Windriders

A modern windsurfing outfit consists of a hull with a daggerboard set in the center slot. A small stern fin, as well as the centerboard (on light wind boards), creates hydrodynamic lift. A fiberglass mast with a Dacron sail fits into a socket on the board. Steering is done by maneuvering the sail position in light winds, and with the feet on high wind boards. To get under way, a person wades into knee-deep water and slides the universal joint on the bottom of the mast into a slot on the board. The windsurfer then steps onto the board, grasps the rope attached to the front of the mast, and pulls the sail up. The wind should be at your back, the sail quivering from being set close to the wind. Windsurfers make the board move by holding onto the boom - a bar that surrounds the sail - and by letting the sail “catch air.” The rider accelerates as the wind grabs the sail. Because most of the sail area is behind the center of balance, the sail tries to point the rider into the wind. He or she counteracts this tendency by pulling the mast to a position nearly parallel to the hull. This action keeps the rider clipping along across the wind. A person steers by changing the balance of the sail. Tip it forward and the wind exerts more pressure on the bow than on the stern, causing the bow to head away from the wind. Tip the sail back and the bow heads up. In doing all this, a person develops the biceps, forearms and muscles across the back, as well as leg and ankle muscles. Fanatically devoted windsurfers sometimes strengthen their abdominal muscles by doing sit-ups on shore before hitting the water. For less than $2,000, a beginning windsurfer can be outfitted. Also, there are no docking fees or lift tickets to purchase. And a water enthusiast doesn't have to wait for the surf to be up to indulge his or her passion. All you need is wind - hard, steady wind. Another advantage of windsurfing is that you don't have to be a teenager to get into the act. Many windsurfers look suspiciously like grown-ups and market surveys confirm the impression: median age is 38, with a large demographic group over 40. Advice From an Expert Henry Pitchford has been windsurfing for four decades, since learning how on the Potomac River near his hometown of Washington, D.C. Pitchford has taught the sport since moving to Colorado 30 years ago. “This part of the West is a wonderful place to windsurf,” he said. “Few places can equal the water here. Lakes can at times be choppy, and water depths in some places are shallow; other places are deep. I've windsurfed in the Caribbean and Hawaii, and I personally prefer Colorado, New Mexico and the Four Corners.” When Can Kids Start? Children can begin windsurfing on their own when they're seven years old or weigh approximately 70 pounds. If your youngster is eager to get on the water with mom and dad, you can always take them along for a ride on your board. Most importantly, your child should be comfortable in the water and express an interest in windsurfing. The Sail   It's tempting to rig up an old windsurfing sail and send your kids out onto a lake for the first time, but chances are you'll do more harm than good. Children should always have a good foundation in safety and proper-fitting equipment. Small adult sails don't work for children because they're just too big. The boom cutouts are too high, and the mast and boom are too difficult for small hands to control. These factors contribute to the sport's greatest misconception: Windsurfing does not necessarily require tremendous upper-body strength. Technique is more important. Kid-specific rigs from companies that manufacture windsurfing equipment feature lightweight masts and lightweight reduced-diameter booms that make learning easy. Sail size is directly related to a child's weight. As a rule of thumb, start with the smallest possible sail. This makes the best first impression, and allows children to learn the basics quickly. The Board A wide, stable platform allows kids to concentrate on technique and sail-steering instead of struggling to maintain balance. A floating board with a center fin setup and a small tail that allow for quick turning should do the trick. With some guidance and the right gear, you'll be amazed how quickly children progress. The need for child-specific windsurfing performance gear has been addressed by both board and sail manufacturers in recent years.