It looks like a kite. It inflates in seconds. It’s 70% lighter than most windsurfing rigs. So how does the Arrows iRig perform? Matt offers answers.
Arrows iRig
Large
Rider Size: 5’7″ – 6’6″
Rig Weight: 4.8 lbs
Medium
Rider Size: 4’7″ – 5’7″
Rig Weight: 3.9 lbs
Small
Rider Size: 3’9″ – 4’7″
Rig Weight: 1.8 3.0 lbs
Matt Morrow, 185 lbs, Expert
What I Liked: Just pump and go. Setup couldn’t be any easier. I rigged (read: inflated) in two minutes. And since I matched the iRig with an inflatable board, it was the first time in my 25 years of windsurfing that my gear fit easily in the back of my car. I also liked how ridiculously lightweight the iRig was – for carrying, uphauling (no uphaul rope needed!) and handling. Unbelievably easy. And the handles that function as a boom felt well-placed. The sail power was balanced in hand.
Dislikes: It’s not a high-performance sail for high winds. But I would own it. It will make learning windsurfing easy for my son and my non-sailing friends. The iRig will focus their energy on sailing — not uphauling, or struggling to handle a heavy sail. And more energy for sailing means more time on the water, and a greater chance of them getting hooked.
Best Suits: light winds, learning to windsurf, lake cottages, family fun and possibly windsurfing schools. We’ll find out this summer by testing the iRig in our lessons program.
Matt Morrow is a true waterman, and a worldly one. He has lived, surfed, windsurfed, kite surfed and paddled in Australia, Turks and Caicos, Hawaii, Mexico, the DR and exotic Ontario.
