Original source: Windsurfing.TV
This video from Windsurfing.TV covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 6 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
Longboards aren't just for gentle breezes. Modern windsurfer designs are hitting speeds that rival dedicated racing equipment, changing the calculus of performance on the water.
Windsurfer Boards Exceed 30 Knots, Defying Perceptions of Speed
Modern windsurfer longboards are achieving speeds that challenge their reputation as recreational craft, with some riders surpassing 30 knots in race conditions. According to on-site reports, rider Christophe averaged 27 knots during a race, while another athlete in Australia was said to have reached over 34 knots on a speed course. These speeds are often deceptive to onlookers, as the board's length creates an illusion of moving slower than it actually is.
This level of performance repositions the classic windsurfer design as a capable high-wind machine, not just a tool for light breezes, potentially broadening its appeal among performance-oriented sailors.
"Some people managed to go over 30 knots in that board. I think there is a guy in Australia on the speed course... he went over 34 knots."
Exocet Windsurfer Proves High-Wind Capability at Défi Wind Event
Designer Patrice Belbeoc'h used the Exocet windsurfer board at the notoriously windy Défi Wind event to demonstrate its surprising performance capabilities in harsh conditions. He notes the board was handled effectively in winds reaching 40 to 45 knots, with fellow rider Christophe averaging an impressive 27 knots during one race. The goal was to prove the board is not limited to light-wind cruising.
This demonstration at a premier long-distance race challenges the conventional wisdom that longboards are unsuitable for high-wind competition, highlighting the design's versatility.
"What you want to show the people is that it's not only a board that goes in light wind. It proves to go in really strong wind, like it goes like 40, 45 knots."
Exocet Cross Board Integrates Shock Absorbers to Reduce Rider Fatigue
The Exocet Cross windsurfing board integrates features designed for rider comfort and control in rough water. The board includes round rails for a smoother ride and, most notably, a built-in shock absorber under the heel. This dampening pad, made from material used in athletic footwear, is designed to absorb vibrations that would otherwise travel up the rider's legs and into their hips.
This focus on ergonomics directly addresses the significant physical toll of high-speed windsurfing, aiming to extend sailing sessions and reduce the risk of long-term joint strain.
"This is really helping not having the vibration on your hips."
Board Shock Absorbers Can Add an Hour of Sailing Time, Designer Claims
The integrated shock absorbers in windsurf boards like the Exocet Cross can extend a comfortable sailing session by at least one hour, according to designer Patrice Belbeoc'h. He claims that riding a board without the feature in choppy water is a "mission impossible" that leaves a rider's legs and hips hurting. In contrast, the dampened ride significantly reduces physical fatigue by the end of the day.
This technology makes high-performance sailing more accessible and sustainable for recreational riders who want speed without the harsh, punishing feedback of traditional racing boards.
"You gain one hour of sailing easy. You take away the shock absorber, well, it's mission impossible."
Exocet Cross Board Design Emphasizes Control Over All-Out Aggression
The Exocet Cross board is designed for greater control and comfort in rough water, offering an alternative to aggressive slalom boards that demand constant power. Its design features a "tamed" rocker line and more inboard footstrap positions, which allow the rider to adopt a more upright stance. This makes it possible to depower the sail to control speed, a maneuver that would cause a slalom board to lose its line and head into the wind.
This design philosophy caters to riders who want high performance without the full-commitment, physically taxing technique required by pure racing equipment.
"A slalom board, you go or you don't go. This kind of board... you can still sail very good standing straight up and just opening your sail from the back. You cannot do this on a slalom board."
Designer Touts 'Breeze' Board for Tricky Offshore Wave Sailing
Designer Patrice Belbeoc'h named the Exocet Breeze as his "favorite toy" for wave sailing, particularly in difficult offshore or side-offshore wind conditions. He explains that the board's significant length allows it to catch waves much more easily than conventional short boards, which struggle to take off in those winds. The design also features thin rails and a step tail, enhancing maneuverability and creating a loose feel on the wave.
This unique combination of length and performance features makes challenging conditions more accessible and less physically exhausting for wave sailors.
"This board is pretty much my favorite toy when I go wave sailing, because I will always be on the water if I know that the wind is offshore or side-off."
Also mentioned in this video
- The host and Patrice Belbeoc'h discuss the importance of comfort in… (0:03)
- Comfort in windsurfing boards, specifically through shock absorbers under the… (0:44)
- Patrice Belbeoc'h details the bottom shape of the Exocet Cross board, featuring… (5:36)
- A new inflatable board concept from Exocet, designed for ease of use by… (8:06)
- Patrice Belbeoc'h asserts Exocet's dominance in the race board market, holding… (10:01)
- Patrice Belbeoc'h and the host discuss the extreme speeds and high… (13:22)
Summarised from Windsurfing.TV · 15:17. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
