Windsurfing

Windsurfing

Windsurfing

1)      History

a)      How it got it's start

b)      Include information about the first big windsurfing company

c)      How it become more mainstream

d)     Explain why North Carolina is one of the best places to wind surf in the world

2)      Gear

a)      Easier to windsurf because of today's technology

i)        Wider boards

(1)   Provide more sable performance

(2)   Allows focus on techniques

ii)      Lighter Sails

(1)   Not as heavy when it sits in the water, easier to pick up

(2)   Increased rig tension allows for steadier, firmer pull

iii)    More equipment for a wider audience

(1)   Because of the improved technology there's more equipment for kids

(a)    Explain why

(2)   Because of the improved technology there's more equipment for women

(a)    Explain why

b)      Dissecting the Gear

i)        Sail

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose of it, i.e. it's like the engine, catching the wind and driving you forward.  The more wind, the smaller the sail

ii)      Mast

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose

iii)    Boom

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose

iv)    Rash Guard

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose

v)      Harness

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose

vi)    Universal joint

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose

vii)  Board

(1)   Define it and explain the purpose

viii) Booties

(2)   Define it and explain the purpose

3)      Beginners Shopping Guide

a)      What to look for in a board

i)        Wide boards (more than 180 liters of volume)

(1)   Why- because the size and range offer stability for the learning process

ii)      Centerboard or detachable fin

(1)   Why- improves stability for free fall learning

b)      What to avoid in a board

i)        Older boards

(1)   Why- tend to have slick decks from use, can make balancing difficult

ii)      Small or low-volume boars

(1)   Why- they're narrow and unstable to stand on

c)      What to look for in sails

i)        Usually a 6 meter sail or smaller to start

(1)   Why- smaller sails are easier to learn on, ask the owner for his or her suggestions given you area

ii)      A sail with the manufacturers recommended mast

(1)   Why-  newer sails utilize more rig tension, you'll gave a more stable centered pulling power

d)     What to avoid in sails

i)        Old sails or ones larger than 6 meters

(1)   Why- older sails are heavier  and more unstable, making it more difficult to learn

e)      What to look for in accessories

i)        Mast made of high-carbon

(1)   Why- masts with high-carbon content are lightweight and easy to maneuver

ii)      Clamp-on booms

(1)   Why- they adjust easier up and down the mast to accommodate the operator's size

f)       What to avoid in accessories

i)        Old, heavy masts

(1)   Why- more difficult to maneuver

ii)      Tie on, non-adjusting booms        

(1)   More difficult to learn on if the boom doesn't fit right

4)      Styles of Windsurfing

a)      Free Style

i)        Newest Craze, inspired by skateboarding

ii)      Mainly for tricks, such as the “lollypop” and “air chacho”

iii)    Benefits: you can do it in heavy winds, light winds and no wind at all.  It improves your balance and sail handling

b)      Wave Sailing

i)        Most artistic of the three

ii)      Can get more height off the lip of a wave so you can do aerials

iii)    Similar to surfing, but easier to pick up

c)      Free Ride

i)        Most common

ii)      Great for beginners to learn the basics

iii)    Once you master this style, you will improve your speed, balance and handling necessary to try tricks

5)      Racing and Competitions

a)      General, i.e. racing is the first way most wind surfers get into competitive events

b)      Where to find out about events in you area

c)      Major events or championships held all over

i)        Olympic Windsurfing Class

(1)   Describe

ii)      Formula Windsurfing Class

(1)   Describe

iii)    Slalom

(1)   Describe

iv)    Super X

(1)   Describe

v)      Speed Racing

(1)   Describe

vi)    Freestyle

(1)   Describe

vii)  Wave        

(1)   Describe

viii)            tell little about the winners, such as Kiri ThodeHis

ix)    Include information about prizes

x)      Include information about the different records out there, i.e. the world speed sailing record, etc.

d)     Lessons

i)        Who gives them

(1)   World famous instructor Charles Dasher

(a)    Include information about him, DVD's available etc.

(2)   ABK Board Sports

(a)    Include information about the organization, camps (NC's coast is one of 7 places they hold these camps)

6)      Common Myths about Windsurfing

a)      You Must be Strong

i)        Explain why it's false, i.e. it's about finesse not strength

b)      Wind Surfing is Dangerous

i)        Explain why it's false

c)      Wind Surfing is Difficult, the board hard to stand on

i)        Explain why it's false

d)     There aren't many places you can Wind Surf

i)        Include information about indoor windsurfing

ii)      Explain why it's false

7)      Glossary *

a)      BEAR AWAY: To turn away from the direction the wind is coming from.

b)      BEAT: Zigzag your way into the wind.

c)      BOOM: The “handle” of your sail. It's where you'll hold on most of the time.

d)     CENTERBOARD: Large retractable fin in the center of longboards, hybrids and most learning boards. Provides stability and upwind pointing ability.

e)      DOWNHAUL: The line attached to the mast base that pulls the sail down on the mast.

f)       DOWNWIND: Toward the direction the wind is blowing to.

g)      HARNESS: Worn around the waist or seat, it allows you to compensate for the sail's pull by using your body weight. A must for high-wind sailing.

h)      HARNESS LINES: Lines attached to the boom for hooking the harness in it.

i)        HEAD UP: To turn toward the direction the wind is coming from.

j)        JIBE: To turn the board downwind in order to go the opposite direction.

k)      MONOFILM: Clear, lightweight plastic with enormous tensile strength, common in modern sails.

l)        NOSE: Front of the board, usually the pointier end.

m)    OUTHAUL: The line that connects the back corner of the sail (the clew) to the boom.

n)      PLANE: In windsurfing, planing refers to when you are powered up to full speed, in the straps and hooked in. Technically, it's when the board gains enough forward speed to break free of the water and skim the surface, reducing drag and allowing the fastest speeds.

o)      PORT: To the left; sailing on port tack is sailing left hand forward.

p)      RIG: (noun) The combination of sail, mast, mast base and boom after it is assembled; ( verb) to assemble these components.

q)      STARBOARD: To the right; sailing on starboard tack is sailing right hand forward. Generally, the sailor on has right of way over port tack.

r)       TAIL: Back end of the board, usually the squarer end; the end with the fin in it.

s)       TACK: To turn the board upwind and in order to go in the opposite direction.

t)       UPHAUL: The line attached to the boom used to pull the sail up out of the water.

u)      UPWIND: Toward the direction the wind is coming from.

v)      VOLUME: A measurement of a board's displacement, which correlates directly with its flotation. The more volume, the more float.

*Note the glossary will be put on the page as is but feel free to add words if you find any using the same format as above

Helpful Links

One of the best sites, got most info from it: http://www.windsurfingmag.com/index.jsp

Also very good: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsurfing#Records

Useful information: http://www.worldwindsurf.com/