ACTIVITY SUMMER FUN: WINDSURFING

Windsurfing is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing  and sailing. It consists of a board usually 2 to 3 meters long, with a volume of about 60 to 250 litres, powered by wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and consists of a mast, 2-sided boom and sail. The sail area generally ranges from 2.5 m² to 12 m² depending on the conditions, the skill of the sailor and the type of windsurfing being undertaken.

A windsurfing sail is made of monofilm (clear polyester film), dacron (woven polyester and mylar. Sensitive parts are reinforced with kevlar mesh.
Two designs of a sail are predominant: camber induced and rotational. Cambered sails have 1–5 camber inducers, plastic devices at the ends of battens which cup against the mast. They help to hold a rigid aerofoil shape in the sail, better for speed and stability, but at the cost of maneuverability and generally how light and easy to use the sail feels. The trend is that racier sails have camber inducers while wave sails and most recreational sails do not. The rigidity of the sail is also determined by a number of battens.
Beginners' sails often do not have battens, so they are lighter and easier to use in light winds. However, as the sailor improves, a battened sail will provide greater stability in stronger winds.

The activity consists in:

-          Learning how to use the sail.

-          Learning understand from where the wind is coming.

-          Learning how to keep on the board.

-          Start practise windsurfing.