Windsurfing - what is it and how to windsurf?

There are many active sports and entertainment, among which there is windsurfing, which combines surfing and sailing. Its advantages include the fact that it can be practiced not only on any water bodies, but even on snow.

What is windsurfing?

This is a kind of sailing and fun on the water, implying masterful management of a light board with a sail installed on it. Many people, explaining what it means windsurfing, talk about the similarity of this direction with the management of a small yacht with a hull and sail. It is important to note that the movement is due to the strength of the wind, and control is carried out in the displacement mode of motion. Windsurfing is a sport that you can practice for fun and professionally when speaking at competitions. There are a number of advantages for windsurfing:

  1. The control technique loads the main muscle groups, bringing the entire body into tone. As a result, a person not only enjoys, but also trains the body.
  2. Learning to stand on the board with a sail is easy, but you can train on any pond where there is a wind.

Surfing and windsurfing - differences

There are several directions in the sport, in which the board is used, so, in surfing, in addition to it, you do not need any additional equipment. To do it, you need waves, thanks to which the board and comes into motion, and in their absence, nothing happens. In addition, as mentioned earlier, the sport of windsurfing involves the use of a sail, and for surfing it is not needed. Another difference is that on a regular board in the snow to ride will not work.

What to choose windsurfing or kitesurfing?

There are several differences between the presented sports directions, if with windsurfing more or less understood, then, as for kitesurfing, there are some differences:

  1. For classes you need a kite (kite), a bar with slings and a board. As a result, the equipment is more compact.
  2. To go for a drive it is necessary in a place where there is a big beach to lay out the equipment and a convenient exit on water.
  3. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are characterized by increased requirements for weather conditions, so, the wind should be smooth and strong.
  4. Training will be lengthy, since it is difficult to learn how to control a kite.

Equipment for windsurfing

Beginners are not advised to immediately buy individual equipment and it is better to start with a rental kit. First, windsurfing should be done on a long board, the size of which should be chosen depending on the weight of the person. Pay attention to the board and the fin was present on the board. It is recommended to take a kit, which includes a sail, a mast and a boom. There are some additional devices:

  1. Trapezium is a detail that translates a part of the load of the sail from the hands. It can be waist or sessile.
  2. Wetsuit must be used at any temperature - in the cold it protects from hypothermia, and in warm weather from sunburn.

Sail for windsurfing

This specialized part of the equipment, which is functionally divided into a sail for races, slalom and waves. They can be large and small, and when choosing it is worth considering the strength of the wind in the place where you want to ride. The size of the sail for windsurfing varies from 1.5 to 12 square meters. A large sail catches even a small breeze, but at the same time it is difficult to control it. If you want to windsurf, then it's important to buy a sail from the right material:

  1. Dacron . The most popular variant among beginners, as it is inexpensive, light and wear-resistant.
  2. Mylar . This cloth has a large number of layers, which helps it to hold the mold better, but at the same time the material may become delaminated after a while.
  3. Film . The main material used to make sails for windsurfing. It keeps the shape of the sail the best.

Windsurf board

In the stores are presented boards, which differ in the geometric shape of the hull and the overall volume. It is important to pay attention to the board material and it is best to choose seamless variants of Kevlar and Carbon that are durable, not heavy and wear-resistant. For freestyle fit plastic boards. For those who are interested in how to choose a board for windsurfing, it is important to consider the length and this parameter varies from 2.2 to 3.8 m, but the volume is from 70 to 250 liters.

  1. Long boards are considered to be more than 290 cm. This is ideal for skiing in weak winds. In the construction of such a board there is a dock - a part providing stability at low speeds.
  2. Short options are considered to be less than 290 cm long. In this case, stability is ensured by a high sliding speed. Windsurfing on short boards is more maneuverable, and the athlete can make jumps and various feints.

How to windsurf?

To learn how to skate quickly and without much difficulty, it is best to take the help of an instructor. If there is no such possibility, then it is necessary to take into account some features.

  1. Windsurfing involves proper setting of the board, depending on the wind. This will avoid falling. It begins with a shallow depth. Place the board perpendicular to the wind, and the sail should be placed on the leeward side, that is, the wind should blow in the back.
  2. When the board is installed, it is necessary to stand on it and you can start moving. Windsurfing begins with the fact that the stern foot should be put a little forward, and with the aft hand take hold of the boom, about 2/3 of its length. Put your nasal hand on the boom, located near the mast.
  3. Slowly turn the sail to your side, while the mast should not bend. The nasal leg should be pivoted to the hinge and slightly deployed to the nose. Thanks to this, you can easily control the movements.
  4. The sail needs to be closed to achieve acceleration, and when the boom begins to pull, follow the course to continue to move at right angles to the wind. If the board unfolds, then it is worth adjusting the course by tilting the mast into the stern or nose.
  5. Place the fore foot behind the hinge, and move your hands away from the mast. Continue the movement by holding the sail so that it does not sink. It is important that the back is flat, and the knees slightly bent.

Windsurfing is a danger

This sporting direction for many looks absolutely safe, as it is very difficult to get the injury by falling into the water. It is important to choose the right equipment and not to disregard the safety rules. One can not ignore the unpredictability of weather and the human factor, that is, the inability to control the sail and the board. Many newcomers are injured because of a blow to the mast, board or boom. More dangerous is windsurfing in the snow, as it will have to fall on a hard surface.