The world of windsurfing boasts of some of the most talented and gifted champions that have enthralled windsurfing lovers worldwide. With their unmatched abilities, great style and innovations, they have revolutionized the sport. Some of the surfers have contributed so much that their names have become synonymous with windsurfing. A glance through their achievements is a matter of great pleasure and inspiration.

Top Windsurfing Stars

Although the windsurfing arena is dominated by numerous talented surfers, few names stand out.

Robby Naish: A legendary figure in windsurfing, Robby or Robert Naish was one of the first surfers to truly dominate the sport for a long time. Robby took to surfing at the tender age of 11 and since then there was no looking back for him. One of the major reasons for Robby to take up windsurfing was his father – Rick Naish. Rick himself was an expert windsurfer and surf board designer and a great inspiration for young Robby to take up windsurfing.

Robby’s first big achievement was the World Championship title in 1976. It was the sheer genius in Robby that allowed a thirteen year old boy to defeat the most acclaimed surfers of that time.

Robby went on to win the World Championship titles consecutively from 1977 to 1979. He repeated his feat of winning successive World Championship titles from 1983 to 1987. Robby also dominated Wave Windsurfing and won the Wave World Championship in 1988, 1989 and 1991.

Although Robby was extremely deft at all the windsurfing movements, his expertise in ‘Table Top’, ‘Forward Loop’ and the famous ‘Longboard Loop’ captured audience attention world over.

Robby did not restrict himself to windsurfing only and went on to pursue kitesurfing. A naturally gifted surfer, Robby made a mark in the kitesurfing arena as well. He won the kitesurfing slalom world championship in 1998 as well as in 1999. He also won the kitesurfing jumping world title in 1999.

It is due to such an illustrious track record that Naish is considered as a windsurfer par excellence.

Bjorn Dunkerbeck: The late 1980s witnessed a rise of another windsurfer who could rise to the challenge of Robby Naish and carve a niche for himself on the global scenario. Bjorn Dunkerbeck won the PWA World Championship title on twelve occasions, which is a testimony of his great talent.

Bjorn mainly dominated the racing and wave sailing forms of windsurfing and went on to win major championships in these forms. Apart from the PWA world championship titles, Bjorn’s list of achievements includes race world championship title in 1988 and 1999, wave world championship title in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001 and freestyle world championship in 1998.

Antoine Albeau: A younger generation windsurfer, Antoine Albeau is a French windsurfer who has set new benchmarks in windsurfing. Since 1994, Antoine has won world championships in eleven different disciplines. However, Antoine’s greatest moment of glory came in March 2008, when he set a new world record in speed sailing.

Antoine completed the 500 meter course competition at Saintes Marie de la Mer at a speed of 49.09 knots (90.91 km/h). He broke the previous record by Finian Maynard who had accomplished the task at a speed of 48.70 knots in April 2005.

Apart from these, some of the leading champions to make a mark at the international windsurfing arena are Stephen van den Berg, Ricardo Campello and Kauli Seadi. Among the ladies, the top names include Karin Jaggi, Natalie Lelievre and the twin sister duo of Daida and Iballa Moreno.

These exceptional players have been largely responsible for inspiring windsurfing enthusiasts to take up the sport at a professional level.

With the increase in popularity of windsurfing, the number of events too has increased crowding the annual calendar. The most exciting feature for all windsurfing enthusiasts is that every event has a very unique character with a definite appeal thereby making every event special. Although there are a host of events held, few of the events dominate the windsurfing scene in a great way.

PWA Windsurfing World Tour

Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) is one of the leading authorities to organize international windsurfing events throughout the year. The PWA World Tour held each year is a collection of several events held at different venues across the world. For 2009, the tour begins with the wave surfing world cup at Cabo Verde in February followed by three slalom world cups in Austria (May 5th to 10th), Korea (May 16th to 22nd) and Spain (June 9th to 14th). The three slalom world cup events would be followed by two grand slams. The first grand slam would be held in July at Pozo Izquierdo in Spain that would feature wave and slalom windsurfing. The second grand slam would be held in August that would feature freestyle and slalom windsurfing. The PWA World tour schedule also includes freestyle world cup, a super grand slam (featuring wave, freestyle and slalom) as well as indoor windsurfing by the end of the year.

Defi Wind

One of the most anticipated windsurfing events every year, the Defi Wind is the biggest windsurfing race in the world. Participants from as many as 14 countries participate in this race. In 2009, it will be held from 21st to 24th May. In 2008, about 800 windsurfers participated in this contest.

Youth World Championship

Yet another major event held in July is the Youth World Championship that witnesses participants from more than 50 countries every year. The 2009 edition of the championship would be held in Brazil.

Mondial du Vent

One of the most celebrated events in windsurfing, the Mondial du Vent is a combination of windsurfing and kitesurfing. Started in 1996, this event is held in Leucate, which is located off the south-eastern coast of France. The highlight of this event is the ‘Orange Speed Crossing’, which is a competition of windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Surf Festival Fehmarn

Yet another important event in the windsurfing calendar, the Surf Festival is named after its organizer ‘Surf’, which is the largest circulating windsurfing magazine in Europe. Started in 2003, this festival attracts more than 10,000 surfers each year. The Surf Festival is held at Fehmarn, a German island located in the Baltic Sea. In 2009, this festival would be held from May 21st to May 24th, 2009. The festival comprises of lectures from windsurfing experts on various aspects of windsurfing along with live demonstrations. However, the highlight of the festival is the windsurfing race popularly known as the ‘Race around Fehmarn’. Since 2008, the Kona Cup (a slalom race) has been an addition to the festival.

These are just a few of the leading windsurfing events held every year that attract large numbers of windsurfers from across the world. Apart from these, most countries have national and regional level competitions, festivals, camps and workshops for the rising numbers of windsurfers.

Before you start practicing windsurfing, it is vital to understand the various equipments used in it. A windsurfing novice can be easily misled into thinking that windsurfing involves only the surf board and the sail. However, there are various smaller parts like the boom, fin, uphaul, mast and mast base that play an equal role in windsurfing. Yet another important component of this kit is the mast extension.

Windsurfing Mast Extension

As the name suggests, mast extension refers to the extension that joins that mast to the luff of the sail. Usually the mast extension is adjustable so that it becomes easy to join different types of sails. The mast extension consists of pulleys that help to pull high degree of tension during downhauling. There are different types of mast extension systems from which you can choose the one that suits your mast and sail.

1. Grooved Extension: The grooved extension supports the mast with the help of a metal circlip. This circlip fits in the mast extension and supports the mast collar. The grooves or channels in which the circlip fits are at an interval of 1-2cms. The grooved mast extensions are known to offer great durability.

2. Spring-loaded Collar Extension: One of the most widely used mast extensions, the spring-loaded collar extension is the easiest to attach. The spring loaded extension can be easily adjusted according to the sail. Like the grooved extension, the spring-loaded extension too has holes drilled at fixed intervals. While strapping the mast extension collar, a pin is inserted through these holes so that the collar is attached at the desired level.

3. Pin System: In this type of mast extension, the tube comprises of holes drilled diametrically opposite each other. The mast collar is placed above a pin that is positioned through the hole at the required height.

Tips for Choosing Mast Extensions

Apart from the type of sails, it is important to keep a few factors in mind while choosing mast extensions. Some of the factors to be considered while choosing mast extensions are as follows:

1. Ensure that the mast extension is compatible with various brands of masts along with a carbon mast. Also, the extension must be designed to endure immense wear and tear including salt water exposure, huge amount of dust and sand particles.

2. The mast extension must be extremely efficient in downhauling. Opt for a mast extension with 15mm pulleys and a capable ratchet system.

3. It is recommended to opt for light-weight mast extensions that are easily adjustable as well as easy on your hands.

4. Always remember to check ring and collar adjustment system in a mast extension system.

5. It is preferable to have mast extensions that are easy to rig.

6. Several mast extensions available these days comprise of carbon fiber tube. This is a good development as this enhances the strength of the extension. It is also lighter in weight than the usual aluminium mast extension.

These are some of the basic aspects of mast extension. Often surfers do not give great importance to mast extensions and focus more on surf boards. However, a good mast extension plays a key role in windsurfing and hence must be carefully selected.

Windsurfing as a sport has all the elements to capture your attention – the thrill of riding the waves, the challenge of controlling the board and the flexibility of practicing a range of maneuvers. This makes windsurfing a hot favourite among adventure sport lovers. There are various levels of windsurfing that you can practice depending on your expertise and inclination. Those who practice windsurfing for recreation usually reach only up to the intermediate level. However, professional surfers indulge in advanced windsurfing forms like slalom or speed sailing.

Speed Sailing

Along with windsurfing, speed sailing also incorporates certain principles of skateboarding. With the increase in popularity of windsurfing, the number of surfers taking up high speed sailing has also increased. A large number of speed sailing competitions are held around the world. The locations are chosen based on their proven track record of strong wind conditions.

The shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Pacific and Atlantic oceans provide perfect conditions for speed sailing. Usually these competitions comprise of several legs with points given for the surfer’s placing in every leg of the race. The surfer with the highest points tally wins. Speed sailing competitions are held on a 500m course.

The International Speedsurfing Association (ISA) under the umbrella of the ISAF is one of the major organizers of speed sailing contests across the world. The World Sailing Speed Records Council keeps track of all the speed sailing results during speed sailing contests organized by the ISAF.

The European Speed Meetings and Speedweeks/fortnight held in Australia are the other major speed sailing competitions that witness major participation from speed sailors. Surfers across the world also organize smaller speed sailing competitions at the local level.

Such organized speed sailing events enable wind surfers to not only enhance their racing skills but also compare the speeds notched by surfers across the world.

Speed Sailing Record

Antoine Albeau, the famous French windsurfer, is the current record holder for speed sailing. He created the record in March 2008 at Saintes Maries de la Mer Canal after he clocked 90.91km/hour (49.09 knots) on a 500 meter course.

Before Albeau, it was Finian Maynard who held the record with 48.7 knots. Maynard achieved this feat on April 10th, 2005. Finian Maynard hails from Ireland but sails for the British Virgin Islands.

Before Finian Maynard, the longest standing record in speed sailing is honoured to the famous Yellow Pages Endeavour – a vessel owned by Australian sailor Simon Mckeon. The Yellow Pages Endeavour held the record for speed sailing for eleven long years, from 1993 to 2004 and had clocked 46.52 knots.

The other big names in the field of speed sailing include Anders Bringdal, Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Robby Naish.

With the advent of modern technology, better quality surfing equipments are now easily available at a comparatively cheaper price. These equipments are user-friendly, which makes it easier for surfers to master different surfing maneuvers. All these factors have greatly contributed to the increase in number of surfers taking up advanced windsurfing forms like speed sailing.

If you’re a beachgoer, you’ve probably seen crafts on the ocean that look like a cross between a surfboard and a sailboat. Well, that’s exactly what they are and the sport is called windsurfing. The object of some dispute is the question of who actually invented the windsurfer. As the courts battle out the disagreement, the avid windsurfing enthusiast probably says, who cares? For the extreme sport of windsurfing combines the best of traditional surfing with that of sailing to create the ultimate wave riding experience. A windsurfer actually holds the world record for speed above all other sailing crafts at 56.49 mph on a 500-meter course!

The sport of windsurfing encompasses a variety of competitive disciplines such as freestyle, course racing, slalom, speed sailing and the extreme Super X competitions. Surfers compete in Formula style and Olympic class racing where sailors use specially designed equipment for sailing under conditions where there may be little or no wind. It is the Olympic games, after all, and the show must go on. If you can imagine, there are even indoor windsurfing competitions in some countries. These facilities are comprised of very large indoor pools with enormous fans used for wind propulsion. Not your standard backyard pool setting.

Whether you are interested in windsurfing as a competitive sport or just want to give it a try as a recreational endeavor, there is certain basic equipment that you will need. A windsurfing apparatus, of course (that somebody invented), a wet suit, helmet, proper footwear, flotation device, harness and harness lines, joint, fin and some travel gear. Some nice waves and a good steady 20 mph wind wouldn’t hurt either as windsurfers don’t use any sort of motorized device for propulsion. For the beginning surfer, a battened sail is a good choice for its light weight and easier handling.

Windsurfing as a sport requires a good deal of athleticism. The mechanics of the sport are similar in style to other board sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and the ever popular skateboarding. Advanced jumps, spins, and loops can be performed with a windsurfer and require hours and hours of hands-on practice. These types of moves should not be attempted by the beginner, but the seasoned surfer will find exhilaration and a sense of free floating and flying that only the windsurfer provides. Many beach facilities provide windsurfing rentals for those who would like to try their hand at windsurfing before investing in equipment.

Windsurfing is a sport for people of all ages. Children as young as four years old can begin learning the art of windsurfing using rigs that are lighter in weight. There are even organized competitions for these tiny surfers and the sport carries on for them with a junior class of competition through the age of 15. Windsurfing is an extreme water sport that attracts millions of people every year to beaches far and wide. If the bump-n-jump of windsurfing sounds like your idea of a thrill, head to the beach, strap yourself to a board and set sail with the wind racing through you hair!

Windsurfing as a sport provides excellent combination of skill, technique and pure fun. It is this unparalleled combination that makes windsurfing such a popular activity. However, before beginning to surf it is essential to follow a few important instructions to maintain safety.

Vital Windsurfing Techniques

1. Once you have completed assembling the gear in a rig, ensure that the booms are firmly secured to the mast. They must be secured to the mast in such a way that they must not be higher than your collarbone.

2. While surfing, ensure that your back is always facing 12′o clock position and the sail is always on the 6′o clock side of the board. Remember that while turning, the sail remains constant in its 6′o clock position and only the board turns.

3. Raising the sail: To raise the sail, first get on board by placing one knee on either side of the mast base. Then gradually reach out to the uphaul and grab it. Then with the help of the uphaul, slowly stand up by placing one foot on either side of the mast base. Ensure that your back remains straight and knees are bent while standing up. Now start raising the sail from the water. As the water recedes from the sail, it becomes lighter and it is possible to position the mast in an upright position.

4. Before starting to surf, get the board in a neutral position. In this, you hold the mast with both your hands while the board is across the wind and the sail should be positioned such that the clue end points at 6′o clock.

5. To start surfing, keep the position of the mast and the front hand constant and only move the backhand. This would allow the wind to enter the sail and the board would start gliding over water.

6. To stop surfing, the best way is to release the boom from the backhand allow the sail to swing back to neutral. This would stop the board instantly.

7. Especially while practicing beach surfing, learn the turns – the upwind turn (called a tack) and the downwind turn (called the jibe). The speed and precision of turns depends upon the size and volume of the board, the sail size, the wind speed and your weight.

8. While surfing, remember not proceed to the destination directly. You must plan your route precisely to reach the destination.

9. Do not venture out surfing when there is too much or no wind. It is recommended, especially for beginners to surf when there are steady wind conditions.

10. Remember to check the position of the board, the position of the sail and your position before setting out to surf.

11. While surfing if your mast is tilting over the 6′o clock position so far from the board that you have to bend from the waist with your butt jutting out, then you must stop immediately. This is the wrong position to surf and can cause back pain. To regain the correct position, get the mast in straight position and start again.

These are a few instructions that can especially windsurfing beginners and move on to the next level.

If you have made up your mind that windsurfing is good for you, you should start by taking some useful instructions on how to go windsurfing. Remember that if you fail to know what is required and you fail to practice what you ought to know, you will never be able to progress or advance in the sport. One thing about windsurfing is that there is virtually no expert in it. Remember that almost everyday, something new will have to be learned. It is up to you to try and learn something new each time you go windsurfing.

Before you go windsurfing, you should know that the equipments that you use will be determinant to your safety and expertise. This is the more reason why you should never pay for old equipments. It is true that you may be working on a tight budget and most of these used equipments will be sold for as cheap as you will not imagine. But if you consider the overall importance of this sport and you think about the number of years you may spend into it, it is advisable that you pay for totally new equipments.

Making a Choice on Which Instrument to Use

If you have to pay for anything in the name of windsurfing equipment, make sure that your first lessons teach you about the significance of this instrument. Keep in mind that it is easy to learn and progress with something good. On the other hand, you run the risk of forgetting all what you know about windsurfing if your use the wrong equipments. Remember that you will also have to make use of the board meant for learners. These have been made in a manner which leaves you able to learn something reasonable.

It may not be helpful to pay for a board meant for learners. Remember that if the initial lessons are so simple, you will easily progress to a more advanced stage and this board will no longer be of use to you. Boards of this nature are meant to give you a general outlook of what windsurfing might consist of.

Also take note about whoever is teaching you. Make sure your trainer is well qualified. Also make sure that the price of the lessons you pay for should include most of these tools meant for first time users. It is often the case that these instruments will be included in the pack.

First Things First

Not everything will have to be learned at a time. Some should be followed by others. The first lessons will include knowing all the basics or essentials of windsurfing. Remember that you will not become skilled at using the learner’s board on the first attempt. It may take close to a week before you will be able to become skilled at using this board. Remember that the way in which you progress through your lessons will determine the type of equipments that you are going to pay for. Always consider the free-ride when you begin receiving windsurfing instructions. If you opt to begin with advanced equipments, make sure they have been thoroughly inspected by someone proficient in them.

However, not everyone chooses the same way to keep fit. A number of people choose to use healthcare products for their health whilst others prefer the good workout a gym can provide. Yet there are more ways than just these to keep in shape.

Of course, your preferred method of keeping fit will depend on what facilities you have access to, but there is still room for variety. One such activity is windsurfing. If you’ve never tried it before, you’ll be surprised at how fun and exciting windsurfing can be. The drawback is that it’s hard to windsurf unless you live near a large body of water. Yet if you do get the chance to windsurf, it’s one that you cannot afford to miss.

The equipment needed for windsurfing is quite basic. All you need is a two to five metre long single sailed sailboard and a lot of passion. However, windsurfing can be difficult for a beginner so it’s worth getting some learning and training from an instructor before tackling the ocean waves.

The sheer joy and thrill of windsurfing is probably the best thing about it. Windsurfing requires the mastery of techniques found in other water sports. It’s a cross between boating and surfing so having skills in both of these will enable you to get the most out of your windsurfing experience. You can enjoy the benefits of both of these disciplines whilst not missing out on anything. You can even experience something quite like the related water sports of water skating or water boarding.

An added bonus that comes from windsurfing is that you’re out in the fresh air. Fresh air is a requirement for healthy living and you’ll get plenty of it when windsurfing. As well as the other physical benefits, windsurfing also helps your cardiovascular system. You will certainly notice the benefits that come with good blood circulation including a more efficient immune system allowing you to stay healthy and enjoy even more windsurfing.

You maybe thinking to yourself, no way could I ever do something like this. You would be surprised with some effort and a little wind you will coasting along in no time.

The thrill, the excitement, the wind in their hair and on their face, the adrenaline and the lungfuls of fresh air can all add to the pull of windsurfing but whatever the reason, windsurfing is an addictive sport. People just can’t stay away from it once they get started, and neither will you once you experience the pleasure of windsurfing.

Although windsurfing inherently is an extremely exciting adventure sport, there are some moves that make it exhilarating and unforgettable. One such technique is water start that has come as a great boon for windsurfing. This technique of water start has taken windsurfing to a completely new level and in the process capturing the attention of surfing enthusiasts like never before.

Water Start Guide

Water start refers to the technique wherein after a fall in the water, the surfer gets on board and gets himself into a sailing position. This technique is the base for several advanced windsurfing maneuvers like one-handed sailing, dragging one leg in water while sailing and such other difficult actions. To practice these moves, learning the water start technique is extremely vital.

1. The first step is to ensure that the board is positioned in such a way that it points into the wind while the mast is across the wind.

2. Then place yourself in such a way that the rig is over your head while you hold the boom with your backhand.

3. Then as your body extends to the back of the board, place one foot on the board such that the heel is between the footstraps. Keep your arms extended at this point and bend your back leg and then pull the board in from this position.

4. At this point keep your eyes on the mast base, pull in with your back arm and use your front leg for greater upward thrust.

5. To get firmly on the board, kick hard with your front leg while pulling your back foot heel to your bottom simultaneously.

6. Then plant your other foot immediately on to the board and ride. While riding keep your back leg bent and arms extended and staying in a low position.

7. Make sure you pump the rig so that it catches the wind so that it propels you on to the board from the water.

8. Once firmly on board, focus on keeping the surf board as flat as possible and keep the rig at a good distance. Once this is achieved, you can start planing.

Things to Remember

You cannot water start in low wind conditions. Water start requires moderate to strong wind conditions as only strong winds can propel you out of water. It is not recommended for beginners to water start straight away in very deep waters. Start with waist deep water and then gradually move on greater depths. The natural progression of water start:

a. Beach start
b. Deep water beach start
c. Water start with dragging one leg
d. Beach start in chest high water
e. The water start

It is recommended to use short boards with short sails for water start as they do not require great effort to sink under. Larger sails are difficult to lift from the water and hence not good for water starts.

Following these guidelines can help you in learn the art of water start in windsurfing. Once you master the waterstart, mastering complex maneuvers like carve gybes would not be a great challenge.

If you were to mash up skateboarding, surfing, sailing, waterskiing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding into one super sport, you would probably end up with windsurfing. It is an exciting sport enjoyed by thousands across the country. It takes a huge amount of practice and skill in order to get the techniques down, but once you get used to it all you will have a blast. Huge speeds can be reached. Usually amateur windsurfers travel at around 20 to 30 miles per hour, but with professional equipment, lots of practice, and ideal wind conditions, it is possible to exceed 50 miles per hour.

A windsurfing board looks a lot like a mix between a surfboard and a sailboat. A regular sturdy and light surfboard has a strong sail attached to it, with a bar extending from the mast for the surfer to hold on to. To get started, the surfer heads to a lake or other body of water on a windy day. With plenty of room to maneuver in the water, the surfer swims alongside the board, and is eventually pulled along by the wind. When a high enough speed is reached, he mounts the board. If all goes well (which for beginners is a rarity), you will begin to speed along the surface of the water.

Like with a sailboat, lots of attention must be paid to the direction of the wind and the positioning of the sails. This is the biggest hurtle for beginners, but it becomes much like a second nature once you have had enough experience. By adjusting body weight and sail direction, surfers can steer their windsurfing board to go wherever they wish. If you have the knowledge required to strategically position the sails, then you can achieve speeds many times greater than if you just hop on and go.

If you are trying the sport out for the first time, it is probably a good idea to rent the board rather than buy one. They can be fairly expensive to purchase, and if you decide later that you don’t like the sport much then you won’t be stuck with an expensive piece of equipment. After you have it rented, all you have to do is go out to a lake on a sunny, windy day and practice. The first time you will probably loser your balance almost immediately, or sink back into the water if you didn’t gain enough initial speed.

Once you become more skilled at windsurfing, you can enter many different competitions. These range from minor groups getting together locally, or huge national events. The competitions are based on different things. Some might have the windsurfers zigzagging between obstacles in a test of handling skill. There are other competitions that are set up more like races, or require the racers to jump as high as possible. There are many different formats, and they all require very specific skills.

Windsurfing is a lot like most extreme sports. It takes a lot of determination and perseverance in order to really get into it, but once you are able to get past that initial barrier you will be very happy with the results. It is a sport that is very popular, and for a good reason. It is hugely enjoyable, and doesn’t require a large investment every time you want to enjoy it – all you need is a lake and a board. So look into your local options today, and see if there are any ways that you can get started with windsurfing.