Red Paddle Co FAQ: Can I Use A Windsurf Board As A Paddleboard?

Whenever you invest in a watercraft, you want to ensure that it’s versatile enough to suit all of your requirements. So, if you’re a big fan of windsurfing or SUPing, one of the questions you may have is “can I use a windsurf board as a paddleboard?”. This is a question we get asked frequently at Red Paddle Co, and with good reason too - it’s a really important one!. With this in mind, we’ve put together the following short guide answering the question of “can I use a windsurf board as a paddleboard?”.

Windsurfing Vs Paddle boarding

Windsurfing and paddle boarding are very different sports, and so it’s not surprising that they have different equipment requirements. Windsurfing is a combination of surfing and sailing. Windsurfers use the wind to propel their board forward, using a sail that is attached. Stand up paddle boarding on the other hand, involves users standing on a SUP and using a paddle to propel themselves through the water. As windsurfing is dictated by the wind conditions it is a lot faster in pace. However, stand up paddle boarding is a lot more versatile and suitable for a range of abilities. You can paddle at your own speed in a variety of locations, and in races for more advanced paddlers. 

So we’ve established that they’re very different water sports but how does that impact our original question of “can I use a windsurf board as a paddleboard?”’.

The very short answer to this question is yes, so long as you have a board that is a suitable size and shape. If you want to use your windsurf as a SUP, then you need to ensure it has enough buoyancy to support your weight as you ride. In other words, your windsurf board needs to be wide enough, with sufficient volume to support your weight when paddling on the water,ensuring that you don’t sink. 

Built with versatility in mind, we have ensured that the Red Paddle Co Windsurf MSL Inflatable Paddle Board functions equally as well for windsurfing as it does for stand up paddle boarding. Let’s take a closer look at how.

How Can I Use A Windsurf Board As A Paddleboard With Red Paddle Co?

Knowing the importance of versatility for water sports enthusiasts, the Windsurf MSL combines all the technical elements of a windsurf board with the benefits of an inflatable paddle board. A Sure-Fin dagger board system slots through the centre of the board for attaching a sail, without compromising the design for use when stand up paddle boarding. The carry handles are on the rails so as not to get in the way of riders, whilst the addition of front and back carry handles are designed to make launching and landing easier. The embossed deck pad offers enhanced grip for both windsurfers and SUPers, whilst guiding windsurfers as to wear to stand.

In order to get the most out of this specialist inflatable paddle board, we’d recommend using one of our “Ride Rigs” that contain the following:

• Clear monofilm sail panels to ensure 360’ clear views when pulling manoeuvers

• Fixed length boom

• Two–piece epoxy mast

• Mastfoot and universal joint

When thinking about “can I use a windsurf board as a paddleboard”, in order to transform this board into a regular inflatable SUP, simply remove the rig components to create a high performance inflatable paddle board. Due to it’s technical elements this model is particularly good for coastal SUPing.

If you have any further queries regarding “can I use a windsurf board as a paddleboard”, or for more information on any of our inflatable SUPs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.