Thinking of taking up windsurfing? Windsurfing is an exhilarating sport, that you can pick up and start learning whatever your age or ability. Windsurfing is a form of sailing. You stand on a board, holding a sail which is attached to the board and are powered across the water by the wind. You steer by adjusting the position of the sail and moving your feet. Like most sports the more you practise the better you will become, the progression curve is quite steep and you can pick it up very quickly.
Neilson offers free tuition from qualified instructors who are passionate about teaching their sport. You will start on a bigger board with a small sail, before gradually moving onto a smaller board as your skill levels increase. The sail size tends to depend on the conditions.
With both sports, you stand on a board and use the wind to power you across the water. However, kitesurfing and windsurfing are quite different sports. Windsurfing is much easier to learn, whilst kitesurfing takes more time and requires more instruction to get to the same stage.
Rather than a sail attached to your board kitesurfing uses a large, crescent-shaped kite. Another watersport which is sometimes confused with windsurfing is surfing. Buoyancy aids are supplied at all beachclubs in a range of sizes and all boards and sails are also provided for you.
Balancing on the board and attempting to pull up the sail and position yourself whilst understanding wind direction can prove a little tricky at first. Falling in means having to climb back on the board and pick up the sail to try again. Difficult to understand from a book but easy to grasp when an instructor shows you how. First things first, you need to work out where the wind is coming from; the flags on the beach will give you a good indication of this.
You should always have your back to the wind and most windsurfers sail back and forth at 90 degrees to the wind, this is called sailing across the wind.
Learning a new sport, you will hear quite a few unfamiliar words, it can sometimes feel like you are learning a new language. Deck — the top surface of the board. The moveable center of effort is the key to the free sail system, and the reason sailboards don't need a rudder to steer.
Keep the boom in fairly close to your chest so that the mast stays on the board's centerline - don't lean it away from you. Keep your front leg fairly straight and pointed toward the front of the board. Through it, you transfer the sail's force to drive the board. In stronger winds, you will move your feet out closer to the windward rail and lean back more to counter the increased pull on the sail.
Since it is impossible to sail directly into the wind, to travel upwind, you must sail on a series of tacks close-hauled, making a zig-zag course until you reach your destination. Coming about is turning to the new upwind tack by bringing the nose of the board across the wind.
To come about when sailing close-hauled, first, lean the mast way back until the board heads up into the wind. Step around in front of the mast as the board heads up using small steps and staying close to the mast base. Lean the mast to the side of the board toward which you wish to turn, and the nose of the board will come around in that direction. As the board comes around to the new direction, keep your back to the wind by continuing to step around the mast base.
When the board is pointing the direction, you now wish to sail, tip the mast forward, sheet in as before, and sail off on the new course. If you are sailing downwind on a broad reach and wish to turn so that the wind is coming from the other side, first lean the mast toward the nose of the board so that you begin to sail straight downwind. As the board comes around, move your feet until you are standing with one foot on either side of the daggerboard well, centered on the board.
Release your sheet hand from the boom, and holding onto the uphaul line, let the sail swing around over the nose of the board so you can grab the boom with your other hand on the opposite side. As it begins to head downwind, step around so that both feet are placed equally on opposite sides of the daggerboard, well facing forward. Bring the sail around so that it is approximately perpendicular to the board, with the mast leaning to the ski windward side. Look through the sail window and steer the board by leaning the boom and mast to left or right instead of forward or back.
Balance is difficult in this position, so you may want to assume a slightly lower stance with knees bent more. Should you ever be completely becalmed, break a piece of equipment, or find yourself in more wind than you can handle, you can partially disassemble your rig in the water and paddle back to shore. Release the outhaul line from the cleat and let it all the way out through the grommet in the clew of the sail. You may then simply gather up the sail around the mast and rotate the booms up against the sail and mast, place the mast and booms down the centerline of the board, kneel on either side of the mast, and paddle.
When participating in any open-water sport, it is always a good idea to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Choose your location carefully. Avoid locations with jagged rocks, strong currents, strong offshore winds, waves, powerboats, and overhead power lines.
For obvious reasons, do not sail when there is lightning in the area, even though the high winds may tempt you. Avoid sailing in the surf until you are experienced enough to handle it. Pulling in the sail without heading upwind is hard for most beginners. Remember, you have to lean the mast toward the nose of the board to get going.
Once sailing, ease the mast back to hold a straight course. If the wind pulls too hard, hold on with the mast hand and release the sheet hand. Always release the sheet hand first to dump wind. Learn the right-of-way rules for sailcraft and other boats. Check the local regulations where you sail.
Sailing may be restricted to certain hours or designated areas for your safety. It's up to you to inquire. The deck of a new board may need to be roughed up with a handful of sand to make it less slick. Go easy; just rub until it feels right, don't overdo it. When sailing in salt water, always rinse off all your equipment with fresh water before putting it away. Dry your sail before rolling or folding it up for storage. If using roof racks to transport your windsurfing kit, use the soft type if possible as they don't dent the rails of your board.
If you see any tiedown strap digging into the rails, use a piece of cardboard at the tiedown point to spread the load and keep it from cutting into the board. Dents will come out slowly, but it's best not to get them in the first place.
When transporting on top of a car, place the board top side down with the nose to the rear of the car. Robby Naish: the ultimate windsurfer and water sports icon.
How to body drag in windsurfing. A new theory on sailing downwind faster than the wind. How to sail: the ultimate beginner's guide to windsurfing March 10, Windsurfing.
Windsurfing is a thrilling water sport. Learn how to sail a windsurfer. Discover the original Windjammer's boardsailing short course for beginners. This is called the Number 7, and that should indicate the posture to you. If you need to stop, return to the safety position, or drop the boom if it is safe to do so.
Make sure it goes in front of you, and bear in mind you will get very tired if you have to keep on picking it up. Tilt the mast from the safety position towards the stern to turn the nose of the board upwind behind you or towards the bow to turn downwind in front of you.
This principle works whilst sailing too - tilt the mast forward and backward using the boom to adjust your course. How to Windsurf? Previous Page. Next Page. Previous Page Print Page.
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