BEYOND 50 YEARS
ADAPTING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Beyond 50 Years.
Building a Resilient Class for the Next Generation. In 2027, the Australian Windsurfer Class celebrates its 50th anniversary.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the people, achievements and culture that have shaped the Class over five decades.
Just as importantly, it is an opportunity to look forward. Windsurfer has survived and prospered because it has continued to adapt while remaining true to the things that make it special: simplicity, affordability, accessibility, great racing and a community built around 50% Racing / 50% Fun.
Today our fleet remains healthy and is one of the few growth stories in Australian sailing.
As we approach our 50th birthday, we ask ourselves:
What do we need to do today to ensure the Class is still thriving fifty years from now?
NEW INITIATIVES:
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
KEEPING THE BEAT STRONG
INTRODUCING A BRAND NEW FLEET FOR OUR 50TH YEAR
TEMPO is our brand new racing division, launched for our 50th year.
In a unanimous Committee decision your team of State Reps and Executive Officers voted to trial a limited pumping dIvision.
This is called TEMPO. Where you RACE to your own rhythm!
What was the reasoning behind the introduction of Tempo?
We have sailors at either end of the age scale, who we know from our research, find pumping a burden they don't enjoy.
Younger sailors new to racing the LT, may not have built the strength or technique to use pumping as part of their racing.
At the other end of the scale, older sailors have all of the skills, acquired over decades of racing, but who have lower aerobic capacity than younger sailors they're currently racing in the Open Class.
Recovery is also a consideration, especially for older sailors. By reducing the amount of energy expended to pump, sailors are less fatigued and more able to sail a fuller program without having to sit races out due to fatigue.
Who can race in Tempo?
Anyone who finds pumping not to their liking can nominate to sail in Tempo. The only rule is, abide by the rules!
It's a fleet for people who are serious about racing. People who love the tactics, the tight racing, but who don't love the extra level of physicality pumping requires. Without the burden of extra physical grind, we can all race in a fleet where physicality isn't the defining requirement.
Will the Open Class pumping rules change?
NO - If you want to pump you can, same as before. This Rule Change is just for the self selecting sailors who nominate to sail in Tempo. Open stays exactly as it is.
Will I have to pump off the start line in Tempo?
NO - the 30 second pumping window gets closed. No more pumping off the line.
So when can the Tempo Fleet pump.
We go back to the Rules Of Sailing, Rule 42. (See rules below).
So Can Tempo Fleet pump down waves.
YES - But only to initiate planing. One pump to get you on planing on a wave.
Can Tempo Fleet pump continuously downwind in light air?
NO - No more rowing downwind in sub planing conditions.
INTRODUCING UPDATED AGE DIVISIONS
Our Class is forever evolving, so we're changing things to reflect this. Last year we introduced a new 5m sail to make racing more accessible in higher winds. That's allowed lighter and less experienced sailors to enjoy high wind racing for the first time.
We're in our 50th year and as time has passed we've now got sailors well into their 70's. So to keep pace with the changing demographics, we're revising the weight division bands. This will mean you'll be up against people with similar aerobic capabilities, which will give you even closer racing!
JUNIOR
Up to 15
YOUTH
Over 15 to under 19
CORE
19 - 49
MASTER -
50 - 57
GRAND MASTER
58 to 63
LEGEND
64 - 69
SUPER LEGEND
70 - 75
ICON
76 and over
A Class for Every Stage of Life
The answer isn't one initiative.It is about creating different ways for people to discover, enjoy and remain involved with Windsurfer throughout their lives.
Your Committee has endorsed a Vision for the future. That includes:
Youth:
Family and Club Development
to create stronger pathways into Windsurfer and support sustainable local fleets.
Women on Windsurfers:
to encourage greater female participation, retention and leadership.
Green Fleet:
to provide young rookies with a fun and supportive introduction to Windsurfer racing.
Flexible Sail Choice:
allowing sailors to move freely between the 5.7 and 5.0 sails during an event.
Revised Age Divisions:
that recognise the changing age profile of the fleet and provide meaningful competition throughout a sailor's life.
Introducing a new racing division - Tempo:
which provides an alternative competitive format that reduces the influence of sustained pumping while retaining tactical, competitive Windsurfer racing.
Beyond Racing:
recognising adventure sailing, cruising, GPS speed sailing, Wally's in Space, destination sailing and other ways to enjoy a Windsurfer.
OUR PLAN FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS
Beyond 50 Years: Retain, Recruit, Recognise, Remember
The celebration isn't a single party — it's a program built around the four things that actually keep a fifty-year-old class alive. Here's what's in motion.
Retain
Keep sailors sailing:
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Revised age divisions from Junior through to a symbolic Icon 74+ band, so every age group has a real fleet to race in
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Flexible 5.0 / 5.7 sail choice
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A new limited pumping division. TEMPO.
Recruit
Bring new sailors in:
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Green Fleet and Cruiser Division entry points for newcomers
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Women on Windsurfers — Learn While They Learn clinics, backed by a Sail Our Way (SheSails) grant application
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Family-first recruitment: women joining the class tend to bring kids of sailing age with them — a genuine double win
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Youth and club development pathways
Recognise
Honour who built this:
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Windsurfer Class Hall of Fame
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Limited-edition Aroona anniversary boards
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50th anniversary merchandise
Remember
Keep the record:
A crowd-sourced digital archive of the class's history"Doing It Standing Up"
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a documentary and coffee-table book telling the class's story, in its own words