A return to windsurfing...

Question
Hi expert, I am 41 years old, 200 pounds, 6 feet tall, I started windsurfing at 11 years old and won the Quebec provincial competition and 3rd place in Canada at 15. Afterwards, I started a business, so I did some windsurf maybe 10 times down south during our nice cold days of winter. I would like to start big time in big winds in summer 2009. I don't even know what to buy as a new kit. What would you suggest... I checked on windsurfing direct, but I am not sure... Thank!     Steph...

Answer
Hey Stephan,

Great to hear you are wanting to get back in to windsurfing. If you have been doing a bit of shopping, you probably have realized that the boards have changed quite a bit over the last 5-10 years. They are shorter and wider and have lower volumes for the same surface area of older boards. There are newer names for the newer designs also. Along with wave and race, there are now freewave, freeride, freerace, longboards are now in again and STP's (stand up paddle boards). The 'free' moniker is a term that tends to classify a board as a more recreational/versital board. If you are wanting to sail mainly high winds then look to a high wind board in either a freeride or freerace style. A freeride will not have quite the top end of a freerace board but will be more forgiving in the jibes and tricks.

Check out the equipment section at windsurfingmag.com for reviews and descriptions of boards made in the past three years. Their test and review format is easy to follow and will provide you with a lot of information. Also check out their links section for shops and manufacturers for more info and deals. If you are on a budget, check your local ebay and craigslist for used gear.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover