Windsurfing is one of the quintessential water sports where wind plays a pivotal role and waves dance beneath your feet. However, before practicing it, countless factors must be considered—from weather conditions to your experience level and even the equipment that suits you.
When choosing a windsurfing school, you’ll almost certainly be provided with all the necessary gear. Depending on your level, you’ll need to select a specific type of board, though we’ll delve into that later.
One non-negotiable factor is your experience level, as a complete beginner must take a short course to learn how to handle the board, sail, wind, and sea. From the moment you try it for the first time, the urge to return to the board will never leave you.
Now comes the time to choose the most important thing: the board. There are various types of windsurfing boards, and their selection depends on factors like weight and size, your preferred windsurfing style, etc. You should also be clear about your commitment level—if you only plan to practice occasionally, renting a board at the windsurfing school will suffice.
Mastering different manoeuvres and tricks perfected by experts is simply a matter of practice and time. While there aren’t vast differences between styles, it’s recommended (and fun!) to explore them all.
Types of Windsurfing Boards
- Wave Boards - The smallest yet built with a special material that makes them heavier and more resilient to withstand impacts and jumps from challenging wind and wave conditions.
- Slalom Boards - Designed for high-speed jumps, these boards excel at cutting through the water swiftly. A key challenge for windsurfers is manoeuvring them in a figure-8 pattern while dodging buoys on the circuit.
- Freeride Boards - Free navigation is this style’s hallmark, where competition takes a backseat to recreational practice. They offer high speeds while delivering near-perfect control and handling.
- Course Race Boards - Specifically designed for racing, these are the fastest boards, reaching speeds up to 18 km/h. Aesthetically, they’re less appealing due to their wider, thicker tails.
- Raceboard Boards - Ideal for the fastest and most comfortable windsurfing style. Their large size makes storage or transport tricky, but they offer near-total control and relentless thrills!
- Beginner Boards - Named for their design catering to first-time windsurfers. Their stability allows rapid progression, helping learners navigate calm waters and familiarise themselves with gear before advancing to boards suited for jumps and tricks.
