A wally is generally any type of old style longboard usually made of plastic ie: One Designs,TC Runners,Mistral Malibus,etc and apparently "Wallys" ride them hence the name,it is a slur against them......but thats whats makes them so appealing...lol.
Volume generally 200 upwards,compared to your slalom big and cumbersom,many say difficult to ride/balance but I say easy.
Length 10 to 12 foot,weight heavey 18 to 24 kgs,
Centreboard....oh yes.
generally people consider them beginner boards which is not a correct statement,as these were the origins of sailboarding and there was no other style then available,this was it,its natural that people would begin on these but as other styles developed no beginner boards developed leaving the wallys to take on that role because they could easily be ridden by beginners[contrary to popular belief] and thus lose their status as a race board,lightwind board and recreational board.
Yes and racing and fun on these is being seen now at Iron Cove and Narrabeen.

Im proud to say I ride Wallys...........so Im a wally.
Check out the thread ....Longboarders,funboarders and beginnerboarders Unite
Russell

Thanks.
It sounds like it will be an.... experience :P

Check this site and you may think differently of wally...www.wally.com

If youre about to race the windsurfer one desing and havent used one before you better get out there and practice.

they are not easy to go fast, upwind and down and really take some practice/

If youre a short board user forget it - youre stuffed

These things can not turn by carving the board. IF youre going down wind you actually have to put weight on the opposite side to loosen up the edge that you want to turn and use the sail to drive the board around

Takes a lot of practice to gybe, with your weight on the opposite (downward side of board .....) to get them to gybe around,

Tacking is easier as you just use the sail to tack it around

Other things that need practice (esp in strong winds) is trying to manhandle the sail and rig it right so it points upwind, allows good speed downwind and doesnt rip your arms out of the sockets in gusts etc

remember that the board wont pick up and plane to reduce force in the sail and theres a heap more 'pull' in the sail when youre tonking along

good luck with the race

PS I love them, but havent used one except for teaching people for 5 years, but used to race them every weekend at the local yacht club

Bladez, UNSW needs YOU. I was at UNSW, the once proud reputation of the uni as the biggest drinkers in uni sailing and windsurfing is in big trouble. Come along for your beloved alma mater.

Mac will have a good team, there's accomodation in a Balmoral house near the water available. The only proviso is that the house is about to go through a major renovation so we have to help take it apart during the Saturday night party. The place is owned by the major importer of windsurfing gear so here's a chance to have fun at his expense for a change!

You'll handle the Wally, probably better than I handled the UNSW party last year at the Wally nats. Drop me a line for info & help, we have fast Walliers available for hints and tips.

Loose Fin, what state are you in? We're trying to fire up the Wallys. It's working well so far in NSW, this year one fleet is up to about 15 and another is up to about 10; nothing like the old numbers but 100% that of last year.

:) The uni nats sounds like a blast, think we are having a practice seesion next week sometime so I can try out this "wally" :P

Wind looks good this week.

Bladez, just found out that RMIT is sending up a strong team to reinforce the racing and the party aspect. I'm helping train the Mac team, but the bad news is that the US and South American babes probably won't make the regatta.

Don't worry, if you get your ass there we'll declare you a coach and you can teach the South Americans on Saturdays and Sundays. At the last Uni nats the top womens' freestyle spot went to an overseas student who just entered the judging ring and took her top off but it's a bit colder this year.

So where are you from and are you coming?