I have been sailing for 3 years most of the time in the free ride conditions. Now I like to go wave sailing.
I am weigh 62kg, I have a 80L RRD FSW. Do I need smaller size wave board? which would you recommend?

sounds perfect for your weight and location.

That board will be fine. Just get out there. When I got back into windsurfing I didn't know **** about gear and I took out some 100+L piece of **** and a camed sail out into the waves. I managed to smash the crap out of the board after a few days but at least It made me lookat other gear.

So my point being just getout there

I would be looking for something around the 74ltr range to start with. Something along the lines of a jp realworld wave. Good for varied wave conditions and good fun for bumpnjump. Once you get more comfortable you'll be looking for something around 69ltr and more wave specific like a twin or quad. Jesus I can't beleive someone weighs less than me

there's at least 3 super lightweights amongst the regular Botany Bay sailors Dan all around the 60kg mark.
i'd go for a smaller board windhunter. you can use the 80L as your lightwind wave board and a smaller for the stronger winds. this would also be good for the stronger wind bump and jump conditions. i'd be thinking around the 65L mark might be good for your weight. I'm just a rookie wave sailor though so not sure if you should be taking too much notice of my post.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I might go in search for a mid-60L board for my attempts at wave sailing.

Any good spots for me to start with?

Select to expand quote

windhunter said...

I might go in search for a mid-60L board for my attempts at wave sailing.

Very jealous (most used board 99ltr waveboard)!!

I would strongly advise against going a board that small while your finding your feet in the waves. You'll have enough to worry about keeping an eye on gusts and waves and other sailors and surfers, get a board in the low 70s range till you get it all sorted, it will make life a he'll of alot easier for you in the longrun.

It's a bastard getting back upwind on a tiny board when you are still getting the feel for sailing in large chop/swell.

I weigh 62kg and started off in the waves on a 84L Starboard Trance. It was perfect for my purposes.

I want to second what bdl2333 said, it was spot on (except the last sentence ).

Edit: Dan and DL slipped in their posts while I was writing, so I'll add that I don't disagree with what they wrote, and bear in mind bdl2333 said to keep the 80L for light winds. It also depends somewhat on Windhunter's skills, though not having wavesailed much isn't a handicap if someone has aptitude.

Since you normally sail in the bay I'll assume you'll be getting into the waves at Wanda. If you get a sub 70 ltr board your making it harder that you need to. That's my advise I've been sailing in the waves a few times and that's what I suggest. I have boards of both sizes if you want them pm me and I'll sort you out

The only reason I say to go smallish is for the bottom turn because it's the most important move in wavesailing, both for itself and because you need a good bottom turn to have speed for a good top turn. Most boards that I try that are 10 litres above my (naked) weight are too hard to turn properly because they bounce out, or even if they don't bounce are too slow to turn, but occasionally you'll find a bigger board that does turn well for its size, if so go for it.

Select to expand quote

dan berry said...

I would strongly advise against going a board that small while your finding your feet in the waves. You'll have enough to worry about keeping an eye on gusts and waves and other sailors and surfers, get a board in the low 70s range till you get it all sorted, it will make life a he'll of alot easier for you in the longrun.

^^^ What he said.

I agree - something around 75 will get you around the break and forgive less than perfect technique. ALso much easier to get jumps on the way out!
The RRD FSW are very flat and would work quite well to get initiated but they are much harder to push through the bottom turn - better to get a genuine fast tailed wave board!

Thanks, gents! It's interesting reading such contrasting opinions, so MAYbe...I'm gonna try out a few diff-sized boards to see which one fits me best at this point. I'm hearing you and you've made convincing arguments, so before I put my money on any one board, I'll see how I go first.

trust me. get a 74 litre real world wave. best board ever created. dont bother about twins ect yet! with a rww its also great for onshore and bump and jump. i would also reccomend the pro model. bit more money but i think they feel alot more solid and the best for jumping. good luck!

(i also weigh 65kgs)

I agree with HAILS suggestion along the lines of a JP RRW 74ltr, I got a JP RRW 83ltr and am mid 70's in wieght. Got into wavesailing again after long time away and this board has satisfied my needs up and down the NSW coast in different conditions. Big swell, small swell, windy aswell as light - on/off/cross-shore. - will probably change board next season to something smaller but to get into wavesailing it has been great board.

Good Luck

Windhunter, i'm about to make my way into ocean sailing, hoping for some bump'n'jump then eventually small waves, so i've been looking into the same thing as you.

I'm 72kgs, i'm looking for about an 85L FSW/Real World Wave Type board (once I nail my turns on the 105L FSW).

I reckon at 72kgs, a 85L for windy and a 105L for lighter winds will be a nice combo (hopefully with enough float for built in safety against my slowly building skills). Maybe one day in the future a ~70L (need the wind for it first but)!

So basically, listen to what the last few said (for obvious reasons), but probably try your 80L first then once you are comfortable then downsize!