| If you were to mash up skateboarding, surfing, | | | | then you can achieve speeds many times greater |
| sailing, waterskiing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding | | | | than if you just hop on and go. |
| into one super sport, you would probably end up with | | | | If you are trying the sport out for the first time, it is |
| windsurfing. It is an exciting sport enjoyed by | | | | probably a good idea to rent the board rather than |
| thousands across the country. It takes a huge | | | | buy one. They can be fairly expensive to purchase, |
| amount of practice and skill in order to get the | | | | and if you decide later that you don't like the sport |
| techniques down, but once you get used to it all you | | | | much then you won't be stuck with an expensive |
| will have a blast. Huge speeds can be reached. Usually | | | | piece of equipment. After you have it rented, all you |
| amateur windsurfers travel at around 20 to 30 miles | | | | have to do is go out to a lake on a sunny, windy day |
| per hour, but with professional equipment, lots of | | | | and practice. The first time you will probably loser |
| practice, and ideal wind conditions, it is possible to | | | | your balance almost immediately, or sink back into |
| exceed 50 miles per hour. | | | | the water if you didn't gain enough initial speed. |
| A windsurfing board looks a lot like a mix between a | | | | Once you become more skilled at windsurfing, you |
| surfboard and a sailboat. A regular sturdy and light | | | | can enter many different competitions. These range |
| surfboard has a strong sail attached to it, with a bar | | | | from minor groups getting together locally, or huge |
| extending from the mast for the surfer to hold on | | | | national events. The competitions are based on |
| to. To get started, the surfer heads to a lake or | | | | different things. Some might have the windsurfers |
| other body of water on a windy day. With plenty of | | | | zigzagging between obstacles in a test of handling |
| room to maneuver in the water, the surfer swims | | | | skill. There are other competitions that are set up |
| alongside the board, and is eventually pulled along by | | | | more like races, or require the racers to jump as high |
| the wind. When a high enough speed is reached, he | | | | as possible. There are many different formats, and |
| mounts the board. If all goes well (which for | | | | they all require very specific skills. |
| beginners is a rarity), you will begin to speed along | | | | Windsurfing is a lot like most extreme sports. It |
| the surface of the water. | | | | takes a lot of determination and perseverance in |
| Like with a sailboat, lots of attention must be paid to | | | | order to really get into it, but once you are able to |
| the direction of the wind and the positioning of the | | | | get past that initial barrier you will be very happy |
| sails. This is the biggest hurtle for beginners, but it | | | | with the results. It is a sport that is very popular, and |
| becomes much like a second nature once you have | | | | for a good reason. It is hugely enjoyable, and doesn't |
| had enough experience. By adjusting body weight | | | | require a large investment every time you want to |
| and sail direction, surfers can steer their windsurfing | | | | enjoy it - all you need is a lake and a board. So look |
| board to go wherever they wish. If you have the | | | | into your local options today, and see if there are |
| knowledge required to strategically position the sails, | | | | any ways that you can get started with windsurfing. |