Windsurfing 1.01-Boards #6

The Importance of Your Bodyweight in Determining the Correct First Time Intermediate Windsurf Board
If you plan on taking this sport of ours to the next level and are an ambitious learner, then you have to pay close attention to this. Your bodyweight is crucial in determining the board that is right for you.

When we discuss the average weight windsurfer, we are talking about individuals that are in the 70-83kg (+/-155-185 lb) range. But obviously, a 13kg difference can be enough to make a difference in your own needs. So, in order to fine-tune the figures for board volume and width to your own bodyweight (lets use the average 120 liter / 65 cm board as an example).

A 120 liter / 65cm board is ideal for a 77kg individual. But if you are lighter or heavier, Add or subtract roughly 1 extra liter of volume for each kg of bodyweight above or below the median of 77 kg.Should your weight be towards the lighter end of the average weight range, your needs will focus more on the 112-116 liter 63-64cm range to get the ideal performance for your weight.

Should your weight come outside the average weight range, say 90kg, then things change and you will be looking at a bigger board size of 130 liters / 69cm.

In conclusion to this particular section, before you get out there and spend your hard-earned money. Almost everyone wants to learn to windsurf is initially going to learn things faster on the very widest boards around. We however, don’t necessarily recommend that this is what they buy. Why? Primarily, because some of these boards are so easy to learn on that some people can grow out of them literally in a matter of days. It would be crazy to buy a board that you will only need to sail for a week!

Think about what your goals really are. Give your local windsurfing shop owner all of the details of what you really want and what you can do. Be honest, this is not a competition to have the hottest gear on your local beach.

In conclusion:
Beginner Boards as Formula Boards:
Many manufacturers will have you believe that their very wide boards can double as light-wind “early planers” or even Formula Boards for when you’ve developed into a skilled sailor. Although these boards do have similar shapes, beginner boards are usually so much heavier that they are not really on the pace for competition sailing in light winds.

When you improve sufficiently to intermediate levels and above, you will find that your “beginner board” does make a great platform for non-planing freestyle maneuvers or puttering around, ut do not expect them to be high-performance boards and beginner boards rolled into one.

If your goal is to have a board that may take you a little more time to master but will carry you into your next step as a light-wind board, you are better off looking at the maximum width and literage that your bodyweight permits and having that as you beginner board. Like we said, it will take you a little longer to learn on, but you will be able to use it as your light-wind board in the future.

The same can also be said for Formula Boards being sold as good ambitious beginner boards. Do not be fooled into thinking that a Formula Board will do the same job as a beginner or free ride board. These boards were designed for a very specific job: Carry enormous sails, plane in next to nothing and go upwind and downwind competitively well. They were not designed for beginners even if they are wide and voluminous. A BEGINNER WILL NOT HAVE ANY FUN ON FORMULA BOARDS. If swearing and repairing your investment are your goals, then by all means go ahead and spend the money on a formula board.