Windsurf Boards

Windsurfboards & Windsurfboards

The surfboard is the jewel of every windsurfer. Hardly any other component receives as much attention, and nothing can decide so much about fun on the water or frustration on the beach as the right surfboard under your feet.

In the companies' brochures, the boards are king. The latest boards are photographed over the most dazzling water colors, creating photos that make every surfer's eyes water.

So that everyone can find the right board for them, we offer individual advice in our shop.

Here we also offer an overview of the differences between various boards for those of you who do not come to Sonneninsel very often.

The Board Class

The decision for a board class is the first decision that has to be made conscientiously.

• Basically, one can distinguish between beginner and advanced boards, freeride boards, freemove or freestylewave boards.
• For the specialists among you, race and formula boards, freestyle boards and wave boards are also an option.
• Finally, there are also special children's and youth boards for the next generation.

In the meantime, the variety of windsurf boards has grown so much that there are also many boards that move between the categories. Forgiving wave boards can certainly be compared with freemove boards, and some advanced models do not have to hide in a speed duel with a colleague on a freeride board.

For a first point of reference, you can use the filter in our online shop to, for example, select boards according to a board class type, or to have boards displayed for suitable skill levels.

The Volume

Once you have decided on a board class, you have to consider the size of the desired board. The volume of a windsurf board describes how many liters of water a completely submerged board displaces. As is well known, one liter of water weighs about 1 kg, so the volume of a board also corresponds to the weight it can carry before it sinks. So that you don't grab a salad leaf in horror after the session on the 120 freeride board: Your board, your rig and the wet wetsuit also want to be carried by the volume. If you still want to pull the sail out of the water with a shore start from time to time, you should add at least 20 kg to your body weight for the volume.

For beginners, the rule of thumb is Volume = Body Weight + 100. This is of course only a guideline, which a 100-kilo man can orientate himself by more generously than a slender 50-kilo lady. Ideally, you can test different volume classes during your next visit to Fehmarn with our colleagues from Surfen und Segeln Gold.

If you want to part with your beloved windsurf board from the 90s, you should note that the boards have fundamentally changed, and other volumes are common in the freeride class and in the wave class. The now super-wide freeride boards can certainly be ridden a few liters smaller than the "classic" representatives. Modern wave boards can tolerate more volume than before due to different fin concepts, without losing turning ability. If you no longer dare to go into the wave with your sinker, you can try it again with a modern shape.

The Construction

The form, the shape of a windsurf board, is determined by a foam core. This is stabilized by various layers of material for the stresses of windsurfing and protected from water. The material used not only determines the weight, but also the riding feel can be significantly influenced by the construction. Basically, there are three different construction methods, which, however, can be called and executed differently depending on the manufacturer. Also, not every construction method is necessarily offered for every board model.

• The epoxy construction is the cheapest option. A lot of material is needed to achieve the necessary stability. Accordingly, epoxy constructions are heavier than others. The material is comparatively soft. This leads to a very even, damped riding feel. Beginners and advanced riders appreciate the comparatively tame behavior of the windsurf board, as well as the robustness if the mast hits the nose of the board. If a hole does occur in the board, it can usually be repaired with simple means and without much knowledge. Children's boards are also often made in this construction. Since no great loads are to be expected from the kids, the layers are designed thinner than with windsurf boards for adults. This allows the weight to be reduced to a level appropriate for children, without having to resort to expensive high-tech materials.
• A revolution in surfboard construction are certainly the wood sandwich constructions. Instead of using a lot of material to ensure the necessary stability, thin layers of wood are laminated. These provide higher stability with less material input, and thus significantly reduce the weight. In addition, the board is stiffer than a pure epoxy construction. Advanced surfers are happy that the board feels freer and "sticks" less to the water. Anyone who stands securely in the harness and in the footstraps, and accordingly wants to enjoy above all the planing feeling when windsurfing, should at least go for this construction. Manufacturers like Starboard show that even in times when bright neon colors dominate the design, a visible wood layer is a real eye-catcher.
• The keyword in the 21st century in terms of material science is carbon fiber. Carbon fibers are also used in windsurf boards. Compared to a wood layer, carbon offers even more stability than wood and can accordingly further reduce the weight. The stiffness is even higher, and the board achieves maximum liveliness and planing pleasure. Anyone who wants to beat their colleagues in a speed duel and stay planing longer even in a windless hole cannot avoid carbon.