I came across this photo somewhere recently and it reminded me that it is nice to reflect occasionally on the rich history of our sport.
Interest in speed sailing with windsurfers was very high in the '80's. It dropped off in the '90's except for a couple of moments when records were broken, but it gained a huge boost again after 2004 with the advent of consumer GPS speed logging and the advent of GPS-Speedsurfing.com

If you look carefully you can see our own Mal Wright at the center left, standing in the water with his 13" white board, yellow harness and the number 84 on his sail.

This is probably the board he used to win the inaugural 'Canal' event that year and it also happens to be the board I had only my second measured peak GPS speed of over 40 knots on at Sandy Point in 2004/5!




Lets post of gallery of historical photos we have or find here.

Maybe we can share some stories as well.

Many years ago, Mal Wright turned up at my local (Point Ormond in Melbourne). He was smashing it out there and when he hit the beach, he was very friendly and approachable. He was on a board brand called "Time Machine". I remember him offering me to take out his gear for a spin (I think Time Machine might have been his business - not sure), I declined. Something I regretted very soon after and for a long time.

Really nice bloke.

Thanks for sharing Andrew

I like the Kombi in the top right

here is a bit of WA history starring our very own 25

<iframe src="www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Great Video! Thanks!

I had heard that this one existed but had never managed to track it down.

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Bender said...
here is a bit of WA history starring our very own 25

<iframe src="www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Wow - love this. Amazing how far the sport has come. Off the shelf freeride stuff today would wipe these guys out.

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Sputnik11 said...

Bender said...
here is a bit of WA history starring our very own 25

<iframe src="www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Wow - love this. Amazing how far the sport has come. Off the shelf freeride stuff today would wipe these guys out.

Not if any of the guys in the movie was on the same kit

Great vid Bender.

The below has been posted previously but thought it apt.

We just put that vid on our facebook page... great seeing it again.

We were all a lot leaner then.... and hairier.... but that was great fun, apart from the....salt!
Shame another trip never eventuated, and I'm surethat a team "P3b" would still acquit itself pretty well today !

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Bender said...
here is a bit of WA history starring our very own 25

<iframe src="www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

this link isnt working

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sick_em_rex said...

Bender said...
here is a bit of WA history starring our very own 25

<iframe src="www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

this link isnt working

try this Sick em

www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435%22%20width=%22854%22%20height=%22480%22%20frameborder=%220%22

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Bender said...

Sputnik11 said...

Bender said...
here is a bit of WA history starring our very own 25

<iframe src="www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=476914989041435" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Wow - love this. Amazing how far the sport has come. Off the shelf freeride stuff today would wipe these guys out.

Not if any of the guys in the movie was on the same kit

No offence intended, just a comment on how far equipment has come.

When will we see the return of the "Z" boom ?

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goldcoastmoz said...
When will we see the return of the "Z" boom ?

I get asked to make some every year but it's not going to happen

There is a bit of unfinished business with the old gun speed boards.

We still need to take the old guns for one more run.



Daffy, Hardy, Spotty, Tony Wynhoven and the rest of the speed gang.

Let's show the World what the old guns can do on on new rigs.

Who is in to take the old guns for one more run!!!!!

Post a picture and your speed gun here of it and tell us why you kept it for so long. Mine is the Bic allegro picture above

Now this is a gun fight!!!!

Cheers Russ

I must say I had the best of intentions regarding your proposal. I have the same curiosity. I would really like to know.

But

There is one huge problem that will likely stop it from ever happening

On any day when conditions are really good to discover how fast the old boards can go, I have an overwhelming urge to find out how fast I can go in the new gear!

I know....

I am weak................

I know Daffy the same thing happened to me last time.
It is fascinating just how drawn we are to our new toys when it's on.
If someone did a big number on an old gun it would kick things off I think.

10 points for honesty Daffy

very cool... love the old photo and the video

I also used to sail regularly at Point Ormond in the early 90's and also met Mal Wright one day who was out on one of his Time Machine boards. He gave me a go and I do remember wishing I could afford one. Being a uni student at the time a new board was out of reach for me. He was a very generous guy with his time and more than happy to share equipment and technique tips. I do remember he had a theory that wetsuits make you colder - he was out sailing in boardshorts when we all had steamers on!

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micboode said...
I also used to sail regularly at Point Ormond in the early 90's and also met Mal Wright one day who was out on one of his Time Machine boards. He gave me a go and I do remember wishing I could afford one. Being a uni student at the time a new board was out of reach for me. He was a very generous guy with his time and more than happy to share equipment and technique tips. I do remember he had a theory that wetsuits make you colder - he was out sailing in boardshorts when we all had steamers on!

Maybe we were there the same day! It would have been early 90s for me as well.

Some of you may have seen this video previously but it is so apt for this thread and IS speed sailing history at its best. Johhny Walker Speed Trials 1985 with Haywood and Maka.

Click on the lower right enlarge icon of the movie to see a bigger pic.

http://www.stableroad.com/videos/bsy1speed.htm

Just a preview of the fashion of the day .....uuuuuurgh.

Found this one awhile ago on the net.

Another speed record was set in Weymouth, England 13.9 knots on a tandem windsurfer. Below image is Hoyle and Matt Schweitzer pushing the limits on a tandem board in 1975