Jun 30, 2022

Windsurf SUP: How to combine stand up paddling and windsurfing

Windsurf SUP: So verbindest du Stand Up Paddling und Windsurfen

Water sports enthusiasts usually have one major problem: transporting their equipment to the nearest lake or the sea. Especially when multiple family members participate in different water sports, the car can sometimes be too small to transport all the equipment. Windsurfer gear takes up a particularly large amount of space—whether during transport by car or for storage in the garage or basement.

Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards have a significant advantage because they can be transported in any car and, packed away in a backpack, can even be taken on vacation. Storing them at home is also hassle-free. However, paddling with iSUPs in light winds of about 6 to 8 knots is somewhat strenuous, as it is much more fun to cover a good distance on glass-smooth water than to laboriously fight against the wind.

SUP boards are constantly being further developed, and the right equipment is being created for every discipline. As a result, in the last two years, windsurf SUP boards have taken the market by storm and established themselves as the perfect piece of sports equipment for the whole family.

What are windsurf SUP boards?

Windsurf SUP boards, also known as wind SUPs, are inflatable stand up paddle boards that can be used both for paddling and for windsurfing in light to moderate winds. SUP boards with a windsurfing option are perfect if, for example, your children want to try out windsurfing. The stand up paddle board can be used normally for paddling, and when the wind picks up, the board is expanded with a mast base and a windsurfing sail to be used as a windsurf SUP.

Who is a windsurf SUP suitable for?

Passionate windsurfers with many years of experience, for whom performance is the priority, will likely continue to rely on their existing windsurfing equipment.

Windsurf SUP boards are particularly suitable for recreational and hobby water sports enthusiasts who want to be flexible and have the right water sports equipment with them for every occasion. An inflatable windsurf SUP board can also be easily transported in a smaller car and can be brought along on all family trips to the lake or the sea.

Children and teenagers can gain their first experiences with water and wind using an inflatable windsurf SUP, and in the event of falls, even a very hard-pumped wind iSUP is still much softer than a classic windsurfing hardboard.

The area of use for an inflatable wind SUP is very large – it can be used like a normal SUP for paddling on calm days, and as soon as a small breeze picks up, you can mount your windsurfing sail and turn your inflatable SUP into a windsurf SUP. In strong winds, preference should once again be given to classic windsurfing equipment.

The advantages of inflatable windsurf SUP boards

Flexible use as a classic stand up paddle board and for windsurfing in light to moderate winds. The Glory Boards "Cross" windsurf SUP offers the option of attaching a kayak seat to the SUP board using 4 D-rings, allowing the iSUP to be used as a kayak. This makes this SUP the ultimate family board.
Compact packing size – ideal for family trips to the lake or for vacations. The inflatable windsurf SUP is also much easier to store. The wind SUP can be conveniently transported to the beach in a backpack. After you are finished with your activity, you let the air out, fold up the windsurf SUP, and pack it back into the backpack for the return journey.
Many hobby athletes are interested in windsurfing, but the large and heavy beginner boards deter novices from continuing to practice this water sport. With a windsurf SUP, this obstacle is removed, and getting started with windsurfing becomes much easier.
Another barrier to entering windsurfing is the cost of the initial equipment. Windsurf SUPs are relatively inexpensive and can be used in two ways. If you don't really take to windsurfing, you can continue to use the iSUP for normal stand up paddling.
Even if you have no experience in windsurfing, you can venture your first attempts in light winds with the windsurf SUP. As a beginner, you will naturally fall off the board more often, and while the board is very stiff, it is still not as hard as a classic windsurf board. Accordingly, the risk of injury is lower.
Starting at 5 to 6 knots, a windsurf SUP can be used to make your first attempts. In fact, it is possible for more experienced windsurfers to even get planing with an inflatable windsurf SUP in slightly higher winds.

The disadvantages of inflatable windsurf SUP boards

For performance-oriented windsurfers with a lot of experience, inflatable windsurf SUPs are likely too big of a compromise. However, to facilitate the first windsurfing attempts for your children and to go paddling when it's calm, inflatable wind SUPs are perfectly suitable.
In strong winds (from approx. 6 to 7 Beaufort), inflatable windsurf SUP boards are no longer suitable and should be replaced by classic windsurfing equipment.

“Cross”: The Windsurf SUP in the Glory Boards Range

The Glory Boards “Cross” in 11’0” is available in two versions: one with 4 D-rings to attach a kayak seat, and another version with 4 D-rings for the kayak seat plus an additional mount for a windsurf sail.

The inflatable “Cross” SUP was designed as a board for the whole family and, thanks to its versatility, can be used in a variety of ways. Its touring shape allows for stable tracking, making the Glory Boards “Cross” a lot of fun even on longer trips. With the kayak seat, the SUP board can also be used while seated, and the option to attach a windsurf sail makes it possible to use the “Cross” for windsurfing even in a light breeze. Due to this wide range of applications, the Glory Boards “Cross” is the right choice for families who love spending their summer weekends and vacations by the water and are looking for a suitable board for multiple uses.