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