Want to start Windsurfing?

Question

I am 5'6" 140lbs and want to learn freestyle windsurfing. What gear do I need? How much money will the total gear cost? I live in Kansas so finding gear may be a bit hard. I want to get a board that I can keep forever and not have to buy another because I don't have a lot of money and can only afford one board. I play other extreme sports and I am a very fast learner, that is also why I think I can learn on a professional board. So what boards do the pro freestylers use and how much they run? Thanks.

Answer 1

For learning in a place like Kansas (generally light and gusty winds) you want a large volume board, over 180 liters. It will be easier if it is wide, particularly in the tail. If the board has a daggerboard it will also help you to be able to come back to the place you launched.

These features are things that you typically will not want later on, once you learn and you want to go planning fast. I would bet that once you learn you will use a board in the 100 to125 lts range, without daggerboard. But it is very hard to learn on a board like that and truly you will damage severely a nice board and the fin when you learn. And it will not be stable enough and it will sink too easy. You will be quickly frustrated, which is the most difficult thing to overcome for people learning this sport.

So, I can recommend 3 options depending on your budget:

1) Buy a used cheap and old floaty board which then you will sell once you learn the basics (say at least one season). The board should have daggerboard and at least 180 liters or more. You should be able to get one for $100 or less.

2) For some more, buy a used "long board" like the Mistral Equipe or One Design, boards that you may want to keep for light wind days after you learn, as they are good options for those conditions, sailing around the lake chasing sailboats or to go faster than most on non-planing conditions. These boards are good for learning and you may be able to get one used for about $200. Most windsurfers  have at least two boards and if you get into the sport that will likely be your case too.

3) Buy a more current, new or used, "beginer board" like the Sarboard Start, Techno 293, HiFly or similar. This is likely going to be the most expensive option, more than $300  for a used one or $700-1000 for a new one. You may keep these longer, but again, once you learn, after one ore two seasons you will likely want to replace these boards also.

Regarding the sail, you should start with one around 5.0m2  and a 4.30 m mast although a 4.60 would work too. This sail will likely be later the smallest in your quiver as you will have at least three. Here the prices range from $450 for a nice new one (not recommended for a beginner as you will not see the difference and spoil it) or $50 for a used one good enough for learning.

A typical value for a used sail in decent shape in the area is $150. Regarding the boom, buy aluminium, carbon is better but expensive and not worth it until you become really good to see the difference (it will take years). A used one should cost you $30 to $40. Just make sure that it is extensible in the range your sails require and is clamp on (most of them are unless it is REALLY old).

For the mast you can start with a 2 piece aluminum mast (cheap) but you can get a carbon one for around $100 which then you can keep. If you go that route, start with a 4.60m mast  as it will be the one you will use most.

For option 1, the total cost of used equipment (board, mast. boom, sail, mast base) to get started could be around $350 (if you buy from individuals), but of course you can find ways to expend $1500 or more.

The key is to start, then you know people in the sport, you will get advise and see oportunities to buy equipment.