Suggestions, looking for a board to teach family
LT would be great but costly.
SUP with mast track hard to find.
anyone epoxied a mast base onto a Large SUP Board
Thanks

Hi there. How old are the kids you are talking about? Have they expressed an interest or is it more your dream?

The problem is that youngsters see themselves through the eyes of their friends, and their friends generally have no access or idea about windsurfing. Windsurfing is pretty challenging and its just not worth it to kids if it isn't something they share with their friends.

The one exception I've seen can be some young teen males who get obsessed for a season in something like speed or waves, and they progress at a crazy rate, but so often then give it away for the same reasons as already mentioned.

So I reckon 1) forget it and have fun yourself OR 2) put in tons and tons of time at your sailing club and teach a group of youngsters, perhaps including some of your own.


As far as a one board solution you would definitely go with the windsurfer LT.

I also own stuff like Naish kahuna which are wider and more stable, but the performance is so much better with the LT in terms of glide and staying up wind. Really the super wide boards like the Naish Kahuna or starboard start help a bit for the first few lessons, but cause their own issues with staying upwind. Those super wide boards definitely have their place in a school , but not so much as a board to own. Also the super wide boards can be made to plane, but gosh its hard. Don't buy them as a planing hull, at least in East Coast Australia. Probably different in consistent 20 knots plus .

I also own a tandem board (starboard Gemini) which is wonderful for first ever lessons, lessons using harness, and first planing lessons. Me on back, student on the front.

Finally for first lessons, small kids, or anyone more timid the inflatable arrows sails are amazing. Guaranteed success day one. But its really more about confidence as its more like standing on a SUP and holding a kite. It feels quite different to regular sailing. So once again belongs in a school, limited longevity for home. Also great care is needed with pressure. They do pop if left in the sun.

Any way you are looking for a budget solution. Personally I think I would get an old race board. Take the straps off and stick some eva on the deck. For example there is a Caveman race board, which is a bit wider than many, on gum-tree for 300. Good for teens but little kids would need something smaller, mainly because they would struggle to get the long race board to tack. Little kids can get away without a CB. They are so light that they can stay upwind on something like a larger slalom board. (but id only do that on shallow sandy lagoons where you can stay with them constantly.)


Some other options that can be cheap. Bic Jungle (multipurpose sup with CB) (seen one for 200) Some starboard Avanti sups have CB fin option and windsurfer screw hole for rig. Kona race board , rare in Australia but ive seen worn examples around 300.

The older silver starboard sups mostly all have windsurf screw holes. Many of the fanatic sups also. Most sunovers sups have a tiny windsurf slot. But these all lack CB so would only be useful for kids around 45kg or less, or of course adults who can windsurf.

Good luck. Hopefully something in all that will help.

Thanks Heavy, great reply, agree with all....
saying family really is only son, who is in his 20's
we both surf, I'm the w'surfer.
but recently he has seen the light and wants in
difficult to teach him with my current boards biggest being 115 ltrs
Probably do the LT used to race Stock W'Surfers in Bowen eons ago

Depends a lot on the ages you are trying to teach.
I have a 120 litre Kode like the one advertised on here, that I bought for my 9 year old to use. As a bonus it is a good strong wind option for me.
It has the centre fin option and full eva deck.
I tried teaching him on my Starboard inflatable, but he wasn't able to turn it with the small sails he was using. It has had some good sessions on the Kode and is able to steer it comfortably with a 2.0m sail.
Inflatables have been a great option for teaching teenagers and adults where we regularly camp. Had multiple family and friends on ours.
I had a family friend and her daughter visit and wanted to try sailing last time we were away. There was really too much wind for learning, and our friend gave up after a few goes, but her daughter who is really sporty and very determined managed to get going after multiple crashes.
I am sure either her or the board would have suffered damage if she were on a regular board.
Inflatable I have is a Starboard has a removable centre fin and screw in fitting. Big enough that my son and I can still go cruising together on it.
One of the other families we camp with have a Fanatic version that sees heap of use too.

Hi Dowls, if you son is in his 20's and a competent surfer I'd be looking for a secondhand Starboard GO. The size will depend on his weight. Get one big enough that he can get on the plane with as smaller sail as possible once he gets the hang of the basics. Realistically the sail is probably still going to be 7.0m plus. I taught my 14 year old son many moons ago on a 170 Ltr GO, the absence of a centre board was no issue. He had surfed from a young age, I'd say that helped. He picked it up in no time.

Starboard GOs come up on here secondhand from time to time. It won't cost a fortune and if he's a natural he'll soon be looking for a smaller board. The GO's are sought after so you wont have a problem reselling.

One thing to remember when teaching a newbie is to make sure the conditions are conducive. Just a puff of breeze on flat water for their first couple of lessons is the key to someone picking it up quickly and getting hooked.

I went the LT option this time last year with my son. He is only a lightweight so I got the little LT 4.5 training sail for him. Its a great little user friendly sail. He has progressed well and is still super keen on the LT and races against dinghys at our local sailing club.

Lately he has been having a go with the windfoil and old waveboard as well.

The LT is a bit of an expensive gamble if the kid doesn't get into it, but should be easy to sell for a good price if that happens. It's awesome to do this sport with your kids as it keeps you keen to go out in conditions you may not bother with usually

What does he weigh - LT is okay - diefinitely something with centreboard I think.

if money is issue maybe older one design/centreboarder for short term - then look for something to progress on to

Select to expand quote

Orange Whip said..
Hi Dowls, if you son is in his 20's and a competent surfer I'd be looking for a secondhand Starboard GO. The size will depend on his weight. Get one big enough that he can get on the plane with as smaller sail as possible once he gets the hang of the basics. Realistically the sail is probably still going to be 7.0m plus. I taught my 14 year old son many moons ago on a 170 Ltr GO, the absence of a centre board was no issue. He had surfed from a young age, I'd say that helped. He picked it up in no time.

Starboard GOs come up on here secondhand from time to time. It won't cost a fortune and if he's a natural he'll soon be looking for a smaller board. The GO's are sought after so you wont have a problem reselling.

One thing to remember when teaching a newbie is to make sure the conditions are conducive. Just a puff of breeze on flat water for their first couple of lessons is the key to someone picking it up quickly and getting hooked.

Hmm , i'm not sure. Only if you have a spot that you can walk back upwind. But a 20yr old surfer will probably progress well. BUT if thats the case why not buy something lighter. Does the complete eva deck really help. and are the inset forward foot strap positions likely to get a heavy board planing. Maybe just go for a really big volume slalom board. The old starboard free formula , or a big bic techno. Ive sailed the big GO board and the weight does make it harder to get going. So if we are talking about an athletic fast learner then maybe an older 160l slalom will work . Certainly an LT will be easier going, but an athletic youth can do amazing things.

I self taught with a 155L older wide freeride at 200lbs and I'm a miserable surfer.