The past few years have seen a steady increase in the number of windsurfing equipment manufacturers giving a wide scope for buyers to choose from. There are a few brands that have managed to make a mark with their quality and range of windsurfing apparatus. A sail is a vital element of a windsurfing kit and there are a few leading brands that specialize in the manufacture of windsurfing sails.

Sail Manufacturers

Severne: Named after its founder Ben Severne, Severne has given a wide range of sails including wave, racing, slalom and beginner. However, Severne has gained great popularity for racing sails after several windsurfing professional racers opted for Severne for the windsurfing competitions. Some of its leading sails include Code Red, Blade, Renegade, S-1, Micro Wave, Freek, Gator and SSR.

Simmer: Like Severne, Simmer too specializes in manufacturing a range of windsurfing sails that suit various windsurfing forms like wave sailing, freestyle and racing. Several windsurfers opt for Simmer as they have user-friendly designs and can be used by beginners as well as intermediate surfers. Another important reason why several windsurfers opt for Simmer is that it offers easy planing and maneuverability.

Some of its popular sails include Mission X, Icon and Iron (wave sails), Spark, Addict and VType (freeride sails) and SC (racing sail). The year 2009 has seen Zara Davis sign a contract with Simmer Sails and would be using its products for all speed events.

Fx: A popular brand with an online presence, Fx has steadily acquired the status of a leading windsurfing sail manufacturer. Fx offers two main types of windsurfing sails, namely, mainsails and headsails. The mainsails are further categorized as inshore and offshore so that surfers can take their pick depending upon the windsurfing conditions. Some of the leading sail types by Fx include Spinnaker, Catalina, Macgregor, Storm, Sunfish, Hobie Cat and Small Boat sails.

Gaastra: Gaastra is yet another leading manufacturer and offers sails for wave surfing, cross windsurfing, freeride, slalom and racing. Although Gaastra manufactures a range of sails, it gained great popularity with its beginner varieties.

These amateur models have helped beginners to graduate to the intermediate level of windsurfing with great ease. Some of its leading varieties include Maverick, Freetime, Matrix, Plasma, Echo, Swift, GTXrace and Vapor.

Mistral: Another popular brand is Mistral. It specializes in manufacturing light and easy to maneuver sails. Beginners especially prefer Mistral for its simplistic designs and easy rigging features.

Neil Pryde: Neil Pryde has become synonymous with windsurfing and offers sails for every form of windsurfing. From sails for wave sailing and flatwater windsurfing to racing and recreation, Neil Pryde has it all.

A leading sponsor for several windsurfing events, Neil Pryde windsurfing team comprises of surfing champions like Antoine Albeau, Antxon Otaequi, Finian Maynard, Lars Petersen and Philip Koster. The presence of these illustrious names adds great credibility to the brand.

These are some of the most prolific brands which manufacture superior windsurfing equipments and gear. Windsurfers, especially beginners must always opt for a recognized brand as they are assured of getting premium quality.

The past few years have seen a steady increase in the number of windsurfing equipment manufacturers giving a wide scope for buyers to choose from There are a few brands that have managed to make a mark with their quality and range of windsurfing apparatus

About The Author

Marc Fredmen is an expert windsurfer and provides guidance on different forms and techniques of windsurfing on basic windsurfing.