A windsurfing board is used in conjunction with a sail, mast and boom and allows you to move through the water using the wind. Various accessories such as fins and centerboards can be used to maintain a straight course. There are several types of windsurfing boards.
In this guide, we will only look at the features of the boards themselves. There are many models with different characteristics, the choice of which will depend on the type of windsurfing you want to do.
To choose the best windsurfing board for your needs, there are a number of important criteria to consider, starting with your intended use. You should also take into account factors such as your riding level and weight when making your decision. Among other things, it is important to consider how sail size will affect your sailing.
The following aspects need to be paid attention to:
What is the surfer's skill level?
What size board should I choose depending on the height and weight of the surfer?
What discipline is the board chosen for? (speed, wave, slalom, freestyle...)?
Sail size
How to choose a board for a beginner surfer?
A beginner surfer will need a windsurfing board that provides maximum stability and buoyancy, that is, wide and large in size. As a rule, it is equipped with a retractable centerboard (central fin). The board should have a special coating that does not irritate the skin: when getting out of the water after a fall, a novice surfer will spend a lot of time kneeling or lying on the board.
Advantages:
Excellent stability, 'tolerance' to technical errors and loss of balance
Better buoyancy, allowing the surfer to stand up straight when raising the sail, without resorting to the water launch technique (used by more experienced surfers), even in light wind conditions.
The retractable centerboard helps you maintain a straight course and sail into the wind. It also increases the stability of the board.
Flaws:
Lower planing efficiency
Size and width greatly affect overall handling.
What types of windsurfing boards are there?
Windsurfing boards vary depending on what type of surfing they are used for: freeride, speed, slalom, wave, freestyle, racing or related disciplines (allround). Beginners often use heavier and wider boards. Surfers who practice wave or speed usually choose lighter boards with a carbon fiber (carbon) sandwich structure. Fast windsurfing requires short, light boards, but they are more difficult to control.
Below are the main types of windsurfing:
Freeride is not a competitive discipline. This is a free style of skating, which is practiced solely for one's own pleasure.
Freestyle is a discipline in which surfers perform acrobatics and jumps in calm water.
Slalom is a high-speed race in which surfers navigate around buoys that act as obstacles.
Speed is a competition in which surfers take turns trying to beat a set record for maximum speed.
Wave (wave surfing) is the most difficult and spectacular type of windsurfing.
Windfoil is a new discipline that emerged after it became possible to attach hydrofoils to windsurfing boards. Hydrofoils, or hydrofoils, provide a smooth ride.
Wave surfing requires the use of a very maneuverable board, allowing you to maneuver and quickly change direction. For this type of windsurfing, a short, not too wide board with little volume is best suited.
Advantages:
Sensitivity
Maneuverability
Flaws:
Requires good technical training (confidence in water launch and jibe is required)
Difficult and almost impossible to use in light winds due to low buoyancy
A windsurfing sail provides the propulsion force, so you need to take into account the sail area recommended by the manufacturer for each board model. Beginner boards, due to their large volume, allow the use of very different sail areas. Due to this, it is possible to choose a sail depending on the wind: the stronger the wind, the smaller the sail area is required to set the board in motion.
A smaller volume board requires less sail area, especially when riding in medium to strong wind conditions. On the other hand, using a large sail area on a board like this in light wind conditions can cause problems with steering and maintaining course. At the same time, we note that too small a sail area simply will not allow gliding through the water, since the weak thrust force will not be able to compensate for the lack of buoyancy.