Loftsails & EASY-surfshop: How It All Started
The story of Loftsails and EASY-surfshop goes way back to 2003 when I first laid eyes on those sails at the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair. Perfectly rigged the Lip Wave and O2 – two beauties that instantly grabbed my attention. The German importer at the booth was kind enough to chat and, more importantly, point me straight to the mastermind himself – Monty Spindler. A few emails, a couple of phone calls, and boom – by spring that year, the first Loftsails had made their way to Poland. That was also my first experience with importing goods factory direct, but that’s the different story.
From the very first rigging, I was hooked. Seeing them at the fair was one thing, but getting them on the water? That was pure magic. The way they performed was next level – no other sails I had tried felt this crisp, this refined. It was love at first glide.
Me somewhere in France 20+ years ago with The Loft Lip Wave sail…
Monty Spindler – The Man, The Legend
Monty is a character you don’t forget. A true windsurfing soul, an icon in the industry, and one of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet. His windsurfing journey began in 1977, when he started practicing the sport alongside Ken Winner. Before that, Monty was involved in dinghy racing, achieving success in the Laser class. However, windsurfing quickly became his true passion, leading him to shift from traditional sailing to sail design.
In 1981, Monty joined Neil Pryde in Hong Kong, where he designed sails for brands like HiFly, Tiga, and Sailboard Alpha. By 1984, he moved to Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy, to be closer to European manufacturers and continue developing innovative sail designs.
In 1986, after leaving Neil Pryde, Monty partnered with Udo Schütz, the owner of Fanatic, and started working on ART Sails. This was the period when he introduced his signature “cutaway” sail designs, which initially sparked controversy in the industry but eventually influenced the development of modern sail shapes.
Thanks to his experience and relentless passion for windsurfing, Monty Spindler became one of the most influential sail designers, shaping the sport’s evolution for decades.
He definitely influenced me!
Monty in his design room in Tarifa.
I remember one of my first sessions with him in Tarifa. He rocked up at Valdevaqueros beach with some serious slalom gear—an 85L board, a tiny fin, and one of the first Racing Blade prototypes, probably a 5.6. Back then, I was still deep into freeride, and slalom gear wasn’t really my jam yet. But Monty? He convinced me to give it a go.
So, I took the gear, somehow made it through the shore break, and off I went. Poniente was blowing, right tack, and suddenly—bam! I had never felt this kind of control and ease in a rig before. Everything was just dialed in. The fin, the board, the sail, the boom—it all worked like a dream.
Monty isn’t just a designer; he’s a tuning wizard. That day, I got a whole new perspective on what a properly set-up rig could do.
Getting Loftsails into Poland
At first, our strategy was simple – let people try them. No gimmicks, no flashy sales pitches. Just pure windsurfing. We took them to the local spots – Poznań (Lakes Kiekrz, Powidz, Kamienica) and, of course, the Hel Peninsula in Chałupy. Whoever got their hands on a Loftsail was instantly converted. The performance spoke for itself.
Back in the early days, the brand was called The Loft before it evolved into Loftsails. So, all called them simply “lofts”.
One of the biggest standouts? These sails never felt overpowered. Even in nasty gusts, they just held their shape and kept things under control. Whether you were blasting on slalom gear or foiling above the chop, you knew you could always handle the conditions.
The Game-Changing Models
The first big hit? O2 – later rebranded as Oxygen. This freeride/freerace sail became a go-to for loads of riders. A bit later, the Switchblade was introduced—a cambered sail with the option to switch between an SDM and an RDM mast (both sets of cams are still included with the Switchblade today). The wave sails (first it was Lip Wave, these days called Pure Lip) faced tougher competition, but when it came to freeride and slalom, Loftsails were making serious waves!
Fast forward to today? Racing Blade is the ultimate slalom machine, and Skyblade has absolutely blown up in the foiling scene. Especially in Poland, there’s a whole community that swears by these sails. They just work.
02 – 7 batten freeride/freerace sail. Chalupy in Poland.
What Makes Loftsails So Special?
If you’ve ever picked up a Loftsail, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The feel is unique. The performance is immediate. Every tiny detail is thought through. The lightness is where it should be, the reinforcements exactly where they need to be.
It’s all about balance – top-end speed, control, and durability. Nothing is random.
And that legendary wind range? Yeah, that’s real. You never feel like you’re holding on for dear life. Even in gnarly gusts, you’re still in control, still flying, still pushing. Whether you’re on a fin or a foil, that confidence is priceless.
Where We Are Now
Over the years, Loftsails has evolved, and now, production, logistics, marketing, and administration are handled by Equipe Trading, our Dutch partner. That shift meant Monty could focus on what he loves—testing, prototyping, refining.
No more chasing logistics, no more admin headaches. Just pure sail design and performance tuning.
My two cents
Around 2005, after a couple of years of working with Loftsails, I suggested that they needed a proper website – because, to be honest, the one they had back then was terrible.
Monty agreed, and that’s how I ended up creating and running the official Loftsails website. I ran it for three years but eventually had to pass it on to other professionals because I simply didn’t have the time anymore – EASY-surfshop, the business, was getting complicated already 😉.
But man, what an adventure it was! Designing the website hand in hand with the brand owner, getting photos from riders around the world, plus making catalogs, putting together brochures—really getting into the DNA of the brand. It wasn’t just a business move – it was a ride, an experience, and a lesson I’ll never forget.
Loftsails & EASY-surfshop Today
Fast forward to today, and EASY-surfshop is one of the biggest Loftsails dealers on the planet. Over the years, we’ve sold thousands of these sails, helping windsurfers experience their unique performance firsthand.
And Monty? He’s still right there – engaging with riders at the beach, answering “How to?” questions, fine-tuning setups, and even crafting custom sails for the die-hard fans. Still based in Tarifa, he keeps the turbine turning (just like the Loftsails logo) – testing, designing, and constantly pushing the limits of performance.
Looking back, it’s been an epic journey – but trust me, it’s far from over.
Want to know more? Check out www.loftsails.com.
Or better yet – get your hands on a Loftsails sail (and yes, the best place to order is right here: www.easy-surfshop.com). See for yourself what makes these sails so special.
