Windsurfing
Like surfing but with a massive sail on your board.
The board is different to the one used when surfing. You have foot straps, a heavier and wider board and of course the sail.
Windsurfers can reach wetsuit wetting speeds in a short space of time and you can also get some serious air with these things. You need lessons on how to control the board as it can be difficult. It's all to do with tilting and rotating the sail to determine where you go. Conditions also have to be correct to do the sport but when they are its great!
Windsurfing kind of took a back seat while Kitesurfing was becoming more popluar. But its back on the increase in the uber cool charts! Check out the nutters on the above video to see how cool.
Lessons are a must with this extreme sport. Learning how to start, ride and steer the board isn't as easy as it looks. Its all about tilting the sail forwards or backwards to go left or right and turning the sail to catch the wind for the power. All this and trying to balance on the board and perform kick ass tricks. Not easy!
There are a few different types of boards for different styles of surfing:-
- Freeride - Boards meant for comfortable recreational cruising. Nice starting board.
- Wave - Small, light and very manouverable boards for use in breaking waves. Used for jumping and carving up the waves.
- Freestyle - Just like a wave board but wider and stronger. Used for jumps, flips and tricks.
- Racing - Short boards designs to gain maxium speeds.
All boards can be bought with the correct sail for that style.
Where to go, Cost and Equipment
Where
Check out www.ukwindsurfing.com for you local clubs, windsurfing events and locations.
Cost and Equipment
Windsurf Package - Everything that you need to go windsurfing. Board, Sail, Rig, Bag, Fins etc. This is expensive. Around £900. There are alot of second hand boards and equipment around which are massively cheaper than buying new so looking around first.
Wet Suits - When Windsurfing in the UK we recommend that you only buy a winter wet suit. The sea is never that warm in the UK. Spend no less than £100 for a good west suit.