What kind of Board fits best?

There are different types of windsurf boards that are mostly geared to the disciplines they are made for. Hence, there are waveboards to windsurf in waves, so-called freestyle boards to perform tricky flatwater moves, slalom boards for slalom races and there are speed boards for speed surfers. Boards for the average windsurfer with which you can go fast but also carve great jibes are called freeride boards.

In addition, there are numerous special board types, like longboards, but also kid's boards and special beginner or family boards, for example. For new- and upcomers, beginner boards - and kid's boards for kids, respectively - are especially suitable. Those who have surfed on a long board before and now look for a re-entry will probably feel more comfortable with a longboard. For lighter surfers and women as well as advanced beginners, big freeride boards (right board in the picture) are already adequate, too.

1. Modern beginner boards are often quite broad and rather short. On the so-called "wide body boards", every beginner – young or old, light or heavy – feels comfortable from the start, and the modern concept promises lots of fun on the water with few wind, too.

The expanded shape, originally designed for adults from the racing scene, has taken off on its triumphal course troughout almost all board classes and revolutionized, above all, the beginner's equipment.

Standing stable means falling less, which saves energy. As a result, quick learning progress is practically guaranteed on these easy to handle boards.

Equipped with a soft rubber coat that protects its riders from bruises, and a daggerboard that holds the board steady and carry handles for easy use on land, the boards are also just perfect for the family. While the youngest ones can convert the board into a bathing platform, for example, their advanced parents can work on their jibe. Such family boards are allrounders for everyone that can adapt to your improving surfing skills.

2. The traditional longboards form the golden 80ies have been reconditioned und dramatically improved with the help of modern technologies and knowledge. They have not only endured the time travel into the 21st century well, but nowadays they are also glooming in new, absolutely grunge splendor that combines style with functionality.

Longboards represent the opposite concept to "wide body boards". They are comparably narrow, but very long. Speed and crazy tricks aren't the issue, but just lots and lots of diversion on the water. Both concepts have their pros and cons. All fathers who in the 80ies had taken part in the windsurfing movement will find a welcome opportunity to re-enter the sports with their whole family in these boards.

3. Stand-Up-Paddle-Boards (short: SUPs) are the new generation of longboards. On Hawaii, the ancient art of moving through water and waves standing on a surf board and using a paddle, has been rediscovered and evolved. The result are all-rounders that not only work for windsurfing, but also for extensive paddle tours on the lake or even surfing.

The SUPs offer windsurfers, surfers and, above all, cross-borderes, a completely new, amusing and exciting experience, give kids and parents a lot of pleasure and become an eye-catcher in every situation, wheter on a holiday beach or at the local lake!

Link Test Report

The German surf Magazine has published a detailed test of beginner boards in its September issue 2007. On seven pages there is extensive information on the different board types and test reports to the actual boards of various manufacturers. You can find the article here.

Links Wide-Body-Boards

F2 offers a classical wide body beginner's board named "Discovery".

Behind the name "Viper" hides something much less poisonous than you may think – that is, the family board from Fanatic.

The "Ripper" boards have been developed especially for surfers with kids and satisfy children and parents alike.

German board manufacturer Lorch fields a wide body board, too: the "Academy".

"Prodigy" is the all-round fun board from the legendary brand Mistral.

Also from Mistral come the "Malibu" and the "Malibu Kids".

The "Funster" is the windsurfing starter drug from the brand JP-Australia.

Especially for kids, the developers of JP created the so-called "Young Guns" .

Board manufacturer Starboard even features three different boards for families:

The "Start", the "Go" and the "Rio". The "Prokids" boards give a whole series of adecuate boards to the younger ones.

The brand Tabou made the "Coolrider" the fitting platform for family water fun.