Beginner Windsurfing Equipment

Are you ready to start the next phase of your life?? 

We're a bit biased, but windsurfing is one of the most fun and life changing sports you could ever try!  From the challenges of your first day to your 10,000th hour on the water, the joy and excitement never fades.  We have seen people just 3 years old all the way up to mid 80s still enjoying the ride- it is a lifetime sport that most anyone can enjoy!  All you need is a bit of wind and water, and you're on your way!

Lessons are Strongly Recommended!!  Check this website for a list of potential instructors in your area.   For the Ultimate Learn To Windsurf Experience, book a vacation someplace cool and take a clinic from ABK Boardsports!

Spot Check for your first days on the water- here are some things that you should look for before heading out:

• Light Onshore or Side onshore Wind.  This will make it easier to get back to the beach if you're having trouble.  Wind blowing away from the beach will blow you away, too!  All you need is a light breeze (2-10 mph)- it will be plenty to pull you around and you'll have lots of fun!  Strong wind will make your first days on the water very challenging and potentially frustrating or even dangerous.
  
• Shallow water is nice but not totally necessary.
• Little to no waves- flat water at first!
• No Thunderstorms!  Zap...
• Not too cold- dress appropriately for the water temperature.  You may need a wetsuit if the water is chilly.
• Lifeguard on duty?
• Other Windsurfers around?

You Personally Should:

• Be a strong swimmer
• Wear a USCG Approved Life Jacket
• Wear a helmet
• Wear appropriate clothing- wetsuit, booties, etc
• Check the weather forecast
• Talk to local windsurfers
• TAKE A LESSON!
• Acknowledge that windsurfing is potentially dangerous or even deadly.  You might get hurt.  Yikes!

Choosing Equipment- Boards:

• Choose a BIG board.  A big board is nice and stable.  Lots of width will add stability, lots of length will track well and be faster in light winds.  Contact us for personal recommendations!
• Avoid the temptation to purchase advanced gear right away.  The learning curve can be steep with windsurfing, and starting on inappropriate gear will just make it way way way harder, to the point where you might have zero success at all.
• A good beginner board will have a daggerboard or center fin- this will help you track nice and straight, and will help you stay upwind.
• A good beginner board will have lots of padding on the deck.  This will help keep you from getting too beat up when you fall or when you're constantly crawling back up onto the board.
• If you live somewhere with consistently light or gusty wind conditions, get a board like the Naish Windsurfer Original.  It will be fun to use in light winds no matter how far your skills progress; even experts love these boards!  Plus, you can also use it as a Stand Up Paddleboard!
  
• If you live somewhere with occasionally strong, steady winds, a board like the Goya Surf will allow you to progress to high wind planing skills like footstraps and harnesses.  It will be fun to use in light winds no matter how far your skills progress; even experts love these boards!
  

Choosing Equipment- Sails:

• Choose a SMALL sail.  A small sail is light and will be easier to handle than a big sail.  Contact us for personal recommendations!
  
• Beginner sails are often made out of dacron, which is LIGHT and DURABLE!  They are also designed to have lots of power in very light winds, so they will motor your board along even in just 5 mph winds.
• Avoid the temptation to purchase a big advanced sail right away- they are often too fragile, and will also be harder to handle.  Another thing to consider- most advanced sails are designed to be used in strong winds, and in light winds they actually don't work very well.
• If you live somewhere with consistently light or gusty winds, get a rig like the Chinook SHIFT or Goya SURF.  It will be really light and powerful for it's size, and will remain fun to use in light winds no matter how far your skills progress!
  
• If you live somewhere with occasionally strong winds, you might consider getting a rig like the Chinook Glide.  This will be more stable than the dacron sails and will help power you up into your first planing rides!  The downside is that they're a touch heavier than the dacron sails, and they might not last as long.
  

Contact us with questions- we're happy to help!