Spelling[edit]

It should be noted that "windsurfing" is the generally accepted spelling. The same goes for boardsailing.

Spelling gybe. is not how we spell it in Hawaii, or how i have ever heard anyone spell it. I believe it is spelt Jibe, not gybe.

193.118.251.61 14:02, 21 June 2007 (UTC)Ganlyb Gybe is a sailing term, jibe is to scoff.Reply[reply]

Perhaps, in consistence with the naming of the tools of other gliding sports (surfboard, skateboard, snowboard, wakeboard, bodyboard, kiteboard and even waveboard), a windsurfboard should perhaps be only referred to as a "sailboard", because "windsurf board" refers to "riding the surf using the wind", which is only the reserve of the most skilled of wind surfers. 80% of windsurfers don't do that, and also, you don't need to, because you don't need a surf to "windsurf". You see, in the name should appear only a feature/condition that is necessary (in the strictest possible sense, so it distinguishes from other sports) to the execution of the sport concerned; you need a surf to use a surfboard, you need snow to use a snowboard, you need a kite to use a kiteboard, you need a wake (i.e. motorboat) to use a wakeboard etc., but you don't need a surf to use a windsurfboard. What you do need is a ... sail. So "windsurf" is a bit of a misnomer. I therefore suggest the terms "sailboarding" and "sailboard", and to change title of this wikipedia section from "windsurfing" to "sailboarding" (not "boardsailing" because you don't say "boardkiting" or "boardwaking" or "boardsnowing" or "boardskating" etc. either). --Tavernsenses (talk) 08:53, 29 October 2012 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Freestyle and tricks[edit]

A lot more could be dedicated to freestyle and tricks. It's a growing part of the sport that can be done in many different wind speeds.

Picture[edit]

And we _really_ need a more exciting picture! (Don't think I have any, will look). Mat-C 17:50, 18 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Equipment and E2 article[edit]

Where should the information about the windsurfing equipment go? Different kinds and shapes of boards, etc.? Also, I have a nice article about modern windsurfing sail design on Everything2, but I'm not sure where to put it.

Alga 00:34, 2004 Aug 18 (UTC)

Moving over my stuff on windsurfing sails from e2: sail and Rotating Asymmetric Foil -- Alga 00:49, 2004 Aug 22 (UTC)

Vacation destinations[edit]

Perhaps we should mention that people go to windsurfing vacations, and list the most prominent locations. Alga 21:36, 10 January 2006 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I've added some links to the Hayling Island development, as this would be great for windsurfing in th UK - a boost of traffic and some exposure on here would be awesome as they are still bidding for the development. Incorporated hopefully into vac dest.?

I suggest that the Beaufort scale reference in the article be changed to knots or to miles per hour. I've never heard of windsurfers using the Beaufort scale to measure wind speed.. ----Flashywordz

I have been windsurfing on England's south coast since 1985 and have very frequently heard windsurfers use The Beaufort Scale. I think that it is more frequently used to describe the mid range wind speeds (4,5,6). MPH/Knots is often used for low and high speeds e.g. "I managed to get planing in only 10 knots", or "it was manic, gusting to 50 knots". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A00:23C4:4B20:600:F5C6:4415:1F40:2538 (talk) 21:43, 8 December 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]


History Section[edit]

This history was written by people with enmity toward Hoyle Schweitzer and thus is distorted and divorced from reality. I tried to correct it at one point, but the guards uncorrected it. While Chilvers and Darby may have created a version of a sailboard at one point, their efforts did nothing to advance the popularity of the sport. Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer collaborated on designing the Windsurfer, but it was Hoyle who took the risk and made the concept successful commercially. Jim didn’t want any part of the commercial development. It was Hoyle who developed components that could be mass-produced economically and set up licensees around the world who developed a school system that brought millions into the sport. The emphasis on who made the first or who thought of a mechanical universal joint is misplaced. Steve Jobs didn’t design the first computer, but he is remembered as the star who brought computers to the masses. Hoyle and his wife Diane should be remembered the same way. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dicklambsb (talk • contribs) 21:30, 7 January 2024 (UTC)Reply[reply]


This would benefit from a Timeline structure. Additionally the brands and boards that created the sport in the early days are not mentioned in any significant manner. What about the "Windsurfer" and the "Bic" etc?

This paragraph seems not to be up to date.

Windsurfing has experienced a boom in the 1980s. Windsurfing became an Olympic sport in 1984, and a shortboard was invented around the same time. However, windsurfing was in a sharp decline in mid-1990s, as the equipment got specialized and hard to sail. Now the sport is experiencing a revival, as new beginner-friendly designs became readily available.

What revival? what beginner-friendly designs? RogerDulhunty (talk) 03:32, 28 March 2015 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Fiddle Faddle 17:54, 16 April 2006 (UTC)Reply[reply]


I added some sentences about the development of the Windsurfer as a one design sailboat. This concept was influenced by Hoyle's discussions with Ian Bruce and perhaps Hobie Alter. His other choice would have been to have more of a development class. This is one of the reasons the class got to be old because new designs were certainly easier to sail and manouver but his sticking with one design led to his path to the Olympics. I also added a section about computer scoring, something that Schweitzer sponsored and was unique at that time. I was the one who developed the computer program he used. This program was subsequently used by the Laser class and many yacht clubs after I ported it to the then new TRS80 computer - it was more affordable than the HP9825 - Hoyle had an arrangement to fly me in to score the regatta and fly Jay Thomas in who worked for HP who had a HP9825 and printer we could borrow. That portable computer cost about $20000 back in 1976 dollars so this was one of the first applications of portable computers outside the lab, I think. I also ended up working in HP for the manager of the HP9825 computer project, strangely


Familywells 11:16, 6 August 2007 (UTC)familywellsReply[reply]


I removed the section about "sailsurfing" as this not a name that has ever been in common use. I also changed the Youth section to improve the language used as well as to introduce more contemporary information (i.e. about Philip Koester and Pozo) 86.132.238.31 (talk) 09:27, 15 August 2010 (UTC)Reply[reply]


RogerDulhunty (talk) 06:27, 10 September 2012 (UTC) The contributions of many early pioneers such as Darby, Eastaugh, Chilvers and even Drake has been exaggerated as a consequence of the ill-will arising from the legal disputes.Reply[reply]

Indoor Windsurfing?[edit]

No mention of any indoor windsurfing, which is suprisingly popular...


I know they have a tournament at the London Boat show every year, and I think there is a big one in Germany - some links and info would be good? Incidentally - The London boat show (and the indoor windsurfing tournament) are held on the same dock where Peter Chilvers has setup his windsurfing and sailing centre - and lives today! So this should be added - I'll scratch around and see what I can find... I know there will be some good photos from the boat show (as bad as their indoor tourny is) but i've got *technical issues* with uploading photos - if i can post links in here - can someone update the page with the pics please? 212.158.239.172 21:27, 19 May 2006 (UTC)Reply[reply]

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/0118pwa/

There are some AWESOME shots on this link from the London Boat show - i'm sure a mention of Schroders

A feature in American Windsurfer is now archived online here: https://www.americanwindsurfer.com/articles/indoor-windsurfing-a-french-experience/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by FreelanceCT (talk • contribs) 14:32, 20 August 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Rigging Instructions[edit]

It appears the rigging instructions section has been taken from / adapted from instructions provided by a company. Perhaps I am wrong, but "Easy-Uphaul" sounds like a commercial product (attached to the rig to allow easier uphaul, maybe?) that would not apply to all rigs. In either case, whether it is applicable to all rigs or not, the title of the section is wrong, as they are not rigging instructions, but more uphaul instructions.

Good catch. Yes, the material was copied from a commercial website. I've removed it now. Cheers, -Will Beback 22:55, 21 May 2006 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Youth Windsurfing[edit]

Isn't T-15 etc only UK/RYA specific?

Nothing yet written about the greats[edit]

Hey, there is nothing yet written about the greats here. I'm talking Robby Naish, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Anders Bringdal, Jason Polokow etc

These guys (and many more) should all have their own entry that links off this page.

Fin choice & performance[edit]

Could someone add information on fin choice and how size and shape affect performance. [Brian 26/7/2006]

origin rewrite of 2006-11-4[edit]

Uh oh! I hastily reverted what might be a legitimate edit by 81.153.11.95 (talk · contribs). The revert was based on the introduction which was an unencyclopedic introduction, vanity, apparent deletion of most of the text, and the editor's short history. I'll leave it to those knowledgeable about the sport to reinstate valid sections. — EncMstr 16:54, 4 November 2006 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Rigging[edit]

It would be great to have a short tutorial on rigging a wind surfer.

I just added this section.

Letsrig (talk) 18:59, 30 January 2008 (UTC)Reply[reply]

could we get a picture of John Kerry?[edit]

c'mon that picture and commercial were pretty funnyTallicfan20 (talk) 04:49, 24 October 2008 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Lots of photos of John Kerry here: https://www.americanwindsurfer.com/articles/senator-john-kerry-interview/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by FreelanceCT (talk • contribs) 14:29, 20 August 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Spanish Version messed up[edit]

I know this would belong in the Spanish version, but it seems that something is wrong with it. The whole page goes black and you cannot access "edit this page" or discussion" or anything at all. Can someone look into what happened? Gchick (talk) 16:57, 16 March 2010 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Neutral? I think not.[edit]

Describing windsurfing as "the ultimate water sport" would seem to violate the neutrality policy. I rewrote the first sentence. ..edit.. If someone wants to improve that opening statement, feel free, but please save the hyperbole for sales brochures. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by JGarrick (talk • contribs) 03:12, 27 March 2010 (UTC) Joe Garrick (talk) 03:35, 27 March 2010 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Horsepower[edit]

I was told a yacht generated 4 horsepower per square metre of sail in a force 4 wind. Given force 4 is a fairly wide range of wind speed and that horsepower is work/time, has anyone got a rule of thumb to calculate the horsepower of sail of a planing windsurfer per square metre of sail for a given Beaufort number? 92.26.27.7 (talk) 21:46, 26 April 2010 (UTC)GanlybReply[reply]

yikes[edit]

"Learning to kite board is more like learning checkers." "The average age of the windsurfer is around 45." J.Schmill (talk) 04:25, 18 October 2010 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Similar sports in 'See also' section[edit]

I added some very brief descriptions for other sports to clarify things for people who are unfamiliar with them. However, as I have no understanding of any of these sports, I can't be sure I've got things right. Hope someone else can have a look.--A bit iffy (talk) 19:08, 5 February 2012 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Technique section[edit]

I took the liberty of restructuring and rewriting parts of the Technique section. The difference between sailing and planing is now more clear, I hope. I'm working on an excel sheet graph that shows the relation between rider weight, sail size and wind speed, when it comes to planing or not. --Tavernsenses (talk) 11:18, 26 October 2012 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Boiling water? Under Planing Conditions (strong winds, more than appr. 15 kts)[edit]

The reference to low pressure on the windward side of the fin causing water to boil is totally incorrect. A fin's loss of lateral resistance (Spin Out) is caused when the low pressure area on the winward side of the powered up fin is allowed to draw in air or create a vacuum. It is the same as "cavitation" on an outboard engine's propeller. A fin loses most of its lateral resistance when the water's laminar flow is disturbed. This is also similar to "stalling" an aircraft wing. This problem can be almost totally avoided by: 1) Good sailing technique. 2)Correct size of fin for sail size and conditions. A Spin Out can often be recovered from by turning the board downwind to reinstate the laminar flow - just the same principle as putting an aircraft in a nose down attitude to recover from a stall. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.179.118.218 (talk) 21:08, 25 October 2014 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I removed the comment about boiling water, made other edits, and compared the phenomenon with stalling and cavitation (with links) as you suggested.—LithiumFlash (talk) 15:32, 30 April 2017 (UTC)Reply[reply]

External links modified[edit]

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Dangerous Photo - Youth Windsurfing[edit]

Dear Sirs,


I am very concerned that the photo in the Youth Windsurfing section of the Windsurfing article illustrates a very dangerous practice of learning to uphaul in a swimming pool. I would appreciate it very much if you would choose to replace this photo with another "youth windsurfing" photo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsurfing#Youth_windsurfing


Thanks,

Bob — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.103.228.190 (talk) 05:41, 11 September 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Under the title "Boards and gear" subtitle "Slalom boards"[edit]

Hello everyone, first of all I would like to let you know that I'm doing this change/addition for a homework. I have realized that the definition of a slalom board on this article is lacking, and therefore I would like to make the following change/addition:

Slalom boards: In the past, the key feature of slalom boards was merely speed, but it has been proven that maneuverability and ease of use are as important as speed in order to get you around the slalom course faster, and therefore modern slalom boards are shortboards aimed at top speed, maneuverability and ease of use. --Cooperpooper95 (talk) 20:12, 22 September 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The section referring to the action of the fin says that it generates lift. How is this possible when the fin is at 90 degrees to the board and the water surface?[edit]

Surely the purpose of the fin is to provide lateral resistance. The fin is at 90 degrees in planing conditions on flat water with the board level. Can someone explain the physics of its generation of "lift"?

It is noticeable that foiling boards for surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing all require horizontal underwater surfaces to generate the required lift. A windsurfing fin is a vertical surface with no horizontal component, so how is lift produced?

(Speedboats, skim stones and other flat (ish) bottomed items can plane without a fin.) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A00:23C4:4B20:600:45AB:EA65:5160:6DC6 (talk) 14:51, 2 December 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Wind direction[edit]

Onshore,Offshore,Side shore,Cross onshore,Cross offshore. Any winds that are suitable for or advised against windsurfing? Setenzatsu (talk) 18:42, 28 May 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Intro needs a trim[edit]

Generally the intro should be short readable summary of the body. Currently it seems to be in part a Personal Essay unrelated to anything in the body. A trimming is in order. - Snori (talk) 01:11, 6 December 2019 (UTC)Reply[reply]

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The IWT[edit]

I am concerned that someone decided to remove every single reference to the international Windsurfing Tour (IWT) from this page. The IWT is a major international wave riding tour with many of the best weave riders on earth, and all of the Aloha Classic Champions from the last decade competing. It is the the major international windsurfing tour for the pure wave riders of the world. In 2019 it had USD $50,0000 prize money and 6 wave events across Japan, Chile, Peru, Mexico, the USA mainland and Hawaii. It generated over 20 million views across social media in 2019 for the sport of windsurfing, as verified by official facebook data. To delete one or two references, or to moderate some of the comments, to disagree on some details, all would have been within the range of normal in a public forum such as wikipedia, but to methodically delete every single reference to the IWT, large and small, is to attempt to deny basic reality and truth. This not a reasonable thing to do with any factual encyclopaedia source. I urge editors to reconsider these extreme actions. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Simeonglasson (talk • contribs) 22:36, 10 May 2020 (UTC)Reply[reply]

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion[edit]

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Undue weight[edit]

I think the current article has too much information about the original Windsurfer class and not enough on mainstream modern windsurfing. PhilKnight (talk) 10:55, 8 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Mike Waltz[edit]

I was surprised that Mike Waltz champion who taught me at Sprecelsville Maui Hawaii. Shame on you!!! 2600:1702:CC6:9650:716D:5037:3822:D001 (talk) 00:19, 11 January 2024 (UTC)Reply[reply]

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