Junior sail size

Question
We have just started windsurfing and are looking to buy a junior rig for the kids
but am having difficulty working out what size sail to use.  My girls are 15 and
13 years old quite tall for their age but very slim.  We live on the East Coast of
Scotland so there is always wind (usually strong)

Answer
Hey Maggie,

Most sail makers are producing sails for junior sailors. They are a bit different than just small adult sails. They are designed to be easier to handle for the smaller size people. You will need to consider the average conditions that your kids will be sailing in. You will probably want something fairly small until they master the basics and are advancing towards an intermediate level.

Here is a general guideline that may help. If the wind is a constant 15kts and the average sailor of 150-170lbs is using a 5.0-6.0m2 sail, then a sailor of about 80-100lbs would probably be able to use a 2.0-3.0m2 sail. This would be based on an intermediate sailor. If you girls are just learning, I would suggest a 2.0-2.5m2 and then get a larger sail as they advance. Look for a mast/boom combination that will handle a range of sails from 2.0-5.0 so that you only need to buy a larger sail and still use the same mast & boom.

Hope this helps and best of luck to all of you.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover