It doesn't actually take much for children to enjoy windsurfing. The best way for youngsters to learn is not from their own parents, but with their peers at a professional surf school. This also ensures that they are provided with light sails and boards that turn well. Another thing to avoid at all costs is children freezing on the water - because if you freeze, you lose interest.
Children naturally cool down more quickly in the water than adults. This is simply because kids have less muscle mass and thinner skin than adults, so the ratio of body surface area to volume is less favourable. It is therefore all the more surprising when parents put their children in a two-millimetre-thin Discounter Neo for 30 euros and be surprised afterwards that the sprout stands on deck with blue lips and throws in the towel after a short time.
Good children's neos are in no way inferior to models for adults
In general, kids should always wear a wetsuit that is one size thicker than the one you would wear yourself. And this is where the wheat is separated from the chaff. While most discounter wetsuits are only two to three millimetres thick, windsurfing brands also offer significantly thicker models with a thickness of four to six millimetres. Some of these are equipped with the same features that are also used in high-quality adult models: Stretchy and therefore very snug neoprene material, sealed seams, soft plush on the inside, which retains body heat, and abrasion-resistant patches on the stress zones are all included here. These neos are by no means just for the cold transitional period, but can be worn all year round on the North and Baltic Seas - on warm summer days, you can leave the zip open if necessary to cool down. On the other hand, there are no longer any limits to water sports and nothing stands in the way of hours of sessions on the board.
More about windsurfing for children
- Children's rigs put to the test: the best sails for young windsurfers
- Windsurf boards for kids: The best boards for the next generation - from wind SUPs to wave boards
- Training the next generation: how to turn children into enthusiastic windsurfers
- Camp finder: Windsurfing camps for children and teenagers
The fact that you pay between 120 and 300 euros for such models at the shop counter sounds steep at first. However, you should always bear in mind that there is also a large second-hand market for such models, where you can either find them yourself or sell on the Neos that have become too small.
Because children grow quickly, it is understandable that you want to buy neos that are a little larger. However, you should bear in mind that only a good fit on the body effectively prevents water from penetrating - the wetsuit should therefore not be too big. This is exactly where high-quality wetsuits have decisive advantages, because the higher the quality and more flexible the neoprene used, the better the wetsuit moulds to the contours of the body.
Windsurfing harnesses for children
Children's learning curves often point upwards quickly, so the topic of harness surfing inevitably comes up. It is very important that the harness is well supported, as kids have a relatively straight body shape. If you buy a trapeze that is too much on the rise, it will easily slide upwards.
Market overview children's Neos
Ascan
There are four relevant models for youngsters from manufacturer Ascan. The Shorty Junior (1) (59.90 euros) and Reach Junior Overall (3) (109 euros) models, which are only 2.5 millimetres thick and have long legs and arms, are likely to make sense mainly on warm summer days. The Junior Overall (129 euros) is a little cosier thanks to its four millimetre thickness. For use on the North and Baltic Seas or in the transition period, the Thermo Junior (2) should be a tip - this is even thicker at 5/4/3 millimetres and also has a full lining on the inside to better retain body heat. Manufacturer
- Info under ascan-surf.de
ION
Manufacturer ION offers several models with special and sometimes high-quality children's neos. The flagship is definitely the Capture AMP model, which is available in thicknesses of 4/3 and 5/4 as well as a winterised hooded version with a thickness of 6/5 millimetres (5). All features correspond to those of the top models for adults: a large area of cosy plush is incorporated on the inside to retain body heat. The Capture AMP is priced between 270 and 320 euros, depending on the thickness. The Capture line is significantly cheaper. This includes models ranging from shorty (2) (2/2 millimetres, 89.99 euros) and short-sleeved (3) (3/2 millimetres, 129.99 euros) to several long-sleeved models with a thickness of 4/3 (4) (169.99 euros) or 5/4 millimetres (179.99 euros). A version with an integrated bonnet and a full 6/5 millimetre neoprene thickness is also available (219.99 euros). Although the latter does not achieve the same level of thermal insulation as the Capture AMP due to its slightly slimmed-down features, it is absolutely sufficient for cold days during the transition period. ION is one of the few brands to also have a special harness for kids in its programme: the newly designed Ripper model (1). The special thing about it is that it can be used both as a seat harness and as a waist harness. The leg straps can prevent it from sliding up at the beginning; if you want, you can simply remove them and continue using the Ripper as a waist harness. The soft, cosy model is available in three sizes and costs 149.99 euros.
- Info under ion-products.com
Neilpryde
Manufacturer NeilPryde also offers neoprene models for kids. Three different versions are united under the model name Dolphin. The Dolphin Shorty (1) (129.95 euros) with its 3/2 millimetre neoprene thickness is more likely to be something for the really warm days. There is also a fullsuit with a thickness of 3/2 millimetres (159.95 euros) and a significantly warmer version with 5/4 millimetres (2) (219.95 euros). All wetsuits have a back zip and are equipped on the inside with a material known internally by the brand as "Fireline light", which is designed to retain body heat well and also dries particularly quickly.
- Info under neilpryde.com
Prolimit
As one of the leading neoprene brands, Prolimit naturally also has corresponding products for young people in its programme. The brand focusses primarily on neoprene for the summer and transitional seasons. The Grommet Shorty (1) (75 euros) with its two millimetre thickness should be suitable for hot summer days, while the Grommet Steamer (3), which is equipped with a back zip and is available in two thicknesses (3/2 and 5/3 millimetres) for 109 and 149.99 euros respectively, is significantly warmer. The new Grommet Steamer Freezip (2) model (209 euros) promises another upgrade in terms of protection against the cold and comfort, which is said to be particularly stretchy and allows less water to penetrate thanks to the short zip on the chest. Prolimit also has two designated kids' harnesses in its programme. The Rookie Seat model (4) offers the same features as the adult models, for example in the fastening system, but in a smaller size and with a low hook position. The leg straps prevent the harness from sliding upwards. The hook is slightly higher on the Rookie Waist (5). Both models cost 119 euros.
- Info under prolimit.com
XCEL
The US manufacturer XCEL certainly can't be accused of neglecting children's neoprene, as it offers the same range as its adult neos. The Kids Comp line represents the premium segment in terms of features - high-quality plush, sealed seams, maximum stretch. Within the Kids Comp line, there are variants for icy days, such as the Kids Comp Hooded 5/4 (3), but also variants without a bonnet and in thicknesses such as 4/3 and 3/2. The Axis line is slightly cheaper, but still in the absolutely premium segment, within which there is also everything from the hooded model for cold days (Axis Hooded 5/4 (4)) to transitional neos without a bonnet (5/4, 4/3, 3/2) - even in different colour variants (1 & 2). And because you can't start the fire early enough, there's even a model for toddlers in the form of the Toddler Neo.
- Info under xcelwetsuits.com
