Windsurfing with boots or barefoot?

 

Windsurfing with or without boots has its pros and cons. We will give only a few guidelines or remind you of a few factors to look out for and make it easier for you to decide whether to windsurf barefoot or in boots.

 

Water and air temperature are that very important factors that determine whether footwear is mandatory or not. This factor is especially important in the colder months of the year (December, January, February), when we really can't imagine surfing without 5 or 6 mm boots. As temperatures rise, the need for footwear drops. For most, the water is warm enough in May to take off your boots and store them in your wardrobe by October or November. Those of you who have slightly more sensitive feet, will do so about a month later.

 

Access to the beach, the beach itself and the seabed in shallow water are the factors that determine throughout the year whether we need boots or not. If access to water is via a beautiful pebble beach that also extends to the seabed, there is really no need for boots in terms of foot injuries. Sharp rocks, sea urchins, etc. are obstacles where we recommend that you put on your boots on to make sure that your day does not end too quickly and that you do not have to stay away from the water for a few days to cure the injuries.

 

Especially when we windsurf in strong winds and waves, the chances of unexpected injuries increase. If we windsurf barefoot, it quickly happens that we slip on the board, hit the edge of the fin and quickly cut the skin on our feet. This injury can be quite awkward and painful. In the waves at the water start, we can also hit the mastbase where we can cut ourselves. The footstraps on the board are the next part, which can cause injuries to the toes, if we push the foot awkwardly into the footstraps. These injuries can’t happen (or there if way less chance to happen) if we wear boots.

 

The thicker the boot is, the less we feel the board beneath us and the harder it is to recognize what it is telling us. Without boots, we will be able to respond to the board's feedback softer, more accurately and faster while driving. Those of you who are accustomed to windsurfing barefoot will find it difficult to put on your boots. While those of you who are accustomed to boots will initially feel unusual without them.

 

Wet windsurf board can be quite slippery area (especially if anti-slip grip is already worn out). With neoprene boots, you have some rubber on your feet so it is harder slip. Of course, you can also get used to windsurfing with a lack of grip, which you will eventually not miss at all.

 

Health is one of the most important things in our lives. Just as boots protect us in some way (from cold and injury), on the other hand, they harm us. This happens especially in the summer when it is hot and we are in the water for a lot of time. It often happens that we do not take off our windsurfing boots all day, preferably the whole holiday. After a few days, we may experience skin problems, which stems mainly from the fact that the feet are constantly "closed" in moist neoprene and do not dry out. If we use boots, it is therefore, of course, advisable to take them off during a slightly longer break and then put them on again just before heading back to the water.

                                                                                                                               

 

Listed above are just some of the factors that play an important role in whether or not you are a proponent of windsurfing in your boots. Our opinion is that boots are definitely recommended accessory when we are in unfamiliar terrain and do not know what we have under our feet, or when there is a greater chance of foot injury. Low temperatures are a factor that certainly contributes greatly to the wearing of boots. In the warmer months, on the spots, where access to water is appropriate, we windsurf, if possible, barefoot. Those of you who windsurf barefoot whenever possible already know best why and when to put on your boots (if at all). For those of you who don’t know if you would have them on your feet or not, we recommend that you try both methods and see for yourself what works best for you. For those of you who are avid shoe advocates, however, we recommend that you make sure you don’t windsurf in too thick high boots in the summer, as the ride will be significantly better and easier.

 

In any case, we recommend all windsurfers to always have boots with you, even if you surf barefoot. If we cut our feet during some other activity (not necessarily while windsurfing), it will definitely keep us away from the water for a few days until the wound heals. Despite such an injury, it is easier to windsurf with boots, as the feet are less stressed. Those who windsurf exclusively with boots, check the condition of your boots - a worn shoe can tear quickly and keep you away from the water again. But no one really wants that…

 

We recommend everyone (especially those who windsurf barefoot) to get yourself a mastbase protector which prevents injuries to the feet in case it slips and we hit the mastbase hard with the foot.