windsurfers

Windsurfers are riders who use a board-mounted sail to glide across water. The sail is attached to a mast and controlled with a boom, while the board is connected to a universal joint that allows the sail to pivot relative to the board. Windsurfing can be pursued recreationally, for fitness, or as a competitive sport, on oceans, lakes, and rivers worldwide. Protective gear such as life jackets or impact vests is common in practice and competition.

Equipment and technique: A windsurf board ranges from wide, stable beginner boards to short, high-performance designs for advanced riding. The rig consists of a mast, sail, boom, and mast base. Rigs vary in size and geometry, and many riders use footstraps and a harness to distribute sail forces. Practical skills include balancing, footwork, tacking and gybing, and steering by angle of the sail to the wind.

Styles and disciplines: Windsurfing encompasses wave riding, freestyling, slalom, and racing. In recent years hydrofoil boards have become popular, lifting the rider above the water for reduced drag. Competitive windsurfing is organized internationally, with events and world championships governed by governing bodies and tours such as the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA).

History and influence: Windsurfing traces to the 1960s in California, where Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer combined a sail with a board to create the first windsurfer. The sport grew rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s and spread globally, spawning a dedicated community, clubs, brands, and media. Notable windsurfers include pioneers and champions who helped advance technique and equipment.