Windsurfing from the age of three: Henio Sails presents mini equipment for kindergarten children

Maciek Boszko operates with BOsporhas run a windsurfing school in Chałupy on the Hel peninsula in Poland for over 30 years. In the summer of 2023, he received a special gift from his colleagues for his three-year-old grandson Henio: a specially developed windsurfing rig called the "Super Kid". The set consisted of a kite nylon sail with a ladybird pattern, a plastic mast from a beach flag and a shortened junior boom. The sail area was about 0.5 square metres. Combined with an inflatable 2-metre wingboard and a shortened mast as a fin, the spontaneously assembled equipment worked surprisingly well on the water. Maciek started looking for similar equipment - in vain. He asked himself why kindergarten and pre-school children were already learning to ski or ride a bike, but not windsurfing? The answer was simple - according to the station operator, there was a lack of suitable equipment and an appropriate training programme.

Development of the prototypes

Together with his colleagues, Maciek started a round of brainstorming. The requirements for the rig were clearly defined: very low weight, attractive colours with graphics suitable for children, the possibility of using a standard base plate and a boom with different colours depending on the direction of travel. Piotr, a team member, designed and sewed the prototypes of the sails from colourful Dimension Polyant nylon, reinforced with a Dacron frame. Three sizes were created: 0.4 square metres, 0.6 square metres and 0.8 square metres. The team made the mast and boom from aluminium tubes with a diameter of 20 millimetres and a wall thickness of one millimetre. After the experiences of the previous season, they decided to anodise the mast. The biggest challenge was the boom. At the team's request, surfer friends designed and manufactured the boom heads and back ends using 3D printing.

The colourful sails with childlike graphics immediately attracted the attention of children and parents.

Tests and optimisation

After numerous adjustments to the design and material, the team succeeded in developing the optimal fittings for the boom. The booms were covered with coloured EVA foam. The three prototype rigs achieved the following weights including sail, mast, boom and starting sheet: The 0.4-square metre rig weighs 980 grams, the 0.6-square metre model 1090 grams and the 0.8-square metre set 1250 grams. After many tests with the three rig sizes, the team also designed an epoxy board specially developed for children. The board measures 200 centimetres in length and 80 centimetres in width. It has a flat design with rounded, safe edges and extra-long rails for the base plate, fin and daggerboard for optimum adjustment. The non-slip deck also features child-friendly graphics with a turtle or crocodile.

First courses with children

Last summer, the team decided to teach not only Maciek's grandson Henio, but also other children with the new equipment. The first step was to display the colourful children's rigs on the beach promenade in front of the windsurfing school. The colourful sails with childlike graphics immediately attracted the attention of children and parents. Just one week after the presentation, the school was already running several courses a day for kids aged three to six, who weighed only between 20 and 30 kilograms. The ideal area is a small shallow water area - about half the size of a nine by nine metre volleyball court. The course lasts 30 minutes. The optimum wind is up to ten, twelve or 15 knots, depending on the child's development. Close contact between coach and child is also important. Learning takes place mainly through playful elements.

Advantages for windsurfing schools

The programme opens up a new market and attracts parents with small children in particular with its friendly colours and graphics. To date, there have been hardly any comparable programmes and there is little competition. Large investments are not necessary. (The rigs are priced between 200 and 250 euros.) According to Maciek, further optimisations in terms of board shape, fin and daggerboard sizes as well as the best setups will be made in the coming season.

Technical specifications:

Rig:

• Material: Dimension polyant nylon with Dacron frame
• Mast: Anodised aluminium tube, 20 millimetre diameter, 1 millimetre wall thickness
• Weights (without base plate): 0,4 m²: 980 gram / 0,6 m²1,090 grams, 0,8 m²: 1.250 gram

Epoxy board:

• Length: 200 centimetres
• Width: 80 centimetres
• Design: Flat with rounded, secure edges
• Special features: Extra long rails for base plate, fin and daggerboard, non-slip deck with turtle or crocodile graphics

About BOsport

Maciek Boszko has been running a windsurfing school in Chałupy on the Hel Peninsula in Poland with BOSport for 35 years. He has been a VDWS member for 20 years and founded the first windsurfing school in Prasonisi on Rhodes. He is currently teaching his four-year-old grandson Henio how to windsurf.

Info under www.heniosails.pl / www.bosport.plOrders are placed directly by e-mail to maciek@bosport.pl

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