So JH3703 you've already had the email from them just like me?
Your reward for entering an online competition where the oh-so-benevolent NP gave away one sail valued at $200 (to them) to the whole world (about half a million entrants?) - spam.
Its bright, colourful and optimistic, it offends me, shouldn't NP be kind of serious and techi with a voice over by Spock?
"Facinating is a word I use for the unexpected. In this case, I should think "interesting" would suffice".
Quotes from Spock (Star Trek)
Legend status to anyone who can do the "Where's your head at?" Basement Jaxx treatment to this vid, as in replace the face of riders with...
Max Headroom's face.
I know you're out there post production people.
P.S. What's the deal with this sail?
It is the replacement sail for the Alpha. Just a re-name and the typical new season tweaks.
Puzzles me why people get so angry about companies marketing their products. I guess the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well.
It's a great ad, really.
Yeah, I was thinking the graphic was a bit 80's.
I loathed the 80's fashion and music when I was there and I loathe it more now.
I think it's just the next retro decade, and people are just following a trend without realising how badly it all blows chunks.
There has been a bit of 80's revival in the ski scene too, and it blows there as well.
I blows, it blows, it just blows !!!!
As a competitor I am envious of their big marketing/production budget for these sail launch videos. Would love to see it put to the track "dead eyes open"
Good marketing NP.
quite nice particle effects- that were at times used well - and at others it was really distracting and off.
i like how they ramped from crap moves to better ones toward the end of the video - perhaps this is targeted at progressing / intermediate sailors ?
i know nothing more about the sail than i did before the ad
Definitely a bit of a fashion statement and a bit light weight... a few good hacks in there though - which is good to see at any time.
I am going risk being seen as a dilettante (its true) and argue that the kitch is intended. NP should be allowed to have fun with their image, the results they achieve in the PWA speak for themselves.
Great ad... creative brief went Bjork had a dream about colourful sticks and dots then spued it all up while wavesailing. Personally i don't care for technical promos on rig tension, saving 3gms etc... as most top brand Kits is usually top notch. Haven't had a Pryde since the 80's but this raises interest for me... in applying for a job in their creative dept. call me
Looks like a 12yr old got hold of the special effects button. Couldn't see any windsurfing for all the effects
And we ponder why windsurfing is a dying old mans sport in Aust. Do something outside the box and we line up to cut that poppy down. Only ever do what has been done before, only ever appealing to the same demographic. I guess J.Howards dream of a conservative strong-hold has become a reality. Certainly don't want to appeal to those outside of the sport, maybe raise the profile with some graphic enhancement, create something that Sports Tonight might take an interest in rather than 10seconds during the Olympics every 4yrs. Hats off to NP for taking a new direction, adding a bit of MTV, or fashion or anything new and giving a digital//graphic artist a go. Someone who is actually in tune with what is going on outside of our sport and punching some life back into the best sport on the planet.
The sparkly light show thing is a bit over done but it's a great looking sail, IMO.
Keen to see the reviews on this sail. I love my Alpha's, I think they're one of the most versatile sails, just hope the Atlas doesn't loose any of the existing Alpha attributes.
or their dads trying to encourage them!
lots of sports options in the world now....some are percieved by youth as fully coool!
windsurfing?
Great to see someone putting some colour back into windsurfing.
Dont know how many on here will remember but when the One Design was pretty much the board of choice back in the day the sails had awesome colour variety and stood out like the proverbial.
People always commented on how "that windsurfing looks great, all that colour"
The Stubbies marathon starting from Manly was a great example. Hundreds of colourful "butterflies" made quite a sight sailing down the harbour.
Not knocking monofilm but the colour and "fun" went out of windsurfing and the general public just didnt notice anymore.
Good on NP for going out there and we know how many NP detractors there are
Who cares what we think. If you are in the older group NP has clearly decided that we are not in their demographics for this sail or new marketing push. If the younger market is enjoying the fashion influences of the '80s they'd be mad to ignore it. If they are looking at appealing to the entry market the exciting visuals will create a desire.
Many of those who experienced the '80s have a polarised view of those days. Personally I loved it, many others didn't and it's the latter that most kids will respond to. Who wants to be involved in a fashion that appeals to their parents? Anarchy wins!
All this scratchin' is making me itch.