobra on it) I dont think it was the original sail, we have 2 fins for it an original boomarang and another unknown fin.

Would love to find a good rig for it.

It took awhile to figure out how to get the mast foot to grip in lol

I had a Bombora prototype too. It wasn't painted so was plain yellow. Single fin with a stepped tail. It was fairly short and wide for the time so was more like a modern design besides where the position of the mast track.

It was an excellent board, easy to gybe. Unfortunately I sold it for a couple of hundred dollars.

Yeah don't chuck it, it's a classic! But what do you want to sail it for!?

I never had a Bombora wave board, but had an Exit, back in the day. Fast, but didn't like to turn!

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Zed said...
Yeah don't chuck it, it's a classic! But what do you want to sail it for!?

I like the classics. I want to learn to sail the way it used to be done. Mud blood and tears lol. I am going start learning the history of windsurfing and want to try to sail as many vintage boards as I can find. So if anyone has any they want to donate for a small fee let me know.

Hi dj,

I have a mint unused bombora wavesail from back in the day if you would like it!! Its just sitting in my shed in the original bag.

send me a email if you want to come have a look!

Cheers!

Yes i like beer!!

message sent Claw

Don't forget, outhaul before downhaul!!!

Would love to grab an old Tri-fin again.

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Harrow said...
Don't forget, outhaul before downhaul!!!

This is probably a stupid question by why is that? I have seen it said before but with no reason behind it.

dee jay,

Mark Paul moved into 'wall' plants a few years back. I think there was even a profile in one of the Sydney Morning Herald mags. I'm not sure if he lives on the northern beaches (Sydney) anymore, I never see him windsurfing around Long Reef or Collaroy these days.

The planting is literally a whole wall of plants that they put in upmarket hotels or resturants or anyone who can afford it. Quite expensive. A google search should be easy enough.

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deejay8204 said...

Zed said...
Yeah don't chuck it, it's a classic! But what do you want to sail it for!?

I like the classics. I want to learn to sail the way it used to be done. Mud blood and tears lol. I am going start learning the history of windsurfing and want to try to sail as many vintage boards as I can find. So if anyone has any they want to donate for a small fee let me know.

Ha ha good onya. I remember a lot of cursing going on back in the day when I was sailing old crappy gear! - Floppy booms, mast feet constantly popping out! But it was all a learning experience.

I sailed with Mark at many State and National competitons years ago. Just don't let the guy "borrow" your rental car, especially in Tassie or let him have a go of your slingshot.

I still have a New Toy under the house in fairly good condition. About 10 years ago I used it at the Merimbula " Mambo" competition with rope uni, pink wishbone and EMU fin. Arr those were the days.

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deejay8204 said...

Harrow said...
Don't forget, outhaul before downhaul!!!

This is probably a stupid question by why is that? I have seen it said before but with no reason behind it.

You're wicked, Harrow!

Modern sails get their shape from lots of downhaul. That (Bombora) generation of sail designs got their shape from lots of outhaul and minimal downhaul.

Think about the physics of what would happen if you release the outhaul, and the downhaul is still tensioned up. The mast will straighten and want to lengthen the luff (leading edge). It cannot lengthen it, so it will rip it, or punch through the head of the sail.

Always release the outhaul last. You can see that warning on the decal of your sail.

last I heard Mark was up FNQ way doing his thing. He hasnt lived at Collaroy for quite awhile.
Im pretty sure that board was in the old Sailboards Australia factory/showroom down the road at Dee Why. Maybe Rexy can remember it??
Bombora Protos were the ducks guts back in the day at Longy, the guy was a thinker for sure!!!

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deejay8204 said...

Zed said...
Yeah don't chuck it, it's a classic! But what do you want to sail it for!?

I like the classics. I want to learn to sail the way it used to be done. Mud blood and tears lol. I am going start learning the history of windsurfing and want to try to sail as many vintage boards as I can find. So if anyone has any they want to donate for a small fee let me know.

I expect to see you in a fluro wetsuit. And sporting a moustache.

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evlPanda said...

deejay8204 said...

Zed said...
Yeah don't chuck it, it's a classic! But what do you want to sail it for!?

I like the classics. I want to learn to sail the way it used to be done. Mud blood and tears lol. I am going start learning the history of windsurfing and want to try to sail as many vintage boards as I can find. So if anyone has any they want to donate for a small fee let me know.

I expect to see you in a fluro wetsuit. And sporting a moustache.

Lol I do have the old yellow harness, but its way to small for me. And my wet suit is black unfortunately the shops don't sell Fluro much anymore, I asked lol, and my misses would kill me if I got the mo going, although it is movember

Good to keep some of the old boards and take them out for a strap! I would love to have a sail of a proto like that. I still have my new toy from the eighties. Kept it as it isnt really worth anything. It may not turn and perform like modern stuff but in its day we didnt know any different. My brother and I went from windsurfer one designs to a TC Spacer to Tyronsea Stingers to new toys over two summers and loved it. My boys are similar age now and want to learn. Guess what, it will be on the old stuff initially and if they stick with it then new gear will come.