Windsurfing Tips

Provided by "Club Fred" Howard Park Windsurfers
Tarpon Springs, Florida USA
and West Coast Windsurfing Schools phone: 813-503-1898 -Use SPF 30 sunblock or greater, even in the winter and on cloudy days.
-It is best to apply sunblock before coming to the beach and after a few hours in the water.
-Wear a hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
-Lycra shirts and shorts are an excellent sunblock for the body.
-Sunglasses help protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Add up the water temperature and the air temperature. If they are less than 120 degrees (F) combined, you can easily become hypothermic and you need to wear a wetsuit. For example, if the water is 65° and the air is 55°. Also take into account your skill level: if you're a beginner and you'll be in the water a lot, adjust your combined number to 150 or 160 more for kids.
On a hot day, your body can lose about one quart of water per hour. Unless you drink the same amount, you can be vulnerable to dehydration and heatstroke. Remember that wind will dehydrate you also.
Weather
Check the weather forecast before coming to the beach. Before rigging or launching, scan the sky for clouds. Storms and high winds are usually associated with dark clouds--the wind can change direction and become dangerous in minutes. When in doubt, don't go out.
Howard Park is unique in that you can sail all wind directions, however an understanding of the usual characteristics of each wind direction is useful.
At Howard Park when the wind is coming from the east (mainland) it is usually uneven and gusty. Offshore winds are not the best for beginners because they blow you out away from shore. East winds are best sailed in the morning. Sailing from the south end of the beach during east winds provides steadier winds because of the longer fetch, especially in southeast winds.
South winds are usually warm, strong and steady.
North winds are usually associated with cold fronts and can be strong and steady also.
West winds (onshore)
In the afternoon, the land heating up can cause a nice sea breeze at Howard Park. Look for puffy clouds rising over the shore and the seabreeze will soon follow. This is the perfect direction for beginners.
These are the accepted rules for who has right of way:
-Launching: before beach starting, look (and wait) for incoming sailors--they have right of way.
-Passing (oncoming) while sailing towards another sailor: Sailor on starboard tack (the right hand forward on the boom) has right of way. Always keep at least 1-1/2 mast heights between you and the other sailor while passing.
-Passing (overtaking) on the same tack (direction): The sailor ahead has right of way. This will help avoid possible collision and (politely) will not disturb the air of the slower sailor.
-Jibing (and tacking): look behind you and especially down wind (leeward). If someone is there, warn them or jibe carefully.

You should also be familiar with these 5 BASIC RULES: