Windsurfing has been around for many decades now, in fact pretty much the whole early development of SUP came from pioneering Windsurf companies and designers. It is a worldwide sport with professional World Tour’s, Olympic participation and thousands of truly devoted Sailors throughout the globe. As a Windsurfer (albeit, not particularly good one) previous to taking up Stand Up Paddleboarding, I love the feeling that Sailing on boards gives me; the connection to both the wind and the water, and the exhilaration of acceleration as a strong gust connects with your sail. It truly is one of the best, most elemental feelings in any watersport.

Many SUP’s, both inflatable and rigid can be used to Windsurf on. This category of board is know as WindSUP. It can add another dimension to your board use, and you may very soon be looking excitedly for wind in the weather forecast as much as for those classic, glassy days. 

Because Windsurfing has been around for donkey’s years, second hand extremely cheap kit is easy to come by too, meaning that WindSUP can be a relatively cheap sport to get into. A few sizes of Sails will mean that you can go out and have fun in different conditions too, so get on Ebay, Gumtree etc and start digging.

Performance wise, a WindSUP is the Family car equivalent to a specialist Windsurf rig’s Formula One car. It is great for pottering about and having fun, but it is never going to perform as well some something made especially to harness the wind. Having said that, they are super fun in lighter and marginal winds and incredibly good in light wind wave sailing. Sticking a sail in the car on your next SUP trip could be the difference between an amazing session and a windy slogathon with your paddle in hand.

It is definitely worth getting some instruction before heading out there on your own. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the UK’s governing body and their Start Windsurfing program is ideal for getting you up and going (literally).

Add Windsurfing to your SUP skills repetoire and you can be out on the water loving life whatever the weather!.