Winter storage: how to store sails, wings, foils, boards and SUPs

Not everyone goes out in winter too. If your gear is going to sit unused for a few months, preparing it properly saves you nasty surprises in spring: mould on the sails, foil screws seized by corrosion, small cracks in the board letting water in. Here's how to do winter storage properly.

1. Rule number one: everything clean and dry

Salt, sand and damp cause almost all the damage during the break. Before you put anything away:

• rinse everything with fresh water;
• let it dry completely, in the shade and somewhere airy;
• store it somewhere cool, dry and out of the sun: no baking-hot attics or damp garages.

2. Windsurf sails

• Rinse them with fresh water, especially the windows, luff sleeve and seams.
• Release the downhaul and batten tension.
• Roll the sail from the head, following the battens, without folding the monofilm windows.
• Store it in its bag, lying flat or standing upright, with nothing heavy on top.
• Check for tears or open seams and have them repaired before the season.

3. Wings and parawings

• Rinse the wing, especially the valves and the bladder zips.
• Let it dry inflated and in the shade, then deflate it completely.
• Fold it loosely, without tight creases on the leading edge, and keep it in its bag.
• Check the handles, leash and pump (seals and hose).

4. Hydrofoils

The foil suffers most during the break, because aluminium, carbon and steel screws in contact with salt cause galvanic corrosion.

• Take the foil completely apart: mast, fuselage, wings and plate.
• Rinse every part and the screws in fresh water and dry them thoroughly.
• Check the contact points between aluminium and carbon: if you find white oxide, clean it off.
• Before reassembling it (in spring), apply anti-corrosion grease or paste to the threads and contact surfaces.
• Keep the wings and mast in their padded covers to avoid scratches and knocks on the edges.

Blackline hydrofoil bag

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Screw and hardware case

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Blackline foil bag

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5. Hard boards (windsurf, wing, surf, SUP)

• Remove fins, foil, footstraps if needed and the mast base, and rinse the boxes.
• Check the board carefully: every crack or ding must be repaired before the break, because water getting into the core can damage it.
• Store it in its bag, horizontally on padded supports or upright resting on the tail, never in contact with heat sources.
• If the board has a vent valve, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Pro Luxury windsurf bag

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Wing Bag 8 mm

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Adhesive nose protector

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6. Inflatable SUPs

• Wash the board with fresh water and a neutral detergent, and clean the valve.
• Let it dry inflated, after checking that it holds pressure.
• Store it deflated and loosely rolled in its bag, or slightly inflated if you have space.
• Away from heat sources and sharp objects.

7. Mast, boom and accessories

• Separate the mast sections and clean the joints of sand.
• Check the harness lines, base and joint: they're safety parts to replace if worn.
• Rinse the boom, especially the head and the tail end.
• For wetsuits, follow our guide to washing and storing your wetsuit.

Winter storage FAQ

How should you store a windsurf sail?

Clean and dry, rolled from the head following the battens, with the downhaul released, in its bag somewhere dry and away from the sun.

How should you store a wing?

Rinsed, dried inflated in the shade, then fully deflated and loosely folded in its bag.

How do you prevent foil corrosion?

Take it apart, rinse every part and the screws in fresh water, dry thoroughly and use anti-corrosion grease on the threads and contact surfaces when you reassemble it.

Should an inflatable SUP be stored inflated or deflated?

Both work if the board is clean and dry. Deflated takes up less space: roll it loosely. If you have room, slightly inflated avoids creases.

Where should you store your gear in winter?

Somewhere cool, dry and dark. Avoid hot attics, damp garages and direct contact with a cold floor.

Need a repair or a spare part after the break? See the spare parts or write to us.