If you're getting more into your windsurfing you might soon be considering taking part in a competition. There are events from beginner right up to Olympic level, but first you need to find the discipline you prefer as there's a few you could compete in.
After mastering the basics (often on a lagoon or lake) you'll probably want to get out on the sea - especially if you are fortunate enough to live in a warm climate. And if you are already getting a bit of a liking for the speeds possible, maybe you should look first at racing events?
In windsurfing there's several racing disciplines and many are based around the boards that are used.
Longboard - Often where novices start their racing career. Longboards are the all-round race boards that have come in and out of popularity with the introduction of smaller 'shortboards'.
Formula - this allows you only one board but with a choice of 3 sails. The board can be no more than 100 cm across.
Downhill Slalom - Named in a way to reflect the downhill ski slalom - this racing only works with the wind behind, helping competitors weave through a slalom course.
Super-Cross Supercross is a mixture of racing and freestyle as sailors race but have integrate freestyle moves and jumps into their course.
Speed Racing - Speed Racing takes place over a 500m course that's straight, the aim being to hit the fastest speed.
Freestyle - Participants are no longer interested in beating others by speed or on time, this is all about acrobatic moves and aerial trickery.
Wave Sailing - You'll spot freestyle moves in wave sailing - it's just that sailors instead choose to do them on waves that rise way above the surface.
The two disciplines are not judged on time with the fastest winning - they are assessed on technique and variety.
The key to success is, as always, practice. So if you are looking to travel abroad to seek better conditions, first check exactly which are best suited to your discipline/style.
There's windsurf holidays to some spots that will not get you the big waves you might want - for example, visit Vassiliki and you get great conditions for beginners and freestylers but won't have the huge waves you might want. Either way, as long as you engage in this type of competitions you will fin it hard to get enough of it, and you will go on looking for bigger and better waves as you travel around.
In windsurfing there's several racing disciplines and many are based around the boards that are used. If you're looking for windsurfing lessons then you should visit this site.
After mastering the basics (often on a lagoon or lake) you'll probably want to get out on the sea - especially if you are fortunate enough to live in a warm climate. And if you are already getting a bit of a liking for the speeds possible, maybe you should look first at racing events?
In windsurfing there's several racing disciplines and many are based around the boards that are used.
Longboard - Often where novices start their racing career. Longboards are the all-round race boards that have come in and out of popularity with the introduction of smaller 'shortboards'.
Formula - this allows you only one board but with a choice of 3 sails. The board can be no more than 100 cm across.
Downhill Slalom - Named in a way to reflect the downhill ski slalom - this racing only works with the wind behind, helping competitors weave through a slalom course.
Super-Cross Supercross is a mixture of racing and freestyle as sailors race but have integrate freestyle moves and jumps into their course.
Speed Racing - Speed Racing takes place over a 500m course that's straight, the aim being to hit the fastest speed.
Freestyle - Participants are no longer interested in beating others by speed or on time, this is all about acrobatic moves and aerial trickery.
Wave Sailing - You'll spot freestyle moves in wave sailing - it's just that sailors instead choose to do them on waves that rise way above the surface.
The two disciplines are not judged on time with the fastest winning - they are assessed on technique and variety.
The key to success is, as always, practice. So if you are looking to travel abroad to seek better conditions, first check exactly which are best suited to your discipline/style.
There's windsurf holidays to some spots that will not get you the big waves you might want - for example, visit Vassiliki and you get great conditions for beginners and freestylers but won't have the huge waves you might want. Either way, as long as you engage in this type of competitions you will fin it hard to get enough of it, and you will go on looking for bigger and better waves as you travel around.
In windsurfing there's several racing disciplines and many are based around the boards that are used. If you're looking for windsurfing lessons then you should visit this site.
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