The introduction of color television in the mass market coincided with the rise of a new water sport.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, multinational brands used windsurfing to promote a broad range of products and services.
The new thrilling wind sport picked up quickly, and companies invested in TV ads featuring board sailors.
The speed, the smiles, and the intense water action of the summer holidays were all values that fitted marketing messages like a glove.
Company executives knew that windsurfing was also becoming very popular in Europe, especially in the 1980s.
The windsurfing commercial bubble was short-lived, but the sport produced a few surprising TV ads.
Let's take a look at the most unusual, weird, and odd examples ever released, from oldest to newest.
Labatt's Beer (1978)
One of the first television commercials featuring windsurfing and windsurfers.
This one was shot in San Diego, California, and showcased the early Windsurfer models. Starring Dick Lamb, Mike Oddi, Lori Swatek, Glenn Taylor, Trish Walsh, and Melanie Mitchell.
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes (1980)
Tony the Tiger helps a young grom beat his rivals after eating a bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal.
Pay attention to the Hawaiian scenario and The Beach Boys-esque theme tune.
Sunkist Good Vibrations (1980)
Square tail windsurf boards, tanned men and women, and fresh drinks.
Sunkist picked The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and changed the lyrics to promote their flavored soft drink.
Solo Man (1980s)
The iconic Australian brand hires an accomplished windsurfer to help sell the lemon-flavored soft drink.
Solo says it all. And the mustache too.
Barq's Root Beer (1982)
Barq's lets the good taste flow.
This famous American soft drink with caffeine featured a windsurfer - Matt Ronk - hitting the water with a flashy red sail.
Juicy Fruit (1986)
A group of attractive young women and men arrive at a tropical location and go windsurfing.
But they could only do it after tasting a Juicy Fruit chewing gum.
Hollywood | O Sucesso (1987)
Back in the day, cigarettes and sport combined.
Mountain Dew's "Skate Sail" (1988)
Pepsi Cola Company shot this commercial in Long Beach, California.
Back in the day, roller skates, inline skates, and skateboards were invading the boardwalks, but the windsurfing sails added a colorful futuristic twist to the whole thing.
Café Hag (1988)
A surreal television commercial in which the windsurfing image doesn't get what it deserves.
Citizen Promaster's The Windsurfer (1990)
The watch company launches a chronograph for windsurfers.
If you wore it, you would get all the pretty girls.
Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign's "Whichever Way the Wind Blows" (2004)
In the 2004 US Presidential Election, the George Bush-Dick Cheney campaign released a television commercial.
His opponent, John Kerry, a windsurfing enthusiast, is pictured changing positions several times on significant political issues.
Renault Clio Surf featuring Shahar Zubari (2008)
French car manufacturer Renault launches a television commercial to promote their new Surf model in Israel during the 2008 Olympic Games.
The ad features Shahar Zubari, who ended up winning the bronze medal in Beijing 2008.
Aruba Tourism Authority featuring Lewis Black (2008)
Lewis Black is always angry, and the Aruba Tourism decided he was the perfect guy to promote the small Caribbean island as a windsurfing destination.
Old Spice featuring Terry Crews and Isaiah Mustafa (2015)
Classic duo Terry Crews and Isaiah Mustafa use a windsurfing sail as a door.
Bizarre, to say the least.
Pacifico Beer (2015)
Wyatt Miller and Tyson Poor promote Mexican beer while keeping the sport of windsurfing cool and exciting.
Have we missed an old-school windsurfing commercial? Send us an email.