Beginners guide to Windsurfing

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Most popular comments
for Beginners guide to Windsurfing

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Jai Chavan - 6 years ago

Thank you, Sir.

Lincoln Bantugan - 6 years ago

Thanks for the video. I’ve been trying to learn how to windsurf and this helped a lot

Tony Mind - 6 years ago

I trained my self to secure position.. And will soon start.... I am Training on English channel. Open water however I always stay 5m off the shore.. And I don't go out on winds blowing off shore... Never train in open water with winds off shore.... It's dangerous.... I started with paddle and windsurfing board 152l. 104 is a sinker for me. So then I was balancing on board only.. And then I attached the sail next day.. The beauty of this is.. That board without sail is less stable. So when you master it it's easy peasy when you uphauling... The key thing is control.... Sail is what you push of when you wanna turn :) its like someone is holding you by hand.... And then you work your legs... :)

Tony Mind - 6 years ago

I hope that helps :)

Pheelers - 6 years ago

That looks nice and light. I have one from the 70's thats huge really hard when i get a gust of wind

Stephen Jenkins - 6 years ago

Pity you didn't set the boom height for your assistant as mentioned at the beginning otherwise very informative :)

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 6 years ago

Thanks for the comment. The boom is in the correct position. It raises when put on the UJ. This moves the boom from armpit height off the board to shoulder height on the board. Danielle is the same height as Phil. Hope this helps explain. :)

craig dunn - 6 years ago

I like it

Ahmad Sayyed - 6 years ago

this looks like a lot of fun

Matt-0 Teachings - 7 years ago

Thanks for the good video. Here's a technical point that many windsurf instructors overlook... interested to see your reactions, thanks : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irUMDt_Xrq8 That's a beautiful Severne sail she's using, but not suitable for a total beginner.

Matt-0 Teachings - 7 years ago

Yes, so many changing variables affecting our teaching strategy & gear choice... I have found that with beginners who have not yet learned to balance the sail effortlessly, a small sail (Dacron 3.0m) takes much less effort and they don't get tired out during that first 2-3 hours it takes to get to the point where they can ride around independently & stay upwind consistently. (Super flat water at my beginner location helps a lot too)

GrumpyOldMan - 7 years ago

Beautiful

10. comment for Beginners guide to Windsurfing

Alejandro Flores - 7 years ago

Don't forget to rise the middle fin

ewan miller - 7 years ago

THANKS

Ahmed Alhouti - 7 years ago

Thank you for video

Descendant of Kraff - 7 years ago

I did a clsss and they had us pull the rope to turn the board. This looks way better.

sailorguy9 - 7 years ago

Awesome. Took lessons years ago. Got a board yesterday that a neighbor
wanted to give away (!).

I think this'll get us started, as a family (have teenagers, now). They
might like this better than my slow sailboat : ) Thank you for
posting!

goamage - 7 years ago

thank you for awesome tutorials!

Trucks@69 - 7 years ago

How big of a board should I buy?
We have a 12ft board I feel like it is to long. I have trouble turning the board I can sail in a straight line all day.

MR Brofist - 7 years ago

Is anyone wind surfing at Greece this summer ?

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 7 years ago

MR Brofist lots of people windsurf in Greece. We are in Crete right now for five more days. It's a great place to windsurf.

Drone - 7 years ago

I wish I could like it a million times

Johan Rodrigues - 7 years ago

thank you. you turned me on.

20. comment for Beginners guide to Windsurfing

Joan Segura - 7 years ago

Thank you for uploading this video I have been looking for a video like this for a long time to get started but, I couldn't find it! Every thing is perfectly explained, I recommend you to add subtitles.

Mares Fillies - 7 years ago

I'm taking a class on windsurfing. :D

Vortex - MC - 7 years ago

Cost is my issue, im 14 so not many ways of getting an income

Vortex - MC - 7 years ago

Im taking classes on sailing, i might not need an instructor for this then

Maro Vok - 7 years ago

How big board ?!

gargusio - 7 years ago

what significance does positioning of the uj have? why did you choose to lock it in the middle?

Renato - 8 years ago

Very very well done!

eBody - 8 years ago

Very helpful for me and i think for other beginners, too. Thanks!

Paul Kotsifas - 8 years ago

Thank's a lot, you are very, very "pedagogics" (educational ?) That would be great if someone could translate video in French (I'm French) or Spanish, because my English is very poor...

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

thank you.

John Melville - 8 years ago

Great video, apart from the gloomy music! I've just bought a windsurfer and am a beginner so will be watching this again. Thank you, very helpful and all makes perfect sense

James Lyford - 8 years ago

Irig

John Melville - 8 years ago

My brother in Oz might record something for you. He's a very good folk guitarist. I'll ask him

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

Glad the video is helpful. Unfortunately there is only so much royalty free music available to us..........I don't suppose you fancy composing some for future videos ;)

aci hawaii - 8 years ago

Shall try Not to sail too far out or might require a tow back to shore

mikerossscuba - 8 years ago

"Uphauling" ruined the sport of windsurfing by turning off so many frustrated beginners. Instead, learn to waterstart/beachstart from the get-go. Waterstarting and beachstarting are your ultimate goals anyway, so why break your back in frustrating, totally obsolete uphauling? Get a pro to teach you. Trust me, it's easier and less enervating than learning uphauling. Once you get the hang of waterstarting/beachstarting, you'll never have to uphaul - ever.

Matt-0 Teachings - 7 years ago

Agreed. Uphauling is only frustrating if the beginner has been given a sail that is too big instead of a proper, light beginner sail. Lots of control skills to be learned before getting to the point of beach starting, which requires the ability to have good control over a fair amount of power. Basics first folks! :)

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately it is not always the appropriate condition to beachstart or water start. And although beach and water starting is a skill we should all aim for and when you learn it it will be a big boost to your windsurfing. However, we believe Uphauling is necessary at this stage. It will allow beginners to windsurf in lighter winds and in water that is possible out of their depth.

30. comment for Beginners guide to Windsurfing

Marie Goddette - 8 years ago

this looks so fun! I want to try!

trexinvert - 8 years ago

Nobody ever "teaches" the secure position. Watch other videos. Zero. Just grab the boom and go!!! Thats what they all say. Fail!!! I was lucky to figure it out early. Don't take the boom. Grab the mast. Or...the uphaul cord grab. Let it flop in the wind, and focus on your own balance.

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 6 years ago

I teach it. It works at a beginner level

Daniel Fearnett - 8 years ago

Where are your videos shot? It looks an amazing place to windsurf :)

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

This video and lots of the others we filmed in Bonaire, in the Caribbean.
It is an amazing place to learn with warm flat water. It is also mostly standing depth too. We highly recommend it.

Honza S - 8 years ago

Thank you very much, all your videos are very useful, also appreciate good quality of picture and understandable comment. Hope it helps me in my water-wind-battle training :-).

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

thank you for your positive comments. good luck with your windsurfing

Alessandro Giaccaglia - 8 years ago

Thank you, very nice video! I'm now starting windsurf with a techno 283 150 lt board, so its kinda difficult at the beginning xD

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

Great that you are giving it a go. Your board is not perfect for a beginner but it will be possible. It will be a nice board for you as you progress. Good luck and Enjoy

NorthWind - 8 years ago

awesome video! thx! But have a question to anyone, has anyone tried windsurfing having a bad lower back? I am terrified to have it hurt again but windsurfing seems to be awesome try.

Chris Therien - 7 years ago

I have a few problems with my back and I have been sailboarding for the past 3 years. learning with the uphaul rope was definitely harder, remember to lean backward and let your weight lift the sail up instead of pulling the sail up with your shoulders.. otherwise ask someone else to show you how to beachstart, when you do it properly, the wind lifts everything for you and it is pretty effortless.

otherwise, once you are planning, there is not much back work. the harness holds it in position and you simply bend your knees and lean back to manoeuvre.

try to find a light mast and boom.

NorthWind - 8 years ago

cheers for the advice fellas.

trexinvert - 8 years ago

As a beginner you will "fall" and "fall" and "fall". Many times it will be unpredictable and your body will jerk and twist in all different position. Falling on your fingers, arms, elbows, shoulders...it all depends on how agile you are. Lower back bad? Forget it. Only, advanced/intermediates with many years of sailing can just pop up and "cruise" without falling. You don't need a sailing coach you need a personal trainer to get your back into shape. There is hope. I have a bad back, myself....I know the pain. Keep on!!

NorthWind - 8 years ago

+GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching understoooood. cheers"

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

+NorthWind You should probably get advice from your doctor.

Arduous Ant - 8 years ago

This is an awesome video, :D Im definatly subbing, i will try to visit your channel regularly from now on :D if you can do visit my channel! That would be awesome!! :D Until next time and keep up the great videos! Peace

Tingting WU - 8 years ago

Thank you very much! I just start learning windsurfing and went through one basic introduction course, everything was fine in the course and I did tacks and gybes successfully, today is my first day for practice alone without my coach, quite confused, just can not go up wind.. But much clear now after watching your video, thank you again!

David Vilkas - 8 years ago

Awesome ! Very easy explained everything I love this tutorial. Today I am going to try windsurfing in Almerimar, wish me luck! :)

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

good luck, enjoy!

Christian Balint - 8 years ago

love windsurfing

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

+Krisztian Balint
Us too. Windsurfing is the best :)

Anabol Anabol - 8 years ago

Thanks buddy, very helpful video. I want to star windsurfing next summer, but i am around 120kg. Do you know what for equipment I need? Board +sail?

PremierAlan // Alqn - 7 years ago

Anabol Anabol whoa I weigh like 57kg but I'm 15 so idk

trexinvert - 8 years ago

Don't forget windsurfing is both "balancing on a rocking board with choppy waters" and "grabbing/harnessing the wind". So how do fight a wobbly/sinking board plus push/pulling wind? Take it one at a time. Try to master the board balancing, first. I highly recommend some dry pre-training on a balance board. You know those board and cylinder exercise balance things. Just google them. Then when you get on a windsurfing set-up(which is usually for lighter people...don't be surprised if you are sinking), you can totally focus on the wind balance. Keep on.

GetWindsurfing windsurfing coaching - 8 years ago

+Anabol Anabol
Hi,
Great news that you want to start getting in to windsurfing.
I would recommend a very big floaty board with lots of stability.
The bigger board the better as it will allow you to focus fully on your technique & sail handling skills.
Something like a Rio or a Start would be an excellent choice to begin with.

Rio
http://www.star-board-windsurfing.com/2016/products/boards/rio

Start

http://www.star-board-windsurfing.com/2016/products/boards/start

Looking at sails, you need to think about the type of conditions you will be windsurfing in. Is the wind light or strong?

Ideally as you progress you will look to get a range of sails in different sizes for different wind strengths.

To begin with you should probably look for something around a 5.5 for stronger winds or a 6.5 for lighter winds would be my recommendation to you.

If you can give me an idea of the conditions you are aiming to learn in, it will help to advise you further in more detail.

It is also worth considering learning the basics at a windsurf centre as they will have lots of kit available for you to try and progress on.

Or consider joining us on one of our GetWindsurfing courses.

http://www.getwindsurfing.com/#!courses-abroad/cuy0

I hope this helps