Let’ Go Windsurfing!
This picture was taken from: www.hawaii.edu
It’s not as difficult as it seems. And it takes only a day to master the basics. During the first lesson you’ll learn how to stand on the board but also how to sail around. While looking at windsurfers the impression is that it’s very difficult but, as Amanda Van Santen, a windsurfing instructor says “it’s the complete opposite. It’s not as technically difficult as it might appear and you can pick it up relatively quickly”.
Amanda says it’s a great sport to learn in a group. You can grab your family or a few friends and learn together.
The boat is being steered by tilting and rotating the mast and sail. Very high speed is possible to achieve - some windsurfers travel even 50mph and do freestyle moves in the same time. Windsurfing is very good for fitness, lets you enjoy fresh air and the water, and it’s very social.
Windsurfing is often associated with exotic places but it can be easily done around the UK. The best thing to do is to take a few lessons. You’ll then learn, as said above, how to stand on the board, how to orient yourself in relation to the wind and how to get the board. By the end of the course you’ll be able to sail across the wind, upwind and downwind and return to where you started.
Most of the windsurfing lessons start on a simulator before going onto the water. It helps to practice basic moves - climbing onto the board, pulling the rig out the water and getting into the sailing position. After that, the instructor will show it on the water and the, you can try as well.
You don’t need to be a very good swimmer to start windsurfing but you need to feel confident in the water. You will wear buoyancy aids and in case wind blows you somewhere you don’t think you’ll come back, the safety boat will rescue you.
