My children are digging the beach culture and are all keen to have a go. I was told by my eldest last night that they love nothing better than seeing me fall off, so here's my question to those who've recently kitted the groms "whats a good board to get them learning on?"
Wind Sup
Old school wally
Inflatable
Old converted multi fin with a race fin fitted a bit back of mast track as a daggerboard
Or other?
Ive seen many options and brands for mini rigs so that wont be as hard to sort but being on the very early end "lightweight 11yo girl" what size sail? 2.5m or 3.5m
Summer mornings when its 10-15k before a honking Seabreeze in the arvo will be the scenario most likely encountered.
So many sizes in windsup making that choice difficult.
Any advice is good

G'day Pilchard,

I have a couple of daughters. 18 and 14 and have been having a go over the last 15 months or so. I posted a vid with Elsie last week with the rig they use.

Board - Coreban Icon 150t. Nice and stable so they can learn to tack and gybe and it gets along alright. Also good for Dads to have a sail on as well.
Sails - 3.3m up to 4.7m depending on the conditions. In the vid the wind was getting to 20kts with the 3.3.

I would suggest smaller than that for your daughter to start with. As long as they get moving they are happy.

It's amazing to see how much they can pick up during one sailing session. Usually at the start they lose ground down wind easily but by the end of the sess they are making a bit or not losing ground.

Not quite as much fun as L plates but rewarding when you see the smiles.

Have fun.

Thanks mate, yep saw your vid and did inspire me
All good clean fun away from the rat race

Pilly, we have had s bit of success with a 130 ltr 8.5 starboard sup, Phoebe cruises around the waves in this as well. She also has a 115 ltr young gun JP with a soft deck (which has been really good for avoiding injuries when falling etc)

A light sail and rig is in my opinion the most important thing.

Ok.
Common theme is 130-150l
Cheers boys

Get them a kite

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high as a kite said...
Get them a kite

Too soon to questions their sexuality mate


You been getting out?
Havent seen you or any of your type about.
Peter normally spends some time in the bay christmas time but not this year?
Rohan still kiting? Havent seen him either

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pilchard said..




You been getting out?
Havent seen you or any of your type about.

Rohan still kiting? Havent seen him either

Rohan and I are on the injured list.
Ro smashed his knee cap.
I've had two carpul tunnels done. another 5 weeks.
Liam is having a battle with some health issues.
Couple of the others have moved to the big smoke.

You just haven't been at the right places. We don't have to have all the planets in aligment to get out.

Hey Pilly, I have one of the Ezzy kids rigs for my girls . Has a 2.0 and 2.5 monofilm 3 battern sails. scaled down boom so its light and two piece aluminium mast. really light for them to pull up. Used to use it on 116 litre 7'11 starby sup but now have Russ's old Starby sup which is 9'8 and i think about 150-160 litres. No centreboard obviously but still works fine.

Scored a 165 T1 2010 Thommen experience demo from strath and now might get something in RED when it comes to the complete kiddy rig
2.5 and a 3.5 im thinking
All family board and might invest in a paddle and leash

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pilchard said..
might get something in RED when it comes to the complete kiddy rig

I hope you won't be disappointed,but they are not red anymore.