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this is often a requirement in real world conditions) but can
still turn tightly and fit into small wave pockets.
It’s no surprise that the most popular equipment choices in
the UK fall under the freestyle wave banner. FSW boards and
sails are generally ‘do it all’ tools that will cover many varied
scenarios. Even though there’s a myriad of performance
differences within this genre, FSW should be versatile and
deliver a fulfilling experience, whichever brand you choose.
Our choice
The locations for our wave sailing sessions generally mean
windy conditions, with quite a bit of chop and current running
with small to medium sized waves that jack up quickly as the
pulse in question hits shallow water. Waves are quite ‘bowly’
as opposed to ‘set orientated’. As such we need a board
that’s early planing, fast on the straight, good for jumping (as
Our sail choice also needs to be reflective of the board we’re
using and give good low end early planing power, yet be
manoeuvrable and adaptable for both jumping and riding.
Twin fins, although now not as common, do offer loose and
manoeuvrable carving agility that allows riders to change
direction super quick. As we’re talking about windy
conditions something around 80L (for our 85kg rider) gives
just enough float but plenty of control. This combined with a
4.2 four batten freestyle wave sail, which has plenty of low
end grunt and whip for moves such as loops, is a great set
up for the style of windsurfing in question. This generally
means full power planing straight off the beach, rocket airs,
forward loops, backies and pushies. Our rider doesn’t tend to
gybe that much out back instead preferring fast tacks to
keep upwind and stay close to the peak which peels right.
(This is where a relatively stable board comes into play). It’s
then full power back towards the beach, dropping into a
wave to complete two to three turns, the final hit ending on a
close out in the shallows.
uk
WIND
SURFING