Windsurfing 101 ... Shoes, Boots & More !

Shoes & Boots

Windsurfing shoes/boots are also a must for any windsurfer. Depending on what time of year you want to sail you will either choose a 5mm boot for cold-weather sailing (April-June) or a 2mm boot (July-Sept). These accessories protect your feet from possible cuts and scrapes (from debris and rocks that are not visible) and also offer a thermal protection to always keep your “tootsies” from freezing and limiting your time on the water.

Like wetsuits, windsurfing shoes/boots are supposed to fit snugly, but not so much that your toes are scrunched up at the ends. If they are too big, you risk loosing them in the water, as they generally take about ½ size once wet.

Life Jacket

Life jackets are a big necessity as a beginner, especially if you’re planning on sailing in deep water. The extra buoyancy that a lifejacket provides will make sure that ...

a) You’ll always float to the top when you fall (and you will

fall a lot).

b) You’ll always be able to come home should an emergency

happen.

c) Getting back up on your board will also be easier.

The traditional orange/yellow flotation device of the past is just that, a thing of the past. You can now find life jackets that are specifically geared towards windsurfing. This means that there exist vests that are less cumbersome, easier to move in and lighter to wear.

You may think of this as a useless object, but it’s really not. They keep you afloat when you may be too tired to tread water; and in and around Montreal they are legally necessary. The last thing that you want is to get a $250.00 fine when all you wanted was a good time. Big brother is watching you … .

Windsurfing 101 ... Wetsuits

Wetsuits

The wetsuit manufacturers have greatly increased their understanding of materials and comfort. Where wetsuits used to fit like Glad Garbage bags, today’s wetsuits fit like gloves. Modern neoprene is now supple and stretchy and made to perfectly fit the curves of your body.

Wetsuit Thickness:
Wetsuits come in a variety of thicknesses from 5mm – 2mm. They also come in a variety of thicknesses for parts of the body (i.e. 5mm on torso, 4mm on legs and arms, 3mm on the rest). A wetsuit is necessary in the climate that we live in. The water may be warm, but the wind has a cooling effect on the body and could result in you not lasting on the water as long as you could.

In the beginning stages of your windsurfing adventure, it is suggested that you either purchase a 3mm or a 4mm long wetsuit (with long sleeves and long legs). This measurement refers to the thickness of the neoprene that touches your body as well as the length. You will want as much thermal protection as you can get; don’t forget you’ll be in the water for long periods of time.

How A Wetsuit Fits:
As with a piece of clothing or a harness, you want the suit to fit properly. Now, keep in mind that it is going to feel tight when you first put it on. It has to be tight, but not so much that your face is blue after zipping it up. A wetsuit generally increases about ½ size once it is wet.

A wetsuit is a thermal layer between you and the water. The last thing that you want is really cold water rushing into all the openings like a waterfall. Water has to circulate in a wetsuit, yes, but not so much that the thermal properties become secondary and you’re always cold.

Women vs. Men Wetsuits: (The battle of the sexes rages on !)
Okay people, here is where we have to get serious once again. No, a woman won’t fit in to your buddy’s 20 year old cracked, dry, neoprene wetsuit no matter how thin your buddy was 20 years ago. If you don’t know the difference between men and women yet, then perhaps it would be a good idea to a) go back to school and take some remedial anatomy courses, or b) look at your wife or girlfriend a little more closely…

For those of you who still don’t know what we mean, here it is in a nutshell.

Women have: Breasts, smaller shoulders, hips.
Men have: Wide shoulders, no hips.

Most women will likely experience the following sensation in a man’s wetsuit…they are in no particular order.

a) The suit will float in the shoulder area.

b) The suits will flatten her chest into something that resembles 2 peas on a dinner plate.

c) There is not enough room in the hips.

d) The waist most likely will also be too big.

With all of this said, please ladies, get a wetsuit of your own. You’ll thank us for it later. Here ends the sarcasm …

Examples of what a modern wetsuit looks like (Men):

Examples of what a modern wetsuit looks like (Women):

Windsurfing 101 ... Harnesses

Harnesses

The harness is not something that the beginner thinks about right away, as it won’t be necessary in the first few “dips” in the water. As you progress though, a harness will allow you to take the strain from your arms and shoulders and incorporate the rig into a “full body experience”. This means that you will use your body weight to transfer the energy of the wind into your whole rig.

There are a variety of harnesses on the market, each having a hook positioned at about waist height which lets you hang from the 'harness line'.

The most popular windsurfing harnesses are waist harnesses and seat harnesses. Now, don’t be fooled by marketing; a harness is not a decoration, nor a fashion trend. It is a piece of equipment that touches your body, protects and envelops your back. There are also harnesses that are geared towards women on the market. A man’s harness will not necessarily properly fit a woman, they are simply shaped differently.

When you are ready for a harness, ask questions. Try every different style if you have to, but find the harness that is comfortable and fits your body type. Just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean it’s good for you. This is one thing that you don’t want to scrimp on, as it will ensure your general comfort level and health of your back in the long run.

Windsurfing 101 ... Harness Lines

Harness Lines

Harness lines are not something that a beginner will need right away until they are ready to purchase a harness (see harness description below). Harness lines are basically a loop of plastic-coated rope attached to the boom (one on each side).

They are available in a variety of fixed or adjustable lengths. Some adjustable harness lines can be cut down as you get better and some are fixed to adjust from one set length to another set length ex: 19”-24” (see pictures below). When you are ready to tackle the harness, we would suggest getting a set of long, adjustable harness lines that you can cut to begin with. This will give you a chance to learn getting in the harness with much more ease.

Here are some examples of different types of harness lines.

Windsurfing 101 ... Uphaul

Uphaul

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a beginner, this small but important piece of equipment is either a thick knotted rope or length of slightly elasticized webbing used to pull up or 'uphaul' the rig. In the beginning, you will use this to get the sail out of the water. As you progress, it will be useful to get you out of a tight spot if the wind dies and you need to get your sail out of the water in a pinch.