Windsurfing
Photo: Flickr user: Courtney Nash, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Windsurfing, also known as sailboarding, funboarding or wave-sailing, is a popular sport activity involving a sail and surfboard to move above the water. Although it has been a recognized Olympic sport since 1984, it mainly remains a non-competitive past-time in coastal areas. Windsurfing distinguishes itself from traditional surfing primarily through the use of a sail and the great dependence on wind. While modern boards have greatly increased the possibilities of other forms of surfing too, the arise of windsurfing first allowed boarders to ride extremely large waves. Apart from the ability to master extreme waves and reach high speeds (with records of over 90 km/h), windsurfers can also perform a wide range of freestyle moves, including jumps and spinning manoeuvres.
Kiteboarding is a similar sport, but instead of a sail fixed to a surfboard, a parachute is strapped to the surfer. It can therefore be thought of as a cross between surfing and paragliding. Kiteboarders can achieve high speeds (90 km/h), similar to windsurfing, and can even lift off of the water, becoming airborne for a distance.
UnderstandAlthough the first known windsurfing board was developed as early as 1948, it was not until the 1980s that popularity of the activity took a flight, making "sailors" or "board heads" (as windsurfers are usually called)…
EquipmentThe two main pieces needed for windsurfing are of course a board and a sail, although a number of accessories are standard equipment as well. As a rule of thumb, smaller boards and sails are used to reach higher speeds.
TechniqueThere are two basic ways to move forward on a sailboard. When moving in minor winds (<10 knots), the body of the board slides through the water using a fin and centreboard to maintain stability.
LearnFor many, learning to windsurf may seem a tiring matter at first.
DestinationsThe basic conditions needed for windsurfing are rather simple.
Stay safeCompared to other extreme sports like rock climbing or snowboarding, windsurfing has a smaller chance of injury since falling into the water is generally much less hard on your body.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Windsurfing" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Flickr user: Courtney Nash, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons