Basic windsurfing gear consists of all of the parts of the actual windsurfer board and the accessories that are worn by windsurfers or used to store or maintain their boards.
The basic windsurfer consists of the board, sail, and rig. The board is usually made of a composite of materials and has a rear fin for steering. The board might also have a center rib or fin underneath for additional stability or steering ease. The sail provides the propulsion for the windsurfer and sails come in various sizes depending upon the type of windsurfing being done and the expertise of the rider. The part of windsurfing gear known as the rig consists of three additional parts.
The rig consists of a boon, mast, and mast base. The boon is the harness loop that the windsurfer grips to turn the mast and sail to steer the board. The mast is the pole that is turned by the boom and to which the said is attached. The mast base is the swivel joint where the mast fits into the board. It is a swivel joint to allow the mast to be easily turned.
Although the original windsurfer was made of polyethylene, most modern boards are made of an expanded polystyrene foam core between a sandwich of carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiberglass in a matrix of epoxy. The racing boards are light in weight averaging between 5 and 7 kilograms. The boards designed for beginners are generally heavier weighting between 8 and 15 kilograms. The sails are usually made from mono film Dacron and Mylar reinforced by a Kevlar mesh.
Windsurfing gear also includes the stuff worn by the windsurfer. Wet suits are very common. Buoyancy aids are worn by many windsurfers also. A personal flotation device is generally worn especially by beginners for safety reasons. There is a whole list of other gear associated with windsurfing. These items range from tools designed for working on boards and sails to fins and helmets for the windsurfer.
There are also many DVDs and other training aids available from most windsurfing supply outlets. The programs on the DVDs offer tips on learning the sport as well as reviews of some popular destinations for windsurfing around the world. Windsurfing gear also varies quite a bit in price. It was the higher prices and higher technical requirements for operation that led to a slight decline in the sport’s popularity in the last decade, but recently more beginner friendly gear has been available and at more reasonable prices.
