Those are crazy speeds over half a km . What is the world 2 sec record , the fastest a windsurfer has gone. And who did it ? Is there a Guinners record for that , or is that measured over 500 m ? When I did my biblical 34 kts , I was terrified for 2 seconds. I can't imagine almost doubling that speed for half a k. I gots a ways to go ![]()
Those are crazy speeds over half a km . What is the world 2 sec record , the fastest a windsurfer has gone. And who did it ? Is there a Guinners record for that , or is that measured over 500 m ? When I did my biblical 34 kts , I was terrified for 2 seconds. I can't imagine almost doubling that speed for half a k. I gots a ways to go ![]()
There is really no such thing as a '2 sec record'. Even a top of the line 10Hz gps is not really accurate enough over such a short time for any sort of credible 'record'. It would still be around +/- 0.25 Kts error at best, and could be a lot more (> 0.4 ) worst case. Not really good enough to reliably claim any sort of "Record'
That said, there are 5 posts over 55 knots in GPSSS.![]()
Those are crazy speeds over half a km . What is the world 2 sec record , the fastest a windsurfer has gone. And who did it ? Is there a Guinners record for that , or is that measured over 500 m ? When I did my biblical 34 kts , I was terrified for 2 seconds. I can't imagine almost doubling that speed for half a k. I gots a ways to go ![]()
There is really no such thing as a '2 sec record'. Even a top of the line 10Hz gps is not really accurate enough over such a short time for any sort of credible 'record'. It would still be around +/- 0.25 Kts error at best, and could be a lot more (>.4 ) worst case. Not really good enough to reliably claim any sort of "Record'
Sooooo...how fast has a windsurfer gone ?
When I watch the crazy fast guys go at Luderitz , I notice gust pulling them forward and then seeing them get control again. I'm sure in those gusts they go quicker and average out the lulls..so to speak.
Sooooo...how fast has a windsurfer gone ?
Nobody really knows, but in the GPS_SS rankings there are 5 listed over 55Kts. In all probability, at least a couple of those were over 55 Knots. ![]()
There have been 60's posted by Kiters! ![]()
Sooooo...how fast has a windsurfer gone
There have been 60's posted by Kiters! ![]()
I'm sure their spandex has added a few unofficial kts
Cant lie , that's impressive
There have been 60's posted by Kiters! ![]()
I'm sure their spandex has added a few unofficial kts
Cant lie , that's impressive
And Ice-sailors have gone even faster! ![]()
There was talk and pics of a kite powered foily mini boat thing possibly going super fast.
It may break the existing record, but they have not managed to get anywhere near it yet in development testing.
BTW, the world speed sailing record is held by Vestus Sailrocket2, at an astonishing 65.45 KNOTS!! Thats for a 500m Average.
One huge difference is that Sailrocket used a Supercavitating foil. That made the leap from Low 50's to mid 60's possible.
Normal foils (windsurfing fins and foils) are limited by 'foil Cavitation speed', which they are banging up against now. It's very hard to see how the conventional windsurfer will go any significant amount faster. The same applies to the big foiling AC's and SailGP machines.
Kiters have a slight advantage as they don't really rely much on 'fins' for their lift, (and a few other reasons).
Thanks Daffy.
So which flow state do fins currently sail at high speeds with.
Are IQ foils fully wetted?

At the end of the day going faster comes down to wing loading, the force from the fin/foil has to oppose that from the sail/wing. The more power created by the sail/wing has to be equally opposed by the fin/foil to maintain equilibrium and control. The way a windsurfer creates power from the sail is by being bigger and heavier with more leverage, the sail can then be loaded up and the fin creates the opposite force. Antoine and UFO learnt this from the Zephyr project and have made fins that can be loaded up more. The Americas cup designers have studied super cav foils and begun experimenting with them according to the foil designer for the American team. Biggest problem is they give up a lot of performance in the lower speed ranges. Sailrocket was only interested in maximum speed and mastered wing loading, it wasn't anything new the idea had been around since the 1960s.


There was talk and pics of a kite powered foily mini boat thing possibly going super fast.
Not yet, they've done a 40 in rough water
Here's the final rankings for 2024. New men's and women's world records for windsurfing over 500m. A couple of national records and youngest windsurfer to go over 50 knots for 500m, Brendan Lorho.

Extreme small group this year, including some caddies doing some runs, hope there will be enough funding for 2025 !
Awesome board! Anyone know what board Jenna was on today?
56 volume

Awesome board! Anyone know what board Jenna was on today?
56 volume

Nice looking boards, Vanilla Slice...
Jenna didn't break the record on a Duotone board, it was on a Patrik speedboard. Duotone are very careful in their PR and marketing not to claim the record.
With pretty much none of the board touching the water how much difference does the board really make? I see the rig and fins making a big difference but the board not so much
Jenna didn't break the record on a Duotone board, it was on a Patrik speedboard. Duotone are very careful in their PR and marketing not to claim the record.
Which size?
Jenna didn't break the record on a Duotone board, it was on a Patrik speedboard. Duotone are very careful in their PR and marketing not to claim the record.
Which size?
Patrik 37 I believe.

Extreme small group this year, including some caddies doing some runs, hope there will be enough funding for 2025 !
Are the kiters still doing speed runs? Or they have been obliterated by the wings?
Extreme small group this year, including some caddies doing some runs, hope there will be enough funding for 2025 !
Are the kiters still doing speed runs? Or they have been obliterated by the wings?
I believe ben profitt said they stopped inviting kites to luderitz due to safety concerns, but I am sure they are doing speed runs somewhere
Karo van Tonder did nearly 46 knots over 500m. and over 48 knot max speed, at her weight that is mightily impressive. If I got it right she weighs 60 kgs and carried 15 kg lead, that is still only 75 kgs. Less than my personal weight. So you don't have to be 100+ kgs to go fast, very inspiring!
Karo van Tonder did nearly 46 knots over 500m. and over 48 knot max speed, at her weight that is mightily impressive. If I got it right she weighs 60 kgs and carried 15 kg lead, that is still only 75 kgs. Less than my personal weight. So you don't have to be 100+ kgs to go fast, very inspiring!
She had been training and added 7kg over the last 6 months, she was around 68kg and added 18kg of weight to be 86kg. Paid a price with the extra load and strain, she blew out her achilles tendon, snapped it clean through. Has already been operated on and will be off the water for at least 3 months. She had ripped off the one on her other leg in 2021.
Karo van Tonder did nearly 46 knots over 500m. and over 48 knot max speed, at her weight that is mightily impressive. If I got it right she weighs 60 kgs and carried 15 kg lead, that is still only 75 kgs. Less than my personal weight. So you don't have to be 100+ kgs to go fast, very inspiring!
She had been training and added 7kg over the last 6 months, she was around 68kg and added 18kg of weight to be 86kg. Paid a price with the extra load and strain, she blew out her achilles tendon, snapped it clean through. Has already been operated on and will be off the water for at least 3 months. She had ripped off the one on her other leg in 2021.
Wait, she blew out an achilles this year too?
Nice photoshop of Jenna's board covering up the Patrick board! She'll probably be on them next year. And wouldn't surprise me if she moved sail brands. Impressive results from her though!

Looking back on this year's event and there were no breakthrough equipment developments. It has all been about incremental changes and being more efficient in less wind. Antonine's record sail was a reversion to the design that worked back in 2015 but with a larger foot area. His board was one that had more waterline that made it more stable to ride and less on the tail. His fin was an evolution as well. Consistency was the key as he showed with the number of runs he did in the 53 knot range.
Jenna's women's record showed just how good production equipment has become where a good windsurfer could buy it off the shelf and go out and set a record on their first attempt. Considering she is only 173cm tall and 78kg without weight it was a mighty effort on her part. She peaked at 50.06 for 2 seconds so there's hope for smaller lighter riders to break 50 kts in the right conditions.
I hope this year's records will promote more interest in the event and Raffi and his crew can make it happen again in 2025. Will be great to see AA's speeds when he gets around to posting them. There's a few PWA racers that want to make the trip and see what speeds they can achieve.

Looking back on this year's event and there were no breakthrough equipment developments. It has all been about incremental changes and being more efficient in less wind. Antonine's record sail was a reversion to the design that worked back in 2015 but with a larger foot area. His board was one that had more waterline that made it more stable to ride and less on the tail. His fin was an evolution as well. Consistency was the key as he showed with the number of runs he did in the 53 knot range.
Jenna's women's record showed just how good production equipment has become where a good windsurfer could buy it off the shelf and go out and set a record on their first attempt. Considering she is only 173cm tall and 78kg without weight it was a mighty effort on her part. She peaked at 50.06 for 2 seconds so there's hope for smaller lighter riders to break 50 kts in the right conditions.
I hope this year's records will promote more interest in the event and Raffi and his crew can make it happen again in 2025. Will be great to see AA's speeds when he gets around to posting them. There's a few PWA racers that want to make the trip and see what speeds they can achieve.

Thanks for your reports ![]()