WINDSURFING

What kit do you need?

UCPA will provide all kiting equipment including; sails, boards, harness, wetsuits

What you need to bring; swimwear, suncream, rash vest, water shoes/booties, cap and sunglasses 

How fit do you need to be?

You don’t need to be super-fit to windsurf. However, a general level of fitness will help you progress faster, give you more stamina on the water and help you avoid injuries. Most of the kit is lightweight, so you don’t need lots of muscle strength either. You should be able to swim if you want to take on this course. 

What will I be able to do by the end of the week?

Well this is up to your speed of progression really! The key skills that you are likely to learn as a beginner are how to up haul, steer the board, tacking and gybing, at each stage practicing the skills on the water.

What skills should I already have?

You should be able to steer the board, know how to tack and gybe and stop safely. You should also be able to set up your sail independently. 

What will I be able to do by the end of the week?

You will be confident on the beach starts, harness use and adjustments, foot strap use and learning to plane the board. Your upwind skills will be developed as well as your flare gybing. Once you start sailing in over 16 knots you will start getting the board out of the water and gliding over the water and you are now an intermediate windsurfer.

What skills should I already have?

Competent level with ability to sail in foot straps and a harness in planing conditions. You should have already attempted a water start. This will also be worked on if you need more practice! 

What will I be able to do by the end of the week?

Confidence in stronger winds. You can receive coaching on water starting, carve gybing, jumping and speed sailing. Perform jumps and tricks such as the planing 360. 

Thinking about your impact on the sea?

Sea friendly suncream - we want you to protect the sea, but we also want you to protect your skin without threatening the environment. The best option at the moment for eco-conscious sea lovers is to swap out those chemical sunscreens for ones with mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that reflect the sun off your skin, without threatening the environment.

Learning a new sport can sometimes feel like you are learning a new language. Here are some of our key terms to note, so you’ll soon be talking like a windsurfer even if you’re not sure what it all means just yet!

Deck – the top surface of the board.

Nose – the front of the board.

Tail – the back of the board.

Rail - the edge of the board.

Mast – the upright post which the sail is attached to, it supports the front edge of the sail.

Boom – is the bar attached to the sail. 

Rig – this refers to the windsurf set up as a whole i.e. the sail, mast and boom.

Daggerboard – is the large retractable fin in the middle of the board. It provides the board with greater stability and sideways resistance.

Fin – found on the bottom of the board, they provide stability and keep the board going in a straight line.