As great a sport as windsurfing is we appreciate it’s sometimes hard to keep the stoke and motivation going. If you’ve had a bad run of sessions, where conditions didn’t quiet line up, or you’ve been off the water for a period and the juice has stopped flowing then motivation is hard to come by.
With this in mind here are some tips that’ll help you find your mojo and get back in the windsurfing groove.
Learn a new move
Whether you have aspirations of busting huge backies or simply learning how to duck gybe nailing a new windsurfing move is an easy way to freshen up your sailing. Whatever your level there’s a trick for you. It doesn’t have to be hard, and in fact we’d suggest taking small steps – double forwards may be a way off if you’ve only just learned how to plane in the footstraps!
If you’re struggling for inspiration then check out the Tricktionary Windsurfing Bible or have a search online; there’s plenty of stuff to learn within windsurfing and it’ll re-energise your sailing no end.
Get some coaching
Leading on from above some windsurf coaching can often be a good thing, especially if you’re looking to improve and learn new skills. A qualified instructor will help guide the way as well as helping you avoid bad habits and pitfalls that crop up during any learning process.
Rather than have your mates give you tips and advice (although this isn’t a bad thing per se) a proper coach will be able to break down moves into easily digestible chunks that’ll rapidly increase your chances of stomping each manoeuvre. They may also help with providing inspiration of where to go with your windsurfing progression.
Sail a different spot
Windsurfers are creatures of habit, mostly. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut sailing at the same old spot time and again. While your staple may offer great conditions it’s always worth having a play elsewhere to re-ignite those stoke fires.
It may be you simply move down the coast a touch or go the full hog and mission it somewhere distant when a decent forecast pops up. Wherever you choose a new venue will give a different outlook on your sailing, which is only a good thing.
Take a windsurfing holiday
Sometimes all it takes for those positive windsurfing endorphins to flow again is a little bit of sunshine, a warm blow and the ability to ditch that rubber in favour of boardies and rashvest. Heading overseas for a windy Vitamin D hit is a great thing and ticks the ‘sailing a different spot’ point from above at the same time.
There are plenty of well-trodden windsurf resorts to choose from or you could get all adventurerous and pick somewhere under the radar and off the beaten track. Whatever style of trip you plump for we guarantee your windsurfing will benefit no end.
Use some different equipment
As well a sailing the same spot time and again using your go to equipment can make things stale. Whilst it might be comforting stepping aboard your usual sled switching this set up to something different will broaden your windsurfing horizons significantly.
If you’re a wave head then trying some flat water slalom sailing will deliver new sensations while freeriders could benefit from checking out freestyle gear for a different view. Windsurfing’s an in depth sport with plenty of avenues to head down. It’d be a shame to pigeon hole yourself and not see what else it has to offer.
Indulge in a different sport
If you’re really struggling to find that windsurfing motivation then maybe can it for a while and try something else. Stand up paddle boarding, surfing or MTB are all alternatives to windsurfing that offer increased time on the brine as well as helping you become a fully rounded water baby. It’s OK to try different things – after all variety is the spice of life.
When you’re done toying with different pastimes your windsurf gear will still be there for you, ready and able to get you ripping once more.
