Select to expand quoteI subscribe to the Windsurfing magazine but got a SUP mag through the post the other day.
I contacted the producers who advised that, quote:
<div>We didn’t print the latest edition of Windsurfer Mag, we didn’t have enough sponsorship.
<div>You have been sent the latest SUP mag as a free gift. We hope to bring it out in September.
<div>
Very nice of them.
But seems strange that shops and manufacturers are not getting behind this to promote the sport!?
I subscribed to Windsurf Magazine last year and I ended up getting a surfing magazine instead. This year I subscribed to Windsurfing Now Magazine and it's pretty good so far. Has lots of great up to date current photos of all kinds of windsurfing events all over. The magazine also has a lot of great tips and latest write -ups on windsurfing gear. The windsurfing coverage for this magazine may just be taken here in the USA, but not positive.
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Subscribed about 12 months ago, got two editions, nothing for 6 months then the sup mag turned up yesterday.
A bit disappointing to get a sup mag but on the bright side it was good to see the sunova boards right up and Scotie's sup's right up !
Hey Windsurfing Subscribers,
Firstly thank you for getting behind the mag, you guys have been awesome.
We've been working from the beginning with a handful of sponsors who have stuck with us right through.
We need just a couple more to make the magazine break even. Discussions are underway and I reckon we will have one out in September.
When we come out we will be bigger and badder than ever.
The windsurfing magazine is completely dependant on the wholesale/retail distribution model.
Supporting your local shop and not buying el cheapo gear online supports their business and also THEIR ability to contribute to making a windsurfing magazine.
Without these guys, there's simply no magazine.
You guys are lucky to still be getting Windsurfing Mag. as long as you have. We in the states had our subscriptions changed (w/o notice) to Surfing Mag. about 2 years ago, maybe three. Same excuse, loosing money, cut the losses. Mags have been hurting for a long time, online is taking over, same with newspapers, soon to be history. BTW, Surfing mag sucks, nothing but ads for the latest board shorts, and any features about surfers are of up and coming kids, I just gave them away.
Mastbender,
"Windsurfing Now" Magazine is very new, perhaps only a year old. Hope for the best for Windsurf Magazine.
I got an invite from the producers of that mag (along with many others) and decided to turn it down, I found it way too expensive for the number of issues per year you'd get, I did get the first issue for free, but that was it.
Unfortunately Windsurfing Now is only issued quarterly. Four issues per year is all they are producing for now.
I usually buy the British "WINDSURF" at the news agent when I see it, which is 10 editions a year... and I think they've been quite consistent. What shocks me when I go to the shop is that for this one windsurf magazine there are at least 3 for kitesurfing and 4 for surfing.... So is it to do with online magazines gradually taking over the paper editions? Or windsurfing loosing popularity? Or both?
I keep thinking windsurfing needs smarter marketing...
I think it's mostly online competition, online you can get great stories and great HD pics that you can download.
Some of the best sites are the dealers/manufactures sites, Ezzy being one of the best (that new Graham Ezzy vid came from there), and/or you can go to a site like Da News blog at www.danewsblog.blogspot.com for current events, conditions, stories, and links galore, popular here in the states. I should also mention this place,,,,,,,,, mentioned.
I really have no need for a WS mag anymore, with all that out there, and it's free.
I think it is up to us to support the only magazine in Australia for our sport by all subscribing and the manufacturers / shops etc. to support them by purchasing advertising space.
Another option which many magazines do now is to have an on-line offering.
Kite Mag made a commented about not buying product on line, something I think Kiters can do more easily but I would be surprised if many of us windsurfers would buy boards and sails on line (excepting 2nd hand gear on seabreeze) unless it is just accessories ?
We advertise in the whole 3 mags Sea Monsters bring out, we made the decision to advertise with them because of the support they were giving to windsurfing.
We are a small business and don't get many sales from the ads as we are aimed at industry and backyard builders, but see the importance in helping building the knowledge of whats happening in these sports in Australia.
Being a sponsored rider back in the early 90's I would love for the sport to get back to days of the 80's and 90's.
Hopefully they gain the support needed as I think its important for Australia have a voice.
Cheers
John
www.sanded.com.au
Select to expand quoteAUS729 said..
I think it is up to us to support the only magazine in Australia for our sport by all subscribing and the manufacturers / shops etc. to support them by purchasing advertising space.
Another option which many magazines do now is to have an on-line offering.
Kite Mag made a commented about not buying product on line, something I think Kiters can do more easily but I would be surprised if many of us windsurfers would buy boards and sails on line (excepting 2nd hand gear on seabreeze) unless it is just accessories ?
I totally agree, and I am happy this post came up, as I was completely unaware Australia had its own magazine! I am sure there's a few windsurfers like me, who came from Europe a few years ago and kept buying the same magazines from there, unaware of the local offering. I will now look this one up now ( I initially thought you were talking about the British one!).
On the paper/online topic, I guess it comes to personal choice. Whereas I agree the online is more dynamic, it has videos, it's free and I love it, I also like to lie on the couch and read a physical magazine... even seeing the colourful cover of a windsurf magazine sitting on the coffee table when I walk past it gives me a positive energy and my head goes into "windsurf lifestyle mode" for an instant.... I don't know, I just like having windsurf magazines around.
Select to expand quotestroppo said..
A bit disappointing to get a sup mag
Would you have been happier to receive the Kite Mag instead ? 
I reckon demand for the windsurf mag is relatively inelastic. I think I paid $30 for 6 mags or $5 a piece. You could double it if you're not at breakeven and I don't think you'd lose too many subscribers.
From the point of view of a small retailer, the rates to be a sponsor of any media. Be it paper or online. Outweigh the return.
My problem has been getting hold of the Magazine, searched many Newsagents in my area and only randomly found a copy. So when asked by wife what I wanted from my 5 year old as a Christmas present , I suggested a subscription.
Only received the one so far, plus the bonus issue that came with it, (thanks for that, but I had already previously purchased). So I was happy to see a mag sticking out of the mail box when I got home recently. Bit confused when I opened it up however. I do have a SUP, but am not really that into it that I would buy a mag on it. Having said that however, I didn't mind the combination of the two mag's early on.
Must admit I am more than a bit disappointed in having to wait until September for another issue, possibly ,maybe.
As suggested above, more than happy to pay more to ensure it arrives.
Select to expand quoteAUS729 said..
I subscribe to the Windsurfing magazine but got a SUP mag through the post the other day.
I contacted the producers who advised that, quote:
<div>We didn’t print the latest edition of Windsurfer Mag, we didn’t have enough sponsorship.
+1
Not that it's a lot of money, but I renewed my subscription for another year a while back and since then have not seen a single issue. I'm curious where my money has gone if the magazine isn't being printed??
I received a magazine last week but it was the same edition I got earlier in the year.
I guess you can stick a rig in to the SUP should be happy with that considering where the sport went to from the great days in the 80s and 90s
About a month ago I got a complementary copy of Windsurfing Now along with some fins that I bought from Makani, not sure why they threw that in there, but I accepted it.
You could say that I got a free mag w/ $60 fins (twinzers) or a $60 mag w/ some free fins.
Anyway buy some fins from them, and you too could get a free copy of Windsurfing Now!!!!!
Windsurfing Now is a relatively new magazine. I got a complimentary magazine when I purchased some windsurfing gear about a year ago. I liked it so much, I subscribed to it. Since the magazine is new, I think some windsurfing shops are trying to advertise the magazine by inserting a free copy with your order. I'm in the United States, so I don't know if the magazine is being offered in other countries.
