World Sailboards Manufacturers Association

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The World Sailboards Manufacturers Association ( WSMA ), also known as the surf pool or manufacturer pool , initiated and hosted the Windsurf World Cup from 1983 to 1987 .

Peter Brockhaus created a new regatta class , the Funboard Cups , in the late seventies and early eighties . These showed more action than the contemporary regattas (such as Division II ), which were held similar to sailing regattas on large courses far away from the public. The Funboard Cups were held in strong winds on modern glide boards, the funboards. New, spectacular disciplines (wave riding, slalom) were supplemented by the traditional triangular course (course races), ridden with funboards. This should make the competitions more attractive to the press and television. The Funboard Cups suffered from organizational problems.

At the end of 1982, eleven manufacturers founded the WSMA manufacturer pool. This took over the format of the Funboard Cup and from 1983 organized three to six international top regattas, the Windsurfing World Cup. An annual world ranking list was calculated from these regattas. Only factory drivers belonging to the members who had to drive factory equipment were permitted. In this context, the Funboard Cup was regulated as a regional event for young talent.

Central marketing made it possible to attract more attention to the sport. World Cup audience numbers soon surpassed 100,000 per event, press and television reported. Nevertheless, the costs soon exceeded the benefits for the manufacturer.

In early 1986 the WSMA was renamed the World Boardsailing Association , WBA . In order to reduce the costs of the events for the existing members, access for other manufacturers has been made easier. Individual starting places could also be purchased for a fee. Furthermore, the driver's salaries were saved.

In 1987 the riders founded the Professional Boardsailors Association (PBA) to have more influence on the organization of the World Cup. Among other things, the drivers wanted more prize money and more regattas. From 1988 the PBA organized the World Cup.

Members

Board maker

Sail maker

  • Gaastra
  • Neil Pryde
  • North Sails
  • ITV (from 1984)
  • Hood (from 1984)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Fresh wind in the triangle , surf magazine 5/1984
  2. ↑ New rules for pool regattas , surf Magazin 4/1984
  3. ↑ Interview with the manager of the WSMA, Stefan Zotschew: Politik, surf Magazin 12/1985, p. 38
  4. ↑ Pool: Open Doors, Open Class , surf Magazin 3/1986, p. 98