hi everyone

I am currently studying at loughborough university, i am involved in my final year project, i'm cosidering the idea of a multi functional windsurfing equiment trolley. Most windsurfers have large quiver and board bags which they struggle to transport about, particularly to and onto the beach, therefore i am interested to see if anyone believes this is actually an issue, and subsequently if anyone would consider buying a trolley if it were user friendly and perhaps were foldable so could be transported easily and fit in the quiver/board bag. Would really appreciate it if anyone could reply.

regards

nic

you need to think about the whole process of windsurfing

travel to the venue
car with roof rack ..or
car with trailer..or
van
so how would you carry your invention

transport to rigging area
nearby so no problem
cross a beach
what is the terrain like sandy etc

what is transported to the rigging area
how many boards..1 or 2 usually
how many rigs ...1 usually ,sail, mast ,boom
bits and bobs, boom , mastfoot, extension, tools, fins etc

in my case I sail at west kirby or watergrove and I can park at the venue so have no need for a transporter

There was an article in Boards magazine about a year ago, someone in N Wales made one and used it to transport his kit ( I think it was Hells Mouth, which is a hike from the car park). It looked like a good idea, but what if you launch low tide, you have to get it above high water and vice versa, don't think non-windsurfing missus will be impressed traipsing up and down with the empty trolley. However if strenghth is on the wane, could sell.

Used to be fairly commom in the long board era.

Would need to be collapsable, lightweight and easily transportable on top of a board on a roofrack. Also carry board and rig without crushing sail.

Shower & Bar optional)

I can only think that a trolly would be useful for a windsurfer who lives within walking distance of a launch site or for someone transporting kit by car but is unable to park or drop-off kit close by.
What about looking at the design of car trailers for transporting windsurf kit? I see quite a few guys using trailers these days and they seem to be getting more popular, thing is most of em seem to be home-made!

I think the device may already exist.

There is a guy who sails at West Kirby who walks to the lake with his kit all packed up on a trolley.

Basically the rig components are packed up, laid on top of the board with a strap to secure. The trolley which is a simple vertical 'V' with a pair of large beach type inflated tyres is then placed under one end of the board and secured with a strap.

You then simply pick up the opposite end of the board and walk.

The 'V' shaped trolley folds flat for easy storage. The whole thing must be no bigger than the old fasioned shopping trolley for taking groceries home.

Alternativly there's this one available from Decathlon

http://www.tribord.com/EN/tr-400-trolley-3557255/