In this article:
For beginners, the technical language of windsurfing may seem a little complicated at first. But this is deceptive, as you quickly familiarise yourself with the most important terms during your first lesson. These are important in order to understand the surf instructor's instructions straight away. "Tilt the boom towards the tail" or "Put your back foot between the straps!" are easy to understand if you memorise the most important windsurfing terms. And sooner than you think, you'll be using these expressions as a matter of course!
Boom (short: fork)
Used to hold the sail in place. Is fixed to the mast with the head piece; an adapter is required depending on the thickness of the mast.
Boom pins
Used to adjust the boom length when using sails of different sizes.
Mast
Fibreglass and/or carbon pole on which the sail is mounted; is pushed into the mast sleeve; can be divided at the plug-in connection.
extension
Adapter that compensates for the difference in length between the mast and the sail; the sail is tensioned lengthways on the downhaul rope.
base plate
Rubber connection between board and sail, which is screwed into the board's mast track and inserted into the extension.
fin
Keeps the board on course; fastening in the fin box.
Foot straps (short: loops)
Provide a secure hold for the feet on the board; screwed into the plugs and onto the footpads.
outhaul rope
Rope with which the sail is tensioned transversely at the back end of the boom; the rear corner of the sail is called the "outhaul".
Batten
Fibreglass or carbon rods that stabilise the profile of the sail; fixed with the batten tensioner.
Sailing top
Cap in which the mast sits; length-adjustable vario stops can compensate for length differences between mast and luff.
