Does size matter? The Board Meeting Series- windsurfing board size?!

[@joegar72]

Love the Board Meeting. Please stay out on the water for these. It's much nicer to listen to you with that beautiful background noise. That said, I'm always amazed that you're even able to have a conversation while ripping across the water! 🤙🤙

[@Cookiesports]

🤣🤣🤣 it’s definitely taking a bit of practice to be able to communicate whilst travelling at 20 kn!

[@alessandro7629]

Wonderful office😅😅😅 very interesting topic and information.. keep on making lots of video. Another aspect i would be interested to know more about is how to choose the right fin size and how it influences the ride.. thanks a lot! Great job

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! Easiest way to choose the right fence size is to check what the board comes with when bought new, then -2 to 4 cm!

[@barfly007]

Definitely keep doing the board meetings - I find them inspirational. Keep up the good work. Cheers

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks!

[@lefterislef5630]

Hey Cookie, another great video, I love the format too. Watching you in a room is not as fun as these ones for me! Keep it up!!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@dairyairman]

I really like the on the water format. No one else is doing that. It's super cool to see you out there on that beautiful Mediterranean water. I especially appreciate your format when you're demonstrating a skill, like jibing or tacking. It's easy to see exactly what you're doing.

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! More coming soon

[@anthonystanden5073]

Great format easy listening and something to watch if you want to

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@bradmurdaugh5228]

Love the board series. Not only so we get great commentary but there is lots of great video to study.❤

[@Cookiesports]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@MissileGuidance]

Nice! 🔥

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩

[@mjandy17]

Great video and explanation! Keep on going like this and forget about the studio!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! More coming soon

[@robmilligan3650]

Great video Cookie, and enjoying the novel format - keep it up. I agree with your sentiments, having come through that intermediate stage over the last 5 years, where I have definitely been talked into buying smaller than has been good for me. I really enjoy a little extra volume, particularly when sailing from the yacht club, where just off the slip the wind may not be strong enough to beach or water start. It does though get you to a suitable spot where you can then enjoy the conditions. At a different spot with consistent wind, I’m comfortable on my 95L board.🤙

[@Cookiesports]

Glad you enjoy this style… more coming soon! Thanks

[@slickvisualpoetry]

Great points. I figured that out myself on a ridiculously big but responsive Hejfly Madd+ with 180odd-liters. The same, I think, goes for sails. Especially getting into planing first, being underpowered, because people on the beach keep banging on about that one 90 kg guy who could go out on a 5.0 when everybody else was on 7.0 ... . That guy might exist, but he is much further along the progression. Do you.

[@Cookiesports]

Definitely agree, a larger sale will always make things easier to get the board going!

[@toppersurfer]

Brilliant discussion with yourself 😊 Please, keep this going. And even if the concepts are something you've talked about in other videos, they have all the more value, the more you talk about them. Thx for all you do! Hope to meet you in Vasiliki sometimes and buy you a beer!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! More videos like this coming soon! See you out here soon!

[@ReneLakerveld]

keep doing this 👍

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! More coming soon

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

I agree that if one is struggling to get into the straps, etc., then a big board is the way to go. However, once you have these basic skills, to make progress you will need to be challenged by a small board. This will bring out mistakes and weaknesses in technique to work on so that sailing in rough water possible - which we get a lot of in the UK. A year or two ago I swapped my 104L proper waveboard and 5.6 with another man - 120L and 6.0. The wind was a little light but chest-high waves were rolling in at West Wittering. Once I put the harness lines and boom in a sensible place it got going nicely...but my goodness, it did not want to turn!

[@Cookiesports]

Pretty much the opposite to what I’m trying to say in this video! 🤣 You do not need to drop down to small boards to improve, you can train and develop very happily on something stable and forgiving. I’m not talking about chest high breaking waves of course- but nice Freeride conditions for the average windsurfer.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

@@Cookiesports OK. I will accept that. Today I was in 28 - 40 kts on 94 and 3.9. at West Wittering with 10ft waves. I stared out on flat water on the Bay of Quinte and then Lake Ontario, very rarely back in Canada. I didn't get to dealing with serious conditions by riding big boards.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

@@Cookiesports I agree. Best overall strategy.

[@georger2987]

Its much better like this than a classic podcast. Im happy to be sticking with my 150lt board. There is lots of ground to cover until im jibing on a plane so... Lets keep having fun , no need to rush

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙🤙

[@anthonyperkins8304]

Very happy with the format! Thanks Cookie. By the way, as someone who after many years of trying, might just about be considered as being at an intermediate level, I completely agree with you on boards size. I was making loads of practice on my 141 Go, until the nose buckled causing it to be written off. It’s taken me nearly a year to make regular practice on my Fox 120, but I’m getting there. I would have happily kept the Go for a long time had it not failed

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! That is quite a drastic change in boards you’re talking about there, the GO is very stable and forgiving. The fox is twitchy and responsive (in a bad way if you’re not used to responsiveness).

[@captainashcam]

I sailed 85 litre wave boards for years, then I moved to a Fanatic Skate 100 and my gybing instantly improved. Not going back to wave boards again.

[@Cookiesports]

Yes, yes, yes! This is exactly what I’m talking about! 🤙🤙

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

Ref. my previous post, to put things into context: I am 84kg (was wearing full winter wetsuit in my example) and am 61 years old. I started windsurfing on the original Windsurfer with teak booms and daggerboard in 1980 and saw miraculous "sinkers" in Sailboarder magazine...so I made one. My friends and I had to work out planing gybes on those things. A couple of years ago I bought my 104L Quatro Cube - it is a delight to sail. I was going to sell my 94L JP Ultimate Wave (year 2019/2000 version), which is an extreme wave board. A buddy said that my skills will drop away - he was correct. I went back to it over this year in anything under 5.0. (27kts +). The JP "goes to 11", to paraphrase that wonderful line from "This is Spinal Tap".

[@Cookiesports]

I must be misread!? The last comments you said that you should go smaller and smaller, in this comment you seem to be agreeing with me and saying staying on larger boards is better!?- or at least your friend is! 😜 Enjoy the ride! No need to push to smaller & smaller boards or oldschool “sinkers”.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

@@Cookiesports Crossed wires possibly, Cookie. I completely agree that there is no real need to go down to 80L - some years ago I had a silly 65L custom when I was certainly 80kg. If you messed up a gybe it went underwater...My point is that your mass in kg +10 on a proper wave board will keep you sharp; for me (now 83 or so kg) a 104L wave board in 30kts is not the way to go unless it is very up-and-down. Not like the old days of fixation on very small boards - not at all. Just don't go too big if the wind is nutty....

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

@@Cookiesports P.S., I have sailed my 104 Quatro Cube in 45kts and it was fine. I did have a JP 83L but if the wind dropped...arrrgghhh!

[@kristianmartincic3011]

Love this format! I moved to a smaller board this spring as I found my 85cm wide board was great except when the chop would build up and I couldn't get fully sped up without the board bouncing or flying too high. The narrow board is much more comfortable in big air, but the 85cm board works so much better the rest of the time including getting planning with less technique required.

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙🤙

[@reneruijgrok8066]

Cookie, this is your and our office . We want to be there all the time. If unclear sometimes we just scroll back a bit. I am happy you confirmed my choise of replacing my GO133 for a Carve129. I also was thinking of getting g smaller. Futura 110 for example, However my weight and the comfort of a bigger size made it work for me. The carve is a bit narrower then the GO , so some advantage there. Excellent work and Videos, thanks

[@Cookiesports]

The carve a great choice but all round Freeride and blasting! I’m very much looking forward to getting my new one soon!

[@LowLevelSports]

I do not recommend this, but I bought a to small board for my skill level. That forced me to practice the waterstart because it is almost impossible to pull the rigg if is too windy. Not much blasting this summer but I finally had a day when I did some waterstarts and start to feel more confident. Thanks for great videos, I probably learned some waterstart trix from this channel.

[@Cookiesports]

🤣 Haha, definitely not want I was recommending through this video, but at least it worked for you!

[@horsemadf1]

I find where I sail the chop is the limiting factor with board size . I find smashing through the chop on a big board very tiring. My boards are also very long and ride on the tail so windage is an issue. I use a big sail with as small a board as I can get to make it comfortable. Our wind is very light and patchy so my most used sizes are 7.2m twin cam on a 90 ( 57 wide) board in 12-18kts or a 112ltre( 64 wide) - with a 7.5m twin cam. I realise this is making gybes etc harder but I just don't enjoy being on a big board in messy chop .I'm about 68kgs although probably 73kgs with all the gear on. I also like to go fast..😜

[@christiank2202]

I have similar numbers. Could you let me know your fin sizes in relation to Board and sail size please? Often I do not find the right combination when I use smaler boards with bigger sails. Thx

[@horsemadf1]

I'm not sure I'll be much help. My Windtechs are unusual. The design makes them get upwind really well and they are very lively. They use much smaller fins than a similar wider slalom board. The 1st time I tried my 112ltre with the 39cm pointer I used on my similar sized slalom board it actually foiled for 50m.😂 Bit scary. I then bought Windtech weedies for control and to settle it down . I use a 28 WT weedy in the 90ltres with the 7.2m and a 35cm Tectonics Weed Demon for the 112ltre- 7.5m. I'm a bit more experienced now than when I had my slalom boards but on the 69 wide 111ltre Exocet RS4 I used a 39cm pointer. Not 100% sure about the 90 with the 7m..maybe a 33cm or 31cm pointer. We have very patchy wind. I use the 7.2m - 90 in 12 - 18kts but it's only gusting to 18kts.

[@horsemadf1]

@@christiank2202 I was about 68kgs fully kitted when I rode the slalom boards so take that into account. 😊

[@christiank2202]

Very interesting. And thank you for taking the time for me. I will analyze this in detail. It really makes sense to put much more effort into the fin topic. Best wishes from Austria.

[@Cookiesports]

Chop can make things stuff, but remember the key thing is to actually surf and ride the board, not just smash into each wave! You are the suspension, flexing and extending your knees, ankles and hip joints will make for a smooth ride.

[@cathulu15]

One defence of smaller board: I weigh about 78 to 81kg depending on how much cycling I do. Freewave boards I use are Tabou 3S 86L largely replaced by Goya One 3 85L thruster. Because the boards are smaller and deck height lower, they are more responsive to pulling the board back under the body for a waterstart. I am certain I can waterstart easier on 85L than 120L board... Also with some swell and active work I can get planing on a 5.5 sail (my largest with 85L) earlier than most on bigger gear. I have been planing bagged out 5.5 sail 85L single fin while others are on 7.5 sails and big boards. That said I probably would really enjoy a 99L blasting board but my quiver is full for now with a freestyle and foil boards.

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙🤙

[@111Anton333]

"skew into the wind and stop" exactly that happened to me yesterday. In Vassiliki I used Goya one 12 125 L and there was no problem with water start. Here I had my 114 FSW RRD and as fast I got on the board it went into the wind and stoped. I'm pretty heavy (114kg) and I'm working on my weight now, I think that by 100 kg there will be much better. FSW works nice, once it went into planing it sails very good and I like it so much but so far it is a problem with good water start.

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙🤙 Next time you’re here in vass be sure to message me for some coaching!

[@111Anton333]

@@Cookiesports definitely, I had coaching only on my beginnings it would be nice to correct technique and learn new things.

[@toppersurfer]

Tak!

[@Cookiesports]

Tak very much my danish friend! Much appreciated! Direct flights from Copenhagen to PVK and you’ll be windsurfing with us in no time!

[@peter-cal]

loved it, the noise is kind of relaxing to be honest.. makes me feel im in the water windsurfing along

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear it! Glad you enjoy, thank you

[@ferocious_r]

Hey Cookie, thanks for this, seems to come at the right time! Yesterday I was just on the water for like, my 7th time. 1st time the wind (10kts; went with a 6.0 sail) was so low that I asked for a 185l board to try it out. So far it was always a 225l one. I'm 1.93m and weighing 98kg and was surprised when it took just a few minutes to get accustomed to the smaller board. Also, it was so much more fun! Haven't experienced planing yet, but really looking forward to it. Would you go back to the 225l beginner board or stay with the 185l one even at higher winds?

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! If you’re happy on the 185 then stick with that… but it’s always fun to mix up board sizes now and then… a few days ago I taught so good windsurfers and we were all on 200+ boards! 🤩

[@ferocious_r]

@@Cookiesports Thank you, also for mentioning the 200+ board size for advanced surfers. Around here, it seems people see bigger boards as a kind of shamefulness, and in order to be cool and to progress, you should go ever-smaller. Will stick with the 185 for now :)

[@matthewfairman9865]

Very interesting video... what about the higher volume boards tending to "bounce" more when planing in higher winds?...Also is the choice of board size (for general freeriding in Poole harbour Dorset for example) dependent on your personal size/weight?... I am 5ft 9 inches tall and 75kg... Really like your excellent videos....

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! Yes…bouncy… but is that a bad thing? Through this channel you’ll see me regularly on 133 & 5m, in conditions similar to Poole… not a bad thing! 🤩

[@Jhoekstra]

Great topic! And of course, I made that mistake of buying a board that is actually too small. I took me too long to handle it. I’m saving up money to buy a bigger board so I can surf in lighter winds. Should I buy just a bigger board like for instance a Gecko 140 liters, or a JP Light wind board with approximately 140/150 liters? And what is the difference? Thanks in advance! 🤙🏽

[@Cookiesports]

Similar boards! I would look into the Starboard cave or GO for all round versatility and nice stable floaty boards!

[@nejcprijatelj5543]

Great topic and this type of format is awesome, yet i have a question about foil boards. I live in area where the wind is really light so I want to get into windfoiling and I need the foil board that would be used with sails from 6.7 to 9.0 for the 6-7 kts of wind. Do you have any advice or is the board not as important as the foil itself. Thanks🤙

[@dairyairman]

I know you're looking for an answer from Cookie, but I'm a wind foiler and I will say that if you really want to use sails up to 9.0 m2, then you're going to need a pretty big board. For one thing, in wind foiling you'll be doing a lot of uphauling, so you want a board big enough for you to comfortably uphaul whatever sail you've rigged. I would think that for a 9.0 you'd want a board that's at least about 150 liters. I personally use a Severne Alien at 145 liters, but the biggest sail I've ever used with it is a 7.0. i can uphaul that sail fairly easily. Having said that, keep in mind that with wind foiling you're often using really small sails compared to what you'd normally use with regular windsurfing. That's part of the beauty of the sport. For example, I've never seen any of my wind foiling friends rig something as big as a 9.0. Only racers do that. In fact, I'm kind of an outlier with my 7.0. Many of my wind foiling friends never rig anything bigger than a 5.8. I don't know what Cookie would say, but I think with wind foiling, the board is not as important as the foil. You definitely want a board that will float you in sub-foiling conditions, and that will carry as large a sail as you'd want to use (see above). There are other factors too, but another beauty of wind foiling, in my opinion, is that if you choose well you can get away with having just one board for all conditions, as opposed to regular windsurfing where you often end up with a whole quiver of boards for different conditions.

[@Cookiesports]

I think I just replied to this message on Instagram also!? Few short summaries, most board manufacturers will show recommended sales size as part of the board spec on their website. There is also recommended foils to match each board & sail appropriately. The balance of the two combined will make for a stable flight. I don’t know about all the brands in detail, but I know the Starboard Freeride foil is very detailed on the website with great recommendations for each condition

[@simonjandrell5897]

my limits Isonic 135,137 Carbon,150.. and a Falcon 140.. got a Monster 126 but thats my Coast board for Weymouth more float innit

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙🤙 Great set ups

[@simonjandrell5897]

@@Cookiesports i use my Starboard Isonic 150 ninety percent of the time.. all old boards mainly old school slalom.. plug and play as Starboard used to say..

[@simonjandrell5897]

@@Cookiesports your tuition windsurfing vlogs are the best.. a pleasure to watch

[@paulsp2k]

"If you're not on something less than 100L, you're not windsurfing" sounds like something a short man, weighing 70 kg would say.

[@grzegorzgorniewski6502]

It's not that easy any more, but I would still be happy to know Cookies weight 🙂 a 100l board nowadays could be nearly 70cm wide and far from difficult to uphaul even for a 80 kg guy - and that's what people mostly mean: a small board is a board you can only waterstart. But for this you need a stable strong wind, most of recreational windsurfers will only seldom encounter such conditions on their home spot, BTW, so they do not need such a board. But one can still have a board that's too small for ones needs, and that's in fact pretty common these days as boards are much wider and easier than they used to be.

[@lefterislef5630]

I'm a short man weighing 63kg and I am the one insisting on staying on my bigger board! haha

[@Cookiesports]

Haha- just something I’ve heard being flapped about beaches! I weigh about 80kg

[@paulsp2k]

@@Cookiesports Lol, sorry, I wasn't suggesting YOU were the short 70 kg guy. Was more tongue in cheek, not trying to sound sarcastic.

[@windsurf888]

There is a point where you have enough volume for what you are talking about - adding more is only going to destroy your joints.

[@Cookiesports]

Mmmm 🤔 Not necessarily… you’ll see me on 5m and 133 very regularly on this channel - in chop. Set things up correctly and it’s all good. Also “enough” is very subjective- hence this subject…. Because many people talk about going smaller, but they’ve already gone unnecessarily small!

[@windsurf888]

@@Cookiesports 'going unecessarily small' is indeed a thing, and your points are well presented. I am saying there is a point, depending of course on skill level, where additional volume is simply in the way. Being overpowered is not always a matter of sail size, sometimes you just sail too much width, and with too much volume. You may say it is all good when set up correctly, I would argue that there is a point where that 5.0M would be all-good, and that point being very likely less than 133L for a chap of your stature and experienced gravity

[@Cookiesports]

@@windsurf888 another interesting point raised..."depending on your skill level"...because, logically if your skill is lower, then you need the higher volume board to gain control...meaning if you're better then you should go smaller soooooo... If you're saying the higher skill level should go smaller- then, using me as the example (reasonable skill level), you're saying the 133lt and 5.0m combo which I use to coach on regularly is not ok... sooooo...if I'm understating you right... you're saying I'm wrong, and should not be using this combo in these conditions- or as I do in many videos in this channel!! 🤣

[@windsurf888]

No. I am saying there is such a thing as being ‘over-boarded’. But feel free to be and feel ‘right’ young man, I don’t need your approval and validation. 🙏

[@Cookiesports]

@@windsurf888 HAHA ha! been a while since I've been called a young man- thank you! Maybe these magic cameras take off a few years! 🤣 You're right, being over-boarded is defiantly a thing.... but it's rare....the whole point of this video is explain that most people go the other way, and take boards that are unnecessarily small- it's very uncommon I see or coach people that are on boards too large, hindering their progress or destroying joints.