Windsurfing is a fun and exciting sport, but it can be hard to know which is the best windsurfer for beginners.
The endless number of windsurf boards on the market can be overwhelming, especially for beginner windsurfers who are just trying to get a feel for what type of board would be best.
But don’t worry. If you stick to our guide, choosing your first windsurfer will be easy! Just make sure you know what features you’re looking for and what types of windsurfing you’ll be doing to ensure you get the best beginner windsurfer.
So let’s get started!
Here we will go over what features you should be looking for in the best windsurfer for beginners, as well as reviews of 4 popular beginner boards to help you compare and choose!
Table of Contents
Freein Sup Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
You could drive to the beach or lake, but that takes precious time away from doing things you enjoy. Plus, driving can be stressful and often results in traffic jams.
The Freein inflatable stand-up paddleboard is your solution! It allows you to go windsurfing on lakes and rivers as well as open ocean sea waves whenever and wherever you want without having to worry about traffic! Weighing only 30 pounds when deflated makes it easy for anyone of any age to carry around! The Freein paddleboard is 100% portable and easy to store in any car or truck due to its size of only 1’x6′.
These SUPs are made of military-grade material which means they are strong enough for anyone over 300 lbs. Whether it’s relaxing on the water alone or spending some quality time with your loved ones this sup will make sure your experience is fun-filled every single time!!
Highlighted Features:
- Military grade material
- 100% valve-controlled inflation & deflation
- Inflates and deflates in minutes
- Designed to prevent slip or fall during use
- Great for kitesurfing, windsurfing, SUPing, surfing, and yoga
- Super lightweight at 30lbs inflated but strong enough to hold up to 300 lbs
BIC Sport Techno 293
There are so many different types of windsurf boards out there for you to choose from, which makes choosing the right one very confusing.
The BIC Sport Techno 293 OD DTT is an excellent choice for beginners and avid sailors alike because it’s affordable, durable, and easy to use. It comes with everything you need including foot straps, daggerboard, and fin. We love this board because it’s fast in light winds yet still great when the wind picks up!
This sailboard features Epoxy CTS construction which makes the boat stiffer, lighter, and faster than traditional glass fiberboards.
This sailboard will grow with your skill level without getting too big or complicated for you as a beginner. You’ll be able to learn quickly on this board thanks to its forgiving nature, but once you’re ready for more speed you’ll find that the Techno 293 OD DTT has plenty of performance left in her! Plus its low price point means that if you decide not to stick with the sport after all then at least you won’t have spent too much money on something that never interested you anyway!
Highlighted Features:
- Great for beginners but will grow with your skill level as you advance.
- Includes footstraps, daggerboard and fin so you don’t have to worry about buying anything extra!
- Low price point means it’s not a huge investment if you decide not to stick with the sport.
- Epoxy CTS construction makes the board stiffer, lighter and faster than traditional glass fiber boards.
Z-Ray Windsurfing Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Set
Paddleboarding is fun, but it can get boring just paddling around.
Now you can enjoy the best of both worlds! With this paddleboard set, you’ll be able to go from a regular paddleboard to a windsurfing paddleboard and enjoy the outstanding sailing performance in light winds conditions. Easy to store and carry, with an included backpack bag for easy storage and transport. The 10′ board is stable with a wide 30″ width.
It’s combined with a large fin to provide both stability and maneuverability while still allowing for effortless paddling on flat water lakes or slow rivers. This package includes everything you need – two inflatable stand up paddleboards (ISUP) measuring 10′ x 30″, one sail measuring 118″ high and 51″ at the bottom that folds easily, mast pole assembly, adjustable hiking stick handlebar mount system, backpack carrying case, pump bag/pump combo AND quick-release leash!!
Highlighted features:
- Design – Dual layer drop stitch material is rugged and durable.
- Durable – With 30 inch width, it is very stable on water with high load capacity to ensure long-time support for you.
- Stable – The boards are inflated 10 inches thick, so the board will not sink even if you sit on it. There are 4 straps on the board that are adjustable to put your belongings in place.
- Sturdy – The fin is nearly 8 inches tall, providing outstanding tracking ability with great maneuverability for both flat water lakes and slow rivers.
TAHE Beach 185 D Tough-TEC Windsurf Board
We know that learning how to windsurf can be intimidating because there are so many pieces of equipment involved. But we also know that once you get started with this great sport you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!
TAHE Beach 185 D Tough-TEC Windsurf Board is an excellent choice for your first board. Its durable and lightweight TOUGH-TEC construction makes it easy to carry upwind without feeling bulky or heavy in the water.
The retractable daggerboard gives an exceptional upwind performance in all conditions, while the padded deck provides comfort and a slip-free surface when stepping on or off your board from shore or boat. And since these boards have wider shapes they’re more stable than traditional surfboards which means less chance of falling overboard!
Highlighted Features:
- Construction: TOUGH-TEC construction
- Deck: Skid protection deck pad
- Lightweight and durable construction makes it easy to carry upwind without feeling bulky
How to choose the best windsurfer for beginners?
When choosing a windsurfer for the first time, it is important to consider your weight and if you plan on competitively racing. At stores such as Amazon, there is a range of options for beginners that have been reviewed by past customers. Some key factors to consider include the weight, length, and shape of the board, price range, materials used, etc.
Weight:
The weight of the board is an important aspect because you don’t want to be carrying around a heavy breeze board all day. However, lighter boards such as inflatable windsurfers can get damaged more easily than heavier boards such as wooden boards. If you are planning on competitively racing, it’s best to go for a heavier and rigid board so that it can hold its shape in extreme weather conditions.
Length:
Length varies depending on the person and their weight and skill level. Longer boards provide more speed while shorter boards provide greater control and maneuverability.
Price Range:
Price ranges vary according to the material used to construct the windsurfer, with new technologies offering less expensive model prices than older models. For beginners looking for cheap windsurfers, it is recommended to look into inflatable boards that are ideal for storage. However, they are not as durable as solid boards with carbon fiber construction which can maintain their shape in harsh weather conditions.
Materials Used:
As new technologies become available, the way windsurf manufacturers construct their boards change. For example, older models used to be made up of different materials such as wood or glass whereas modern-day windsurfer materials include carbon fiber and Kevlar. Carbon fibers are lightweight but strong and provide rigid shapes whereas kevlar is more flexible yet resistant to tears and punctures. It’s important to consider these factors when picking out your first board because conditions vary on the area you are sailing in.
Different types of boards for beginners.
Windsurfing is a new sport for most people, so there are no fixed rules regarding what type of board to purchase. What’s best depends on the wind conditions you expect to encounter and how skillful you aspire to become.
All-round boards are easy to use, helping you build confidence quickly. They’ll even be good enough for more advanced riders when they’re restricted by light winds or poor water conditions.
Most Windsurf Boards for beginners are all-rounders (or at least generalists). This is because your first priority should be that the board works well in all wind conditions. Novice sailors will often struggle with low winds, strong currents and choppy waters which means choosing an extremely versatile board is the safest option.
Pros and cons
I still think that this is true for any windsurfer, regardless of his/her level. Maybe if you’re an advanced rider you’ll spend more time on the waves and won’t be bothered by light winds or choppy waves.
If you plan to sail in flat water conditions only then you can opt for a freeride board. They tend to be smaller and wider, which means they’re not as versatile as all-rounders but they’re lighter and more fun to sail.
Freeride boards are for flatwater riders only, who don’t plan on heading out into choppy waters or light winds. This type of board is heavier and less versatile than an all-around board.
If you’ll only be sailing in flat water, choose a freeride board. They are lighter with smaller boards usually being easier to control.
Windsurf Boards for beginners are without doubt all-rounders! They always worked quite well, even when the conditions were not perfect.
More experienced windsurfers tend to prefer freeride boards for flat water or all-around boards for more difficult conditions. Beginners should start with an all-rounder before upgrading if necessary.
They are built to be easy to control and maneuver. All-rounders are, as their name suggests, perfect for use in all conditions. And they will continue to perform adequately even when the wind drops low.
The all-around boards are great for learning. Because they can handle a wide range of wind and sea conditions. But if you want to explore the sport’s more advanced side then you will need a board. Which offers more grip in waves and choppy waters.
FAQs
Some quick answers to common questions about windsurfing boards.
Conclusion
The best windsurfer for beginners is a generalist. This means that it will work well in all conditions, or at least most of them. Beginners should start with an all-rounder before upgrading to a freeride board. If necessary because they are less expensive and more forgiving of mistakes as you learn the basics of sailing. If you plan to sail in flat water only then go ahead and get a freeride board. These boards come equipped with larger sails which make them lighter and easier to control. But don’t expect these boards to handle choppy waters or light winds very well! The key takeaway from this article is that no matter your skill level, it’s important not to be afraid of different types of windsurfers.