The ultimate Windsurf buying guides from H20 Sports. Which windsurfing gear is right for you now and will still be right for you in the future? The difference between boards, sails Masts and booms... Future proofing your windsurfing purchase from our leading brands (North, Fanatic, JP Australia, Neilpryde, RRD and Simmer)... Read on in our complete Windsurfing guide to find all the answers you need... Fast and easy!
Windsurf Boards... Rigid of inflatable, with, or with out a centre boards? Some of the questions we get asked. Generally to progress as quickly as possible, you start on a larger board (180ltr for an average 80-90kg person) and a small sail 3.5-5.0 Mtr. Our Fanatic viper package with Ride rig is the perfect solution for entry level riders, wanting to progress fast. For the customer that uses a school or hire centre for a little longer, to master and hone their skills, jumping straight onto our Fanatic Gecko / E-Type package is easily possible. H20 Sports stock leading brands like Fanatic, JP Australia, RRD and Simmer windsurfing boards. All these brands now offer your go to all round multi fin board like a Freewave... Enabling established riders to almost have a one board solution for flat water bump and jump sailing and into the waves as well... A perfect example would be the the Fanatic Stubby Freewave in a 95 ltr -105 ltr for the average 80kg - 90kg rider. Bolting on a slightly higher volume board like the Fanatic blast or JP Australia Super Sport takes care of the lighter wind days too.
Windsurf Sails... Price points... Number of battens... A good free ride sail with plenty of wind range like the North E-Type windsurfing sail gets the majority of customers out of trouble. Brands have reduced the range of sails down as the sail design improves and covers a wider variety of use! Cam's are a thing of the past and nearly all freeride to wave sails demand a RDM mast these days. Narrow luff tubes mean more efficient sails and great performance and wind range. Taking a leading sail brand like North Windsurfing sails and breaking down for an example woiuld flow like this! If your sailing in waves 50% or more then the North Super Hero top to bottom is the go to choice... HD in the smaller sizes for a bomb proof design... Sailing in waves 25% of the time then a couple of North Super Hero's in the small sizes (Maybe) or head to the North Super Session for a great free ride, blasting, bump and jump sails that's more than capable in small to medium waves... Sticking to the flatter water then it's the E-Type for flat water performance, fun blasting... S-Type Sl and the warp are our racing sails that delivery top end race winning performance... But at a cost... More hassle to rig, deep luff tubes for water starting and require SDM mast's for the cam's to get the best performance...
Windsurf Masts... RDM or SDM... Future proof your purchase and where possible go for a RDM... More and more sails are now designed around them... Only larger sails now specifically use SDM masts and sails with cams... So we'd advise RDM until the cow's come home... Choosing the mast brand to match your sail brand is important to get the most out of your sail... Most of our brands like North and NeilPryde use a constant curve design mast... Fewer and fewer brands use Flex tops and Hard tops these days...
Windsurf Booms... Unless the lottery win just came in, we'd advise sticking with a good performing Alloy Boom like the North Silver or Chinook RDG Pro alloy boom... And spend the money on upgrading your mast! It makes all the difference to the performance of the sail by a long way.
Harness: The harness is what you wear to help support your weight and control the sail. Harnesses come in different styles, including waist harnesses and seat harnesses. It's important to choose a harness that's comfortable and fits well.
Wetsuit: Windsurfing can be a cold and wet sport, so it's important to choose a wetsuit that's appropriate for the conditions you'll be sailing in. Thicker wetsuits provide more insulation but can be less comfortable to move in.
Footstraps: Footstraps help keep your feet in place on the board while you're windsurfing. They come in different sizes and shapes, and it's important to choose footstraps that are comfortable and provide good support.
Fins: Fins help you steer and control the board while windsurfing. Different fins provide different levels of maneuverability and speed, so it's important to choose a fin that's appropriate for your skill level and intended use.
Below are our FAQ's to help you gather the correct and un bias knowledge to make the best decision when purchasing windusrfing gear...
What equipment do I need to buy for windsurfing? To get started with windsurfing, you'll need a board, a sail, a mast, a boom, and a fin. You'll also need a wetsuit, harness, and other safety gear.
What size board and sail should I buy? The size of your board and sail will depend on your weight, skill level, and the wind conditions where you'll be windsurfing. As a beginner, you'll want to start with a larger board and sail, which will provide more stability and easier control.
Should I buy new or used gear? New gear can be expensive, but it will generally come with a warranty and be in top condition. Used gear can be a more affordable option, but you'll want to make sure it's in good condition before buying. Buying from a reputable seller and inspecting the gear carefully can help you avoid any issues.
How much should I expect to spend on windsurfing gear? The cost of windsurfing gear can vary greatly, depending on the brand, quality, and condition. As a beginner, you can expect to spend around $1,000-$1,500 on a complete set of gear. Higher-end gear can cost several thousand dollars.
What should I look for when buying windsurfing gear? When buying windsurfing gear, you'll want to consider factors such as the brand and quality, your skill level, the conditions where you'll be windsurfing, and your budget. You'll also want to make sure the gear fits you well and is comfortable to use.
Can I rent windsurfing gear instead of buying? Renting windsurfing gear can be a good option if you're just starting out and want to try it before investing in your own gear. It can also be a good option if you only windsurf occasionally. However, renting can be more expensive in the long run, and you won't have the convenience of having your own gear readily available.
Where can I buy windsurfing gear? You can buy windsurfing gear from a variety of sources, including specialty windsurfing shops, online retailers, and used gear marketplaces. It's important to do your research and make sure you're buying from a reputable seller who offers high-quality gear and good customer service.
What equipment do I need to buy for windsurfing? To get started with windsurfing, you'll need a board, a sail, a mast, a boom, and a fin. You'll also need a wetsuit, harness, and other safety gear.
What size board and sail should I buy? The size of your board and sail will depend on your weight, skill level, and the wind conditions where you'll be windsurfing. As a beginner, you'll want to start with a larger board and sail, which will provide more stability and easier control.
Should I buy new or used gear? New gear can be expensive, but it will generally come with a warranty and be in top condition. Used gear can be a more affordable option, but you'll want to make sure it's in good condition before buying. Buying from a reputable seller and inspecting the gear carefully can help you avoid any issues.
How much should I expect to spend on windsurfing gear? The cost of windsurfing gear can vary greatly, depending on the brand, quality, and condition. As a beginner, you can expect to spend around $1,000-$1,500 on a complete set of gear. Higher-end gear can cost several thousand dollars.
What should I look for when buying windsurfing gear? When buying windsurfing gear, you'll want to consider factors such as the brand and quality, your skill level, the conditions where you'll be windsurfing, and your budget. You'll also want to make sure the gear fits you well and is comfortable to use.
Can I rent windsurfing gear instead of buying? Renting windsurfing gear can be a good option if you're just starting out and want to try it before investing in your own gear. It can also be a good option if you only windsurf occasionally. However, renting can be more expensive in the long run, and you won't have the convenience of having your own gear readily available. With our 0% Finance, it's now often cheaper (Monthly price) to buy your own gear instead of renting! Checkout our 0% Finance options here
Where can I buy windsurfing gear? You can buy windsurfing gear from a variety of sources, including specialty windsurfing shops, online retailers, and used gear marketplaces. It's important to do your research and make sure you're buying from a reputable seller who offers high-quality gear and good customer service. Give us a try... We Pryde ourselves on our customer service and repeat customer business
When buying windsurfing equipment, it's important to choose high-quality gear that will last a long time and perform well. It's also important to make sure that all of your equipment is compatible with each other, so that you can create a safe and effective setup. Finally, it's a good idea to take lessons from a certified instructor, who can help you choose the right equipment and teach you the proper techniques and safety procedures.
H20 sports have made life easy and hand picked the best packages from the leading windsurf brands... With huge savings you can purchase the best equipment with our 0% finance cheaper than going a club or renting! Use our windsurfing style filter to choose the most suited gear for your needs. View our windsurfing packages here
We're open in our Poole windsurfing store at 91 Salterns road, Poole Dorset, BH14 8BL seven days a week! Pop in, give us a call and chat to the kitesurfing experts that specialize in North Windsurfing, Fanatic windsurfing, RRD, JP Australia, Neilpryde...
On to some more detailed questions regarding Windsurfing equipment and buying windsurfing equipment
What are the different types of Windsurfing sails available.
There are several different types of windsurfing sails available, each with its own unique characteristics and intended use. Here are some of the most common types of windsurfing sails:
Freeride sails: These are versatile sails that are designed for cruising, jumping, and freestyle windsurfing. They usually have a high aspect ratio (height to width ratio), and a moderate amount of camber (the curve in the sail), which provides good power and stability.
Wave sails: These sails are designed for riding waves and performing tricks in high wind conditions. They typically have a lower aspect ratio and a flatter profile, which provides better maneuverability and control in strong winds.
Racing sails: These sails are designed for speed and performance in competition windsurfing. They often have a high number of cambers and a narrow mast sleeve, which allows for maximum power and efficiency.
Foiling sails: These are specialized sails designed for use with windsurfing hydrofoils. They are usually smaller in size and have a higher aspect ratio, which provides better lift and reduced drag.
Beginner sails: These are larger, more stable sails that are designed for beginners and lighter wind conditions. They usually have a flatter profile and lower aspect ratio, which provides more forgiving handling and easier control.
Freestyle sails: These are specialized sails designed for performing freestyle tricks and jumps. They often have a lower aspect ratio and a more compact shape, which provides better control and maneuverability in the air.
There are also other specialized sails available for specific wind conditions and uses, such as light wind sails, high wind sails, and slalom sails. The type of sail you choose will depend on your skill level, the wind conditions where you'll be windsurfing, and the type of windsurfing you plan to do.
When Learning To Windsurf is it best to have a center board or not?
When learning to windsurf, it is generally best to use a windsurfing board with a centerboard. The centerboard helps to provide stability and prevents the board from drifting downwind. This can make it easier for beginners to learn the basics of windsurfing, such as steering and staying upwind.
A centerboard also allows the board to sail closer to the wind, which can be useful when learning to tack and jibe. Additionally, centerboards are often found on wider boards, which can provide more stability and make it easier to balance on the board.
However, as a windsurfer becomes more advanced, they may prefer to use a board without a centerboard, as it can allow for greater maneuverability and speed. In this case, the windsurfer must rely more on their skills to maintain stability and control of the board.
How Long does it take to Learn to Windsurf...
Short answer! With an RYA windsurfing course of 6-12 hours you'll have hoped to master the basics in light winds and be able to windsurf around a triangle course in light winds... Approaching twenty hours and you'd hope to have mastered the beach start and holing the rig in moderate winds... The amount of time it takes to learn to windsurf varies from person to person and depends on a variety of factors such as the individual's athleticism, coordination, and previous experience with board sports, as well as the quality of instruction and wind conditions.
On average, it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours of instruction and practice to become proficient at windsurfing. With consistent practice and a dedicated effort to learn, many people are able to get up and windsurf within a few days to a week of instruction. However, it can take several months to become comfortable and confident with the sport and to be able to windsurf in a variety of wind conditions.
It's important to note that windsurfing is a physically demanding sport, and it requires a lot of practice and perseverance to master. It's also important to start with proper instruction and safety gear to avoid injury and ensure a positive learning experience.
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