Lets go in details throug what kind of equipmet you need when you are a beginner. What you have to get? Where can you get it? How can you get a good deal? What to be aware of?
If you are not 100% sure that you are going to become a windsurfer, not sure if you are going to like it or not, don't buy windsurfing equipment! First Borrow it or rent it if possible! Here is why! (about the beginners boards)
As an adult beginner, you will need a really large board. Probably somevhere between 160 and 200+ liters of volume (see table for reference):
Beginner Board
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Your Weight
| ||||||
50 kg
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60 kg
|
70 kg
|
80 kg
|
90 kg
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100 kg
|
110 kg
| |
Volume (liters)
|
145
|
160
|
175
|
190
|
205
|
220
|
235
|
Width (cm)
|
72
|
78
|
83
|
89
|
94
|
100
|
105
|
Length (cm)
|
285
|
292
|
299
|
306
|
313
|
319
|
326
|
The idea of the first / big boards is to give you a lot of stability, so you can focus on learning instead od having to worry about how to stay on the board and keeping ballance all the time. But such really big boards are only good for a few hours. Let's say 10-20. This is an average time needed to learn the basics: seting up and handling the equipment, keeping balance - standing on the board, lifting the sail, riding, turning, etc. If after those 10 hours you decide that this is the extent of your involvement in windsurfing then go ahead and buy the beginners board.
But If you decide that you want more, this will definetly not be your last board. Also the sail that you will learn with in first hours will be way to small to progress with later on.
So again ... borrow equipment if possible until you are not really sure of how commited you are to windsurfing. This is an expensive sport even if you take care!
If you haven’t got lots of money to spare and even if you do, there is absolutely no need to buy all new equipment. That especially goes for the windsurfing boards. Buying your board second hand will spare you tons of money. For example, I bought my first beginners board new for 800 EUR (mistake) and sold it for 600 one year later, I lost 200 EUR.
Later I bought one bigger board for my ex. (first was to small) - a famous Starboard Start. But then I already new better any I paid only 250 EUR for a second-hand one. It wasn't a perfect board visually. EVA foam was scratched at several places, but technically board was 100% OK. No leaks, no cracks, etc.
Starboard Start was a family fun. My daughter could lay flat on the board while I was cruising around. Ex. could ride it as well since it was super-wide and she could easily keep balance and my friend actually rode three kids at once with it :)
Last board that I bought was 280 EUR second-hand (board bag included). It was a JP Super Sport PRO - carbon board. I had to repair it a bit and that cost me 80 EUR. But this board retailed at 2000 EUR when new.
This is at the moment my favorite board. It is easy to ride, super-fast and very light. Model is 2009.
But If you decide that you want more, this will definetly not be your last board. Also the sail that you will learn with in first hours will be way to small to progress with later on.
So again ... borrow equipment if possible until you are not really sure of how commited you are to windsurfing. This is an expensive sport even if you take care!
You can Buy second hand - used equipment. It is perfectly safe if you take care!
If you haven’t got lots of money to spare and even if you do, there is absolutely no need to buy all new equipment. That especially goes for the windsurfing boards. Buying your board second hand will spare you tons of money. For example, I bought my first beginners board new for 800 EUR (mistake) and sold it for 600 one year later, I lost 200 EUR.
Later I bought one bigger board for my ex. (first was to small) - a famous Starboard Start. But then I already new better any I paid only 250 EUR for a second-hand one. It wasn't a perfect board visually. EVA foam was scratched at several places, but technically board was 100% OK. No leaks, no cracks, etc.
Starboard Start was a family fun. My daughter could lay flat on the board while I was cruising around. Ex. could ride it as well since it was super-wide and she could easily keep balance and my friend actually rode three kids at once with it :)
Last board that I bought was 280 EUR second-hand (board bag included). It was a JP Super Sport PRO - carbon board. I had to repair it a bit and that cost me 80 EUR. But this board retailed at 2000 EUR when new.
This is at the moment my favorite board. It is easy to ride, super-fast and very light. Model is 2009.
Where can you buy second hand equipment?
If there is windsurfing in your country, there are for sure forums and internet pages where people sell used equipment. Check the internet. Check also second-hand prices internationally. Windsurfer generally do not sell equipment because it is busted, they sell it because they outgrow it, or they want to try something new - different. Some have the habit to sell it when it is one season or two seasons old - like cars. There are also fairs where they sell new and used equipment. People sell used equipment also in windsurfing resorts before they leave.
You have to be sure that equipment you are buying is OK which is difficult in the beginning. If you are not sure about it, get help. Talk to someone who has experience. Ask him/she to help you. Windsurfing community in my experience is quite friendly.
You can buy a repaired windsurfing board
If a board has been repaired it does not mean it is not still a good board. A good repair is 100% safe. If you don't know anybody that can help you evaluate the board, find a board repair shop and ask them if you can bring a board for inspection. Usually if the seller agrees to this he has nothing to hide. This is something I really did with my last board :)
Beginner’s boards are made from epoxy and fiberglass which is hard to break. Also they are more robustly made (thicker) and therefore much heavier. They are intended to be used also in windsurfing schools and can handle abuse. So, even if the beginner board is a bit older, like 4 or 5 years or even older it will most probably be quite OK and without any cracks.
Besides from epoxy models advance and PRO boards are made also from lighter materials like carbon fibers. And because shapers want to make boards as light as possible they make layers as thin as still acceptable. But very thin boards are more prone to breaking. Mostly boards break at the nose where they get hammered by the masts and under foot straps where there is lot of pressure from feet. This can happen from lots of jumping or lots of hard riding as well. Usually when service repairs the damaged part of the board, that part is now stronger then when new. Board can be a few grams heavier but average windsurfer will never notice the difference.
And repaired boards, even if they are 100% OK, never sell as good as boards without any damage - you can negotiate the price!
Cracked nose!
Board after repair.
In my next post I will write more about sails. What to keep in mind when buying one.
