LBWS is the brainchild of four longboard windsurfing fanatics, Pat, Chris, Stuart and Rob, based in Sydney Australia. Although passionate about all disciplines of windsurfing, this site is dedicated to longboard windsurfing in Australia. From cruising with friends in light and high winds through to competitive course racing, LBWS aims to promote longboard windsurfing.

What is a longboard windsurfer?
By LBWS’s definition it can not be a hybrid. So that means every board bigger than 3.2 metres in length which is the length limit of the hybrid class. Boards should have a centreboard, although a debate about this is welcome. But really we think the minimum length has to be at least 3.4 metres and not too wide. This definition includes everything from the original Windsurfer One design, displacement boards such as the division 2 through to Fun Boards, and the more modern Race Boards such as the Mistral Equip, Fanatic Mega Cat and the always impressive Mistral One Design (IMCO).
With manufactures again recognising the brilliance of windsurfing on a longboards there is a new crop of longboards to add to this proud history. These boards include the Starboard serenity, the ultimate light wind experience, and the Phantom 380 which also looks set to be a fast machine in light and high winds. When you ad to this the Exocet Kona and its Raceboard big brother the Warp X 380 the there are a number of options for on the market.
All of these boards offer a great sailing experience in light winds and sure fired thrill when the wind comes up. Its not that we have anything against the other types of windsurfing in our great sport, lets face it we all enjoy the odd bit of slalom and wave and have even dabbled in Formula but there is nothing like the all round great ride that a long board will provide.
Now some of you may be thinking that we are “jumping on the bandwagon” and want to capitalise on the resurgence of longboard sailing. Well, perhaps yes, a little, but we are not new to these boards, we never stopped sailing on them. While some of the windsurfing fleet in Sydney has drifted in to slalom, waves and more recently formula we still have a strong longboard cruising and racing scene in Sydney which includes folks of a variety of skill levels.

LBWS objectives
To make this ‘not-for-profit’ web site a hub for all things longboard windsurfing in Australia and bring Aussie Longboard sailors closer together. Longboards being an ideal entry into this great sport we want this website to attract people back to windsurfing.
Our objectives are;
  • To share the joy of longboard windsurfing in all its forms.
  • To promote and grow longboard windsurfing in all its forms.
  • To attract new people to the sport of windsurfing.
  • To provide a forum or hub for longboard windsurfing from around the world to come together.
  • To promote debate about longboard WS and the variations within it
  • To promote longboard manufacturers in an attempt to keep longboards within the board ranges.
  • To ensure that the website has contributions from a range of people around the world.
 

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