Exercise - Free Fitness Library
Windsurfing - All you need to know
Windsurfing evolved from regular board surfing in the early 1970's.
The Hawaiian Islands were the testing grounds for the early pioneers
of the sport.
Today like so many other sports, windsurfing has grown into a multi
million dollar business world wide. With changes in technology happening
constantly, making us go ever faster enfuelling mans desire for speed.
How do I go about learning and where should I sail?
Here in the UK, the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) is the governing
body, dealing with the teaching of beginners through to the more experienced
Olympic campaigners. Teaching standards are high due to constant re-validation
of certification of all instructors.
To begin you can take anything from an hour to a full days course. These will generally cost between £15 per hour to £50-£60 for an eight to ten hour intensive course. Swimming is a must but you will be given wetsuits and a bouncy aid whilst learning. Remember, you will be spending a fair amount of time in the first few days in and out of the water.
There are numerous venues around the UK and for further information on prices, venues and dates the RYA can be reached on 01703 627 400. Due to our predominately cooler weather, windsurfng for most of us becomes a seasonal sport ruled by the elements. There are and always will be the Die-Hard, thick skinned dudes who will be out in gales, snow, rain or shine just as long as the winds are blowing and the waves are head high.
Once you are up and going, there are endless places to sail, although for many Dover to Penzance seems to offer the best options. If you live in London or other large cities, you can usually find quarry pits, lakes or lagoons in a close vicinity.
What should I buy and how much should I spend?
Sooner or later you will be looking to buy your own equipment and it
does not mean that you will need a trip to the bank manager to do so.
You can buy second hand or new, and like choosing a car, the choices
are endless from a Mini to a Rolls Royce. It is certainly not the case
that you need the Rolls Royce to go fast and jump high or simply enjoy
your new chosen sport.
Getting on the water can cost you as little as £200 second hand. If you decide on new equipment then this does demand a fatter wallet. From £500 upwards is probably what you will end up spending but always shop around as it is a buyers market, don't be hasty! A wet suit is a must and the choices are endless, spending between £30-£300, depending on second hand or a top quality new winter suit. Again, my advice is the same, shop around and always try on for size as you must have freedom of movement.
Looking good on the beach can be expensive
It must at this point be pointed out to all those "want to be"
wind surfers that the art of windsurfing is performed on the water and
not posing on the beach. However, if you want to be cool and in, a trip
to the bank manager may now be in order! For some, looking good on the
beach is more important than looking good on the water, and if that's
you this is what you need:
Quicksilver, Chimsee, O'Neill and Oxbow to name but a
few will help your beach cred no end. You will also find yourself widening
your vocabulary to include a number of otherwise useless words and expressions
such as:
'Kegging', 'Styling', 'Totally rad', 'I'm totally maxed out' and 'Mast
high sets dude'.
Soon you'll be able to exaggerate the truth wildly, adding metres to
wave sizes and doubling the wind strength. This new found ability comes
into it's own when telling stories of classic days passed when your
chosen friend was looking after the kids, going to mums for dinner or
simply stuck in the office!
Am I fit enough to be windsurfing?
To be honest, the majority of windsurfers I have known over my 11 or
so years in the sport are relatively unfit. For those who do work out,
they certainly gain more from the few hours actually spent sailing than
those who chose not to. It is important to swim, cycle, run or walk
to improve your cardiovascular ability. Windsurfing is mostly upper
body strength oriented. Having said that, good technique is most important
and ladies tend to learn and sail as well, if not better, than the guys.
A few exercises you will benefit from will be:
For your back: Lateral pulldowns (chins), close grip pulldowns, single
arm rows, trunk raises
For your legs: Leg extensions, leg curls, squats, calf raises
For your chest: Bench press (dips)
For your shoulders: Bent over raises, lateral raises, upright raises
For your arms: Wrist curls, bicep curls, tricep extensions (pushdowns)
For your abdominal: Crunches, reverse curls, side bends
Use what you like but remember that the aim of any fitness programme is total body fitness. For windsurfing, strengthening your back and arms will be most beneficial.
Are there professional windsurfers?
Windsurfing does have a world tour and we do have a few professional
windsurfers on it. Jamie Hawkins and the Baker brothers to name a few
are all doing well competing full time.
Learning to windsurf takes time, persistence and a lot of patience. It is a great sport, try it and you'll be hooked forever!
Handy tips to get you up and sailing:
Always keep the wind on your back
Keeping your back straight, use your legs to lift the sail as you stand
Keep your body weight over the centre of the board
Try to keep your arms straight, this helps you to balance the weight
of the sail against your body weight
To steer the board, lean the sail towards the back of the board to turn
into the wind and towards the front of the board to turn away from the
wind.