Robertos said..
I am considering to buy a Sealion to learn to wave ride. My local conditions seem very good for the board (mainly 5-15 knots cross-on, 1-2m oceanswell). I am trying to decide to take the classic model or the wings version.
The wings is almost 50% more but it should be a lot faster and easier to turn.

Did anybody try the classic vs the wings version of the Sealion?

Hi Robertos, I have the wings 7'6 112ltr and have one of the new 95ltr strapped versions on order so I'm convert.....personally i love the wings as they are a lot more lively than the standard model's but....... its a very different feeling and approach to using a strapped windsurf more of a mix between SUP'ing and windsurfing as you have to move around the board to use your weight as leverage due to the width. If you like a slower and more relaxed approach and just love being on the water and making the most of light wind its awesome but I'm not sure it would teach you to wavesail as a lot of the dynamics are different. It would definitely teach you to read the wave and positioning but not give you much of a feeling for how to crank into a bottom turn or push through a top turn. still a lot of fun though :-)

Robertos said..

southsea said..

Robertos said..
I am considering to buy a Sealion to learn to wave ride. My local conditions seem very good for the board (mainly 5-15 knots cross-on, 1-2m oceanswell). I am trying to decide to take the classic model or the wings version.
The wings is almost 50% more but it should be a lot faster and easier to turn.

Did anybody try the classic vs the wings version of the Sealion?

Hi Robertos, I have the wings 7'6 112ltr and have one of the new 95ltr strapped versions on order so I'm convert.....personally i love the wings as they are a lot more lively than the standard model's but....... its a very different feeling and approach to using a strapped windsurf more of a mix between SUP'ing and windsurfing as you have to move around the board to use your weight as leverage due to the width. If you like a slower and more relaxed approach and just love being on the water and making the most of light wind its awesome but I'm not sure it would teach you to wavesail as a lot of the dynamics are different. It would definitely teach you to read the wave and positioning but not give you much of a feeling for how to crank into a bottom turn or push through a top turn. still a lot of fun though :-)

Thanks for the reply.
You described the main reason why I am looking at the Sealion:
If you like a slower and more relaxed approach and just love being on the water and making the most of light wind.
I am not looking for a cardio session with my pulse ticking 140 constantly with me being completely wasted after 1 hr. Just relax on the beach and ride a couple of waves when the conditions are nice.

What sails do you recommend for the Sealion ?
I am 90 kg and was thinking about a 5,6 / 5,8 and a 4 batten sail?

Good news, If that's what your looking for there isn't a better board. Personally I wouldn't use bigger than a 5.2 as I'm not looking to plane, just gain support to punch though any waves until I get out the back. When you get on the wave the apparent wind will give you enough pull. That's how I use it but due to the float you could easily put up a 6m.... but for me the extra weight and loss of agility wouldn't make me go larger than a low 5 but as Arnold used to say "different stokes for different folks"