The Only Two Windsurf Board Shapes You Need

[@richym2020]

I like your sound effects! You make be aware of the physical demands of windsurfing. It is quite an exhausting sport, especially in stronger winds.

[@bsichterman]

haha for real, glad to hear I am not the only one frantically talking and screaming in terror and joy while barely hanging on to my sail while planing.

[@anthonypmcbride]

Don't know why this popped into my YT feed, but as an old salt who's windsurfed for 35yrs - you've pretty much described my quiver! Unless you're racing competitively every weekend I also prefer non-cambered sails (RAF we used to call them) - the time spent rigging is time better spent sailing!

[@paolorondini2939]

I windsurf since so many years , i am able to ride and jump, but i appreciate this video dedicated to non-pro super wave windsurfers, it's interesting your considerations!

[@TillLernt]

I have a lot of respect for super wave windsurfer! Mostly because I wouldn't survive waves bigger than 1m 😅

[@alexmackenzie8507]

Totally agree with this. And with the different shapes the free ride board doesn’t need to be much bigger in volume than the freestyle wave. I currently sail the 100 ltr firemove and switch down to my 96 ltr freestyle wave for choppier, windier conditions with smaller sails.

[@jeroenv]

Guess it also really depends on the size of the board. If you go out on the Fox 95 in choppy conditions, put the right fin underneath and set the mast base on the right position, you'll really fly over the chop super smooth, actually saving your knees. Having said that, the Severne Fox has in insane amount of V-shape and is way better in handling choppy conditions than an average freeride board. For me switching to a FSW board in strong wind conditions is most of the times mainly caused by the fact that most freeride boards don't come in really small sizes. If there are decent waves, there is probably also a decent amount of wind, making me want to switch to boards in the 80-90 liter range. In that scenario a FSW is the thing that is closest to freeride.

[@TillLernt]

Hmm. I should try the Fox 95 the next time on Fuerte. But yes, the basic rule for me is using a freeride in medium wind and a FSW in strong wind. Haven't found a spot without chop in strong wnd yet. 🤙

[@stephenedwards1737]

I think you are spot on. After many years sailing I'm happy with a 100 litre FSW and a 120 litre freeride board. They cover all my needs and conditions. My choice are JP for the FSW and Tabou Rocket for the freeride.

[@TillLernt]

I really like the Tabou Rocket, too!

[@theylive1999]

How did you set the back straps on the fsw? One in the center or two? Why?

[@theylive1999]

I just bought a jp fsw 103

[@alexanderhamburg4653]

Many things to add... First: the groups are interpreted very differently. The Fox has cutouts and massive concaves. Not typical for freeride boards if you check other brands. Sometimes the Fox is promoted as a freerace board. The Quatro fsw board is much more a waveboard. Other fsw/Crossover boards are more like a freeride board. The interpretation of the freemove boards are different as well. Second: it depends on your weight/ skills/ boardsize. Fox 95 has nothing in common with the 140 version. Third: the construction has a heavy influence as well. How flexible is the board. Does it absorb chop due to flex. .... Btw: put the footstraps of the fox to the outboard position!!! Otherwise you stand too upright and the chop makes you bounce. Outside position, so you connect the board from the side and the chop will not bother you 😉 So.... there are many more things to think about 🤙🏽

[@robmilligan3650]

Agree with most of your comments. I have 130L and 105L freeride boards (Blast and Fox) and 115 and 95 Freewave (Dynos). Depending on conditions I either use the 115 single fin (faster) or thruster when more chop. The 95 is always set up as a thruster. I also use Severne sails and have a full quiver of Gators, as they offer that crossover. I do though have a couple of Turbos for the flatter days when I want speed. I note despite your comments that you were using Blades on the Dyno, so a wave sail. I like the Gator for its multi use and build quality. Great video - thanks.

[@TillLernt]

Thanks for your comment! 👍 It's true, the clips don't perfectly match what I'm talking about. I use the same sails on my freeride and my freestyle wave board at home though.

[@sentoqz4733]

You can fix that issue with the freeride board if you put the footstraps on the outermost position that helps a lot

[@sharewavestv]

I still have my windsurfer from 1978 and it is still the best board for my skills

[@callingwind5071]

Freestyle wave 96l, slalom 108l and of course the foil board also. I prefer to have the slalom than the freeride board because it's much faster....or at least a freerace board.

[@tobig3610]

I totally agree. Looks like I'm a little bit taler and heavier than you. So my setup is a 145l Tabou Rocket and an old Mistral Screamer 116l but I dream of a 105-115l Tabou 3S. Having 6 freeride sails from 5.5 upto 8.6 , so I am able to surf in conditions of 13 to >=25ktns. This year I improved my jibe technique, but I am still far away of a fast power jibe. But this is surfing. Always new goals. Just learn as fast as you can. No pressure. Every minute on the water helps. Hang loose.

[@TillLernt]

Sounds like a cool setup though. I tried the Tabou S3 on the Surf Festival and it was amazing! I love that there's always something new to learn in windsurfing. It never gets old!

[@timoschofer2035]

A freestyle board is the only board u need. Why make life complicated? 😁

[@ikbelnwindsurf]

I like the free race boards (i have aTabou rocket+), still easy to handle for an intermidiate windsurfer, but faster and smoother in choppy conditions

[@TillLernt]

That's a good point. Now I want to try a Rocket+, too. I only have a Rocket...

[@Kuper133]

Hi! I agree with you. for an ordinary rider, a couple of boards are enough. I have a 110 l Magic Ride for a strong wind.For medium wind Fanatic Falcon 120 liters,74 width. And for a light wind JP Slalom 122 liters,82 cm. The sails are also Severne. I really like them. light and heavy. My skating level is about the same as yours. I don't know how to do Jibe yet. And the water start turns out every other time..

[@TillLernt]

Sounds like a great setup! I guess we are on the same level. My power jibe has not worked yet. But I'm practicing intensively now. It's a good thing that you can practice the waterstart whenever the jibe fails. So basically every time...😂

[@kingprone7846]

an amazing video to see where windsurfing went wrong.

[@leojo33]

i use a 115L Freerace Board for Medium Wind and flat water. a 95L FSW Board for high wind and chop/wave and a foil board for light wind. All with freemove sails (4.3 5.0 5.7 6.4)

[@TillLernt]

That's my setup, too. Except for the foil board. I'm learning wingfoiling now for light wind

[@Red-Door]

Nice video, one remark however: To prevent a bumpy ride on a wide board put your foot straps on the outboard position, use longer harness lines, work on your stance and sheet in more. In your video you stand too much on top of your board. That's why you feel all the bumps. Your legs should approach te board more from te side with the front leg more straight. Also you can play with the masttrack position, and boom height. Good luck!

[@theylive1999]

Mast should be more forward?

[@Red-Door]

Depends... generally, I move it to the back to make the board looser and less bumpy in chop and more to the front to plane earlier in marginal conditions and flat water. The height of the boom also plays a factor. In the end, it comes down to a lot of trial and error.

[@ttanucha]

for my lake i choose - formula (as i don't have a foil) for 8-9m2 sails. And isonic 107 for smaller sails.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

Multiple fins are much easier to sail when things get rough. Much reduced spin-out and need to sail of the back foot. More fool-proof when things go wrong. You will be able to get upwind through white water, thus enabling you to get 'out back' beyond the breaking waves and get on top of the board to control it through waves on the way back in. Multi-fin board completely changed my ability to deal with difficult conditions having started windsurfing in 1980 and suffered through many years of single fin awfulness. The extra speed thing about single fins is vastly exaggerated - the important thing is to be in control and confident.

[@470pol511]

It all depends on what you want from your board and the sail.

[@Statek63]

Cool video and good suggestions ! Myself I also added a Formula board with large sails for that inland low wind conditions, but beyond that I also have a freeride board and a smaller freewave one too. What sizes of these two boards do you have and what is your weight, if I can ask ? Just wondering what buoyancy margin do you have on these boards, especially on the smaller one - in case the wind dies and you need to uphaul and stay afloat. Cheers 🙂

[@TillLernt]

Thanks for your comment!

[@pochron1105]

I like how you left the original gopro audio and you are making the Wu-Tang clan fight sounds @ 3:50 😃

[@aw244]

Try to bend your knees when you hit chop. Use it like a suspension then you will probably have a very smooth ride and are way faster.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

I have wave sails - they work from 19 - 55kts. Yes, if you wish to get going in 15kts you will need something else. I am 83kg, 60 years old(!) and have two wave boards: 104L Quatro Cube, designed for onshore wave conditions and a JP Ultimate Wave 94L total down-the-line shredder. I use the 104 up to an up-and-down 25-30kts. It will turn. It get planning in soupy onshore mess. It gybes like a dream no matter what. My concern about defaulting to freeride boards is that in order to improve one must go out of one's comfort zone with something that is designed for turning . I have friends that struggle to get out back when the waves are not even head-high and thus cannot enjoy the best days of the year because the limitations of their equipment.

[@TillLernt]

Thanks for all your comments!!!! It's interesting to read these different perspectives on this topic!

[@Ba_A]

Also two shape of boards for me....one for slalom to be used during the months when the ocean is calm and flatter, and then q wave board for the months of November thru April, for wave riding and jumping. Needless to say I also have separate rig for each board....so two masts, two sails, two booms, etc. Important note: I'm in the Caribbean!!!

[@TillLernt]

Surfing in the Caribbean must be like a dream!

[@juancarlos4006]

My god 0:22 that hurted 😂. Happened to me the exact same crash a weeks ago, and I got pain like for two weeks. Buying an impact vest...

[@userTJ39780]

And then you start foiling. I have a longboard, Slalom board, Freestyle Wave, Wave and bump and jump, but I only ever use my Foil board now!

[@JanniBunny78]

Derbe derbe Jetzt muss endlich mal mein Wasserstart fluppen, dann mal nach kleineren Boards schielen... Übe gerade in Alacati 😜😜😜Hammer! Es ist so derbe hier! Schöner Stehbereich! Mussu auch ma hin... Schöne Grüße

[@TillLernt]

Klingt wie ein Plan! Alicanti hab ich auch Bock drauf 🤙

[@fonsvandenhove]

Probably sensible advise from your side. But it all depends on what you would like your 'style' to be: Speed, bump & jump etc. etc. I like to go fast and try to do that on slalom boards (85, 71 and 61cm wide - one for all weather types). But yes, if the sea gets too rough it makes sense to go freewave. Sails are indeed a pain in the butt because I 'need' fully cambered sails for each board/weather type. Very expensive. And those slalom sails are terribly heavy to operate. Nice video again. You should be sponsored by Severne 😁

[@TillLernt]

Yes, I agree. On both your point that it depends on your style and that Servern is really lucky. 😂 This video was aimed at beginner/intermediate surfers. I'm sure that good surfers prefer higher speed with a slalom board. And windsurfers who can surf in 2m waves probably pick wave boards, etc. For the vast majority of low-skill surfers, I would always recommend these two shapes though

[@Westcoastwindsurf]

Would probably be better to get a single fin or a thruster fin board instead of a quad for bump and jump. More speed and earlier planing.

[@jantheman334]

Hallo Till, habe ein 130Liter TabouRocket was it meine 90kg so ziemlich alle FR Situationen erschlägt, wie du schon gesagt hast wird es anstrengend in high wind and chop. Daher hatte ich schon über ein kleineres Brett nachgedacht. Was kannst du empfehlen, würde ja auch gern Segel kleiner 6m2 fahren, aber das geht bei meinem setup eigentlich fast nicht. Bei einem kleineren Freestyle/Freewave-Board sollte das ja möglich sein, das board sollte allerdings auch kein sinker sein. Gruß 🤙

[@TillLernt]

Versuch mal bei ein Tabou Rocket um die 110-120 Liter. Für mich gehen die auch bei starkem Wind richtig gut, solange der Chop nicht zu extrem ist. Obwohl 110 Liter bei dir vielleicht schon ein Sinker ist, sollt der Wasserstart noch easy gehen. Außerdem liegt das Brett viel leichter am Fuß. Erstmal mit der Größe Erfahrung sammeln und dann kann man sich auch an 90 Liter heranwagen.

[@TillLernt]

Oh, und sorry für die später Antwort von mir!

[@Mamba_Negra_Wind]

With the Dyno how fast can you go ? Its a Big difference compres to de Fox ? Or not at all.

[@Mamba_Negra_Wind]

Thanks for the video

[@MarioKuempel]

Looks like it will be horror for you, when youre gonna try my slalom boards...😂

[@TillLernt]

Can't wait! 💪💪

[@garethhume6245]

Dont agree with everything you say here. You can use wave sails on any board and there is little difference with wave and free style sails. The only sails that are very limited are freerace, race or any cammed sails. Most windsurfers dont need that level of performance. You can go fast enough with a wave or cross over type sail.

[@TillLernt]

That's true! I probably oversimplified it with "only" freeride sails. For beginners, I feel that freeride sails are the best choice though.🤙

[@baikelai]

If I have to pick only 2 boards, I’ll go for a free style wave 84/85L JP or Fanatic, and a wave board quad like the Quatro cube 75L. I am addicted to the grip you can have with a quad!

[@wolfgang6028]

Cooles Video, hat mir einiges gebracht

[@TillLernt]

Super, das freut mich!

[@wajfarut]

Very effective video :) just don't agree on the increasing complexity of sails if you own a wave board. Indeed wave sails fit the freeride condition perfectly :)

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

If you want to advance to sailing very strong winds and any sort of wave, get a proper wave board with at least three fins. It does not have to be super small: your mass in kg + 15 = volume in litres. It is very easy to get stuck in a rut without something changing something and challenging yourself. Long harness lines, close together, front and rear straps far apart; boom not too high. It is very hard to have confidence in waves without something that will turn on a dime when you need it to!

[@eastcoastsailingcenter7768]

Waaa!!!!ahhwaaaarrrraghhhhh………. I feeel your pain brudder….

[@Mamba_Negra_Wind]

After this time. How fast can you go with the Dyno ?

[@DaZelli]

Servus aus Bayern, fange gerade an mit Windsurfen und mich würde es mal Interessieren wie viele Stunden du Ungefähr auf dem Wasser warst? Das Level auf dem du Surfst will ich auch einmal erreichen. LG DaZelli

[@TillLernt]

Gar nicht so viele. Eigentlich habe ich aus jedem Tag auf dem Brett ein Video gemacht. Ich schätze so 100-200 Stunden. Man kommt auch viel schneller voran, wenn man sich mal 2 Wochen Surfurlaub nimmt. Ich wünsche dir viel Erfolg und vor allem viel Spaß!

[@DaZelli]

@@TillLernt Danke, für die Antwort.

[@stevethewindsurfer8911]

I also go with either 125 l Freeride or 90 l Freewave but lately I've also added a 125 l Foil-Board for low wind Conditions. Now I don't even need those extra big sails anymore.

[@MultiJakubb]

I came to the same conclusion. Jp freestyle wave 102ltr and fanatic gecko 120ltr are my two boards

[@bigsean99]

I'm actually buying my 6th Board at the end of the month xdd

[@johanlive83]

Thanks! -

[@lukeheatley4148]

Got a JP Magic Ride 109 and JP FreestyleWave 103 so I agree. Also have RRD Firemove 135 for family members who are still learning - it’s sooooo wide. And recently picked up an 87l Starboard Ignite. Only took it out once so far and had a great time, despite weighing 85kg.

[@TillLernt]

I enjoy trying different boards, too. 🤙 So far, I enjoyed freeride and freestyle wave boards the most!

[@davethewave9380]

Great video again! Love your funny bones😄 However, in my opinion you should have chosen another board as a free ride example as the Fox is designed exactly to work quite well with chop due to it‘s really deep concaves. Would agree with all the other statements for intermediate free riders though;)

[@TillLernt]

Yeah, I didn't have any other at that moment 😂

[@ferrokkkk7032]

Phonetic 😊

[@Durer13]

Flikka 85 freewave & Flikka 72 wave

[@lego720]

Turns out even beginner windsurfers also give pointers. Windsurf for a few more years buddy.

[@douwemonsma5874]

bend your knees and ditch the gloves!