WINDSURF LEGACY
100% Windsurf-committed since 1979
FOUR DECADES OF PASSION AND INNOVATION
Welcome to the house of TAHE, previously known by its old name, BIC Sport. TAHE is perpetuating a passion and fun legacy that has now existed for many generations of windsurfers.
Launched in 1979, BIC Sport always stood out in the windsurf world for its commitment to excellence and innovation.
From its earliest incarnation, BIC Sport understood how to create a brand identity synonymous with quality and performance. A commitment that has earned it a place among the windsurf market leaders.
Today, TAHE is 100% faithful to those values, constantly delivering excellence for windsurfers of all levels all over the world. The adventure continues!
THE BOARDS CHARTING THE HISTORY OF WINDSURFING AT BIC SPORT.
DUFOUR WING WINDSURF BOARD
The first ever windsurf rig appeared in 1979: the Dufour Wing. It quickly established itself in a market landscape that had been dominated for a few years by the Windsurfer and Mistral brands. In 1980 it became the most widely used range in the world.
A TOTAL INNOVATION, A UFO AMONG SAILBOARDS!
In the same year the Dufour Wing became the best-selling board in the world, and the first to successfully navigate Cape Horn.
At the beginning of the 80s, windsurfing said goodbye to the world of minority leisure sports to create and define its very own universe. Say hello to generation board sports.
Famous names started collaborating with Dufour/BIC to help develop the first generation of windsurf sport rigs, among them one of the superstars of the time, Ken Winner!
IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS BIC MARINE…
In 1982, the launch of the BIC Show marks the start of the funboard era. An era in the image of designer Ken Winner, the Team rider leader. The new boards are shorter, no daggerboards but with integral footstraps. The boards are heavier, but all the feedback is positive, leading to an evolution in sailing styles.
During this period, Tabur Marine, manufacturer of the Dufour Wing, in just a couple of years becomes the world’s No1 Windsurf company. In 1982 the company is sold to the BIC group. BIC Marine very quickly becomes a major player in the new sport of windsurfing. The Dufour logo evolves, becoming the now world-famous BIC black ball-point.
From 1982 onwards, BIC Marine rapidly develops a full range of windsurf models to satisfy the increasing public demand.
SURFING THE NEW WAVE
As soon as the new sport is « liberated » to the masses, windsurfing is suddenly everywhere, on every beach. The first summer tours happen in 1983. Young wannabee windsurfers and major media everywhere are quickly totally hooked.
In 1984 the Winglider makes its first appearance, the first official Olympic board, following a long, ding-dong battle against the Windsurfer option during the selection process. Manufactured in Vannes, and first created by shaper/designer Fred Ostermann, then taken under the BIC Marine umbrella, it becomes the monotype board/rig for windsurfing’s Olympic debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
A NEW CHAPTER
Funboard, a windsurf board with no daggerboard, opens a new chapter of the windsurf story, leaning towards a more radical and spectacular sport. After the BIC Show comes the BIC Replica, voted best board of 1985 and which opens up funboard to a much wider public.
The whole board sports market evolves: the launch of the first French specialist magazine, Wind Mag, a big increase in the numbers of shops and wholesalers, and the appearance of windsurf equipment in the established surfs shops.
In 1985, BIC Marine becomes BIC Sport. The same year that sees the launch of the famous BIC Music range: Rock’n Roll, Swing, Reggae, BeBop, Jazz….
Team riders (Ken Winner, Stephan Van Den Berg) are VERY much involved in the design and development processes.
INNOVATION AND SMASHING RECORDS
1988 marks a turning point with the creation and launch of Ace-Tec construction technology and the Electric Rock, Hard Rock, Metal Rock and Salsa models.
Developed and manufactured in Vannes, this brand new thermoforming process produces quality boards (compared to caron fibre or kevlar) delivering superb performance at affordable prices.
This process is moved up one step in 1990 with a new printing method making it possible to have long-lasting deco’s on the boards.
After the new speed record set by Pascal Maka with 38.75 knots in 1980, it takes another 9 years for Erik Beale to smash the known limits with 40 knots in 1989. Erik will soon be working on the development of numerous specialist speed sails.
As for the production boards, the team riders continue to have great results in all the big world competitions.
DIVERSIFICATION INTO THE BIG WORLD OF BOARD AND WATER SPORTS
In the early 90s, BIC Sport starts diversifying with the launch of the world’s first ever production surf board, the Bic Natural 7’9, followed by the Mini Malibu 7’3, both boards shaped by Gérard Dabbadie.
In 1995, BIC Sport acquires the specialist surfboard brand Tiga.
ON THE WINDSURF SCENE
Back with the windsurf, the Bic Veloce 328 is a big hit with the public, as is the Techno 283, voted board of the year in 2000. BIC Sport develops a new version, the Techno 293, initially with two fins and a mini-daggerboard.
But it quickly becomes apparent that it doesn’t fit the funboard profile (too long). The Techno 293 will soon be modified, adding an adjustable mast rail and a full daggerboard.
In 2004, the Techno 293 supercedes the Tiga Aloha, becoming the official monotype race board for all French riders under 17 years old. A great compromise board for learning the basics of race competition: fully up to date, versatile, simple to use and long-lasting, at a very attractive price for all the clubs and schools.
SHARING THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, AND THE GLORY
Team rider Kevin Pritchard is crowned PWA World Champion in 2000 and again in 2001.
The Techno 293 OD very quickly establishes itself in France and the rest of the world and from 2006 becomes THE official race board for young riders.
LAUNCH OF THE BEACH SERIES
From 2010 onwards, the range of new BIC Tough-Tec boards expands rapidly. This sees the arrival of the first Beach series boards: windsurf boards specifically designed to give total beginners their first windsurf thrills.
TECHNO 293 OVER THE WORLD
And because it’s more fun, and fairer, to compete on equal terms, it is still to this day, one of the most dynamic classes in windsurfing today.
The Techno board range is extended while at the same time the Techno 293 OD remains the reference race board for young sailors the world over. More than 350 young riders get together every year for the class’s World Championships.
INTRODUCTION OF WINDFOILING
A few years further on and a new UFO makes its appearance on the water: the foil. It kicks off the whole windfoil scene. The first Techno Foil boards are released in 2017 with the Techno Wind Foil 130 and 160.
A new toy to keep windsurfers of all levels happy! The Techno Wind Foil 130 is soon taken up as the official windfoil board for Under 15s by the French Sailing Federation.
IN 2021, BIC SPORT BECOMES TAHE
New name, new dynamics, same roots. The name changes and also the Brand’s dynamics with a new image, new projects, new products. That said, our skilled workforce remains in place and products names that have built the name and reputation of the company remain.
Products such as the Techno windsurf boards, ACE-TEC and TOUGH-TEC technologies… ensure continuity between the two brands. The manufacturing facilities stay the same: Tahe Outdoors France/ex-BIC Sport at its site in Vannes and Cognac, France. To be continued…