Is this for real
http://www.abcwindsurf.eu/index.php/materiali/vele/2378-vele-2013

Considering most of the manufacturers have their conferences around the 3rd qtr of the year so as they can let the retailers know what next years products are going to be then no this is not surprising.

Do you think that ANY manufacturer would just release something without testing it?

Now is the of season for the PWA guys so they are earning some of their contracts by testing the new kit.

Unlike cars, there are no hidden test tracks where they can test kit, it's just the beach, so someones going to be there with a camera.

So in answer to your question, yes it's for real.

yes its real, all the brands 'test' in maui and some dude just took some photos.

I remember seeing the same a year ago for 2011/12 etc and its what the final products ended up looking like.

North are going full Apple style!!!

Al

Remember that they are testing sail shape, feel and perfomance. The colours may or may not mean a thing on these prototype sails.

The Fly 3
http://www.godsavethewind.it/2011/11/neil-pryde-2013-unbelievable/
Put it in google translate
And this was up last year.

Just had a sneaky look at scotty mcerchers 2013 proto boards.

I think apart from the Naish, most of those sails are 2012 protos... so they are in fact, probably over a year old. Stress less my friends...

The ones I looked at are 2013 protos, also severne have been testing 2013 reflexes for over 6months all ready!!

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izaak said...

The ones I looked at are 2013 protos, also severne have been testing 2013 reflexes for over 6months all ready!!

Wow, that's early.

If you want a proper upgrade instead of minor tweaks you need to try out ideas and that takes time.
But if you wanna keep new stuff secret its imo stupid to test at Hookipa where half the windsurfcomunity is watching over you shoulder. At the time, except the woven Avanti and Severne I haven,t seen anything really new and innovative.

2013 gear would have been getting made and tested a week after the 2012 gear had been finalised, it's an on going process, just because some of the top guys or "testers" are riding a board or sail that looks like the current model don't mean it is..

There would be no allocated day to start testing, designing the next years gear..

I've been buying next year's Easter eggs for some months now

Of coarse the sail brands are out there testing 2013 designs and have been for some time. Would you expect them not to test until the release date???

Spotted on a beach, I can tell you what it is but then I would have to kill you!!

Bloody hell Mr Love!!!! you're developing invisible booms

What will they think of next??

Ha, well one way to get the rig weight down.

i knew KA had stopped selling booms but i didn't think the sails had been designed to suit