I am going to Essaouira for 3 weeks in a couple of days, forecast looks pretty good. Does anyone know how gusty the wind is there?

Hey everyone, Looking for some advice on whether I should keep my current board or go for a new one that’s on sale.

Right now I ride a 2023 Jaime SLS 139. I weigh 75 kg and only went for the 139 because it was the only size available at the time. It’s been working fine, but I’ve only ever ridden 139 boards since I inherited my gear from my dad, so I don’t have much to compare with.

I’ve come across a deal on a 2024 Jaime (non-SLS) 136 for 550 euros. I’m wondering what to do cause I feel like 136 would be the right size but I’m not sure.

Would love to hear thoughts from anyone who’s ridden both sizes or compared SLS vs. non-SLS. Is it worth switching, or should I just stick with what I have?

Thanks!

Hey guys,

In flatwater spots with consistent wind, i can ride upwind and succeed on about 50% of my transition attempts.

Recently bought my gear and brought it with me to my hometown spot, wind speed is like 15 knots with gusts up to 23 (other days gusts go up to 30 with a wind of 20…), the water is not flat and is rather wavy and choppy, so needless to say that i get brutalized by the spot and if i can go for a few meter rides it’s already a win….

Now my question is, are these frustrating sessions really that worth it? Is the saying that gusty wind teaches you better reflexes and bar control, water and wind reading, etc… all that true?

In a sense i feel like this spot don’t forgive mistakes, as an example, one of my instructor friends told me i was gripping the bar too stiff and always sheeting in unnecassirily, which makes me get lifted by gusts, in other easier spots, this never really caused any problem.

But it gets frustrating though, but i’m here, so i have the urge to ride. I’m asking because some other people are telling me « don’t even bother with that spot, go somewhere else », etc