Old windsurfer looking to get back into it

Question
When in my 20's I used to windsurf a lot on a mistral tarifa and screamer and absolutely loved it. Could water start and just about carve gybe.

Haven't windsurfed much since (now 39!) although kept fit doing triathlons/cycling/running etc. Had a day on a board a couple of years ago and picked it up pretty quickly again and having moved to near the coast want to get back into it.

I weigh approx 205 pounds (14 1/2 stone) and am looking for a board I can use in an estuary which is tidal and has quite fluctuating winds. Need to be able to uphaul to get home in light winds and needs to be able to go upwind pretty well to work against tides but looking for a great fun performance board I can take out in strong winds and have some fun with!

What can you recommend?

Many thanks

Jon

Answer
Hey Jon,

The Tarifa and Screamers are both great boards, in fact my Screamer is still one of my favorite boards to ride. But the newer boards are much wider and shorter but still provide the stability, speed, and agility that sailors look for in a board.

I would suggest that you look at freeride boards in the 125-130 ltr range. A freeride board would be the most versatile for you as they work well in flat, chop, swells, and even the occasional wave. A board with this volume will be a little challenge to uphaul at first but once you get your board balance back you should do fine. Most boards of this volume will carry a sail range of around 4.0-8.0 which will give a large range of winds to sail in. As for ease of going upwind, you can always add a little large fin or hone your upwind skills. There are so many excellent boards out there that recommending any particular board is difficult. To see some great tests and reviews go to windsurfingmag.com and click on board tests. They use a really user friendly format that will help you decide which board would work well for your size and your sailing conditions. Also check out the instructional area for a large variety of help in all aspects of sailing for beginner through advanced. These may help with your upwind skills.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover