10 awkward beginner’s questions about windsurfing and their answers

Sooner or later it had to happen: and now the fashion for boards of all colors, colors and sizes is gradually coming to Russia. No one is surprised to see an office worker in a tie and shirt getting from the subway to work on a longboard, or an acquaintance who tried to wakeboard or nap in the summer.

Perhaps it’s all about the fact that over time we’ve paid attention to the vast amount of opportunities around us and figured out that in order to “ride” a churning wave on a spot in the ocean, we can start at the reservoir closest to home. But if wake, surf and longboard can’t surprise us, then windsurfing is quite a new phenomenon for Russia. That’s why a lot of questions arise: whether waves are needed, whether to buy a wetsuit, how to choose a board, whether it is necessary to buy it or it is enough to rent it….

With all these “awkward” questions of a beginner we went to see off the warm days at the master class of windsurfer, Team Toyota Russia athlete and just a beautiful mother of two children Oli Raskina in “Zavidovo Summer Aquatorium”.

Is it true that there are not so many places where you can windsurf in Russia?

Olya Raskina answers: “On the contrary(smiles). You can windsurf wherever there is water. If it is Moscow, then, for example, in Strogino, on Pirogovo reservoir, on Istra, everywhere there are large local stations. Or here, for example, in Zavidovo. Apart from Moscow, there are a lot of skaters in St. Petersburg, Sochi and other key seaside cities. Without going abroad, you can definitely make the first steps, reach the Intermediate level (when you have a little smaller board and bigger sail).

But we have to admit that it is quite difficult to make real progress while sailing in the water bodies close to home, because the winds in our country are unstable. Most often, especially in summer, the wind does not appear without a reason, but blows with rain and clouds. You will agree that these are quite harsh conditions. That’s why I personally do away camps for everyone, I gather people to Greece, Mauritius, Egypt – where I know for sure that the wind will blow every day and you can ride from morning till evening.

Do you need waves for windsurfing?

This is also a misconception. To begin with, even the absence of waves is desirable. They complicate the learning process. At a good level, waves are an additional ramp from which you can jump and do some elements.

If I know how to ride a longboard, will it help?

In urban conditions it’s longboard and balance board. The skill of transferring weight to the heels helps a lot. But the most important thing in windsurfing is to swim well. If you don’t feel comfortable in the water, you can panic when you fall. This is where pool lessons and freediving can help. In this case, you will have a different experience being in the ocean, you can swim and get on the board safely.

Will I be able to get up on a board without an instructor?

I’m more in favor of taking your first steps on a board with an experienced mentor. Those beginners who go out on their own, they experience nothing but agony. Windsurfing is still a very technical and visually complex sport, because everything seems to be clear on the shore, but when you go out on the water, as my students say, there is a complete nullification(laughs). Everything becomes very difficult, even to determine the wind direction.

How do you choose equipment and where should you start?

For a beginner you need a light set of equipment. For a girl a very small sail, for a man a bigger one. Besides, at the beginning I would not advise to sail far away. First you need to learn how to turn around and return to shore under any conditions. The most thrill that hooks people in windsurfing is when the board goes to hydroplaning: it is already a high speed, where the board rises from the water and rides only on the fin – a real feeling of flight. But up to this level you need to accumulate enough hours and understand the technique.

Is it possible to put a child on windsurfing?

Not so long ago my friends brought a kit for children’s windsurfing to Russia. You can start teaching children from the age of two. The mast in this kit is the size of a little finger, very thin, the sail is super light, the board is the size of a bodyboard only with fins, the child can control it, feel it, turn on it.

Before children’s kits, the main problem was that small sails were invented and big boards were used, for adults. On such boards a person weighing 15-20 kg just sailed away and could not turn it. Now, when there is special equipment, children from 2 to 8 years old ride both independently and two or three with their brothers and sisters. They join such a small kindergarten(smiles) and go sailing in the sea.

What qualities does windsurfing help to develop?

In an adult, it seems to me, you need courage to go out to the sea or open ocean, but not in the water area. In children it is still more of a game, they feel like captains of their ship, for them it is happiness to manage their small vessel. In addition, children are trained in life jackets, so when they fall into the water, they are not afraid, but enjoy it. It is a very positive experience. In addition to courage and bravery, I think, there is excitement, you want to learn more and swim farther from the shore. You can sail away together with mom and dad, but not standing between their legs, as we used to ride our kids, but riding your board in parallel with them. Let’s say in Mauritius, kids with their parents go out on small waves and practice together. It’s cool when your child is such an independent person.

In Russia, windsurfing is seasonal, and if you want to learn in the fall, where is the best place to go?

To the south. Sochi, Anapa. You can go to Europe, for example to Greece or Spain, Portugal. There’s also Turkey, Egypt. In fact, the coolest skating in Anapa in December, when the winter storms come. It’s not a weak wind that blew from under a cloud, it’s a stable storm for four days, when you can roll away(laughs). During the storm season a very strong community from Krasnodar, Rostov and Novorossiysk comes there.

How to choose equipment for winter skiing?

If you decide to swim in winter, then in this case you definitely need a wetsuit. For this purpose, there are special warm models with a hood. You can put on hydro shoes, gloves. Technology has reached the point that you can pack yourself completely. In addition, it is a great protection against bruises when falling. I, for example, like to ride like this – it’s warm, dry and doesn’t hurt.

With the equipment seems to be clear, but should you buy a windsurf right away?

For the first few years it is better to rent a windsurf, as there is usually a big choice at the stations: there are small sails for strong winds, big sails for weak winds, different boards. It is better to try everything first and choose at least a discipline. Some people like to ride very fast – it’s slalom, racing, some like freestyle and acrobatics, some want to ride waves – it’s already wave riding, that is different sets of equipment and rental stations have the whole range”.

Discover new horizons, dream and never rest on your laurels! Windsurfing is the perfect sport for those who are in love with waves, traveling and movement. Meet us at the spot, don’t forget to put your sail in the wind!