Innovations
Past, Present and Future
Over the course of its long history, Mistral has been associated with 99 registered Patents, mostly all associated with windsurfing. Those in production often enriched the rider's experience and elevated the brand's prestige. Names such as Ernstfried Prade, Dr Albert Gaide, Joachim Adamek, Dieter Frank, Urs Meyer, Hans Fichtner, Siegfried Petramer and David Varilek contributed to these early innovations throughout the 1980s. Sliding mast tracks, universal joints, retracting daggerboards, and telescopic booms were all on the list of contributions, including the Mistral Challenge Flex, first created and patented by Mike Tinkler and purchased by Mistral. In recent years, Mistral designed the world's lightest and most highly advanced inflatable paddleboards using German technology and materials, winning an American Industry Award and has since gone on to design outstanding SUP race boards setting distance and course-winning times in the hands of national and international champions. Recently, Mistral invested in foiling, creating a specialist R&D Team to create their first generation of foiling systems, including boards and wings. Continually, Mistral has set the bar high for innovation and originality throughout its history.
Watersport Equipment
Wing Foiling Development
Mistral first invested in hydrofoil, wing foil board and wing development in 2021, using the expertise of professional riders, naval architects, and hydrodynamic specialists. We concluded that many brands are not developers of hydrofoil equipment but simply branders of outdated kits. Our original foiling equipment has been designed from the ground up and aimed squarely at the entry to the upper intermediate rider, delivering early lift, great flight stability, and plenty of what we term ‘unlockable’ potential for high speeds once skill levels are developed. This is evidenced in our Sabre hydrofoils. With the exponential technological advances within the board foiling industry, we partnered with SAB Foils Italy to keep pace with the sport's rapid development and sponsor talented riders.
Stand Up Paddleboard Development
Since 2009, Mistral has been at the forefront of stand-up paddleboard development, both inflatable and laminated hardboard. From as early as 2014, Mistral pioneered German-made advanced drop-stitch fabric, producing the world's lightest, most rigid boards. It continues to use only the finest materials available and was the first to promote the idea of one-design inflatable SUP racing with its M1 14 and 12'6 race boards. Mistral pioneered fixing windsurfing rigs to SUP boards to create WindSUP® boards, developed multi-chambered inflatable race boards such as the Vortex 14' and Slipstream 12'6, and created the world's first dedicated SUP yoga boards. Mistral's paddleboard range remains as innovative and pioneering as its windsurfing roots.
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Windsurfing Development
With our strong heritage of windsurfing, Mistral is always expected to continue its strong links with the sport. In recent years, we have recognised the expectations of our legions of followers and have formed the view that we should put our efforts into perpetuating the sport, especially at the grassroots level. The demise of windsurfing is famously documented due to brands overshooting the market, ignoring the entry rider. In recent years, we pioneered the WindSUP® and teamed up with Simmer to produce Freeride boards and rigs and entry-level boards such as the Go-Surf boards, while Italian shaper Gianni Valdambrini now provides our wave boards on a custom order basis.
Surf Sports Development
Mistral has been associated with surfing for many years and has occasionally offered a range of surfboards. What we can say today is that we are fully committed to our surfboard line, which extends to surf rescue boards and the sponsorship of talented surfers from around the world. We are especially focused on surfboard designs for all comers, covering family needs and weekend riders with our innovative low-impact soft-top surfboard designs and custom shapes by Italian shaper Gianni Valdambrini. Surfing is the core of all surf-related board sports, and our rich history associated with windsurfing makes this a natural extension of our love for all surf sports.
Mistral Waterwear and Lifestyle Sportswear
Mistral Waterwear
Since Mistral's founding, high-performance protective waterwear has formed an important extension of our hardware products. Protection from the cooling effects of water on the body, be it spray or full immersion, is critical to participation in a multitude of watersports activities, and this can extend to limiting the effects of wind chill, sunburn from strong UV rays or from the simple chill that water immersion can cause. Whether it's neoprene wetsuits, leggings or lycra tops for various activities from surfing to windsurfing, sailing to SUP, our extensive range has you covered.
Mistral Lifestyle Sportswear
In the spirit of aprés ski wear, we have aprés waterwear for the beach, street, or boulevard in a range of garments that proudly show your love of the ocean, the beach, and the lifestyle associated with active participation. We've sweatshirts of the highest quality to keep out the chill, T-shirts for the summer sun, and an extensive range of jackets for summer through winter temperatures. We've fleece-lined change robes for the beach, sweatpants, hoodies, shoes and even an extensive range of bags for beach outings and waterproof bags for SUP or boating activities.