INTRODUCTORY WINDSURFING COURSE
Windsurfing basically involves moving across the water on a board with the help of a sail. Initially, the board is steered using the sail. Although the sport is now over 40 years old, it continues to attract more and more enthusiasts and the equipment is constantly evolving. It is a very well-rounded sport that develops the whole body and improves balance. Isla Canela has fantastic beaches for learning, as there are generally no waves and there are extensive areas of shallow water protected by sandbanks. It also has ideal thermal wind conditions: in the morning there is a northerly breeze that keeps the water fairly flat, and in the afternoon the wind shifts to the west, generally stronger, for more advanced learners.
The standard course lasts 10 hours, spread over 5 sessions of 2 hours each. Under normal conditions, courses run from Monday to Friday and it is recommended to complete them consecutively. However, we adapt to the client’s needs, whether to shorten or extend the duration. The only requirement is to be over 10 years old and a confident swimmer. During the course, the school will provide all the equipment: board, sail and life jacket.
- The board brand chosen by our school is primarily Starboard, a world-leading brand offering unbeatable quality.
- For sails, we mainly use B3 Tarifa. From 2024, we will be introducing our own custom-made sails, courtesy of VOP SAIL.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is structured in stages: equipment knowledge and components, sailing theory, courses, manoeuvres, how to hoist the sail, tacking, basic safety rules, and positioning on the board and of the sail. First, there will be a theoretical and practical session on land covering all the above aspects. We teach stretching, warm-ups and breathing techniques before entering the water.
The rest of the course takes place in the water, accompanied at all times by an instructor, who will move around with the aid of a rescue boat to correct each student individually and to help retrieve any sailors who drift off course. The maximum number of boards is eight per support boat, and in large groups we usually have an instructor on the shore focusing on the less experienced students. Private lessons are also available for those who require more individual attention.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the course is for students to sail independently in all directions, and to be able to tack and gybe. Students should be able to judge the direction of the wind and navigate accordingly. We will strive at all times to ensure that lessons are dynamic and enjoyable. By the end of the course, students should be able to sail independently and return to the starting point in moderate winds.
