Windsurfing Magazine

kristin
2008-06-24 14:00:00 | 1640 views | 0 Comments

photo: Sandie Allen

Step One: TAKE A LESSON
Only a certified instructor can help you use an invisible force like the wind, or teach you how to maneuver a board and sail that can rotate 360 degrees independently of one another. Sound complicated? It isn’t with expert teachers. They offer you the best chance of success. From there, they can provide you tailored advice for things like gear purchases, places to sail and skills to work on next.

photo: courtesy Roberto Ricci Designs

Step Two: FIND THE GEAR YOU NEED
Your best bet for gear is an entry-level package, which can run from $1,000 to $1,800. Most all shops offer one, and it includes a board and rig, comprising a sail, mast, mast base and boom. As a package, the gear is sold at a lower price than the new items cost separately, making it a can’t-miss deal.

Your First Board
An 80 cm width and 180 liters of volume is a good starting point for board sizing. Heavier sailors (over 185 pounds) should lean toward additional width and volume. Lightweights (under 160 pounds) can opt for less.
Padded Eva Deck - It isn’t a must-have, but it can save your knees and shins from getting scraped while climbing aboard.
Center Fin - Not all boards offer this, so be sure yours does, because it provides stability and light-wind performance essential for learning basics.

Gear Buying No-Nos
Avoid boards that…
• are more than five years old.
• don’t include a center fin or centerboard.
• are less than 70 cm wide.
• have a nonskid deck that’s slick to the touch.

Avoid sails that…
• are more than five years old.
• have holes in them, or appear faded and worn.
• are larger than 6.5 meters, or designed for racing.
• may require purchasing a new mast or boom.

photo: courtesy Exocet

Step 3: PICK THE RIGHT SPOT
The ideal windsurfing location is likely the same place you took your first lesson. If that location isn’t an option, try these tips.

FIND OTHER WINDSURFERS IN YOUR AREA — Go to Google and search “windsurfing [your area]” to see what it turns up. There’s no better expert on windsurfi ng in your neighborhood than someone who already sails there. And you’ll likely make a new windsurfing friend.

CHOOSE AN ENCLOSED BODY OF WATER — A lake or large pond can be perfect for progressing, provided you won’t be in close proximity to much motorboat traffic. Calm bays can be great too, though beware of tidal currents.

LOCATE LIGHT WINDS AND FLAT WATER — For learning, winds of 3-11 mph are ideal. In these wind conditions, the water texture has a light ripple to it. Steer clear of areas with heavy chop, or wind and water conditions that reveal whitecaps, which can make balancing difficult.

AVOID OFFSHORE WINDS — When looking at the water, you want to feel the wind hitting your face head-on or from the side. If the wind is hitting your back, it’s offshore, which can blow you away from your starting point. Onshore winds are best to keep you close and safe.