Hi guys, i need some advice for buying a new windsurf board. i have 75kg and currently use a jp magic ride 109 (241cm length, 70cm width) for mostly flat water sailing in medium winds with sails from 4,5-6,2. As the wind gets stronger i would like to use a smaller board, also for bump and jump conditions on the sea. The 109 ltr board feels a bit to big with the 4,5 sail.
I tried a jp freestyle wave 94 but had a hard time gybing....
Do you have any recommendations for a smaller board for medium to strong winds? Is it possible to trim the bigger board with a smaller fin and use it with smaller sails?


Thanks for your advice

I think you are track with the fsw 94. Time with a bard that size will bring along the gybing.
The next size up FSW is the 104 and that's approx 63cm wide. 63 wide to 70 wide will feel like a massive difference regardless of volume.

The 94fsw is a perfect step down

94l is still quite big for 4.5 conditions. I'm much bigger -90kg and would be using a 75 or 85l quatro fsw in those conditions.

You say that you had a hard time gybing on the 94 FSW, what went wrong? Just to determine if it was the lack of volume for you or the board or just technique....

Same weight, not a particularly good sailor, and my standard board is 86l Starboard Kode.
It usually comes off the plane in a gybe unless the water is dead flat and I concentrate.
My advice is to go sub 90 and work on the gybes.

Balance issues at the jibe? A smaller will be more wobbly on exit. Takes a bit of practice. If it's windy it should work out though.

Yes smaller fins for higher fins.

You could probably use a full on wave board as you are light, I often hear of light people trying to Gybe a freeway board but as they have a bigger flat section and chunkier rails they have trouble burying the rail.

Try a floaty wave board if you can, it'll go around smoother I reckon. I also reckon 94 is a little big, try a 90 litre board, when you get down to that size 4 litres can make a big difference.

Hi guys,
thanks for your good advice... i have a balance problem at the end of the gybe when i have to switch the sail and the foot position.......
any hints on that issue?
thanks

Hi guys,
thanks for your good advice... i have a balance problem at the end of the gybe when i have to switch the sail and the foot position.......
any hints on that issue?
thanks

Select to expand quote

Juergen said..
Hi guys,
thanks for your good advice... i have a balance problem at the end of the gybe when i have to switch the sail and the foot position.......
any hints on that issue?
thanks

Just practice. That will sort you out.

Select to expand quote

Juergen said..
Hi guys,
thanks for your good advice... i have a balance problem at the end of the gybe when i have to switch the sail and the foot position.......
any hints on that issue?
thanks

That is because you are going too slow. Head downwind to build speed before entering the jibe. The faster you go, the easier the jibe.

It could be many issues , often from bad technique entering the gybe.
If it's possible it's best is to get someone to video you and then it can be critiqued or get lessons.
Any bad habits are going to be enhanced/ catch up with you when you use smaller boards. It's best to learn correctly from the start rather than practice bad habits. I've learnt that the hard way.

I disagree sorry
Using boards that are too big when learning planing gybes causes terror - and consequently no proper bearaway and standing on the back foot all through it.
I think the best way to learn is full planing on a fsw or faster rockered waveboard about 20L over your weight in 20kn plus. With the comfort afforded by the boatd, a proper committed carve with weight forward is far more likely.

Select to expand quote

Juergen said..
Hi guys,
thanks for your good advice... i have a balance problem at the end of the gybe when i have to switch the sail and the foot position.......
any hints on that issue?
thanks

This is a bit of advice that helps keep speed up and the board a bit flatter through the turn, you still want to bank it into the turn.

Basically bear away, then bear away slightly more, back foot out of the strap and place on the Leeward rail, thats the basics but, with your other foot, really feel the foot strap on your foot by lifting that foot hard, this really forces you to drive into the turn. Also don't try and come out of the turn with the sail around the wrong way, as soon as you feel the board really going down wind, throw the sail, don't just let go but actually throw it and catch it on the other tack, your feet are the last thing that should be changed.
Also if you are falling off its because half way through the Gybe you are leaning back and stalling.

just as you go into the turn put your back hand just 3 or 4 inches further back.
Boards with Thruster can be driven into the turn a lot harder. Its like riding a bike, slow down and you wobble and fall, keeping speed keeps you upright.
Let me know how it goes.