For more than 30 years Mistral have constantly been forging new channels into windsurfing.
For 2007 Mistral are again about to set benchmarks when it comes to board shapes, new fin technologies, anti-twist footstraps, or absorbing footpads.
Mark Nelson has been shaping and building high performance boards in Maui for professionals and local sailors for close to 15 years, and continues to evolve the way many of us windsurf.
His main goal is to continually improve the design of the windsurf board; this is why he only produces about 100 custom shapes per year (quality over quantity!) “I learn a great deal from making high end custom performance boards for many of the top sailors in the world”.
Mark is constantly trying new concepts to push the design envelope, and keep windsurfing fun and exciting! “The 2007 Mistral range is the best to date, there’s a board for everyone and every condition!”
With a world class team like Nik Baker / K-66, Iballa Moreno / E-63, Daida Moreno / E-64 and Greg Allaway / KA-38 on board, Mistral has an amazing amount of experience and talent which contributes to their board development programme.
Daida Moreno showing off on the new Mistral Joker 2007
New for 2007 is Mistrals focus on innovation - the Mistral Red Dot Division
- Advanced board technology
Boards are used in extreme conditions – therefore we are only using the finest and most selected materials to provide each type of board with the maximum of durability.
- Air pod pads
Especially for high jumps, and extreme waveriding you need something which will absorb the energy from landing or lip-sliding. When gravity takes over, we let you down easy. Soft landings guaranteed.
- Deck channels
Deck channels for increased strength, top speed and enhanced comfort underfoot. For maximum performance.
- Hydroblade
The Hydroblade will help you in early planing, quick acceleration, smooth out choppy water and to go over whitewater. It prevents your board from sticking to the surface and therefore increases your consistent top speed.
Early planing and top speed.
- Pro silver footstraps
Completely redesigned our new preformed, anti-twist footstraps provide the best combination of fit, feel and control for your feet.
100% grip, no twist.
- G10 Fins
CNC G10 Fins by Kai Hopf!
More accurate foil, flex and stability for extreme and radical windsurfing. Maximum holding power, when you need it most.
Maximum flex and stability.
Mark Warner talks us through the Hydroblade concept
What it does: “The new Mistral Hydroblade provides a little extra lift for acceleration. My goal was to get more versatility and excitement out of the boards without changing their design concept too much. On some level, it seems like boards are just getting wider and wider. They’re really easy to sail, but sometimes I feel they lose a bit of the sensation of speed and excitement. I wanted to bring that back. The Hydrofoil gives riders an upgrade option that encourages them to take a little smaller board sooner, because they’re more likely to plane. It also prevents the nose from pearling in chop, and helps pop the board up and over white water in the waves.”
What it doesn’t do: “Break. It’s bomber. It’s easy to install and remove. There’s no tuning it, or moving parts to lose or mess with. You either choose to use the Hydroblade or don’t. The boards work with or without it.“And ‘yes,’ the Hydroblade doesn’t touch the water once you’re up to speed, or while you’re on edge carving. That’s why it requires no special techniques for a rider to dial in and use it. It simply helps when needed for planing, or riding through rough water.”
How it Works: “It works a bit like a spoiler on a race car, or a trim plate on the back of a boat. Because of the Hydrofoil’s placement, on each board’s the rocker line, the leading edge of the blade increases the rocker, and as a result, help’s to lift the nose up, and helps get your board up and planning quicker. The blade has a slight arc to of it 7-8 mm in the foil. There’s also a concave in the board were the Blade attaché’s to the board, so there is more separation between the blade and the bottom of the board. The concave is similar to ones found on the noses of surfboards to develop lift.”
Who it targets: “It’s not something a pro like Nik Baker or the Twins would use (although we have tried it in big surf on our wave boards with some promising results!) But more for the recreational guy that wants some assurance that he’ll plane on a marginal day, or have a smoother, more forgiving ride in choppy conditions.”
What sparked the idea: “I’ve always loved the idea of having boards with hydrofoils on them, but they encounter problems because you have to build them so strong and heavy. This was a foil option that’s uncomplicated to use and build, and offers real rewards.”
Where you’ll see it: “It comes standard with Mistral’s larger 2007 Screamer models. It’s an optional upgrade with the Explosion line and larger Syncro models. I definitely see something new and exciting going on with it, and see it making its way into more of the larger board lines in the future.”
Mistral Screamer 128 2007 with the new hydroblade
The Mistral hydroblade providing that extra early planing
Mistral Team riding high for 2007
More info: www.mistral.com
