Windsurfing Equipment Guide For Beginners

December 11, 2022

Windsurfing is a great way to make friends, travel, get exercise, and experience sheer enjoyment. It is, in fact, one of the best water adventures for any summer. Without the right windsurfing equipment, however, getting started with the sport can appear complicated.

To make things easier for you, we will break down the basic windsurfing gear. Keep in mind that this article only covers windsurfing equipment for beginners. However, you can customize and accessorize the gear as you improve your skills.

Windsurfing Equipment – Everything You Need to Get Started with Windsurfing

1. Windsurfing Board

The windsurfing board is one of the most crucial parts of the windsurfing equipment for beginners. When getting started with windsurfing, you should go for bigger and more stable boards. These are generally sized between 140L and 200L. Bigger boards offer more stability and are much easier when you are learning to sail.

The ideal beginner windsurf board should also have a bigger width in addition to the high volume. A board featuring a width of at least 75 – 95cm should be easy to control and an ideal place to start planing from.

If you intend to windsurf inland, you should consider getting a board featuring a retractable daggerboard. The daggerboard will help you stay upright in light winds.

2. Sail

When buying your sail, you will need to consider 3 main factors – the size of the sail, your level of expertise, and the wind strength in your chosen windsurfing spot. If you are getting windsurfing equipment for beginners, your sail should be small so that you can control it more easily.

The ideal beginner sail should be between 2.5 and 4.5 square meters. The sail will increase in size as your experience grows to about 5 to 8 square meters. However, in stronger winds of between 18 and 30 knots, experienced windsurfers use 4 to 6 square meters sails.

3. Mast and Mast Base

The mast is the pole to which the sail will be attached. Although often overlooked when purchasing windsurfing equipment for beginners, the mast is extremely crucial since it influences the weight of the entire rig and the sail’s wind range. If you are using a mast that is unfit for your sail, it could hinder your windsurfing progress.

With the sail mentioned earlier, you should get a reduced diameter mast – this should be ideal for smaller sails. The mast should have a small curvature for the wind.

The mast base connects your mast to the board. It features a universal joint and a rubber piece that allows the sail to move ideally when you are exploring the waters.

4. Boom

A core piece of the windsurfing equipment for beginners, the boom is a piece that is attached to the mast. In addition to offering support for the sail, it encloses the sail and is gripped by the windsurfer.

The boom allows the rider to control his/her sail and maneuver it – this improves sailing safety. Early booms were usually tied to the mast. However, modern sails are usually clamped onto the mast.

You might also like: Perfect Windsurfing Wetsuits

5. Buoyancy Aids

Buoyancy aids are a must-have for children and beginner windsurfers. The buoyancy aids will give you the extra float while you are learning.

Some windsurfers often argue that the buoyancy aids are not necessary since they tend to tack additional weight on the rider and the wetsuit offers some float. This suggests that it is up to the rider if he or she wants to include the buoyancy aid in the windsurfing equipment list. However, it is important to note that having the buoyancy aid will make your windsurfing sessions much safer especially when you are riding close to the shore.

6. Wetsuits

Designed for ease of movement, windsurfing wetsuits protect you against injuries and keep you warm. As a windsurfing beginner, you will need to look for a wetsuit featuring an average thickness of 2.5 to 3 mm. This is thin enough such that you won’t even notice you are wearing it.

Ensure that the wetsuit fits snugly – this will make it waterproof. Make sure that the wetsuit is not too tight – if it is too tight, it could stop blood flow and even cause muscle cramps.

7. Windsurfing Boots and Shoes

Unless you are lucky enough to sail from a sandy beach, a pair of water shoes or boots should protect your feet from rocks, cold, and shingles. Rubber surf slippers or rubber-soled neoprene boots will also protect your toes from the numerous hard parts available on your board’s deck.

Try to avoid bulky footwear as they will make getting into the foot straps more difficult. Be sure to find something that fits snugly to avoid being uncomfortable on the water.

FAQs

Q: What Equipment Do You Need for Windsurfing?

A: To get started with windsurfing, you will need:

Windsurfing board
Sail
Mast and mast base
Boom
Buoyancy aids
Wetsuit
Shoes or boots

Q: How Do I Choose A Sail for Windsurfing?

To choose a sail, you need to consider your level of experience, the speed of the wind, and the size of the sail. For beginners, smaller sails – featuring a size of 2.5 to 4.5 square meters – are ideal. Experienced windsurfers can go up to between 5 and 8 square meters. However, in areas featuring stronger winds – say, winds of 18 to 30 knots – smaller 4 to 6 square meter sails are ideal for the experienced windsurfers.

Q: How Much Is A Windsurfing Board and Sail?

The best windsurfing boards will cost you an average of $200 to $400. Windsurfing sails, on the other hand, cost between $350 and $1000 depending on the quality. For beginners, windsurfing gear costs will be on the lower end. This means that it should be affordable.

Globo Surf Overview

If you are thinking of getting started with windsurfing, this article should help you get the right windsurfing equipment for beginners. Following our tips should make it possible for you to invest in equipment featuring easy control and stability. This should help you with your windsurfing progress.