Spoiler alert – this post is NOT about running!
For those who have experienced the thrill of windsurfing, it’s more than just a sport – it can be an addiction, a way of life. Over 25 years, I spent countless hours on the water, chasing the wind across some of the best windsurfing spots in the world (sorry Mrs B!). The powerful Levante winds in Tarifa, the rolling swells of Tiree, the golden beaches of Safaga and Moon Beach, the legendary conditions of “Eric” at Vasiliki, and my old spiritual home – Hayling Island – each left an indelible mark. And, of course, Maui, the mecca of windsurfing, where trade winds and waves create an experience like no other. Every destination shaped my love for the sport. But what makes windsurfing so special?
The Rush of Speed and Freedom
One of the greatest joys of windsurfing is the sheer sense of freedom it brings. The sport harnesses the power of nature itself, no doubt part of the inspiration for the title of a famous book about windsurfing – “The Wind Is Free”. That first time the board lifts onto the plane is a feeling like no other – pure speed, raw energy, and an intimate connection with the elements. It’s addictive. The faster you go, the more in sync you feel with the wind and water, and the more you crave that next gust that will send you flying.
The Obsession with the Shipping Forecast
Windsurfing was more than just something we did — it dictated our lives. For years, my windsurfing friends and I had a ritual: stepping outside of parties at exactly 12:01 AM to listen to the shipping forecast. While others were deep in conversation or lost in the music, we’d huddle around a radio, hanging on every word: “Southeast veering southwest, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough.” To most people, it was a strange and incomprehensible monotone, but to us, it was poetry – our window into the coming wind and waves. Would tomorrow bring perfect conditions at Hayling, or would we be doomed to a day of frustration and waiting? It was all there, hidden in those cryptic words, and it determined everything from our sleep schedules to our weekend plans.
The obsession extended beyond the Shipping Forecast! I was so obsessed with improving my windsurfing that I even signed up for adult trampolining lessons to work on my spatial awareness — imagining it would help me with aerial moves and balance. Imagine my horror when I arrived at my first session, only to find myself the only mid-30s male in a class full of teenage schoolgirls. Cringe. Suffice to say, having mastered front and back somersaults, I didn’t stick with it for long!
The Evolution of Equipment
When I first started, windsurfing equipment was vastly different. Long, narrow boards with daggerboards and heavy, cumbersome sails made learning a real challenge. Just getting into the harness and footstraps for the first time felt like a triumph. Over the years, advancements in design transformed the sport. Lighter, shorter boards became more manoeuvrable, and sails evolved to be more efficient and powerful.
The introduction of wider freeride boards and early-planing sails made it easier for newcomers to experience the exhilaration of planing much sooner. Yet, even with all these improvements, I still have my beloved 272 70L wave board, which is about 25 years old. If I turned up at Hayling with it today, I’m sure it would draw a crowd, if not to view the board then to watch me sinking!
The Ultimate Challenge: The Carve Gybe
Despite technological advances, some things never change – like the challenge of your first perfect carve gybe. This move separates intermediate windsurfers from the more advanced—a seamless blend of speed, technique, and commitment. Carving into the turn while maintaining enough speed to exit without sinking is a delicate balance, especially on a 72L wave board when you weigh over 80kg. Over the years, I’ve endured countless failed attempts, wobbly non-planing recoveries, and rare, glorious moments when everything clicked perfectly.
Many windsurfers never crack it and settle for jumping off mid-gybe and waterstarting instead. Personally, I became an expert at clew-first waterstarts – an essential survival skill when things didn’t go as planned! But nothing beats the satisfaction of nailing a smooth, controlled gybe – gliding through the turn, transitioning the rig effortlessly, and powering out onto the new tack without losing speed. It’s these small victories that keep us coming back for more.
Among the Best Experiences: Speed Week at Club Vass
Some of my most unforgettable windsurfing experiences were taking part in Speed Week at Club Vass. Being coached by none other than Dave White — Mighty Whitey himself — was a privilege. Learning from one of the fastest windsurfers in the world pushed us to lifetime highest speeds, with expert tips on stance, sail trim, and sheer terrifying speed! Hitting the water at over 30 knots hurts! Blasting across the bay in Vasiliki under the guidance of such a legend made for some of the most exhilarating sessions of my life. The photos in this blog capture just a fraction of that incredible experience.
Instructor Session at Vass
A Sport for a Lifetime
Windsurfing is a sport that stays with you. Whether you’re racing at full speed, carving waves, or simply free riding a summer onshore breeze, every session brings something new. And beyond the sport itself, the windsurfing community is something special—sharing stories, tips, and an endless passion for the next session.
Even as kitesurfing and wing foiling grow in popularity, there’s something uniquely rewarding about windsurfing. It demands patience and dedication, but the rewards are unparalleled. I took up kitesurfing for ten years, yet I always found myself drawn back to windsurfing. The feel of the board planing over the water, the direct connection with the sail, and the challenge of mastering the wind make it a sport like no other.
Windsurfing has shaped so many of my best memories, from discovering breathtaking new locations to the simple joy of mastering a new move. Even though I haven’t windsurfed for a few years now, writing this blog has reignited that longing. The thought of blasting along and carving through a turn (I hope it’s like riding a bike!), and experiencing that exhilarating speed again is impossible to ignore.
Maybe it’s time to dust off the old gear (literally), head back to Hayling, and see if I can still get that 72L wave board to plane!
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