The Mistral brand was founded in 1976 and from the very beginning made a name for itself as a manufacturer of clothing and equipment dedicated to lovers of water sports such as windsurfing, surfing, wing foil and SUP. The brand's first collection consisted of apparel, equipment and accessories designed primarily for windsurfing, a direct response to the growing popularity of the sport, especially in the California environment of the 1970s.
In response to the growing interest, Mistral has always collaborated with the world's top athletes, designers and water sports enthusiasts. A significant moment for the brand was the hiring of Rick Naish in 1977 as chief designer in Hawaii, and his son, Robby Naish, became the brand's most famous test pilot.
In the 1980s, the iconic Mistral windsurfing team dominated professional windsurfing circuits from Japan to San Francisco, winning in various categories: men's, women's, wave sailing, slalom and course racing. Another special moment for the brand was in 1982, when Mistral's Pan Am racing board was selected as a custom design at the Pan Am World Cup.
Between 2008 and 2022, Mistral became the leader in Stand Up Paddle and remains an important category for the brand today, upholding its tradition of innovation and high quality in the field of water sports.