First Time Windsurfing Skills (Self Rescue, Steering, Tack, Falling, Return to Dock)

This video will show you all you need to know to get started windsurfing. We'll cover standing on your board, sailing in a straight line, steering, 180 degree turns (tacks), fall recovery, and coming back to the dock.

[@paoloflores6483]

Used to windsurf in my 20s. Gave it up when I moved further inland. Now I'm 50. Live close to the coast once again. I've missed it. I think I'm going to jump back in it.

[@willspargur7466]

Go for it! The most fun way to stay in shape for us old guys.

[@RogerMacKenzie]

Hard to believe it’s been 20+ years since I last sailed. Your video was a real walk down memory lane. When I first started sailing the gorge a lot of the popular spots hadn’t even been named yet. You could drive right down to the lagoon at home valley. Enjoy the Cascade😁🥲

[@jonathanmanera1605]

Wow! That self-rescue tip on the beginning made my day. Thanks ❤

[@annakurenkova374]

Great video! This made the whole begginer journey look manageable!

[@JonClark125]

This is the BEST video, excellent instruction!!! Thank you!

[@loretta_d]

GREAT VIDEO! I had lessons, but I'm trying to get 'too proud to take instruction' hubby to enjoy this sport. I'm sending him this video today. I love the fact that you're smiling the whole time. PERFECT energy 🙂

[@willspargur7466]

Thank you! Hopefully your hubby gives lessons a shot. Recently another instructor was watching me sail and gave me a super simple tip on holding the boom that made a huge difference. In 5 seconds he figured out something that I hadn't in over a decade of windsurfing and teaching windsurfing. There's a lot in windsurfing that is not intuitive. Having someone to explain it speeds things along so you spend more time flying than swimming.

[@sebastianadamek2933]

Greetings from Poland, and thanks for lesson 🙂

[@simplejim-il7mg]

Hold on to the boom when you fall - Great tip! I learned this the hard way...

[@willspargur7466]

Nothing more scary than getting bashed in the head with the mast.

[@loretta_d]

Thanks for reminding me of that one!

[@fisfisarenskanal]

Best instructor video for windsurfing!! I went in blind 2 times. Swam around mostly. Greetings from Gothenburg sweden 😊😊

[@BillSands2112]

Loved your video, I also did a bit of windsurfing 20 plus years ago and got the itch to take up the sport once again, and your video is very informative, so thank you. You got yourself a new subscriber too

[@willspargur7466]

Thank you! Are you going out sailing soon?

[@BillSands2112]

@Will Spargur unfortunately not yet. I'm looking around for a board,sail, the basics

[@willspargur7466]

@@BillSands2112 Yeah that can be a challenge. In the SF Bay Area we are lucky to have Cal Sailing Club which makes it super easy (and cheap) to get into the sport.

[@chikitchan2315]

So much useful information at the video, thank you!

[@willspargur7466]

Thank you! Hope you have great time on the water.

[@joecanavan8158]

Excellent video, thanks!

[@pascalecourrieu8535]

Great great video. So many useful tips in such a short time. Thank you!

[@cetric26]

Superb instructions. Best I came across as a newbie. Thanks a ton.

[@willspargur7466]

Thanks, that's fantastic. hope you have a great time on the water!

[@wickeed100]

Very nice and understandable lessons. Thanks!

[@willspargur7466]

I appreciate the feedback! Have a great day of sailing.

[@marianna9379]

A great tutorial video for the beginners like me! Thanks a lot!

[@willspargur7466]

Marianna, Thanks! Let me know how it goes when you get on the water.

[@marianna9379]

@@willspargur7466 yesterday was my first time on the board but this video helped me to memorize and visualize all the basic instructions. Tonight I'll have my 2nd kiteboarding teaching lesson!

[@willspargur7466]

@@marianna9379 Visualization is key, sounds like you have your hands full with Windsurfing AND kiteboarding. Fun week.

[@victor47875]

Very nice lesson

[@themediacontrolyouropinon]

Very well explained.. I got mine for the first time.😬

[@bigfefu]

woww man, what a fantastic video...thank you

[@robertocarlosdossantos2639]

Very good instructions, CONGRATS

[@willspargur7466]

Thank you!

[@carlbrand781]

Great instruction video

[@nunocarvalho5105]

Great video. I am learning windsurfing started at 46 ...

[@utar88utar]

thank you.

[@tanggu26v]

Thank you for the great video!

[@xxxvespertine]

So helpful! Thank you 🥰

[@willspargur7466]

My pleasure. Have a great time sailing!

[@adrianb6193]

thanks for video 😁

[@arturp2041]

Very good explain first steps great video thanks 🙏

[@willspargur7466]

Thank you for the feedback. I hope it helps many more discover the joy of wind and water.

[@futrpdr]

Thanks for the video. I might go windsurfing for the first time and wanted a visual introduction.

[@willspargur7466]

Definitely do it! It's a fun sport even if you're not an expert.

[@chatteyj]

@@willspargur7466 I'm having my first windsurf lesson tomorrow fingers crossed. Thought I'd watch a cheeky video beforehand (but no more than that). I tried kitesurfing a few years ago but that was hard I'm hoping windsurfing is a little easier.

[@willspargur7466]

@@chatteyj Oh, yes. Beginning windsurfing is way easier than beginning kite.

[@aldosuarez2082]

Muy bueno!!!

[@m.h.1417]

Great!!

[@aldosuarez2082]

Thanks..

[@Lieblingsmensch81]

Tolles Video, sieht so leicht aus 😅

[@Kirmo13]

what if you have a harness and you want to do the self-rescue? Won't you leave a big dent on the board? Maybe if I'm using a harness I shouldn't be self-rescuing 🤔

[@Lindawills-dc7fo]

Hi. I am a big SUP rider on our lake. I want to try adding the sail to my bag of fun. What brand SUP and sail do you use? Thank you. Linda

[@willspargur7466]

At Cal Sailing Club we use Fanatic Boards for beginners. The sizes range from 160-220 liters. www.fanatic.com/windsurf/boards/entry-kids/viper

[@sleepnomore6065]

How does the learning curve of this compare to SUP (which I found pretty easy even in the sea) so long as I'm seated!

[@willspargur7466]

This is a tough one to answer because it depends on so many variables. I've had people start sailing after one class and others still struggle after a few months. Get a good instructor who's willing to do some sailing alongside you to get you started. Then go out as often you can (3+ times a week). If you done SUP standing up that will help with your intuition how the board reacts to shifting your weight.

[@khaledhamed2804]

❤

[@surfahboi8]

Do you prefer left foot forward or right foot forward?

[@willspargur7466]

I generally do better right foot forward (starboard tack), but wind and wave conditions where I sail provide great jumping opportunities when I am on a port tack (left first) so I am a much better jumper in that direction.

[@Str8representing]

0:42 self rescue 3:43 falling

[@sleepnomore6065]

How deep should the water be in feet? Taller than a person?

[@willspargur7466]

It depends on your setup. Basically, you're good as long as the water is deep enough that your fin is not dragging on the bottom. A beginner board usually has a long centerboard in the middle, so you'd need at least 3ft.

[@Vok250]

What board is that?

[@willspargur7466]

It's a 180 litre board.

[@Vok250]

@@willspargur7466 Thanks. How is the performance in sub-planing conditions? Still fun? There's a very similar board for sale in my area, but originalky I was planning to buy a longboard for better glide.

[@willspargur7466]

@@Vok250 It's a good beginners learning board - tacks, jibes, helitacks, etc. Nice fat and stable for flat water. It can plane but not very well. Don't take in swell.

[@willspargur7466]

@Rogomusiclife If it is very calm, wind 5-10kts, and flat water. Big boards rock too much if there's even slight swell.

[@willspargur7466]

@Rogomusiclife I've never tried that but if I did I'd use a foil. On a windsurfing board it would be a lot of work because you wouldn't be able to plane where you could use a harness to hook in and relieve the work on your arms and hands.