looking for a beginner board for my kids. (11 & 13 y/o). i am kind of out of the loop as beginner boards go. But I think they are pretty much all similar. I like the Exocet windsup board. The idea of using it as a trainer board...and then can also use as a SUP. but how well does it sail...is It a decent WS board (light winds.....and maybe med winds)? anyone have experience with any other modern day beginner board ?

I am hoping to find something used near me....but all I can find is something from the Jurassic Age . just needs a centerboard or center fin....and straps would be nice for me to use and tool around on once in awhile.

From my somewhat limited experience I think that it is best to begin with something really wide, like e.g. the starboard Start. The stable platform really helps and most kids will be able to sail, at least a shorter distance, during their first day as soon as they are able to get the sail up. I think that early success is important in order to keep up their interest.

I agree on the wide part. I've been getting my wife to windsurf some and I started her on an exocet link (11'8") and honestly that was still kind of narrow for a beginner. I was told by the local teachers, who saw us, that she really would do better on a wider board and I got her a lesson. They were right about that and I didn't realize how much easier it made things for her until I saw it. We got a pretty old mistral malibu for cheap that is much wider and she can sail that or the exocet now comfortably after a few sessions.

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SurferKris said..
From my somewhat limited experience I think that it is best to begin with something really wide, like e.g. the starboard Start. The stable platform really helps and most kids will be able to sail, at least a shorter distance, during their first day as soon as they are able to get the sail up. I think that early success is important in order to keep up their interest.

100% this. Bought a first gen Start when thet first came out that i will never sell. I've taught so many people on it. Kids basically have to walk off to get wet. And, with a big fin and sail, it was my gateway drug into formula boards.
It ticks both the wide and volume boxes. Plus, the short waterline means kids can tack it. On longer boards, it's almost impossible for kids with really small rigs to tack because they can't get the CoE of their little 2.0 (or similar) back far enough. Even with the Start, I'd put on a smaller freeride fin.
Two things when teaching kids that size 1) first teach them how to turn the board. At that size, they grab the sail and take off like a shot even the first time. When they are in the middle of the lake, its a bit harder to teach them how to turn plus they will inevitably jibe whichnwill send them down wind faster than someone at Luderitz. 2) They need a really small sail. To a 35-40 kg kid, a 3.7 is like a 7.5 or bigger for an adult - a size almost no one would want to learn on.
My Start's first passenger is now 31 and learning to windfoil

what about size (volume)...is too big....too BIG ? Big board more stable...great in the beginning. nut wouldn't bigger board be more difficult to turn for the little ones ? or not too much.

I agree with the width. which is why I ruled out the Kona board . I always liked that board.

I have used both wide and long boards to teach my kids. I wouldn't right off length as helpful for learning as it aides tracking.

If I had to pick between a modern longboard/windsup (eg windsurfer LT or Kona) with centre board or a wide no centre board I would go with the longboard.

At some point I had a very wide exocet with centerboard, probably best thing to start on, but only the first few sessions

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thedoor said..
I have used both wide and long boards to teach my kids. I wouldn't right off length as helpful for learning as it aides tracking.

If I had to pick between a modern longboard/windsup (eg windsurfer LT or Kona) with centre board or a wide no centre board I would go with the longboard.

At some point I had a very wide exocet with centerboard, probably best thing to start on, but only the first few sessions

Long boards will glide thru the water and who ever is using it will have the sense of windsurfing way before a wide board experience. I use my LT over summer when out with the Jnr School (SW WA) and I'm moving a lot more than the wide boards. And when adults have a go they actually move vs less on a wide board. My kids use a modern wave sail rather than the OG sail and it's great. As the kids are young and will be light it won't make too much difference as to wide or long, they will balance just fine. CB full down and adults go fine but up or half up they will notice how much it actually helps. It'll come down to $s and long term thoughts. And what kit you already have. A SUP must have a centre fin of some description for it to be useable with a sail. The difference of CB/fin and none is huge (think walks of shame).


best for SKYKING to get on long & wide boards to decide.

Agreed BSN. LT is a perfect board, wider than an old school longboard but great glide. PVA deck which kids love. I would probably cut down a smaller fin if my kids were using tiny sails eg <3m. Half down dagger board is a good suggestion, that I never thought of though.

Side benefit of the LT is its a great sup and in my opinion kids parents teaching kids to windsurf should focus more on sup than sailing. Maybe rig a sail leave it on the beach go for some SuP while the wind is picking up then chuck the sail on for 10-15 min

And the parents get to do some LT racing which is insanely fun

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thedoor said..
Agreed BSN. LT is a perfect board, wider than an old school longboard but great glide. PVA deck which kids love. I would probably cut down a smaller fin if my kids were using tiny sails eg
Side benefit of the LT is its a great sup and in my opinion kids parents teaching kids to windsurf should focus more on sup than sailing. Maybe rig a sail leave it on the beach go for some SuP while the wind is picking up then chuck the sail on for 10-15 min

And the parents get to do some LT racing which is insanely fun

Lt fin is small enough for all sail sizes. I've done 3.2-7.7. CB equals stability and maintaining height. No CB means getting blown down wind.

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skyking1231 said..
what about size (volume)...is too big....too BIG ? Big board more stable...great in the beginning. nut wouldn't bigger board be more difficult to turn for the little ones ? or not too much.

I agree with the width. which is why I ruled out the Kona board . I always liked that board.

Stability is length & width not solely volume. My 140 slalom is great but won't dredge well while LT will glide/move thu the water. My slalom board is way faster tho, as it's meant to be. LT turns fine with small sails and in experienced hands it spins on a dime.

Windsurfing WA keeps several kids starting boards from 114L to 125L. The boards are wide and stable with a centre fin.

Optimal size for kids under 10 would be 114L.

WWA is starting 7-9 y olds on 1.5m sails. Increase the sail sizes to 2.5m.

Over 10y, 125L.
It depends on the kids size. Bigger kids can obviously work bigger sails, but start as small as you can.

Of you are in WA, you can join the WWA Juniors crew.