How to Start Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a fast-paced dynamic watersport involving moving along the water with the wind on a windsurf board and a sail. Windsurfing is one of the world’s greatest watersports as it is accessible to all levels and abilities and can be done in most countries, whether on lakes, ponds or in the sea.

Contents

• What is windsurfing?
• What types of windsurfing are there?
• How hard is windsurfing?
• Do you have to be fit to windsurf?
• How do I start windsurfing?
• Should I have windsurfing lessons?
• Where should beginner windsurfers go to buy their equipment?
• Is it safe to go windsurfing on my own?
• Should I get my friends interested in windsurfing?

Image copyright Simon Bornhoft - www.windwise.net

What is windsurfing?

Windsurfing is a water sport involving a board and a sail. Windsurfing is essentially a mix between sailing and surfing. Meaning you use the wind to power your movement whilst having the challenge of balancing on the board. 

What types of windsurfing are there?

There are lots of different types of windsurfing such as; wave, freestyle, freestyle wave, slalom race and freeride. Windsurfing has competitions in all these categories, and athletes compete at a very high level in all these disciplines. 

Wave riding windsurfing is usually performed on big waves, where the windsurfer will seek to find the right part of a big wave and ride it. A real combination of windsurfing and surfing. 

Freestyle windsurfing is doing as many complicated tricks on flat water as possible. 

Freestyle wave is super high jumps of big waves combined with adrenaline-inducing manoeuvres. 

Slalom is speed racing around a course, normally on bigger sails and boards. Windsurfers are looking to go as fast as possible. 

Freeride windsurfing is the discipline that a majority of windsurfers in the average population will do. It involves windsurfing for the pleasure of the speed, tacing, gybing and carve gybing. 

Image copyright Simon Bornhoft - www.windwise.net 

How hard is windsurfing?

 

Honestly? It's hard.

Windsurfing is a high-action, unpredictable sporting pursuit.  It does require discipline and the ability to remain calm and have a sense of humour when everything seems to be going wrong. 

One day you’ll be sailing very well and find it super easy, and the next you’ll be shouting at your sail and not understanding how to get back on your board.

Windsurfing is hard, but hard in a good way. It’s a full body and mind challenge. 

You’ll soon be craving cracking the hardest elements of windsurfing progression such as  your “tac”, “carve gybe” and “water start”. 

Learning these movements is a right of passage and is a big milestone for any beginner windsurfer, and will make you a better athlete in all other sports off the back of it. 

The grit needed for windsurfing will encourage an evocative response from your body making you stronger than ever. 

That being said, some people pick it up extremely quickly and find it very easy. Windsurfing is much easier if you have a few other water or balance sports under your belt first, like skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing or wakeboarding but absolutely try it without any other experience and see how you get on

Do you have to be fit to windsurf?

Beginner windsurfing requires upper body strength to pull the sail out of the water and to hold the sail in position when you’re sailing along. The bigger the sail you use, the heavier it will be to manoeuvre around. During lighter winds, you will need a bigger sail than in stronger winds. 

You will use your balance skills to stand on the board whilst it’s moving, but this skill is developed quickly when you are learning, and beginner boards are large, floaty and have lots of volume to make this as easy as possible when you’re starting out. 

Once you are able to use your harness, your upper body does significantly less work and the load is switched to your core, as you need to crunch down to sheet the sail in which takes the pressure off your upper body.

Once you learn to water start and are swimming and adjusting the rig out of your depth more, this will require more cardiovascular effort. 

Being fitter might mean you find windsurfing easier in the first instance but everyone should try it and see if they get on with it! 

How do I start windsurfing? 

Starting windsurfing is easy. Google your nearest windsurfing lake, reservoir, or beach. Most of them will be RYA (Royal Yachting Association) accredited, meaning the centres are equipped to help complete beginners get on the water safely. Go down and get a beginner windsurfing lesson to see what it's all about. There are lots of freelance windsurf coaches out there, book in a 1:1 lesson with them and you’ll get more focused attention than a group windsurf lesson.

Search here to find your nearest RYA centre and also give Vivida’s article ‘Top 11 Places to Windsurf in UK’ a read and see if any of the spots are near you. If you have someone who wants to try it with you, go together!

http://www.rya.org.uk/wheresmynearest/Pages/Directory.aspx#list/t-2

Image copyright - www.windwise.net 

Should I have windsurfing lessons?

Yes. We highly recommend getting a windsurfing lesson from an RYA centre or Windsurfing Coach so you can learn the correct technique on the most appropriate equipment and in the most suitable conditions for your ability. 

Windsurfing holidays are a great way to meet like-minded windsurfers and indulge in learning the sport. 

Where should beginner windsurfers go to buy their equipment?

Windsurfing equipment is expensive and adapting frequently to new technology would be confusing for beginners to keep up with. Sails, boom, board, fins, up haul, downhaul, mast, mast extension, foot straps, harness, wetsuit, boots, UJ, the list is endless and probably in a new language to most of you. 

Any time you hire from a windsurfing centre or windsurfing coach they will give you all the vital stuff you need, so all you need to turn up with is a towel and a positive attitude.

On the other hand, if you’re dead keen on having your own windsurfing kit, places like Facebook marketplace and Ebay are incredible resources for finding second-hand gems. Perhaps consider borrowing equipment from friends to get you started. Windsurfers love talking about windsurfing and getting new recruits on the water so they should be happy to help. 

Is it safe to go windsurfing on my own?

When you are at a competent level of windsurfing and know you can get back to shore if things were to go wrong, (ie, being able to water start, sail in very light or very strong winds on a variety of board sizes, and de-rig your kit in the water) then it’s safer to windsurf alone. 

Windsurfing is a dangerous sport and is never 100% risk-free, we recommend always going windsurfing with at least one other person and telling someone on shore where you’re going and when you expect to be back. 

Should I get my friends interested in windsurfing?

Yes, yes, yes and a thousand times yes. The world of windsurfing is an incredible space to meet new adventurers, reach new heights and explore new places. 

For a full glossary of windsurfing terms and even more tips read our How to Get into Windsurfing guide.