Is Winsurfing is Dead and Buried One Shocking Fact That Will Blow Windsurfers Away

So do you think that windsurfing has had its day?

That is a perfectly understandable - In fact, for a short time, I fell for all the hype about windsurfing being ‘history’ just like you

But, I have a little known fact to give you… and it is this:

People are returning to simpler lifestyles. The ‘less is more’ ethic is back And get this, surfing and windsurfing in the USA grew by more than 17% last year according to the only detailed study of its kind, the “2009 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report”, released by the Outdoor Foundation.

Take a minute to think about this…Windsurfing is alive and kicking…

Better still the sport is on the rise. Did you know that the International Boating Federation has launched a drive to develop windsurfing even more? I guess not! I understand. They don’t make a good job of their role as key communicators

Anyway here are the facts…

a) Their new training manager is tasked to develop all the different facets of boating including sailing and windsurfing b) Priority #1 is to train the trainers who can go out into the world and train windsurf coaches to teach people how to go windsurfing safely. So this is great news for you and me because we’ll have plenty of fellow windsurfers to play with on the sparkling waters Warning: The fact that others have started this longterm windsurfing development project does not let you off the hook

Calling all Windsurfers:

You have a responsibility to promote the sport you love. Spread the word. Windsurfers leave nothing behind but an adrenalin rush. Windsurfing is growing. The big windsurfing brands have developed new more stable boards which are easier to learn on. Sails have been specially designed to be light, easy to uphaul and easy to handle. Consequently, there are more people of all ages becoming windsurfers and loving the freedom that windsurfing gives them.

windsurfing

Olympic Sailing

RS:X

OK.. So listen up … This progress may not last! If you are a windsurfer, you must do your bit for windsurfing, Find out more about Windsurf Training Programs Become a Top Windsurfingf Coach -> Reach-4-The-Top!

The only windsurf board eligible to take part in the Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2012

The RS:X came about as a result of a successful bid by NeilPryde WIndsurfing to supply one design windsurfing equipment for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Games in China. The RS:X was designed in 2004 and went into production in 2005. The RS:X design features a high technology rig, with carbon mast and boom, a ‘wide-style’ board that merges modern windsurf board design with a centreboard, thus enabling competitions to he held in virtually any condition from 3 to 30 knots. This means that the RS:X is always a dynamic, versatile class to observe, and racing is always close, exciting and visually appealing. Two sizes of sail are available for competitors. Men use a 9.5m sail while women and youth use an 8.5m sail. The sail, rig and board have been designed in conjunction with each other in order to to ensure a high level of design synergy. The RS:X Class Association was established in November 2006, and is critical to the establishment and ongoing development of the RS:X as an international Olympic Sailing Class Class. The RS:X is the most affordable sailing class that is eligible for competition in the Olympic Sailing Regatta. It is also very easy to transport, as it can be carried on commercial aircraft as excess baggage, thus allowing sailors to compete internationally at minimal expense. This allows the scheduling of many regattas which can be attended by a large number of sailors from all over the world. The inaugural RS:X World Championships were held at Lake Garda, Italy, and featured some 244 competitors. Subsequent World Championship Regattas in 2007 Cascais, Portugal and in 2008 Auckland, New Zealand attracted 186 and 193 sailors respectively. More than 3000 sets of equipment have been sold since production started in 2005 to competitors in more than 50 nations in 6 continents. The RS:X Class is actively involved in developing racing fleets in the U21, U19 and U17 Age Divisions who compete in separate World and Continental Championships. It should be noted that only the U19 Division is awarded World Championship titles for Youth Men and Youth Women recognised by ISAF due to the strict limitations that they impose on their number. The RS:X Class has recently launched the RS:X Reach-4-The-Top Training Programmes to assist National Sailing Federations, Athletes, Coaches and National Technical officials gain more knowledge and experience. The class is actively organising clinics and training camps worldwide.

windsurfing

Olympic Windsurfing

Olympic Sailing

Rory Ramsden is the COO of the International RS:X Class Association and has been involved in Olympic Sailing for more than 20 years. He is responsibility for the development of the class website at http://www.rsxclass.com and thye event website at http://www.rsxclass.com/events

ISAF Youth Worlds Am I missing something here

I’m confused… Well, nothing new there then, I hear you say… but no, bear with me on this. The Youth Worlds had suitable winds to race on two of the first three days. Then it was time according to the official schedule to have a lay day… to restore tired bodies, regenerate the game plan and focus the mind on the last few days. Has no-one realised that it’s traditional at all RS:X Youth Championships [and Olympic class windsurfing regattas generally] to have good racing conditions when one decides to have a layday. The ISAF Volvo Youth World Championships is no exception. Along came the layday and the weather was wonderful… for racing. But NO… Everyone relaxed and had some down-time again. I mean they already spent one day ashore due to the 30 knot winds and the event was behind schedule. 60 nations have sent teams to this event which is the pinnacle of youth sailing and youth windsurfing. Second only to the Olympic sailing regatta… and of the first 4 days, only 2 were spent racing. Now when racing resumed on the fifth day (Wednesday), they didn’t race again. So instead of having raced on four of the five days, or even three of the five days, they are now down to only two of the five days. Can someone make sense of this for me? Shouldn’t laydays be held in reserve for use if the regatta is behind schedule? Well, one immediate answer is that racing at youth sailing/windsurfing level is about more than just competition. It is a chance to meet your peer group from different nations around the world. To get to know how they think, have fun together and go home with a broader out look than you arrived with. Very praiseworthy ideals… I’m sure, but nations signed their teams up to race. Mano a Mano for the gold medal and as a team for the coveted Volvo Trophy. Many have trained for months, even years. Parents and sponsors have invested heavily, cash and personal time. Ideals must be lived up to. Pinnacle events have a reputation to live up to. The sailors came first and foremost to race. To do their very best and test themselves against the world’s best. Experienced race managers are on hand to take difficult decisions… such as forego the pleasures of a layday. The Volvo brand stands for excellence, longevity and robustness. In the face of whatever nature throws at you, you are above all safe in a Volvo… and you are driving a winning brand. This championship has a lot to live up to. Maybe this time, the wrong call was made. Race website: http://www.isafyouthworlds.com/editions/2009/index.php

windsurfing

Windsurfing

Windsurfing

Rory Ramsden is the COO of the International RS:X Class Association and has been involved in Olympic Sailing for more than 20 years. He is responsibility for the development of the class website at http://www.rsxclass.com and thye event website at http://www.rsxclass.com/events