Windsurfing in India
What is windsurfing? Simply put, windsurfing is a sport of harnessing the power of wind using a sail connected to a board to move on the surface of water. The sport evolved from sailing when sailors decided to make the sport compact by replacing a boat with a board. The sport of windsurfing has been around for ages, also known as sailboarding or boardsailing. The sport has evolved over the years & become very accessible with development in lighter equipment, there are even inflatable windsurf kits available.
Windsurfing versus Kitesurfing
What is the difference between windsurfing & kitesurfing - the sail. In the sport of windsurfing a triangle shaped sail is connected to the board with a mast whereas in the sport of kitesurfing the sail is a kite which flies more that 60 feet up in the sky! Connected to the rider with four lines to the harness & controlled by a bar. Windsurfing can be done in a large wind range from light wind to strong wind since the rider can use a large buoyant board to stay afloat while kitesurfing requires stronger wind to get the kite up in the air.
Are there good windsurfing destinations in India?
The windsurfing destinations in Indi are great! With flat water lagoons & lakes some of the locations have great conditions & are scenic as well. The coastline of India also has some excellent waves to catch on your windsurfer. If you are looking at windsurfing in India connect with the windsurf school in advance to check what equipment they have since accessibility to modern equipment is limited. There are no windsurfing shops that sell gear in India & all the gear is imported. This will change with time as there is a growth in the popularity of the sport. On the east coast of India near Rameswaram the Palk Bay is definitely one of the best places to learn windsurfing in winter season.
Windsurfing in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India - Windsurfing destination in India
About windsurfing in India
I have been sailing regularly for the last 3 years. Last year I decided to learn a form of sailing that was a little more extreme. Windsurfing is built on the foundation of sailing but the vessel is a board and not a boat! While you still catch the wind & go fast the board makes you feel every ripple on your feet while you hold on tight with all your strength. The mast is fixed on a universal joint that allows it to swivel freely & the sailor holds on to the boom to control the sail.