Part 2 – Steering:  All Ways Lead to the Pontoon…

Are these real windsurfing terms?  No idea but they worked for me.  “Jackie Chan” – lean forward for the punch and put the windsurf behind you; “Robin Hood” – push the sail forward as if you’re shooting an arrow… in other words “Steering”.  That’s what’s next (assuming I can stay on the board long enough with the sail up.)  But I think I’ve kinda worked that one out – arm straight and No.7 body shape.

It also helped on day 2 to have someone yelling instructions at me from the pontoon (yes I still can’t get away from it!)  Good bit of advice – haul the sail up s.l.o.w.l.y and the board will turn itself into the wind.  Anyone close would hear me saying… “bring it up slowly. Slowly does it…”  Fact 1– I cope better in these situations when I talk to myself.  Fact 2 – in frustrating situations, best not have young children close by, as additional words get added in – if you get my drift.

Talking about drifts…that’s what I did.  I got up on that board, I got that damned sail up and realised it was called ‘windsurfing’ for a reason…. namely you need some wind to do any surfing.  Ooooh the frustration! Up on that board, feet in the right position (one in front of the UJ, back foot in the centre of the board, arms straight, body in No.7) and… going absolutely nowhere.   Then a little breeze, the board starts moving (tortoise like) across the sea… I’m doing it!!!!  Alas it wasn’t to last, and no I didn’t fall in… along came the safety boat to tow me back to the beach. Bastard! Couldn’t he see that I was windsurfing finally and that there was no way I was going back… well urgh no he couldn’t – end of lesson.  Number of dunks – 6, Trips On Safety Boat – 3, injuries – 0! Progress!

Gybing and Tacking.  One thing I realised was that it’s all well and good knowing Jackie Chan, Robin Hood, Mr Gybe and Ms Tack, but which one do you do and when?  How do you know how to get the wind to work for you?  I did all of these but did I do the one needed or not? No idea!  But I had given myself one last mission… that day I went out twice more – and sailed myself out to the island and back to the right beach.  Awesome.

For you experts, this may bring back some memories of how you started. For me it was a voyage of discovery… I’m not too old, I’ve rediscovered my determination in a challenge and yes, I’m going to find somewhere to carry on, even though it will probably be cold, with wetsuits, here in the UK… but it’s given me such a sense of achievement in myself!  My goal now is to windsurf from Mudeford to the cafe across the bay and ‘park up’ for a cup of tea, just like Mark and Jax … remembering the windsurfing mantra – at all times look cool and smile!J

Gwen Morgan-Fox

By George – she’s got it! BY FAR the most important bit is “ALWAYS look cool and smile!”

If you want to have fun and find your own inner sense of achievement, why not book yourself in for a taster session at the NWF? See the website www.nationalwatersportsfestival.com for details.

Gwen learnt to windsurf with Neilson in Adakoy, Turkey  www.neilson.co.uk with RYA tuition and all equipment included.

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