best sport (Windsurfing)

Member Name: mizzy

Product:	Windsurfing
Date:	08/03/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Outdoors, keeps you fit

Disadvantages: Can be dangerous in open water

Windsurfing is one of the best sports for keeping you toned and fit. Theres an awful lot of lifting up wet sails when your a beginner, and then once you get better, having a harness holding you on to the sail, no hands is a massive adrenaline rush!

Buy a second hand piece of kit, make sure it comes with all the bits that join it together, and make sure that you see the sail rolled out so it has no holes in it.

My dad bought a second hand board and sail which I learnt on, when I got better he bought a wider smaller board, that was really stable and easy to get going fast. He also bought me a 5m sail. It was just the right size to be able to lift up if I fell off.

Learning to beach start is one of the best things you can do. It means that you dont have to start by lifting the sail out of the water, you can just hold the sail up, standing on the shore, and step on the board. It also looks more elegant.

Its best to start in calm water like some kind of small lake. I learnt on a small artificial lake where my dad could run round the other side, turn me around and off I would go again. There was hardly any wind but it was great for learning balance and building strength up.
Then we went to calshot, and the cove provided great shelter against waves, and was big enough to go fast.

We went on 2 windsurfing holidays, which were great as you didnt have to wear a wetsuit as it was so hot. Make sure you always wear a life vest just in case you get into trouble. I had a small boyancy aid that was neat enough not to get in the way.

Its a great sport, the pros make it look easy but it takes a few years of pulling a sail up to get anywhere. Keep with it and the buzz will get you hooked.

Summary: Its better than sailing!