Directions on How to Windsurf

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a sport that can be enjoyed at almost any age. Light equipment makes lifting the sail out of the water and transporting the board much easier. Boards are wide and stable in the water, making it easy to pick up the basic skills of windsurfing without repeatedly falling in the water.

Things You'll Need

• Windsurfing rig
• Board
• Sail
• Mast
• Boom
• Up-haul
• Mast extension
• Swimsuit

Instructions

Setting Up

1. Connect the two-piece mast together and slide the sail sleeve over the mast. Attach at the bottom of the mast a mast extension, which contains the rope for tying down the sail and the pin to connect to the board. Pull the rope at the base of the mast through the pulleys at the base of the sail and pull it until the sail is rigid.

2. Take the boom and put it over the top of the sail and slide it down until there is an opening in the sleeve of the sail by the mast. Clip the boom to the mast and tie the other end of the boom to the sail. Snap the base of the sail to the board.

3. Pick up the board by the closest foot strap and the boom at its widest point. Carry the windsurfing gear into the water until it's deep enough that the fin doesn't scrape against the bottom. Step onto board near the center for the best balance.

4. Position yourself so the back of your body is facing the direction that the wind is coming from. Bend down and grab the up-haul rope that is attached to the mast. Pull the sail out of the water until it is completely out of the water. Grab the front of the boom with the hand that is nearest the front of the board.

5. Place your feet on each side of the mast to provide the most stability. With one hand on the boom, allow the wind to direct the sail so that the clew points down wind. Use your feet to position the board until it's perpendicular to the wind.

6. With one hand holding the boom, pull the sail to the side until the mast is in front of the you. The other hand should grab onto the boom about 2 feet away from the hand that is already holding the boom.

7. With the back hand, pull or push the sail to control the flow of wind going through the sail. The back hand is what controls the speed you will go. Take one step back to counterbalance the pull of the sail. Look in the direction you wish to go

Tips & Warnings

• If this is your fist time windsurfing try in light winds of around 5 mph.

• Even though the key is to stay out of the water while windsurfing, you should be a good swimmer or wear a life jacket.

References

• WindsurfingMag.com: Learning windsurfing