It’s with only the best windsurfing boards that one can harness the wind and ride the waves for maximum fun. Most people will continue to have issues with their boards if it is not good for them. If there is any other reason, then it’s time to look for a replacement.
Going to the market, one might be confused on what to go for. It is normal if you are a beginner so don’t panic. If you are a veteran looking for the best windsurfing boards available, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I have compiled the list of the best windsurfing boards available. I have also made detailed reviews of each product and included a buying guide. At the end of my article, you should be able to narrow down your options and pick the best for you.
Table of Contents
My Top Picks
With the wind’s power, windsurfing combines the fun you enjoy on surfboards and bodyboards, hence, it’s more fun with less stress. After researching the market, I came up with the top five best windsurfing boards to consider.
- Best Overall: Z-Ray Inflatable SUP
“Inflatable, scratch-resistant, dent-resistant, comes with instructions and repair kit.” - Best Budget: BIC Sport Ace-Tec Techno
“Great volume, high stability, come with foot straps for safety.” - Best for Beginners: 2020 Kona One
“Easy to control and maneuver, has a durable ASA/EVA construction.” - Best for Intermediate: BIC Sport Techno 293 DTT One Design
“Lightweight, rugged construction, high speed, can be used by intermediates and professionals.” - Best for Light Wind: Aqua Marina Bt-S300 Inflatable SUP
“Portable, inflatable, comes with a soft deck for traction and comfort.”
Comparison Table
For each of the five best windsurfing boards selected, I have summarized their features into the table below. For decision-making, I suggest you take a glance so you can have an idea of what to expect in each product.
The 5 Best Windsurfing Boards Reviews
Now, this section talks more about each product. Of course, a glance won’t be enough so I have made detailed reviews of each product available below. The features of each product, as well as, their pros and cons are also included.
See more related reviews:
1. Z-Ray Inflatable SUP
(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)
Due to its portability, the Z-Ray windsurfing board is an ideal choice for touring and vacations. It is an inflatable board, hence, you will need to use the included pump to inflate it.
When fully inflated, the board will reach a length of 10 feet, a width of 30 inches and a thickness of 6 inches. With this, it offers more stability and greater performance, and will accommodate about 264 pounds.
With the small size and fairly lightweight, it is easy to control and will perform excellently on small waves. Therefore, it is a very nice one for beginners.
The board is made from PVC and it is dent-proof and scratch-resistant. The Z-Ray board comes with instructions, repair kit, pump, paddle, sail, and a backpack that makes it easy to transport.
=> Check out the 18 Best Stand Up Paddle Boards in 2023 here!
Key Features:
- Patented drop-stitched construction and 500 denier PVC.
- 10 stainless steel D-ring.
- Double fins.
- Secure valve.
- Soft fabric handle.
- Elastic bungee.
- EVA carpet.
- Includes board, sail and frame set, high capacity hand inflation pump, an adjustable SUP paddle and a backpack.
- A rubber mat.
Pros
- Extremely portable and stable.
- Lightweight and save space.
- Rigid and durable.
- It supports riders as heavy as 264 pounds.
- It comes with a sail, pump, paddle, board, and even a backpack.
- Resistant to scratches and dent.
- It comes with instructions and a repair kit.
Cons
- One always needs to pump before use.
- Susceptible to puncture.
Product Specifications
| Manufacturer | Big Rainforest, Inc. |
| Dimensions | Board: 120″ x 30″ x 6″ Sail:118″ at the mast and 51″ along the base of the sail |
| Volume | 246 L |
| Weight capacity | 264 lbs |
| Board Material | PVC |
| Fins | 2 fins |
| Color | Orange/white/black |
2. BIC Sport Ace-Tec Techno
(Best Budget)
The Ace-Tec Techno board is another Bic Sport product on this list. Riders can pick based on their experience as it is available in different volumes – 225D, 185D, and 160D.
The product has an epoxy composite build, hence, it is lightweight and very rigid. The 160D variant is best for lightweight riders in moderate wind, however, it will perform well with big riders and high wind.
The 185D and 225D are best for bigger riders or beginners. Overall, they offer great volume and it comes with a collapsible daggerboard to ensure more directional stability.
Safety is high as it comes with a firm deck and padded foot straps. Although it has a decent aesthetics, it is sold in only one color design.
Key Features:
- ACE-TEC epoxy composite construction.
- Foot straps and fin.
- A retractable daggerboard.
Pros
- Available in three sizes.
- Lightweight and rigid construction.
- It comes with fins and foot straps.
- Bright color that easy to spot from afar.
- Great volume and high stability.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with instructions.
Product Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bic Sport |
| Sizes |
|
| Board Material | ACE-TEC epoxy composite construction |
| Fin Box | Deep turtle |
| Color | Blue |
| Footpads | 3/4 deck pad with 3 pieces, 4.5 mm thickness, embossed surface |
3. 2020 Kona One
(Best for Beginners)
The 2020 Kona One windsurfing board is a unique, top-notch board with an excellent ASA/EVA construction and high versatility. It is very easy to handle by expert-level riders and even as a beginner, you can get along.
Featuring a lengthy rocker rope and impressive tail construction, it poses like a super windsurfing board for many riding conditions. Interestingly, the Kona One offers an excellent sub-planning, smooth-riding, high speed and performance and fantastic carving capacity.
When the wind is high, you need great control over your board and this board doesn’t let down. The 138-inch-long board also comes with 16-inch fiberglass paddles, fin box, and a 15-inch fin.
=> Check out my reviews on the 15 Best Surfboards for Beginners in 2023 here!
Key Features:
- Long rocker line and step tail.
- EVA Deck.
- ASA bottom skin.
- Fiberglass foam filled daggerboard.
- Powerbox fin system.
- Lightweight footstraps.
Pros
- It is easy to control and maneuver.
- It comes with fiberglass paddles, and fins.
- Great stability and speed.
- Versatile.
- It has an ASA/EVA construction.
Cons
- No warranty.
Product Specifications
| Brand | Kona |
| Dimensions | 138″ x 27,56″ |
| Volume | 220L |
| Weight capacity | 242,5 lbs |
| Board Material | EVA |
| Fins | Powerbox fin system |
| Color | Yellow/Blue/White |
4. BIC Sport Techno 293 DTT One Design
(Best for Intermediate)
The BIC Sport Techno 293 DTT board is a decent board for professional racing and leisure riding. Owing to its lightweight and rigid construction, it is fast and quite easy to maneuver.
It has a length of 115 inches and a width of 31 inches and possesses a capacity of 240 pounds. When it comes to comfort and safety, the board features thick feet pads and reliable foot straps.
Together with its daggerboard and fin, the board offers a large volume alongside a sufficient outline to provide high stability. The Techno 293 DTT board has a smooth movement, providing a nice experience during sub-planning conditions.
It has nice aesthetics and it is only available in white color. However, you will have to buy the sail and rig separately.
=> Check out my reviews on the 15 Best Surfboards for Intermediate Surfers in 2023 here!
Key Features:
- Techno 293 OD DTT.
- Footstraps.
- Bic Sport Epoxy CTS Construction.
- 46 FF Deep Tuttle fin.
Pros
- It comes with foot straps.
- Lightweight, high speed and rugged construction.
- It comes with pads for comfort.
- It offers great control.
- Ideal for intermediates and professionals.
Cons
- It doesn’t include rig and sail but can be bought separately.
Product Specifications
| Brand | BIC sport |
| Dimensions | 115″ x 31″ |
| Volume | 205L |
| Weight capacity | 240 lbs |
| Board | Techno 293 OD DTT |
| Fins | 46 FF Deep Tuttle fin |
| Daggerboard | 60 cm |
| Pads | 4mm thickness with 8mm under the heels |
| Color | White |
| Weight | 27,5 lbs |
5. Aqua Marina Bt-S300 Inflatable SUP
(Best for Light Wind)
The Aqua Marina BT-S300 is a versatile board for windsurfing. It comes with everything you need including fins, mast, sail, pump, boom and a backpack to help facilitate easy transport.
The build material, PVC, is reliable and it is even double-walled for extra durability. The deck is fitted with EVA foam to ensure comfort and grip.
The board also features foot straps to keep you on the board safely. For optimum performance, you need to inflate it to a length of 117 inches and a width of 30 inches.
At this dimension, it will conveniently accommodate riders of up to about 260-pound weight. Due to its impressive design and reliable construction, the Aqua Marina BT-S300 is a good board for all experience levels.
Key Features:
- Soft EVA deck.
- Double-wall drop stitch PVC fabric.
- Footstraps.
- 3-piece RDM mast.
- Clipper fast box System with Retractable DuPont minlon 11 inch Dagger fin.
- Package: Double action pump, backpack, leash, dagger, fin slide-in, rig.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- It has a soft deck for high traction and comfort.
- Durable construction and design.
- It comes with foot straps.
- Inflatable and portable
- It comes with sail, pump, bungee cord, mast, and backpack.
Cons
- Middle fin might be difficult to remove.
- Heavy.
Product Specifications
| Manufacturer | Oriental Recreational Products-IMPORT FOB (Shanghai) |
| Dimensions | 117″ x 30″ x 6″ |
| Weight capacity | 260 lbs |
| Board | EVA |
| Fins | 2 fins |
| Color | White/Red/Blue |
| Weight | 36.8 lbs |
How to Choose the Right Windsurfing Board?
Even if you have a perfect skill-set, you need the right windsurfing board. With the right board, you can enjoy surfing or learn at any condition smoothly relative to your experience level.
After enough research, I’d like to provide you with some criteria to consider before shopping for a board. Of course, before purchasing, you need to determine your budget.
1. Type of Board
Windsurfing boards are classified based on their functions. The four major types are formula, freeride, freestyle and wave boards.
The formula boards have large, flatter sails which makes them effective in light winds. On the downside, they are best for professionals because of the difficulty in controlling heavy winds.
The freeride boards, most popular, are the slender and lighter ones mostly used by professionals and intermediates. They offer a balance between smooth movement, speed, and control.
Freestyle boards are wide boards, covering a large surface area and ideal for beginners. The wave boards are very light and only for advanced windsurfers.
2. Size of the Board
A big board can be annoying to carry down to the beach. However, windsurfing boards are selected relative to the experience level of the intended user.
The performance of a rider is often associated with the skill level of the rider. Generally, the experience level of windsurfers is classified into three – beginner, intermediate and advanced.
For a beginner, large boards are the best ones to start with. Due to their large surface area, they provide more stability, allowing you to improve your skills without falling.
The smaller or professional boards are often faster since they have lesser weight. However, they are difficult to balance and you will require high technique and good balance to enjoy it.
Read more: What Size of Surfboard Do I Need?
3. Weight of the Board
Though relative to the build material and size, windsurfing boards have different weights and can affect your performance.
Heavy boards have more volume and can counter the effect of heavy winds. On the other hand, light boards are less burdensome, easy to control and better suited for light winds.
In terms of performance, light boards are known for better performance, easy to carry and store. Generally, boards built from quality materials are lightweight and able to displace more water.
4. Weight of the User
The weight of the user plays an important role in buoyancy on water and stability in the wind. Due to the differences in size and construction, windsurfing boards have different weight limits.
Before you conclude on what to buy, you should take a look at the weight limit (mostly in pounds). Your weight should be at well below the weight limit.
You should also take into consideration the weight of other accessories such as the mast, sail, etc. Your weight plus the weight of the board and accessories can serve as a buffer against strong winds.
5. Construction
There are two construction types – the rigid and inflatable types. Above all, you should consider boards built with high-quality materials such as PVC, Epoxy or Poly compound.
The Rigid boards can be bulky, difficult to store and less travel-friendly. However, they offer better stability and they generally last longer.
Meanwhile, the inflatable boards are foldable, easy to store and very travel-friendly. But since you need to pump them, they can be time-wasting and are even susceptible to puncture.
6. Sails
The sail is the part that captures the wind and it can be made from three materials, Dacron, Monofilm and Mylar. The monofilm is best but the Dacron is lighter and even cheaper.
Most sails are with 3 – 12.5 square meters but the larger the sail, the lower the control and vice versa. However, larger sails can propel you to high speeds.
7. Design and Features
Different boards offer different levels of comfort, especially on their deck. Boards with decks made from EVA foam are quite comfy and should keep aches away.
You may lookout for products with daggerboards since they help improve the stability of your board. Even those with retractable daggerboards reduce turbulence, allow smoother rides and high speeds.
You may also check for the presence of the safety foot straps, sails, backpacks, boom, mast, rope, hand pumps (for inflatable ones) and more. Most products come with these features whilst you may have to purchase separately for some other products.
Another feature to look out for is for bindings. If you are wanting to do a lot of tricks on your board, especially if you want to do flips, then binding your feet to the board will provide a more stable experience and you will not come off the board when you are rotating through the air.
How to Set up a Windsurf Board?
Lay your accessories. You should see the sail, boom, mast, extension, rope, etc. Lay the sail on the ground. Put the mast parts together and insert the mast into the sleeve of the sail. Adjust the mast extension to suit the sail and insert it into the base of the mast.
Pull the rope around the pulley to tighten the sail till it touches the base. If a pulley is provided, tightening the sail will be easier. Insert or pack the remaining rope to prevent interference during windsurfing.
Adjust the boom to the size (width) of the sail. Slide the sail into the boom till it is in position and clamp into the mast (on the sail sleeve). Tighten the sail at the other end of the boom and secure tightly. Below is a link to a helpful video.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did you miss some important information or you have some questions? To help you understand windsurfing boards better in water, here are some frequently asked questions you might want to see.
What Are Windsurf Boards Made Of?
Windsurf boards can be made from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, PVC, Carbon Sandwich, and Fiberglass. The lightest is the carbon sandwich which is ideal for expert windsurfers.
How Much Wind Do I Need to Windsurf?
The amount of wind you need is dependent on your sail size, board, and your weight. For a beginner, anything below 15mph is great and should be comfortable. Expert windsurfers can windsurf at higher speeds even 35mph and above.
WindSurfingMag Overview
Asides your skills, the performance and satisfaction you derive from windsurfing is influenced by your choice of board. By now, you should be able to identify the necessary criteria and pick out the best windsurfing boards for you.
From the five best windsurfing boards I researched, the best overall board is the Z-Ray Inflatable SUP. Those looking for a budget-friendly option can go for the BIC Sport Ace-Tec Techno.
Have you purchased any of the windsurfing boards on my list? Do you have remarks, requests or comments to make?
Kindly drop them in the comments section below. You can also share this article with other parents and friends on Facebook or Twitter by clicking on the buttons below.
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Fantastic advice. Very nicely put together. Everything I wanted to know in one place.
Great to hear that from you!
I have been windsurfing for 43 years (67 soon). Tried them all. I 100% recommend the 2019+ Exocet Windsup 11’8″ pro, with a 42-50cm Powerbox fin added on. You can definitely learn on it as a beginner (taught many) and advanced sailors can absolutely blast it, in up to 30mph winds. If you know what you’re doing, you can keep up with almost any slalom sailor when on the plane. When cruising below plane power, it has a great glide feeling; it also gybes great: just press down on leeward rail to turn sharply, then ride straight down the swell like a long surfboard before flipping the rig (needs practice). I’m going to get another one soon. Everyone who has tried it here in Kailua HI really likes it. It’s less twitchy and less demanding than a short board; can almost always be uphauled (with effort) as alternative to waterstarting (which some folks find stressful) . It has a center-board but in some locations like Kailua you don’t really need it: remove it to get lighter. Every sailor is different, but I set the footstraps in the easiest (fwd) positions and have the mast base all the way back. Works great for me. Just get your heels back as far as possible, toes at the back of the strap, when fully powered on the plane. In case you’re interested, I use Ezzy Cheetah sails on Carbon rigs.
Thanks so much for the info, Alan.
Great Info, Alan ! I just picked up windsurfing again after about a 25 year hiatus. Sad, I wasted all that time. I’m now having the time of my life on a board that was New 25 years ago….I got a good deal on a Mistral Equipe II XR. Love that board…it rails fast and I’ve enjoyed it in everything but gale force winds. After hearing your review….I’m going to have to try the Exocet. Especially if I plan on teaching my young daughters how to windsurf.