FRequently Asked Questions: Paddle Boarding

What Is paddle boarding?

Paddle boarding originated from surfing in Hawaii. Essentially, it involves paddle boarders standing on a board to keep themselves afloat and using the paddle to propel themselves across the water. At Windsure, in our paddle boarding lessons we go through the basics you need to learn about the sport such as the proper stance to balance, equipment needed, and how to navigate through the water. Another variation of the sport is SUP Yoga! While we at Windsure offer Yoga & SUP, which includes a Yoga session on land, this practice involves participants actually doing Yoga on the board!

What are the benefits of paddle boarding?

Paddle boarding has many health benefits! First, you can get a great cardio workout while paddle boarding by increasing your row intensity or even racing your friends and getting that heart rate up. By integrating paddle boarding into your regular routine, you can expect a significant improvement in your cardiovascular health. Another reason to participate in the sport is because of how many calories you burn. This is a big reason why it’s the fastest growing sport since 2013. In comparison to walking, you can expect to burn about double the calories by paddling even at a moderate pace. The next benefit is that it reduces stress levels (we all need that sometimes). Did you know that the sound and motion of the water relaxes the human mind? In fact, it stimulates your brain to produce serotonin and endorphins which are hormones that are responsible for making you feel happy!

What to wear when paddle boarding?

To get the most out of your next paddle boarding experience, preparing the right equipment and gear is key. On a hot & sunny day, it’s important to ensure you apply powerful SPF sunscreen to keep your skin protected from the strong UV rays of the sun. You may want to consider wearing a hat and athletic wear that is made of SPF quality fabric to provide additional protection from the sun. It’s also a good idea to wear a swimsuit just in case you fall in, or decide to cool off with a jump into the water! And of course, it is necessary to wear a lifejacket on the water for safety! At Windsure, we provide you with a lifejacket, and even a wetsuit for a smooth and safe experience!

FRequently Asked Questions: Skimboarding

What Is skimboarding?

Skimboarding is a watersport that originated in Laguna Beach in Southern California when lifeguards wanted to surf local shores on their breaks but surfboards were just too big. In context, this sport involves using a smaller board or skimboard without a fin to glide across the shallow water at the shore. Momentum is created when skimboarders drop the skimboard on the water, slide it away from them, run towards it, and jump on it. At Windsure, our skimboarding lessons will teach you the basics such as how to ensure proper balance, gain the right momentum and speed, and perhaps go through some fun tricks so you can get a taste of why we love this sport!

What are the best conditions for skimboarding?

Since skimboarding is a sport that involves shallow waters and being along the shore, the environment you are in can make or break your experience. The first thing you’d want to consider is a shoreline free of obstacles (such as shells, rocks, etc.). Having those little pebbles on the shore could hurt your feet and make it difficult to prepare the run up you need to gain momentum. Next, a flat and wide terrain is the most ideal, especially for those who are beginners. Another factor to keep in mind is the changing tide level at different times of the day from week to week. At Windsure, we skimboard at Spanish Banks beach - when the tide is low here, it is ideal for skimboarding! Specifically, we require the tides to be less than 8 ft high and with this tracker you can check when the tides are best!

FRequently Asked Questions: Windsurfing

How does windsurfing work?

To windsurf properly, having a brief understanding of the physics behind how the sail uses the power of the wind to move is critical. We all know that wind generates power, but according to a scientific formula the wind pressure on the sail multiplies rapidly when the speed of the wind increases. For example, if the speed of the wind doubles, the pressure on the sail will multiply by four. Why this is significant is because it creates a lift which guides your windsurf board either forward or sideways. More pressure is applied to the windward side of the sail (closer to the wind) than on the leeward side of the sail (away from the wind). If you’re simply blocking the wind with the entire sail, you will feel the wind moving the board forward as well. This is the push effect in downwind mode. At Windsure, our windsurfing lessons and windsurfing clinics are designed to build your understanding in the sport which includes the concepts above, so that you can use the wind to your advantage and ensure you have a smooth sailing experience!

What equipment is needed for windsurfing?

When it comes to learning and ensuring that you have a smooth and safe experience, having the right windsurfing equipment is vital. First is the windsurfing board you will stand on, this is usually 2.5-3m long and has one or more fins on the back of the board. Next, you will need the rig which consists of a sail, mast, and boom. The boom is the grip that you hold onto when you’re on the water, while the mast is used for supporting purposes. A cord should also flow through the boom to the bottom of the mast and this is called the uphaul. After that, other equipment you may want to look into would include water shoes, a wetsuit, and a lifejacket. At Windsure, we provide all the equipment you need to get out on the water, from board to boom to lifejacket and wetsuit!