Wave gear breakages

Hi folks, I'm an old 80's wave sailer who sailed at Hayling Island on the south coast of England which is way tougher conditions than I get on the Sunshine Coast and didn't suffer many failures in gear. The last six months I've snapped one mast also ripped the sail in half, replaced with new 5-6m hd NP combat which now had a hole in it and today I ripped the window in my 5m combat. All this in only small waves and minor wipeouts. Not impressed at all. As you all now if I'm to change sail brands this also means new masts. Never had such a problem with gear, not good for my bank account or telling my wife I have to spend more money. Thoughts people? Bomb proof maybe Ezzys sails?

It sucks big time on the other hand that's the cost of getting good rides!!! Nothing breaks at home :)

You probably already know all the tricks. Duck diving and such, takes longer to waterstart but better to waterstart away from the breaking zone unless you know or can see you are in a wave lull. I think breakage happens when the gear isn't set up correctly in relation to the wave. Drive the mast tip into the wave. Hold the back strap and the boom, etc. There are various options depending on the wave size / power.

Be more alert when in a wave breaking zone, more active, try not to stall, maybe time the sets, etc.
Doesn't have too be powerful to be gear-munching material, just needs to be shallow!

I duck dive less unless if it's about to close or if it's a powerful day but it's just taking chances basically.
If you are on Neilpryde RDM's then you can switch to Ezzy sails and keep your masts, I think they'd work. I have found that using an Ezzy mast in a Neilpryde sail made the sail lighter and less heavy. But the opposite may not be true. Need to test.

Also, you could sell your gear obviously. The cost difference may not be that much.

Here is my vid on crossing white water, duck diving, grabbing the mast for fast water starts, keep your sail high if waterstarting, etc.

Maybe you are just going harder now than you used to, or you've started doing something kooky that breaks gear.

i know I've had periods where I've broken heaps of stuff and then periods where i feel I've been going harder and haven't broken anything. I also seem to break more stuff in small waves, probably because they break in shallow water.

also if it's wave gear I wouldn't worry about getting new masts if you change sail brands. It's just a wave sail, you could pretty much put a broom stick up it and it would feel the same.

Hey ShaunMurphy. I too am an old Hayling Is windsurfer from the 80's who now sails at Kawana, Dickeys reef and Redcliffe. I used to work in South London and charge down the A3 after work when the wind was on and the days were long.
Redcliffe is very similar to Hayling Is and you don't break gear at Redcliffe. Kawana on the other hand has a very tricky shore break that creates carnage if you don't get through it quick smart. Avoid Kawana in a southerly is my advice and just head to Dickeys reef off Neill st, you'll love it. Kawana is the spot in a Northerly but just practice running on to your board and don't delay that charge through the waves, even when it is small wind swell. I will be at Kawana all next week, see ya out there!

I went through a stage when every second time I went out I broke a mast or sail.. I think I went through 6 masts and 3-4 sails in 6 months. mast were covered under warranty but the sails that got ripped weren't. I was a running joke and a poor one at that!!

Wont name brands but touch wood since I changed gear to Severene several years ago, nothing and full confident in the gear every time I hit the water.

Just get kit that is made for the right conditions and don't worry about weight or design!!

Hey SM ... I would look at sail companies compatible with NP flex-top masts - such as Hotsails - get some ks3 or quad that rig great on yr NP masts .... they will be lighter / stronger maybe than NP ... Ive beaten these sails in harsh conditions - they last pretty good ! ... good materials ...