WinWind
Chapter 1 · Know your gear
Parts of a Windsurfer: Board and Rig Explained for Beginners
Learn the parts of the board and rig
Know your gear — step by step
The big picture
A windsurfer has two halves: the board and the rig.
Drag to rotate the view. Tap the dots to see part names.
Board parts
Front is the nose, back is the tail, and you stand on the deck.
The daggerboard under the middle stops the board sliding sideways.
The rig
The mast holds up the sail and joins the board at the mast base, a universal joint that tilts any way.
You hold the boom with both hands.
Sail corners & edges
Three corners: head, tack, clew.
Three edges: luff, leech, foot. Battens keep the shape.
The lines
The uphaul is the rope you pull to lift the sail out of the water.
Downhaul and outhaul set the sail shape, usually on the beach.
Quick quiz
Your sail is in the water. Which rope lifts it out?
Quick quiz
- Downhaul
- Uphaul ✓ Answer
- Outhaul