Last year AW received a lot of attention when we declared that windsurfing equipment tests had in the past been bogus. This view also got some criticism, but ultimately garnered praise for its simple honesty. Sometimes it’s worth disturbing a sleeping giant, just to see what will happen.

That controversial approach has led the way to a new standard for future tests. We must concede at this point that in our enthusiasm to bring as complete a review as possible last year we included tester’s comments that, while well intended, were not always as accurate or useful as we’d hoped. However the core controversy came because we dared to change the accepted standard. And change can be hard—for some.

For others it was easy. Following our review last year some manufacturers made immediate adjustments to their product line in direct response to the test results and by the time their gear hit the marketplace changes had been made. For instance, when we informed HiFly that their fins seemed to be too large, and the shape inappropriate to the intended use for the board, they changed the fin before the boards went to the retailers. Ultimately, both the customer and the manufacturer benefited.

It is with a very uncomplicated premise that we begin this year’s review of year 2001 sails and boards:
Statements by this, or any other magazine, purporting to advise what is best for any individual windsurfer are false and dangerous to the future of our sport. And, by simply giving you the facts about the equipment, the testers, and their opinions, can we best serve you and windsurfing as a whole.

Also uncomplicated is how we decided which brands of boards and sails to include in the 2000+1 test. We know that most of the windsurfing equipment on the market today is of a high level of quality and sailability. So, American Windsurfer issued an open invitation to all board and sail manufacturers alike. If they wanted to see their products go head-to-head with the competition all they needed to do was to get their gear to Maui and we’d do the rest. Many manufacturers responded , clearly relishing the challenge of real world tests performed in advance of next year’s season, and we thank them for their participation. Other companies are not represented as their US distributors cited cost issues when declining our invitation. However, when a small European sail loft headed by just two people gladly accepts the expenses inherent in such a test it is hard to believe that some of the giants of the industry have "cost" issues. It is important to note that no deals were cut in regards to this test, no trading exposure for advertising revenue was at any time discussed, and the invitation was not negotiable on this point to ensure fairness—another first for any such test.

It would have been easier to have simply tiptoed around the slumbering giant and continued doing things the same old way. But, that would have been no fun at all.

The entire Festival will be shown online at www.americanwindsurfer.com—as it happens. Want to know what boards we tested today? Want to see which new sail just arrived for testing? Want to know which professional windsurfer or celebrity just dropped by? Simply check the web site, it will all be there!