What is Wind Surfing?

Windsurfing is basically an on the water-water sport that combines the attributes of both surfing and sailing. It is commonly done using a board ranging from 2-2.5 meters; there are both long surfboards and short surfboards. Long surfboards are normally longer than 3 meters while shortboards are less than 3 meters. the board is then steered by wind on a sail. The Long boards are customized for lighter winds or course racing while short boards are customized for planning. However, the incoming and present modern designs are becoming shorter and shorter; displacing the long boards. This is because the shorter boards are able to handle stronger winds.

Windsurfing offers a range of experiences to the windsurfers. The windsurfer can perform jumps, spin maneuvers and also perform inverted loops. Windsurfing also allows the windsurfer to perform other freestyle moves.

Windsurfing is a thrilling water sport. Windsurfers are able to ride the world’s largest and extreme waves. Besides, windsurfers also ride the normal waves; in short windsurfing is not limited to any type of waves.

Windsurfing is mostly done for recreational purposes and on other occasions for competitive purposes. Windsurfing has over the years been a part of the Olympics. There also other competition platforms for windsurfing such as: freestyle, speed sailing, formula wind surfing, slalom, course racing and wave sailing.

There are different windsurfing techniques depending on the wind strength and the skills of the windsurfer. The techniques include directional control and fall recovery. Both techniques are applied in under sailing conditions and under planing conditions. Under sailing conditions comprise of light winds that are less than 12kts while under planing conditions comprise of strong winds that are more than 12kts.

In addition, there is also indoor windsurfing. Mostly windsurfers surf on the open seas or oceans or any open waters. However, there are also indoor windsurfing arenas during the winter. For indoor windsurfing, massive indoor pools are constructed in a marquee and powerful fans are used to propel the surf boards.

However, in as much as windsurfing is a fun and adventurous water sport, it is highly risky to the windsurfer. Hence the windsurfer needs to wear windsurfing protection or apply measures to protect themselves while surfing. There are several and recurring windsurfing injuries/risks. These include: back injuries, direct impact injuries, skin damage, sprains, fractures, hypothermia, near drowning and dislocated shoulders.

One common and persistent disturbance to windsurfers is the sun. the sun causes sunburns on the surfer’s skin and dries out the surfer’s skin. Therefore, windsurfers have to use windsurfing protection measures against the sun.

the windsurfing protection measures include:

Applying sunscreen; as the name depicts, the sunscreen is to shield the windsurfer from the sunrays. Higher star rating sunscreens are more recommended. Also, the windsurfer is to apply sunscreen at all times while they go surfing even though it’s a cloudy day. Surfing early in the morning and late in the evening is also a protective measure against the sun in that the windsurfer avoids the hot sun in the afternoon.

Also the windsurfer can protect themselves from the strong sun by taking off the surfer suits once they’re done surfing ASAP; damp wetsuits irritate the skin while sand and salt grind against the surfer’s skin hence may increase the sunburns already present on the surfer’s skin.

In addition, using accessories that are protective against the sun such as wetsuits, caps, protective rash vests and surf leggings. Also, the windsurfers ought to ensure that they’re swimsuits and accessories are UV protected.