The Kona ONE - in a class of its own

Since its introduction in 2006, the Kona One design class has grown at am amazing pace throughout Europe and in the US. So what are the secrets behind this “reborn” creation of the past, appearing to be a tedious concept at first sight, considering the hull weight and its basic rig with a soft sail design much unlike today’s modern performance foils.

My personal aim (as a founder of the class), together with Patrice Belbeoch, (shaper) and Joachim Larsson (Brand owner) was to re-introduce the adaptable concept that initially ignited the sport, and at the same time add in the best of today’s technology and design features, within specific soft and user friendly parameters. The result is an early planing and easy maneuverable board – as challenging to advanced sailors as it is uncomplicated and forgiving to beginners and intermediate windsurfers..

In contrast to all other windsurfing classes, the Kona ONE ideology and spirit have been purified to enhance tactical sailing. Propulsion (pumping) is strictly prohibited and due to its unique versatility and superb light wind performance – no minimum wind limit is required – which always guarantee successful events for sponsors and organizers..

The class is divided into four weight groups plus the ladies and cadet divisions –and with different sail sizes carefully tuned to match the (weight) divisions, ensuring even probabilities for all.
It makes the Kona One class the first in the history of windsurfing to eliminate a “sweet spot” or weight advantage of any particular group. This is significantly adding to the excitement – as it allows all weight groups to compete at equal terms in big fleets, rather than having separate starts for each division. Likewise, it simplifies the organization and boost the recognition of the overall and true champion.

Easy accessibility and fair tactical sailing without pumping are key factors attracting windsurfers of all ages and sizes, and obviously the non physical factor makes the Kona the ideal alternative for women and youngsters. Additionally the board performs extremely well in sub planning conditions, and become surprisingly playful and responsive on the plane, thanks to the duck tail concept.

Although the history of the Kona Class only goes back four years, it has been a very successful one with four very well attended “World Championships” in Thailand 2006, France 2007, Germany 2008 and Sweden in 2009. All events proved the class objectives right, attracting competitors from 10 to 60 or more years of age – from 40 kilos to super heavy weights – from professional PWA racers, ex Olympic and world champions to fresh youngsters, all in one class. This years Worlds will be hosted in Miami, Florida in November – and more than 80 competitors are expected to take part.

Remarkably the Kona Class got recognized by ISAF only in its 4th season as an established class, The philosophy, aim and focus have brought the Kona One Design concept from a notion to a renowned direction in modern windsurfing. A direction that is built on simplicity, fair tactical sailing and versatility.In contrast to technical and physical classes, the easy accessible Kona Class is being celebrated as "the open door" to windsurfing, and as such a potential feeder to all other classes.
Brian McDowell Windsurfer International September 2009;“For guaranteed family fun and high level racing, you can't fault the Kona Class for fail-safe action. With the ability to charter equipment, fly gear free and rub shoulders with both current PWA stars and former racing legends - the Kona concept breathes new life into windsurfing”.

National Kona Cups are organized in key countries around the world today, and communities with happy Kona sailors are quickly growing. Do we see a future mega windsurfing class taking shape? Time will tell.

All winds are Kona winds.

Fast forward to 2010

I had been;

Racing in the Windsurfer class at a high level from 1972 to 1981.

• Living through a 3 year odysse’ as a windsurfing vagabond in the Turks & Caicos Islands. (Bahamas)
• Spending another extremely interesting and lucrative 8 years back in my home country Norway – riding the windsurfing wave at its peak – as both distributor and retailer.
• Working with production and marketing at the Cobra factory in Thailand for 3 years.
  Establishing and operating a production facility in Indonesia for 4 years, producing the Australian brand Strapper on license, as well as initiating Starboard together with my friend Svein Rasmussen.
• Working at Starboard for 4 years, setting up communication, forums and communities

While at Starboard – which at the time were focusing on short and wide boards, I started to feel uncomfortable for two main reasons; (Although he company was successful and gaining market share, windsurfing was loosing as a whole)

The sport was struggling to attract sponsors, and the reasons were obvious; We went far too technical in early 90's . Along with lighter hitech equipment designed to perform in planing conditions only, - came the "no planing, no racing" syndrome. The longboards disappeared - and with them the tactical racing in sub planing mode.
Minimum wind limits of 10 to 12 knots where introduced in most classes, which in reality had transferred windsurfing into a high wind sport. Exciting on windy days, disaster in light wind - and nothing but a gamble for the sponsors. Add to this that the windsurfing population have shrunk to a mere 10% since its peak in the mid 80's.

1) The Wide boards became a hit due to their stability, early planning and amazing speed when powered up. (with over-sized sails) Truly something new to the sport, but with significant drags as far as accessibility and user friendliness goes.
2) I clearly saw the need for a renaissance in terms of a true One Design easy accessible longboard, which the management of said company did not favor, or believe in at the time.

It was 2005 and as a consequence I contacted Patrice Belbeoch, the owner of Exocet, and it was Eureka. He instantly shaped the board, and I saw my long time dream coming true; Developing the One Design concept, class and community, which today is a serious independent entity in the shape of Kona Windsurfing co.ltd. managed by Joachim Larsson and yours truly.

Welcome 2010 and 1000’s of potential “born again and wanna be windsurfers.”