If you've never snowboarded/wakeboarded/anything-boarded Timbo's description is probably more accurate than anyone really wants to admit to. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

tx246 is spot on with board volume (and instruction). Those tiny boards look so cool jumping off the waves, but it can be tricky to get started with one. Bigger is better for beginners.

The only tidbit I can add to either post is once you get the sail out of the water, don't stand there and pat yourself on the back. Pull the sail in and get moving. The board is much more stable when it's moving than stopped.

Also, when I needed to take a rest, I would put the sail down on the board. It was a lot easier to pick it up off the board than from in the water.