1. Selecting your equipment and sailing site
Picking a Sailing School
We recommend lessons from an established sailing school. (For a list of some windsurfing schools in the U.S., clink here.) Do not be tempted to let a sailing 'significant other' teach you. Such lessons usually do harm to both learning to sail and to the relationship. A friend who is a high wind 'short board' expert also might not be a good instructor since he or she probably has forgotten beginning sailing completely.
We recommend a windsurfing program that does more than offer only the "first-time" beginning lesson, but also offers continuing lessons for intermediate and advanced sailing. A program, like that offered by the Rhonda Smith Sailing School, seems ideal. The program begins with 2 days of 3-hours lessons. After completing these lessons, the student is given 10 free hours of supervised sailing (with equipment) to practice the skills acquired in the first lessons. After mastering the beginning skills, there is a very complete sequence of intermediate and advanced lessons to keep the student progressing.
If there isn't a good sailing school in your area, we recommend the book A Beginner's Guide to Zen and the Art of Windsurfing, by Frank Fox (Amberco Press). If you can not locate that book, read on. Even if you have located a fine sailing school and/or some good books and videos, it won't hurt to read this guide. The more you know about windsurfing, the faster you will progress.
The Board
If you picked a good windsurfing school, they will provide you with an appropriate board to learn on. If you are on your own (and you probably are if you are reading this web page), it is best to learn on a 'long board'. A long board will be over 11 feet (335 cm) long and will have a retractable centerboard. Pick a board with enough flotation to allow you to stand and balance easily. Kids can use shorter boards. The amount of flotation you need depends mostly on your weight. For example, if you are under 160 lb. (60 kg), a board with 200 liters of floatation would work nicely. If you are between 160 lb. (60 kg) and 210 lb. (78 kg) or so, 220 liters of floatation would be good etc.
The Sail
Here is a typical conversation between two windsurfers preparing to sail:
A: What do you think, 5.5?
B: Well, Bud is on a 5.7 and he seems to be flying.
A: Jane is on a 4.6 and that usually means I should be on a 5.0.
B: I don't know, a 5.2 might be perfect.
A: I only have a 5.7 and a 4.6.
... This profound conversation will continue for about 10 minutes.
There are several misconceptions about sail size. Some think that bigger is definitely more macho and will make you go faster, while smaller is necessarily easier. Neither of these beliefs is true. The wrong sail size, whether too big or too small, will make sailing difficult. Several factors matter for the correct sail size: (1) your weight and (2) the wind strength. Your weight will not change much during the season, but the wind strength will change from day to day. Pay attention to the wind strength and the sail size that is most fun for you with a particular wind. If the wind is 10 MPH and you are having fun on a 5.0, then next time out when the wind is 10 MPH, use the same size sail if you can. However, if the wind is lighter next time (5 MPH) use a bigger sail; if it is stronger (15 MPH) use a smaller sail. You can also rig a sail slightly differently for different wind speeds. You should only use a too small 'school' sail for the first few times out.
Wetsuit and Other Stuff
Most of us are not fortunate enough to live in a place where the water is always a bathtub 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Hence, a wetsuit is a necessary piece of equipment, not just for comfort, but also for safety. Most importantly, your wetsuit provides warmth and the sailors worst enemy is hypothermia. Your wetsuit also provides buoyancy (in addition to your PFD - Government Speak for life jacket).
When you buy a wetsuit, don't skimp; it could mean the difference between happy sailing and hypothermia. Buy a wetsuit designed for windsurfing rather than one designed for scuba, kayaking or looking cool. Windsurfing wetsuits are designed so that you can comfortably hold your arms out straight and hang on to the boom. Scuba wetsuits are designed for swimming with your arms by your side. Windsurfing wetsuits will be made with the outside mostly shiny neoprene, not cloth (or Nylon II). Water will run off the shiny neoprene and not cool you in the wind. Water will stick to cloth and cool as it evaporates in the wind.
Wetsuits come in various thicknesses, indicated by two numbers. A 3-2 wetsuit will be 3 mm thick in the chest and body and 2 mm thick in the arms and legs. Many people find 3-2 wetsuit is adequate for San Francisco Bay if they just sail in the summer and do not tend to get cold. On the other hand, a 4-3 wetsuit is a good bet for someone who tends to get cold or who plans to sail into spring and autumn.
When you chose a wetsuit, there are three important things to consider besides the thickness: fit, fit, and fit. The wetsuit should be snug everywhere without cutting off circulation.
Personal Flotation Device
A PFD is useful, even when club rules or state laws do not require it. (A PFD is required in some states.) The PFD will float you in a more vertical position, which is helpful when waterstarting. Also, it provides insulation to will keep you warmer and body armor to protect you when you slam into your board. And most important, it will float you, should you get separated from your rig. The PFD should fit snugly.
Some people prefer to wear neoprene 'booties' when they sail, and others prefer to sail barefoot. You can tell the latter because of the number of abrasions, lacerations, and plain old stubbed toes that they have. If your hands get sore, you might try a pair of sailing gloves. Don't forget sun protection. The only product that we have found that stays on with repeated dunking is called Bull Frog. It is more expensive than the usual product, it has the delightful consistency of axle grease, but it really works - even in the surf of Hawaii.
The Site
Before you sail in a new location, always get "local knowledge" about wind direction, current, and various hazards. Your windsurfer, like any boat, will drift downwind and/or with the current. You should ask yourself, what is "down there." If "down there" is a swamp with water moccasins, you may reconsider sailing in that spot. In general, the safest windsurfing is with the wind onshore or side onshore. Most beginners will have a tendency to be blown downwind. If this happens to you, do you know how you are going to get back? Can you walk along the beach? Do you have money with you to call a taxi?
Safety Hints
Paddling Home There are several different self-rescue procedures for paddling home. Get a friend to show you. If you are desperate situation, ditch your rig and stay with your board. You can paddle home on your board. Never leave your board.
Walking Home It is easier to carry your board home on land than swim your board back your launch spot against the wind. (You might even be able to sweet talk someone into helping). It is easier to walk your board home in the water (if you can touch bottom) than swim it home.
Now that you have picked a good sailing school, equipment, and sailing site, its time to lug all of your stuff to the water.