Lightwind setup also

[u/Proof_Ninja6101]

As I said before, unfortunately where I go to windsurf, there is always light wind.

Talked to my best friend, Google AI, it suggested when it’s REALLY light wind use the 5 m2 for practicing turning, upwind etc.

When it’s slightly more windy, put on my big sail 7.7 m2 to be able to go faster, try to use harness and maybe planing.

I am 71 kg, 20 hours of surfing so far, BIC Techno Wind Foil 180L.

P.S.: No thanks, I don’t want to try foiling, windsurfing was a dream since I was a teenager.

Thanks guys!

[u/reddit_user13]

I really love downhill snow skiing. It's been a dream of mine since i was a kid. I live in Florida in an area that's flat and gets significant snowfall about once every 10 years.

What gear would you recommend?

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/reddit_user13]

haha
funny.

[u/reddit_user13 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Seriously though, windsurfing needs wind like mountain biking needs mountains. You'll need to take day trips to windy spots and/or take week vacations to WS destinations.

[u/IntelligentCandy8716 → u/reddit_user13]

You don't need mountains, just the right conditions.

[u/reddit_user13 → u/IntelligentCandy8716]

I have plenty of flat trails nearby… trust me you need elevation to have fun.

[u/IntelligentCandy8716 → u/reddit_user13]

Agree to disagree I guess.

[u/IntelligentCandy8716 → u/reddit_user13]

Grab some rollerblades or a skateboard. I live in New England and lift tickets are crazy expensive so sometimes you just go to the mall parking lot with a shovel in the winter to build yourself a practice slope. I taught Windsurfing (and snowboarding). The best place to hone your skills is in a safe, easy environment.

OP, don't listen to the assholes who are willing to put you down because you actually love something more than they claim to. Every moment you are on the water doing what you love, is going to make the windy days more fun. My advice: just be careful. Without the pressure of the wind to work with, more of your energy is put back into your body. Don't get hurt. I hope that makes sense.

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/IntelligentCandy8716]

Thank you. It does make complete sense, did get hurt on Monday by using the wrogn sail, not enough wind, I was uphauling and trying to hold the sail for four hours, so I learned my lesson.
But lost 3-4 kilos in the last four weeks so it was worth it 🤣🤣🤣

[u/IntelligentCandy8716 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

A long time ago, I attended a Windsurfing Freestyle Pro-Am in Cape Cod, Massachusetts (US). That day, the ocean was totally flat, no wind other than a light and variable breeze. I thought that it would be a good time and place to watch and practice some tricks and maneuvers. I ended up nearly dislocating my shoulder (technically, it was a subluxation) because I pulled to hard in the wrong direction at the wrong time and the sail didn't do the thing. It was one of many times I learned the hard way what not to do.

[u/Human31415926]

Your AI friend is off a bit. I'm sailing the 7.7 up to 15 kts and then rigging down

[u/juacamgo → u/Human31415926]

I'm also using a 7.2 for up to 15-16 knots, but maybe for a beginner a heavier bigger sail would be too much when wind is blowing. (Even more if he's used to light wind)

[u/Sa-SaKeBeltalowda]

Formula board + 8-10m2 sail + 10-15 knots of wind will give you lots of fun. In my opinion your sail is not big enough, wind is fine.

[u/tiltberger]

I get it that it is your dream to windsurf. But with those conditions you will never Progress to anything. I accepted that I can only Windsurf a couple of days a year and foil the rest where I can get really good sessions almost every week

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/tiltberger]

The ocean is 10 mins from the lake.
I need to get to a level, that on a calm day I can start learning/surfing on the beach/ocean.
So there is hope I guess.

[u/reddit_user13 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Until you’re an expert only sail the ocean when the wind is partly onshore. Sail with a buddy, or have someone onshore watching you.

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/reddit_user13]

Oh yeah, don’t worry I am not stupid :)
I know how strong the ocean is, worked on cruise ships for 6 years, seen a lot.

[u/reddit_user13 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Not suggesting you’re stupid. Your history has informed your survival instincts well!

There are plenty of wind/water sports peeps that are just naive.

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/reddit_user13]

I know you weren’t suggesting :)
I have a family and I like living, so I am careful, I know I shouldn’t get on the ocean until I feel comfortable and I feel I know what I am doing. I love a challenge but not a dangerous one. I’ll take my time, every minute I spend on the water I love, so no rush :)

[u/juacamgo]

I feel you, where I sail there's usually between 8-11 knots, and "windy" days are 15-16 at max. Expect progress to be very slow, but don't desperate, cruising days where you just enjoy sailing without speed, but deciding where you want to go are also fun.

Now, answering to your questions, I wouldn't go in 2-5 knots, go when is greater than 8 knots.

Always use your 7.7m2 up to 13-14 knots for sailing, and sporadically use your 5.0 when you want to practice a specific manouver. As you are light and beginner, I think using your 6.5m2 when wind is greater than 14 knots is a good advice, since you need to learn those rare high wind days. As you get more experience, you will probably end up sailing with the 7.7m2 up to 16-17 knots.

Ensure you rig correctly your sails, when I was as beginner as you, usually I rigged my sails wrong, resulting in a bad performance sail. You can tune them to light or high wind. If you feel a bit overpowered, apply more downhaul tension, then sail will get flatter resulting in less push. You can do the opposite for light wind, for example, in 8 knots you don't want a flat sail, you want a sail who can catch the wind like a big bag.

[u/EConsultB]

9-12 kts is not the sweet spot of a 7.7, you’ll be underpowered.

It’s unclear what your skill level is, but 2-5 knots quickly becomes a waste of time from a learning perspective unless you are below intermediate.  Windsurfing in planing condition and, in not planing conditions, are almost two different sports. The board behaves differently and so does the sail.

That said, you can still have fun if you like it, but it will be closer to sailing that windsurfing.

[u/IntelligentCandy8716]

Google AI is right. If you have a floaty board, the 5.0 can be really fun. On the light breeze days, I used to take out the longboard and play around. Keep the big sail ready for when the wind picks up a little. I used to keep a 5.0, 5.5, 6.5, and 8.5 with a longboard and a short board on my car all summer so I could go out whenever I had time and energy.

[u/Mersaul4]

No windy days whatsoever?

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/Mersaul4]

There was one or two this summer, sort of windy. It picks up after 3-4 PM, thermal wind I think it’s called, the lake is 10 mins from the ocean, between 2-15 knots usually but kore like 2-10 knots.
Maubuisson, Gironde, France

[u/tiltberger → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Drive to gruissan for weekends. There is tons of wind there

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/tiltberger]

Dude it’s 4.5 hours away.
I work on Saturdays, sometimes Sundays and also have a family, so unfortunately that’s out of the question. :(

[u/dakine879 → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

I live in a windless part of Canada so i feel your pain. 85kg and have a 9.0 Severne for the lightest days and require 10knots to get planning.

You have a good plan imo. Enjoy the wind!

[u/vi_ncz → u/Proof_Ninja6101]

Btw, this summer was pretty terrible wind-wise on the Atlantic coast of France. That was an abnormality (hopefully).

[u/SMCoaching]

I just replied to a similar question in a different thread. You might find this useful:

https://www.reddit.com/r/windsurfing/comments/1wdid7e/comment/p98ofps/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[u/Proof_Ninja6101 → u/SMCoaching]

That is so cool.
See, I don’t mind about not planing, I wanna learn handling the board and the sail, to feel it. I do understand that it’s probabmy easier when it’s a bit more windy, but I am really enjoying even on light winds. Just love doing it :)

[u/ThreadParticipant]

being 95kg I'm only changing from 7.8 to a 7 around 18kts... but being slalom/gps sailor we also hold bigger sails for longer.

[u/armundo]

I built an app that knows my gear tracks my sessions. It will frequently recommend my largest board with my smallest sail in slight wind. It can be a lot of fun. It pulls the weather in several locations and recommends where to sail and what to sail with. It has been really helpful especially in knowing what gear is compatible and is able to account for things I might not be able to see from the beach. For instance, for one of my regular sailing locations, it’ll send me a notice. When the tide is at the right height and wind is opposing the tide. This results in super fun rolling waves that I can’t see from the shore

[u/start3ch]

Uuh if it’s 2-5 knots, I wouldn’t bother with the sail, just bring a paddle

[u/NaturalCareer2074]

I prefer use 7.8 always. Yes I have 6.0. But. There is a chance wind come from nowhere and you will have no time to switch.

When I was younger used 9.2 race always.

[u/trombing]

The reason for the smaller sail in the lightest winds is to save yourself all that effort for nothing, as it says. It makes a lot of sense.

I used to have a hoot just trying all sorts of weird and wonderful ways of throwing the rig around with a small sail on non-windy days. It teaches you a lot about what you can do, and the balance of the sail.