Forums > Windsurfing Gear Reviews

Kids Rigs

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Created by itdts027 > 9 months ago, 7 Jan 2014
itdts027
WA, 4 posts
7 Jan 2014 5:07PM
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Hi,

Has anybody had time to review or check out the new kids rigs. From what I can gather there are 3-4 decent ones for the more advanced sailor
Pryde Dragonfly
Severne XS-1
Tushingham Dino
RRD Grom Style
My kid is 9yrs 30Kg holding down an Ezzy 2.5 in 20+knots using harness and foot straps. I am just looking for some advice on which way to lean and whether to go for a 3.0 or 3.5 if anybody has had any experience? I tried him with a Simmer 3.5 Wave Sail but it was just too heavy to get out the water.

SHEETIN
291 posts
8 Jan 2014 7:30AM
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The Severne XS-1 is awesome, wish I had this when I was learning.
They are proper sails for kids made from the same material that the larger sails are made from. The masts that suit these rigs are also super flexi this helps because as the kids general weigh stuff all and the rig will twist off when its hit by gusts and feel more stable for the rider.

When I was teaching my son to sail he's 15 now and is ripping, he found up-hauling really hard because of the weight when the sail sticks to the water so we pretty much did waterstarts, loads easier as they use the boom to slide over the back of the board and float the sail.

Good luck

Brett Morris
NSW, 1197 posts
8 Jan 2014 10:58AM
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Definitely go 3.5m....
it will soon be the only size your kid will use.
Don't be tempted to get a sail that looks great at the expense of weight i.e. a wave sail or replica adult sail.
Not sure what brand this sail is, but my boy (10yrs old) is out sailing on it in 10-25knots for hours on end. It is a 3.6m
Good luck...PS Fantastic your kid is sailing so young, I have been amazed how quickly kids can learn to windsurfing.




KA360
NSW, 803 posts
8 Jan 2014 3:22PM
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Hi itdts027

Congratulations to you son for cracking windsurfing and to you for your effort !

I,m a great fan of the Ezzy rig packs,both my kids had their first experiences in windsurfing on them.
The 12 year old kids who windsurf at Sanctuary point use mainly 2 sails ,3.0m and 3.6m, for 10 - 20 knots conditions and 2.5m for 23+ knots .
They are 10 kg heavier than you son so I think 3.5m is too big. My 8 year old uses 2m-2.7m sails in that wind range and still uses a 1.5m for 25+.

For kids 12 and under the mast is the most important component of a good kids rig.

My kids have used all the above mentioned rigs and quite a few others as well.
Your real issue is going to be finding if any are actually available to buy.
I have PM you my phone number if you would like to discuss further.

Brett
The rig you son is using is a Prolimit grommet,they made 2 models and yours is the power rig.
PS It must be windier where we livethat or your son is following in your footsteps and going to be a formula sailor.

divaldo
SA, 2878 posts
8 Jan 2014 4:03PM
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Select to expand quote
SHEETIN said..
The Severne XS-1 is awesome, wish I had this when I was learning.

They are proper sails for kids made from the same material that the larger sails are made from. The masts that suit these rigs are also super flexi this helps because as the kids general weigh stuff all and the rig will twist off when its hit by gusts and feel more stable for the rider.

When I was teaching my son to sail he's 15 now and is ripping, he found up-hauling really hard because of the weight when the sail sticks to the water so we pretty much did waterstarts, loads easier as they use the boom to slide over the back of the board and float the sail.

Good luck


PLus one for the X-1

Our 11 year old daughter has one of these in a 3.0, she loves it.

As Sheetin said, its basically an adult rig, just mini, super light and easy to rig,

We have also had the Ezzy rigs in the past, these rigs are great for kids under 9-10 years old as they are super super light, but only have an aluminium mast, which we were prone to snapping in shoreys, great beginers rig

DAM71
QLD, 498 posts
8 Jan 2014 7:07PM
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I'm also a fan of the severne XS-1, but don't go past their synergy rig packs. My son now 9 started on hot sails kids rigs, which are OK if there is a little wind about, but i found in the really light stuff, the synergy is a better rig. He now uses the XS-1 3.0 in say 15 - 20Kts + ( he weighs 30kg). We also have the 3.6, which is his go to rig for up to 15kts, but it is harder to up haul, and he is still hit and miss with water starts. He loves it, and I'm positive that the kids specific rigs are the best way to go.


itdts027
WA, 4 posts
8 Jan 2014 5:24PM
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Thanks everyone for the comments. I am going to have a look around and rig the sails in the shops to see what one looks like it sets the best.
Good point about the mast being soft as kids won't have the weight to flex an adult one. In WA we have 4 shops with Kids Rigs in stock so hopefully have something to report in the next week or so. Great to see some pics of other kids following in this great sport of ours

siny
NSW, 286 posts
8 Jan 2014 8:30PM
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I have a severe 3.6 ,mast and boom that hardly got used if anyone needs one

KA360
NSW, 803 posts
8 Jan 2014 9:43PM
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Select to expand quote
siny said..

I have a severe 3.6 ,mast and boom that hardly got used if anyone needs one


message sent

daphne
WA, 26 posts
8 Jan 2014 9:39PM
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Ye Connor is 10 had him on severe s1 3.6 now he's on severne blades 3.3 and 3.7 severne masts. And booms inc unis and carbon extensions gear is super good And very light a must for young guns get on the water all the young crew worlds coolest sport

wet dreams
NSW, 29 posts
10 Jan 2014 6:31PM
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I've taught my 10y/o son to windsurf this summer using a kids rig and a SUP. The kids rig was made by a fellow seabreezer and professional sail maker (P.M. me for details if anyone interested). The sail works fantastically well for him but he now needs a dedicated board for his size and weight.
Which boards are people using for their kids, in particular the boards shown in pics above.
Photos look great by the way.

itdts027
WA, 4 posts
16 Jan 2014 10:12AM
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My Kid is using a Starboard Starsurfer. You will have to hunt around to pick one up but. This board is excellent from 1st go to fully planning. He is 30Kg Age 9
Details here http://2004.star-board.com/products/starsurfer.asp See Pics below




KA360
NSW, 803 posts
16 Jan 2014 2:35PM
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Select to expand quote
itdts027 said..

My Kid is using a Starboard Starsurfer. You will have to hunt around to pick one up but. This board is excellent from 1st go to fully planning. He is 30Kg Age 9


Wow ! And what a coincidence ,my daughter age 8 and 26kg was using the exact same setup yesterday too. I thought that she pushed the ezzy rig to the fastest speed ever achieved with them(15.25 knots).But looks like you little guy was pulling those speeds too.

Its time these kids use proper power rigs ,its time for SEVERNE XS-1 !






DAM71
QLD, 498 posts
16 Jan 2014 4:28PM
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Select to expand quote
wet dreams said..

I've taught my 10y/o son to windsurf this summer using a kids rig and a SUP. The kids rig was made by a fellow seabreezer and professional sail maker (P.M. me for details if anyone interested). The sail works fantastically well for him but he now needs a dedicated board for his size and weight.
Which boards are people using for their kids, in particular the boards shown in pics above.
Photos look great by the way.


My son started on a starboard go 151 (removable centreboard / fin ). He jumped on to my Starboard Atomiq 100l (68cm wide) and handled it really well from the outset, so we bit the bullet and got him his own board - a fanatic skate 100L (63 wide). I really like the way the buoyancy is dispersed in the freestyle board. Harder to sink the tail.

itdts027
WA, 4 posts
17 Jan 2014 9:56AM
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The Ezzy's still work up to 25 knots but are a bit twitchy 18-22 they are quite comfortable, amazing for such a simple sail design and a straight mast. I could not recommend these highly enough for a kid starting out.



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"Kids Rigs" started by itdts027