Where Are My Fries? Windsurf Rental Tips

We’ve all been there. You’ve left the drive-through window at the local fast food joint, made your way through rush hour traffic, found a parking space, walked to the house, settled into your favorite couch, turned on the TV to watch Monday Night Football, opened the brown bag to eat a tasty burger and fries – but wait... where are the fries?

Welcome to the world of take-out service. A world where if you don’t check your order before leaving the store, ultimately, you only have yourself to blame.

So how does that apply to windsurfing? How can you possible mess up a windsurfing rental? Board, fin, sail, mast, boom, mast extension, mast base. All set, right? Well, maybe... and maybe not. Let’s take a closer look.

Board - First, inspect the board. Is it in good shape? What is the condition of the non-skid surface? If the non-skid is worn, you may not want to use the board, especially if you don’t use booties. Slipping off a board during a high speed jibe is no fun – and can really hurt.

Footstraps - Ensure that the footstraps are in good condition and are secured properly. A loose strap can blow out at the worst of times, leading to a good crash and possible injury - a premature end to your windsurfing vacation. Once in possession of the board, don’t be afraid to adjust the location of the straps, if necessary. If you are going to sail that thing for several days, you may as well be comfortable, right?

Fin - Is the fin the correct size for your board and sail? Is the fin smooth and void of any defects or dings? If it’s not the correct size and in good shape, your sailing experience will be compromised.

Sail - Does the sail look like it’s in good shape? Are there any tears in the luff sleeve or holes in the main panels? If so, note it down on your rental contract. Any holes in monofilm or X-Ply should be patched to reduce the possibility of additional damage. Are any of the battens broken? Finally, remember to ensure that you have a batten tensioning tool on-hand. If you cannot tension your battens, you cannot tune your sail properly.

Mast - I encourage you to demand the proper mast for the sail you are renting. Any deviation from the suggested mast may have an adverse effect on how well the sail works. Also, be sure to make sure that the mast provided is the correct length for the sail. If the mast shows obvious signs of damage (such as a chink or ding), you may want to consider using something else ;-)

Boom - Check to see that the boom is the right length. You don’t want to use a boom that is set to the maximum extension if you can avoid it. You also don’t want to be using a boom that is longer than suggested by the sail maker. Check your inhaul and outhaul lines to ensure they are not frayed or damaged. Finally, check all cleats to ensure that they are not worn.

Extension - Yet again, make sure you have the right extension for the job. It’s no good walking out of the rental shop with a 400cm mast and a 30cm mast extension, if the sail has a 435cm luff sleeve. Check the downhaul line to make sure that it is not frayed. Finally, check the downhaul cleat for wear.

Universal - Check this piece carefully. If you see any splits or cracks in the tendon joint, don’t take that piece out on the water, unless you enjoy swimming your broken rig back to the beach. Check to see if the emergency cord is in-place and not worn.

Roof Racks – If the gear does not arrive at your destination in good shape, then your day on the water will not be so wonderful! Therefore, if you are using a roof rack to transport your rig, ensure that everything is properly fastened – and that the straps are not worn or torn.

In closing, the reasons for renting gear on your windsurf vacation are many. Expensive baggage surcharges, not having the right gear for the location, damage during transportation, theft, are all good reasons to consider renting. Furthermore, most rental facilities offer quality equipment and expert advice. You’ll probably have no problems with your gear – but if there is an issue, my suggestion is to catch it at the store – and not at the beach or on the water.

So there you have it. Remember, if you order fries, don’t forget the ketchup!

Oh, by the way – all of these tips also apply to your own gear. Fix it now before it breaks later!

Happy sailing.