“Windsurfing takes a lifetime to learn, so don’t be in a rush”
Board Repairs
What do I need to do before I bring my board in?
Clean and dry the board.
Let the board dry out for a minimum of 24 hours. If you have a traditional (metal) air screw, remove this to help the board dry out internally (situated above the mast track – DON’T lose it!). DO NOT REMOVE if you have the more recent Gore-Tex air system. If you are unsure, please check with the manufacturer.
Remove all fins (leaving footstraps on is fine)
What do I need to do first if I damage my board?
Wipe away the tears. Don’t take it back out on the water. Let the board dry out for a minimum of 24 hours. If you have a traditional (metal) air screw, remove this to help the board dry out internally (situated above the mast track – DON’T lose it!). DO NOT REMOVE if you have the more recent Gore-Tex air system. If you are unsure, please check with the manufacturer. Contact Us and we’ll get you back on the water!
Can I use ding stick?
For small holes ding stick gets you back out on the water, but use too much and it won’t fully cure and still let water in. When you get home you’ll need to let the board dry out for a minimum of 24 hours. If you have a traditional (metal) air screw, remove this to help the board dry out internally (situated above the mast track – DON’T lose it!). DO NOT REMOVE if you have the more recent Gore-Tex air system. If you are unsure, please check with the manufacturer. Contact Us and we’ll get you back on the water! REMEMBER – one ding stick repair is one repair too many!
My board has blistering, what’s happened?
This is water ingress caused by not properly drying your board off before putting it back in the bag. Make sure you dry your board with a towel before packing it away. Water finds a way through the outer layers (especially on old boards) and penetrates the core causing the outer layers to blister. This is a clear sign that your board is holding water. Contact Us and we’ll get you back on the water!
I catapulted, my board doesn’t look like it’s damaged, but how can I tell if it’s caused any internal damage?
Use your thumbs and with a suitable amount of pressure depress the area you think you may have damaged. If the board feels hard then it’s likely that the board is OK (although you could still have a hairline fracture), if the board is soft then the area is damaged and will need to be repaired before sailing it again. If in doubt give us a shout!
Coaching
Should I windsurf by myself?
No! ALWAYS go out with a buddy! Even if conditions are light and well within your capabilities you can STILL get in trouble. Use the three Cs – CHECK the location/conditions, CHECK your kit, Check yourself! If in doubt, don’t go out!
I’ve turned up to a new location and it’s banging but no-one is windsurfing, what should I do?
Don’t go out. There’s usually a good reason why no-one is sailing there. Have a look at Big Salty or try to find social media groups for the area, there may be a sailable spot just up the road. If in doubt, don’t go out!
What kit do I need to check before I go out?
If you’re thinking ‘is my UJ knackered’ you already know the answer! Check that your rig is right for the conditions. Check your ropes, UJ, boom, extension, mastfoot, footstraps, harness…basically everything. The moment you get complacent with this is the moment you get caught out. If in doubt, don’t go out!
How do I know if the conditions are too much for my capabilities?
Again, if you’re asking this question you most likely already know the answer. We all have different adventure thresholds and need to find out where these are, but it doesn’t have to be in a survival situation. If in doubt, don’t go out!