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photo: courtesy Starboard
Not long ago, Mom and Dad would windsurf while the kids stayed on the beach. Today, that’s changed. Sailors as young as 4 years old can hit the water thanks to lightweight, scaled-to-fi t kids gear. Chances are, if your kids can swim, they can windsurf — provided they want to. Here are tips to spark their interest.
1. LET THEM PLAY ON A BOARD.
With the sail detached from the board, take the board to the water and have your kids stand on it. Challenge them to walk to the board’s nose, then tail, to develop balance and inspire curiosity.
2. HAVE THEM SAIL WITH YOU.
On a light-wind day, if you feel competent in your sailing skills, ask your child to join you by sitting on the tail of the board for a free ride. Then ask if they’d like to “help” you.
3. FIND OTHER KID WINDSURFERS.
Nothing prompts a kid’s interest in windsurfing faster than seeing other kids do it. If some kid rippers exist in your area, bring your kids to the beach to see them sail.
4. ENROLL THEM IN A KIDS WINDSURFING LESSON.
Shops with lesson programs often offer kids windsurfing classes or camps. Groups of kids matched with a certified instructor make for a perfect learning environment.
5. FIND THE RIGHT KIDS GEAR.
Trying windsurfing is one thing; getting hooked is another — especially for kids, whose smaller stature makes the right-size rig vital for success. See “Kids Rig Sizing Guide” below.
photo: courtesy JP
Kids Rig Sizing Guide
Most windsurfing companies offer kids rigs as a package, which includes a sail, boom, mast and mast base, all tailored for kids. The rigs also attach to any adult or kids board. While kids boards are ideal, adult-size boards can accommodate children for first-time windsurfing experiences.
| Child Weight (pounds) | Sail Size (square meters) |
| 30-45 | 0.8 |
| 46-60 | 0.8-1.5 |
| 61-70 | 1.5-2.0 |
| 71-80 | 2.0-2.5 |
| 81-90 | 2.5-3.0 |
| 91-100 | 3.0-3.5 |
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