Windsurfing

Men's Fitness, July, 1998 by James Benning

Windsurfing instruction should come with a warning: This sport has proven to be addictive for thousands of people, causing them to happily reconfigure their lives around the subtle workings of the afternoon breeze. I know this well. I've been a wind junkie for well over a decade. It started the first time I balanced myself on a wobbly old board off Cabrillo Beach, hauled a beginner's sail from the water, then cautiously leaned back against a warm Southern California breeze. The wind filled the sail, the board skimmed across the water and, for a brief instant before I lost my balance and tumbled in, I felt as though I were flying.

I couldn't wait to do it again. I sold off parts of my baseball card collection, including a prized Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card, to buy a board and rig. I monitored weather reports daily, noting wind speeds on a calendar for future reference. And when I got my driver's license, I headed to the local windsurfing spot every chance I got. I raced back and forth across the water, wired on the speed and power and incredible quiet of it all. No matter how crazy my life was, I always left the beach exhausted and giddily high.

Like other kinds of addicts, I eventually required a more potent fix. Within a year, I traded my longboard for a short, high-performance model, sold off a few more cards and invested in a couple of small sails. Before long, I was windsurfing off the rugged Central California coast in giant whitecaps and towering swells, trying to nail my first big jump.

After several botched attempts, I steadied my board, raked back my sail and screamed toward a building swell. My board raced up the wave, then took flight. For a magical moment, I soared high above the water. I landed seconds later, but for days I felt as though I were flying. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

These days, it's hard to find much time to windsurf, despite my addiction; the demands of work get in the way. Maybe that's why I appreciate my time on the water more than ever. I find ways to get my fill, heading to the Central California coast, Oregon's wind-blown Columbia River or a pristine beach in Baja at least once a year. And every summer I visit the local waves in Cabrillo, where the afternoon breeze rarely fails to churn whitecaps off the beach. I rig a big sail, jump on my board and speed silently across the water, feeling as free as I did the first time I leaned back and trusted the wind.

Starting

1. Despite the occasional thrills, figuring out how to maneuver a sail in the wind without falling can be tricky. The best way to speed through the awkward stage is to take a lesson or two. In minutes, an instructor can explain techniques that might otherwise take hours or days to learn. Windsurfing shops can usually provide information on lessons in their area.

2. Read windsurfing magazines and study videos, then set goals to push yourself. Practice jibes and tacks until you've got them wired. You'll learn new moves, become a better sailor, and you'll never get bored.

3. Hit the road and seek out new windsurfing spots in your area. Sailing in different conditions is not only a lot of fun but is also a great way to improve.