OK here I go again..
One of my boards is a beat-up yet very functional Fanatic Fly (bought from a School).
I believe it has the M8 Insert hole (see pic)



Can you please verify this for me ?

And assuming it is indeed that, does it make sense to buy a small (hence easier to lift/maneuver) sail rig and just try it out myself in light winds?

I have no problem taking lessons, but as in SUP itself, I found out I learn best by lots of practice by myself, with no time pressures or "peer pressure" to learn quickly.
Any tips/suggestions?
thanks

seems to be more people on the Stand Up Zone with info on using sups as windsurfers.....ask there perhaps

get on youtube

Hi All,
just to update you - a Windsurf shop owner in Israel already said "yes" - it can be done. I'm going to hopefully try a used rig on the SUP soon, and let you know how a total rookie managed.
BR
Tsvi

To further update all those who were interested:
I bought a used complete rig+2 sails (3.5M and 5.3M) + Starboard Start Surfboard.
The rig does connect well to my Fanatic FLY, but everyone recommends I learn first using the Starboard Start.
You can follow my mis-adventures on the Windsurfing General forum.

We should get a "wind SUP" category going. It's very different to a windsurfer.

Actually maybe you VIC could contribute a short analysis of the differences from the point of view of someone who is familiar with both.
The "general marketing" material on the commercial sites does very little to explain those important differences.
At the same time, I think there are probably many "couch potatoes" like me who never did any water sports, entered the field from SUP'ing, and are curious to go further.

I guess as an analogy - it would be comparing a road bike to a mountain bike - both able to ride on the bitumen, but much better on the (purpose designed) road bike. There are bikes that can do both, but they don't perform as well on a road as a road bike, nor are they as good as a mountain bike.

The technology used to design a windsurf board (ie; stance, footstrap position, fin position, propulsion through the sail and specific weight transfer down from the mast-base through the harness) can't simply be altered to suit where the rig is disconnected and a paddle is used in lieu of a sail/rig. Similarly, a SUP is designed for a different stance, therefore the weight distribution is different. The propulsion is from a paddle being drawn through the water (or actually the paddle is supposed to remain static whilst the board is pulled through the water) creates a completely different design requirement, although they both have rocker, volume, rails etc.

Certain brands have marketed their craft as being able to perform well as 'windsups' (hybrid of SUP and windsurf boards), and I'm sure that they can be used for enjoying the options...however as 'stand-alone' craft, the sacrifices that are made to the designs so that they can cross-over, has to detract from the performance - IMO. I like to rig up my 11'4" Nalu on occasion, and I'm glad I sourced a SUP with the option, but if I want to go windsurfing, the SUP stays in the shed. I started SUPing on a 165lt WS board...that got me interested, but it was never going to last as a SUP.