Freeride to Freewave with Peter Hart and Starboard Windsurfing

Windsurfing Legend Peter Hart talks you through how to make the transition from a Freeride board (Starboard Carve) to a Freewave board (Starboard Kode).
More from Peter Hart:
peter-hart.com/
Where to buy Starboard Windsurf Boards:
windsurf.star-...
More info on the Starboard Carve:
windsurf.star-...
More info on the Starboard Kode:
windsurf.star-...

[@rubencalzacorta879]

I love your videos!!!! as a beginner (2-3 years sailing now in a place without a lot a wind) your videos made me understand perfectly the difference between boards. You should do the same with SAILS, no content out there about the difference of sails, wave, freeride, slalom, how many battens, cambers etc etc.

[@altumano]

Finally a new video from Peter, very nice and informative :)

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

More to come!

[@rcggijzen]

Excellent explanation of intended use of different windsurf-boards. So much better than the marketing BS the big brands put on their own websites.

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Thanks!

[@jamesdougall2886]

excellent video! many thanks...clear, concise, all makes sense. Your experience is showing through here Peter! cheers

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Many thanks!

[@oleholkhovskyy2810]

I wish I had seen this video a year ago. I was struggling with similar transition, and this gives a very good explanation of why it happens and how to adapt to this change. And the tip to go down a sail size is invaluable, it really works!

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SuperMoskis]

Peter, you are the man! Love these informative videos!

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Glad you like them!

[@simongodfrey3765]

Thanks Peter - useful stuff!

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks Peter.

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

No problem, happy windsurfing!

[@Statek63]

I still have the "Let's go Wave Sailing" DVD by Peter Hart and I was just watching it again recently 🙂

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Amazing!

[@Pensivata]

Great video. I 'exited' the freeride world by first trying a Kode, then a Quad & various other Starboard freewavers. I must admit, I didn't get on with any of them - perhaps for the reason Peter describes above. BUT - when I tried the Tabou 3S 95L (I'm 76 kgs) - something instantly clicked - it was suddenly all happening - I love it to death - I can never go back - it even feels as fast as the Futura was (or maybe that's just me improving, I don't know). I know they call it a 'mermaid board' - but if that's what a mermaid feels like - then I'm ready to 'tie the knot' for eternity!. I keep trying new boards, wave board etc. But they all point back to how great the 3S truly is. Yes, I know it's probably a very personal thing, but just thought I'd share my experience.

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Thanks for the feedback! The Starboard Kodes are being developed and improved on by the design team every year, I'd highly recommend giving one another go!

[@linuso6404]

I‘d love to see such a video but with freeride to freerace/Slalom. So same Video Format but different boards to be compared👍🏼 I think that would be helpful to many people!🤙🏼

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Great suggestion! Point noted and we'll see what we can do!

[@Lindhofguitar]

Freeride/freerace/slalom - in real world conditions with ordinary sailors? I bet the difference is surprisingly small. I had an iSonic 122 and a Carve 135 a season ago. Max speed difference was 0,1 knots in favour of the iSonic 🙂

[@matthewfarrell174]

Helpfull video. I am at this stage of my windsurfing progress. I have a Gecko 122, and a Dyno 115. I choose which board to ride based on the conditions. I am still getting comfortable on the Dyno, but it's all good...

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OkinawaSeasider]

Clear and concise, and has pointed out so many issues I had/have going from my 115L JP freeride, to a 94L Kode. On my day I love my Kode, but on others I can't seem to get it going - though the tips for me to use a different sailing style ring so true - can't wait for the winter northerlies to return to try things out!

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Great to hear!

[@toppersurfer]

More proactive - def. the key!

[@rboonk8552]

Great video thank you Peter. Also jumped from freeride to freewave. Struggling as well on my 105. Where should I put the base. In front?

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi, for technique advice we'd strongly recommend getting in touch with Peter Hart directly as he doesn't pick up these comments on KZbin. Best to contact him via his website peter-hart.com/ or his social media channels.

[@anthonystanden5073]

Hi Peter can you tell me with the freewave kode 105 do you waterstart the same as a freeride ? Thanks in advance Anthony

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi Anthony, for technique questions please get in touch with Peter directly via his social media or website as it's unlikely he'll see these comments on YT.

[@6977202865]

I have a 145 jp xcite. I sail normally with a 7.0 sail. Less often i sail it with a 6.0. I am 85kg. Planning, beach start, waterstart-ish, tac, non planning jibe, getting to the harnessliness and footstraps. If i meant to get a freewave and sail it in 12-20 knots winds what board and sail size you would recommend?

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi, please see my reply to your previous comment below!

[@HartyFilms]

You didn't mention the sailor weight - but 110L (ish) would be a good first freewave

[@ahmetsokullu1866]

I am 6'1" and 20 stones. Any tips for the larger sailor?

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Our advice would be stick to a board size that you're comfy with. If you're not sure then try and test a board before you purchase one.

[@HartyFilms]

Starboard now make really big Freewaves - if you're looking for a more manoeuvrable ride, try and get a go on the 135 Code

[@6977202865]

Should i go for a lower volume freeride or a freewave for the conditions i have described below?

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. We can highly recommend a Freewave board for it's versatility. It'll open new doors to bump&jump and windsurfing in waves if that's the area you'd like to progress into. If top speed is your one and only goal, only then we would suggest a smaller freeride board. Our size recommendations for the Starboard Kode Freewave would be either the 135l or 125l. Advantages of the 135l - much more manoeuvrable than your current JP, more versatile and will still be very stable for light winds non-planing. even though it's only 10l difference it will feel so much more sporty and responsive. The 125l will offer even more performance, especially in wavey and high wind conditions however it will be slightly more technical to sail off the plane as its narrower and lower volume. Both of these boards will pair well with 6 and 7m sails. For the full range please see Starboard's website windsurf.star-board.com/windsurfing-boards/wave-freestyle-windsurf-boards/kode-freewave-windsurf-board/ I hope this helps, let us know how you get on!

[@bazzlers]

I have a 155 go with detachable center fin. Coming from a 220l windsup and still learning im wondering what the next board in progressing would be. Im still learning but looking at adding a smaller board. Would the carve 130 ranhe perform better then my 155 go?

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. The Carve 129 or 139 would be the board that we'd recommend looking into. Depending on your weight and ability both sizes would offer much more performance than your Go 155, it's up to you how bigger step down in size/volume you'd like to take. hope this helps!

[@HartyFilms]

a 130 is a great 'next board.' The loss of litres will initially make it feel a little unstable… But only at rest. As soon as you get moving, it all settles down. The biggest difference will be the loss of weight. The Go has quite a robust construction which necessarily makes it heavier and slower to plane. A 130 free ride will be a lot lighter, and when you start standing in the right places, will pop onto the plane earlier. Whenever you get a new board, sail it as much as you can in planing and non-planing conditions to get used to the trim and where to place the feet.

[@jamesdougall2886]

I just tried exactly what you recommended towards the end: dropped down from 119L Freeride to 105L Freewave, in 2m wave conditions in Ialysos (just missed you at the ProCenter apparently!). Question: is stance difference on the wave board? As a total newbie, I found myself adopting a more upright and forward-facing stance vs. the typical hanging low-and-back slalom stance. Kind of driving the board a bit more than driving the fin...does that make sense? cheers

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi!, Yes the stance is different and sounds like you've already nailed it. Waveboards require being more front footed as they have smaller, shorter fins. This is more 'up and forward' than your typical slalom stance. Hope this helps!

[@HartyFilms]

That absolutely makes senses James! On the freewave, you stand much more between your feet. Sailing in a straight line and through the gybes, try to favour the front foot. But it does depend on the fin set up - if if you ride it as a single fin (about 30 cm for a 105 L) you have to resist that lift the little more back foot pressure - but in tri-fin mode, ease the hips forward and sail more off the front foot.

[@russellscott1151]

Hi peter, bumped into you at Prinsted last year I think & lovely to meet a legend of our sport. I’m currently on a 125l old Tabou Rocket and looking to make the move to a smaller board (I’m 65kgs) for more freewave conditions like Hayling. I can carve gybe a bit and good at waterstarts (I get a lot of practice :). I can get into straps etc and blast! also starting to jump a bit. Very tempted with kode although not tried one but have tried a 105 Goya one and quatro which are soo much more responsive than my Rocket. What size volume would you recommend I go to? Many thanks.

[@tushinghamsalesltd]

Hi, Matt from Tushingham here replying on behalf of Peter. Thanks for the kind words. The Kode would be perfect for you, probably the 105l. That'll float you and be stable yet really manoeuvrable in the waves at Hayling! We're just about to launch a new video on the Kode looking at the set up and comparing the 105 with the 115l, keep an eye on our channel for it! Hope this all helps.

[@russellscott1151]

@@tushinghamsalesltd that’s great thanks matt

[@russellscott1151]

@@tushinghamsalesltd maybe you can compare the 95 as well :)

[@russellscott1151]

Hi Matt, could you pls explain the difference if any between the 2018 109ltr kode and the 2021/22 model other than a few litres? An 18 has come up so would be interested to know if I’d be missing out on much by going for the slightly older model. Thanks.

[@HartyFilms]

Hi Russell - apologies for the late reply… The comments dont come through to my email. At 65 kg, 95 L is the best all-round volume. There's 30 L of reserve volume, which should give you plenty of float (and it will still be uphaulable) - but it's super manoeuvrable.