SurferKris forum posts in last 60 days

ptsf1111 said..
Interesting re Blast. Last time I sailed it quite a couple of years ago, it felt very wide. As a lighter sailor, I prefer narrower shapes but combining it with a big sail might help.

I'm about 65kg and I didn't like the Blast when I rented one i Lake Garda, the Gecko is a much nicer board in chop, in my opinion. It sails with the nose high, it is easy to jump and it gibes well in chop.

Regarding board size I think that one should look at the sails that they will be used with, and the intended usage/conditions. I sail everything from Formula (150l) down to small wave boards (62l) and speed boards (54l), and they all have their usage depending on the conditions. To me it seems like the optimum sail range of a board is fairly independent on your body weight, and more related to the board shape (width, volume and rocker). But as a lightweight I will always be on both a smaller board and sail, compared to those that are heavier under the same sailing conditions.

One thing that you can try with your current set-up is to add some lead inside a floatation west. I find that even 3-5kg (low on your body) makes a big difference in chop, it makes the board settle down and one can just continue to push, rather than feeling like a passenger, in the gusts...

I have C-skins wired, 6:5 with integrated hood, and it is the warmest wetsuit (or rather a semi-dry) that I have ever had. It is my first suit with integrated hoody, and I really like it. There is much less water pooring down the neck when sailing in waves. Have been using it down to -3 C (air-temp) and it works great.

It doesn't pull more on the jaws than the hooded shorty I used to use under a regular wetsuit. The hood is also thicker and warmer than separate hood or hooded shorty is. Guess you can sail with the hood off, you want to, but I usually change down to a 5/4 without hood when the wether permits.