windsurfing

Windsurfing is a water sport that combines sailing and surfing. A rider stands on a board and powers forward by tilting a sail attached to a mast via a universal joint. The sail is controlled with a boom, and the rider steers by shifting weight and adjusting the sail's angle to catch the wind.

Equipment includes a board, a sail, a mast, and a boom. Foot straps may be fitted to secure the rider, and a fin or daggerboard provides stability and directional control. Boards range from long, stable designs for beginners to short, high-performance shapes for planing in stronger wind.

Techniques cover balance, stance, and steering. Beginners learn upwind progression and water starts, then progress to planing, where the board rides on top of the water. Common maneuvers include tacking and jibes; advanced riders use harnesses and foot straps for more control and speed.

Disciplines include recreational windsurfing, racing, wave sailing, and freestyle. Competitive formats encompass slalom and course racing, as well as wave events. In recent years, foiling boards with hydrofoils have become popular, offering higher speeds and a different ride quality.

History: Windsurfing originated in the 1960s in California, with Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer developing the first windsurfer and patenting it in 1967–68. The sport grew through the 1970s and 1980s and is now widely practiced worldwide. Safety: Learners should use appropriate flotation, check conditions, and receive instruction to reduce risk.