Learn to Windsurf Day

The Austin Windsurf Club is holding beginner windsurfing classes on the 19th and 20th of May. Classes seem to be almost full, so sign up soon.

Rig Cam Video

This qualifies as the best rig-mounted camera work I've seen so far. Nothing too fancy here, but you can get a pretty good look at how ebrandhorst sails. You can see examples of a waterstart, hooking in, getting into the straps and jibing.

Though relaxing, the flick has me itching to get back on the water. I hope to see you in Corpus soon.

Where Boards Come From

My parents told me that baby surfboards are brought by storks. Instead, the process seems to involve a spray of styrofoam, plastic bits, the application of form-fitting vinyl, and lots of resin rub-downs. Oh, and don't forget the bad elevator music.

Windsurfing in Two Weeks

We'll be windsurfing in Corpus Christi in two weeks. Are you coming on the trip? Please let me know.

The long-term forecast for Corpus is looking good: "Windy in the afternoon". Sounds ideal, doesn't it?

Freestyle Video: Laure Treboux

Keep your eye on the boom.

JP Australia Videos

JP Australia's site features several hypnotic windsurfing videos. The highlight videos function mostly as ads, but they are educational because they illustrate the various branches of windsurfing. The other films skip the sell, so be sure to check them out.

I suggest peeking at the air-tastic Maui-07 video first. Cabo Verde also gets a nod for the unusual music and dream-like quality. Groovy.

Does anyone know how surfers retrieve their boards when they fly away? Could they possibly slog through those waves and find them again? The surf looks a lot more intimidating when the guy transforms from a graceful rider to a tiny swimmer.

Maybe one of the benefits of having a sponsor is that they just give you a new board when the old one blows to Nepal. Must be nice to have a sponsor (or live in Nepal).

Link.

The Ten Step Guide to Windsurfing

The Ten Step Guide seems a little dated in areas, but it does have a good review (with diagrams) of beginner to intermediate windsurfing skills. The guide also covers some safety points and rules of seamanship. Reviewing this before your next trip to the beach couldn't hurt. Link.