Hi, I just made a little video to help those who would like learn how to winsurf. Perhaps it could help! : )
CHeers!
Great lil tutorial gtj101. Good idea showing how to apply brakes. Thats what freaks most people first time. 'HOW DO I STOP?' Havnt ridden mine for a few months now. My gybes on the skatey are about 300% better than my water version. Switchfoot n all...
Its great fun. More people should give it a try.
Hi David John. It's true that it look like a video to learn windskate more then windsurf, but I think if you practice what I showed in the clip, you could just sail better in the water, so that is why I did it. It's really work.
This is perhaps the best way to learn how to windsurf!? Using a windskate is a lot more easier. You could learn the sailing before you need to surf it. This video do more then showing how to start windsurfing, it show also the way to drive a windsurf board. Using the brake on the sail is perhaps the best technique you develop while practicing tricks with a windskate. Would you drive a car without brake, or a motocros? Windsurfing is the same!
Thanks for your comments, have fun!
Cheers!
I am a windsurfer from Monrtreal ( Quebec- Canada ) region since 1986. I do travel for sure but where ever you go, there is some facts about widnsurfing that might never change. I read that on some windsurf magazines of the past. One article was called : Windsurfing ain't pretty. The second one was called : Be an adult and jibe.
The first article was saying that windsurf will not be the best sport to have it easy and the other one was letting know that to have fun, you better know how to jibe if you don't want to be a professional swimmer! :)
But, if you could learn fast you have more chance to have fun in this hard sport that could make you having so much hard time!
That is why I think it's really good to practice like I showed!
I do progress as a windsurfer since the beginning. Windskate have a lot to say about that!
Today, I made something new. I tested this new version!! I had so mutch fun!
A suite might fallow one day!
Hi David John. It's true that it look like a video to learn windskate more then windsurf, but I think if you practice what I showed in the clip, you could just sail better in the water, so that is why I did it. It's really work.
This is perhaps the best way to learn how to windsurf!? Using a windskate is a lot more easier. You could learn the sailing before you need to surf it. This video do more then showing how to start windsurfing, it show also the way to drive a windsurf board. Using the brake on the sail is perhaps the best technique you develop while practicing tricks with a windskate. Would you drive a car without brake, or a motocros? Windsurfing is the same!
Thanks for your comments, have fun!
Cheers!
Hey gtj101
I've wanted to do this for a fair while now. What is the preferred type of board to use for a windskate i.e. length, shape etc and what modifications are required. I'm out of a job for a while so i have plenty of time to play.
Hi Vince, if you take a look on this page : pages.infinit.net/gtj101/awt.htm
You could see 2 types of board, one long windskate board and a small one. They are arround 36'' to 30''. As you could see, I have many holes on my boards to have many options. It's like windsurfing or surfing, every little details offer something else.
To Start, a longer one is good. As you could see, I suggest some good trucks, the inde 215 mm and the biggest wheels ( you could go for 70-72mm hardness a80 ) for more stability, easier and softer planning ( ;) Rolling ).
I would like to help you with my boards but the shipping is a problem. If you have time to make yourself one, I suggest also to try to have a slot for your mast base like on a windsurf board. You will need some blocs to raise the trucks to allow the bolt to be under the trucks ( best general position ) . In the same time, you will be able to loose the king pin and have more control on the direction.
Something like that would be nice for you.
or with even bigger wheels for more stability
Cheers!
Can you get wheels that work on grass? I have a lot of foot ball fields near my place but not many car parks?
Hi Vince! This is looking like a good board! But, the distance between the trucks will give you some longer turns than a smaller wheelbase. A smaller wheelbase could be safier because of that!
So, you could try it and if you think it does not turn enough, perhaps you could make new hole in the board so you could reduce de distance in between the trucks. Or, you take those trucks and you shape yourself a smaller board! A flat deck is also more easy to use.
Have fun Vince! First thing to learn, braking with the sail! :)
Can you get wheels that work on grass? I have a lot of foot ball fields near my place but not many car parks?
Downhill mountain board. Has stronger axles, bit bigger bearings. Pnuematic tyres. But there is a lot more drag n it is slower. Sealed surfaces are great n fast. 70mm+ skatey wheels. If you hunt around the correct bearings can be found to run both types of wheels. Enabling a quick wheel change to suit the surface youre riding.
Hi Musorianin. There is some board like the Terra board that use some big wheels to go on the grass. Perhaps you could have fun with that! But, in the grass you need to use a bigger sail or a bit more wind.
On concreat, you need less wind. You could practice with 10 knots! 15 is super great, 20 knots it's a lot!
What ever kind of windskate you use, you learn things that will help you a lot to improve in the water!
Have fun!
Picked this one up not long ago, and agree the big wheeled boards need a lot more wind to get moving.
I reckon easier to get going than on a board - balance pretty much taken out of the equation.
My mate who has never windsurfed before cruised up and down this 5km stretch of beach in no time!
Can you get wheels that work on grass? I have a lot of foot ball fields near my place but not many car parks?
Just weld or u-bolt a fat axle onto normal trucks so as to use pneumatic tyres. Make a longer deck with ply and bolt a couple of bits of 20x20mm steel underneath to stiffen the deck.
That works just as good as the $500 mountain board things
Big wheels are good as sometimes you have 0kn or 15kn ..... carpark is scary in anything over about 6kn.....
Riding on concreat could seem more dangerous than sand but it's ok if you start by learning how to brake with the sail like I showed in my video, than you could control your speed. This way, it's not scary! ( Learn to brake out of the jibe before you swicht your feet ).
Plus, on sand you could spin out, not on concreat with some wheels 78a-80a hard.
Plus, on concreat you could use a minimum of wind!
:) All board are good, differently! Learning how to ride safely with a windskate will help you for sure to ride better, more effectively on the water!
Have fun!
I don't remember if I puted this video here on Seabreeze but I think it worth to put it here to show what the braking with the sail could help you to do. On the video, I was able to ride on a concreat slope with control because of the brake possibilities. This is in the same time one of my best moment windskating. It was 100% fun, 100% more fun than what I tought before.
Great video!
Riding in the sand was cool fun especially trying a powerslide/ flicking the rear end out, but yes can see more sail control lessons on concrete.
You've inspired me - next project a light wind skateboard conversion!
Can you get wheels that work on grass? I have a lot of foot ball fields near my place but not many car parks?
Just weld or u-bolt a fat axle onto normal trucks so as to use pneumatic tyres. Make a longer deck with ply and bolt a couple of bits of 20x20mm steel underneath to stiffen the deck.
That works just as good as the $500 mountain board things
Big wheels are good as sometimes you have 0kn or 15kn ..... carpark is scary in anything over about 6kn.....
Good ideas, cheers. Just thinking of something to do for a bit of novelty so not interested in massive spend.
I have an old turf dog in the shed that I don't use anymore. If anyone is interested make me an offer (local pick up only)https://boards.co.uk/features/turfdog-improve-moves-land/
Musorianin, i picked up a quality 2nd hand Mountain Board for $80. Ready to rip!! Try a longboard skatey deck. I made a plate for my 2bolt mastbase. Bolts slide either side of narrow tail. No damage to deck. Sail it tail first.
Someone try this,is it hard to go in straight line?
back wheels are fix(act like fin,represent CLR,transfer sail side force into forward movement),fronts wheels are rotate 360 degrees(like nose free to move)..
but if you wont go in straight line ,sail COE must be EXACTLY above back wheels,how hard is achive this?