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How to Start Windsurfing
The first time I saw windsurfing was in Lanzarote, my brother and I were there for a package holiday and we saw some guys wave sailing on one of the beach`s. It looked exiting, fast, good high jumps, something we really wanted to try out. A day later we watched a group getting lessons, they fell in every 5 minutes so we decided it would be better to try it somewhere without waves. A few months later, I was down in Oysterhaven on a company activity day, part of which was to kayak around the bay. There was also a windsurf lesson with 4-5 people going on at the same time. The location was set, so I would be back soon to try it out.
Two weeks later I was booked on a Saturday taster course. Putting on a wetsuit was a new experience and took a bit of getting used to. We walked out the side of the harbour in a low tide/low wind and were shown how to uphaul and stand, then shown how to turn. Moment of truth arrived and after struggling with the sail 2-3 times I was off. It was a great feeling to be gliding through the water, it wasn`t long before a boat got in my way (Well it was stationery but what did I know about direction, I was just hanging on - what was that about turning again? Crap - just drop the sail and uphaul from the other side. The fun had started.....
Ok, so now I knew this windsurfing was something I wanted to have a crack at, so I booked myself on a beginners course. This started out well, as I was hugely enthusiastic and really wanted to get up to speed. I have to say that I found the lessons tough going and really didn`t learn as much as I expected, however what I did get was a few bursts of speed, an appreciation of windsurfing and a buzz that had me hooked so that I would keep coming back for more. My expectations were probably too high - I thought I would be able to sail by myself, turn and maybe even use a harness. It would take a good few more outings to master these. (And am still improving at it to this day)
The First Solo Steps...
I done a few rentals and then found out that rentals shut up shop after September for the winter. Now that I had just discovered something new, there was no way I was giving up for the winter, so I scoured the internet for information and then went looking for a 2nd hand board & rig. Luckily for me, Pearse answered an email on the Irish windsurfireland email group and I secured a solid & cheap Starboard start & rig. Perfect for what I needed.
Picking up the board meant folding the passenger seat, only to soon realise that a beginner windsurf board is very big up close - it feels a lot smaller on the water! I ventured out in Cork harbour and progressed in gradual steps - it was both fantastically challenging and fun. The downside being that when it was calm enough for me to go out, there usually wasn`t another windsurfer out, and being new to windsurfing, I was concious of safety and didn`t risk going too far out. Then when it was windy enough for others to be out, it was too much for me, as it takes time to progress and to be able to handle more wind.
I purchased a second sail and a harness which really opened up my sailing. I was now moving steadily when there was wind and even planing in the gusts! The adrenalin was now pumping every time I went out. The harness was the next thing to work on, as my arms were sore until at least Wednesday of each week after a weekend sail.
Currently...
This year I went to Lanzarote in February (2009) to kickstart the windsurfing year. I tried smaller boards such as a 110L and 130L, where I found the 110L was way too small, but the 130l was very enjoyable. It was more difficult to turn due to its smaller size, but really lively in a straight line.
My intention is to buy a smaller board this year, probably something like a 120l, but need to try out different boards to decide which one I feel comfortable with. I have been out most weekends since and the last few weekends I used my first cam sail, which feels very different to the smaller sails but makes a lot more days sailable.
My main ambition is to improve my planing technique, crack the waterstart and race in some of the Slalom events. Here are my top 10 tips for other beginners...
Now it`s your turn! Click HERE to START WINDSURFING!
