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18
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18
9
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Suggested personal gear from essentials to recommended extras
1. Wetsuit: a modern, warm, stretchy one like the O’Neill
Psycotech offers a far greater warmth and flexibility than
older suits.
2. Wetsuit boots (or shoes): depending on location and
season.
3. Rash vest: Not really needed beneath a top-spec modern
wetsuit as the inner materials are already soft and smooth.
For hot, overseas windsurfing or can be used over a shorty
wetsuit to give warmth and protection with the boardies and
rash vest look!
4. Boardshorts: for hot, overseas windsurfing or can be used
over a shorty wetsuit to give extra warmth and protection
with the boardies and rash vest look!
5. Harness: Try loads on at your local shop before buying. This
Severne Air is light, supportive, super-comfortable, looks
good, has a great spreader bar and stays down!
6. Rigging jacket: my choice is the Ion Neo Shelter Jacket and
every windsurfer I meet either has or wants one of these. All
body and arm panels are cut and bonded in a pre-bent
shape to allow natural movement. Whilst I would not use this
for a personal full-power session I sometimes coach basic
planing skills from a board in the winter whilst wearing it and
I still maintain full body movement. On the beach it’s a
cocoon. The hook-hole allows a harness to be worn
underneath and the hood is very welcome on winter beaches
and even better with a beanie underneath. This item
completely transformed my winter windsurfing from the
moment I got it.
7. Changing robe/towel: to get changed in the car park
without offending the locals choose the Ion Poncho or, for
the feeling of a full survival shelter, a dryrobe.
8. Small towel: it’s always nice to dry yourself off and get the
sand off your feet before driving home. Older spare towels
can also be used to remove sand and water from kit before
taking it home.
9. Changing mat/wetbag: to stand on outside (or inside your
van) and to let your damp wetsuit fall into before zipping it
around to stop the water leaking everywhere.
10. Personal floatation device (PFD): not for everyone but can
be especially reassuring when pushing harder, trying new
skills like waterstarts, sailing in bigger conditions or in an
unfamiliar location. I use the Spinlock Aero Pro when
teaching foiling which is awesome to say the least. It gives
significant front and back protection (even more so with the
optional D3O Impact Protection back protector) with 50N of
buoyancy. It is soft, supple and comfortable, has a reinforced
hole for a harness hook and allows full maneuverability.
11. Helmet: can help in the same ways as with the PFD
(not shown).
12. Mitts: I try not to use them to avoid forearm cramp but
palm-less ones can work well by taking the cold sting off your
fingertips whilst reducing the chance of cramp. I like to put
gloves on in the winter when I am back on the beach to
regenerate my hands before removing them and heading out
again.
13. Headwear: a neoprene hood (not shown) can be the one
thing that keeps you out longer in the winter. Just remember
to take it off before you walk into the petrol station or bank
on the way home…
14. Headwear: a warm beanie is another lifesaver during beach
breaks/rigging time etc.
15. Suncream: easy to omit for a UK trip but, what’s good for
Baz Luhrmann…
16. Sunglasses: having sensitive eyes I need great sunnies to
use afloat in fast summer freeride conditions but I don’t like
to use a retainer. The King range from Bollé do the best job
and never fall off my face.
17. First aid kit: something basic to deal with the unexpected
(especially in a remote location) and to stop bleeding – for
example from the dreaded finjury.
18. Basic storage like robust plastic boxes: used Eurocrates
purchased online are best - or flexi-buckets to keep gear in
and to easily switch it all from garage/shed to car/van without
the risk of leaving something behind. These items are
durable, inexpensive and stop salt water soaking the inside
of your vehicle after a session.
uk
WIND
SURFING