Hi, I want to surprise my son with windsurf gear for his 7th birthday. Checked the buy&sell section but except for an expensive JP Funster and another large-volume JP (damaged and therefore too expensive) I was not able to find something (looking for 2 months already). Just wondering whether anyone of you has a beginner's board underneath those 3-5 carbon-fiber machines in your garage/vine cellar/bed room/trailer which cries for salt water and sun.

Thanks!

I'm surprised your thought the funsters that sold recently were 'expensive'?

What budget did you have in mind?

what board dimensions and condition?

Do you already have sails? What size

Ive helped and watched kids have a go over the last few years and 7 is possible especially if dad is a windsurfer.

With attentionion spans these days a multipurpose solution is worth considering

The inflatable windsups I've seen used impress the most for young kids


Having got my boy through to independendant windsurfing I tried at 8yo onwards but really didn't take hold with Max until after 10 yo

With Max it was on adult sized soft top (fanatic viper) and Ezzy child sails. He also had sessions on pump up Aquaglide - worthwhile considering as a multipurpose solution. Max used the aquaglide as a sailing dingy for a few holidays when he was 9yo.

A kid can learn very successfully on a Wally - must be a few of them laying around? Sail size is very important.

Also seen little kids learn on anything that floats them if a centre board or lots of walking back upwind can be accounted for

cheers Jeff
happy to chat - pm me

Gumtree Qld has a few listings depending on where you are

My 2 cents. Yes I have one, but no its not for sale - sorry. Its for my daughter to sail maybe once or twice a year

I taught my son when he was 7, so it is possible it just takes sacrifice. The trouble with most of the dad's is they want to sail as well, and you just can't. It takes about 2 years of hard work but totally worth it. My son is now 12, and sails rings around most people. So my point here is - spend the money and get a board with a centreboard. The starboard go, the new bigger atomics are good. The wind-sups are ok, but to be honest will not stay upwind well enough which is a real drag for both you and the kids. The board you get, will not really lose that much in re-sale, as everybody needs / wants a learner board, so just look after it and you'll get your coin back.

More importantly, do you have small enough sails? I used a 0.8 and 1.2 to start my son on. Happy to help when the wind comes back. Otherwise head in and chat with Simon at BC. He knows my boy well, and was invaluable in both with teaching and setting up the right gear.

Best of Luck.

This is him as a 9yo.



Last season.

Thanks guys. It's a 2.1 sail. He weights already 33kg. Should be fine.
@DAM71: Great photos! I'll teach him in light wind conditions. That should not trigger any "I WANT TO GO WINDSURFING TOO" urges on daddy's end.
@Jeff: The board I'm referring to is still for sale. But I don't want to (wallet says "can't") spend more than $700.

Thanks, I'll continue looking.
Stephan

Qld Gumtree

Great shot Daz! He is getting really good. For what it's worth, my son is 10 and uses an old fanatic viper, soft deck and centre board, really helps.

Select to expand quote

BSN101 said..
Qld Gumtree

Have to disagree there mate.
People learning on this stuff is why people give up and try something easier

wow, 7 already! Time goes quick

Select to expand quote

Stuthepirate said..

BSN101 said..
Qld Gumtree

Have to disagree there mate.
People learning on this stuff is why people give up and try something easier

I have to agree totally. Get something wide and stable with a centreboard - you won't look back. The old narrow boards are too hard compared to the stuff we have now.

Select to expand quote

blackattack said..
Great shot Daz! He is getting really good. For what it's worth, my son is 10 and uses an old fanatic viper, soft deck and centre board, really helps.

Thanks Bart,

I didn't want to post the video of the little **** using me as a Jibe mark at our last sail out.

Select to expand quote

trauma said..
Thanks guys. It's a 2.1 sail. He weights already 33kg. Should be fine.
@DAM71: Great photos! I'll teach him in light wind conditions. That should not trigger any "I WANT TO GO WINDSURFING TOO" urges on daddy's end.
@Jeff: The board I'm referring to is still for sale. But I don't want to (wallet says "can't") spend more than $700.

Thanks, I'll continue looking.
Stephan

Hi Stephan, I've got an older JP Funster 160 that all 4 of my kids learnt to sail on from about the same age as your son. It's a stable, safe (foam deck) and user friendly if you already have a good kids rig for it . I was probably hoping to get a bit more than $700, but for a Dad getting his son into windsurfing I'd let it go for that. If you are are interested send me pmail and will get some photos of it for you. Cheers Tim