Considering most of the manufacturers have their conferences around the 3rd qtr of the year so as they can let the retailers know what next years products are going to be then no this is not surprising.

Do you think that ANY manufacturer would just release something without testing it?

Now is the of season for the PWA guys so they are earning some of their contracts by testing the new kit.

Unlike cars, there are no hidden test tracks where they can test kit, it's just the beach, so someones going to be there with a camera.

So in answer to your question, yes it's for real.

Remember that they are testing sail shape, feel and perfomance. The colours may or may not mean a thing on these prototype sails.

Just had a sneaky look at scotty mcerchers 2013 proto boards.

The ones I looked at are 2013 protos, also severne have been testing 2013 reflexes for over 6months all ready!!

If you want a proper upgrade instead of minor tweaks you need to try out ideas and that takes time.
But if you wanna keep new stuff secret its imo stupid to test at Hookipa where half the windsurfcomunity is watching over you shoulder. At the time, except the woven Avanti and Severne I haven,t seen anything really new and innovative.

I've been buying next year's Easter eggs for some months now

Bloody hell Mr Love!!!! you're developing invisible booms

What will they think of next??

i knew KA had stopped selling booms but i didn't think the sails had been designed to suit