Since I was twelve, windsurfing has been a significant part of my life, starting with my first experience on Malolo Island in Fiji. That moment ignited a passion that has lasted well over three decades. This is the why?
I vividly remember the feeling. I was 12, and we were staying on Malolo Island in Fiji back in the ’80s. There was a large board and a small sail on the beach, free for guests at the resort. I recall pestering the watercraft attendant to let me take it out for a go. He persistently asked, “Can you swim, boy?” Luckily for me, I was a skilled swimmer at that age, with ribbons and medals back home in the “pool room.” I might have even been a little cocky and challenged the tall Fijian to a race. After much convincing, I dragged that big board and sail into the warm pacific waters.
Well, good luck to any other guest who wanted to try it—I was on that board from sunrise to sunset for a whole week, determined to master windsurfing.
In the beginning, it was challenging. Pulling the large triangular sail out of the water was tough, and I kept toppling over and splashing back in. But I kept climbing back up until it clicked. If I kept the centreboard down and pushed my mast hand forward, I would catch enough Fijian breeze to move forward. Over time, I learned that adjusting the sail mast at different angles affected how the board moved under my feet. After a couple of days, I was tuning in this big one-design board and becoming that skinny tall kid cruising up and down the shoreline, feeling ultimate freedom and self-accomplishment.
Fast forward a few years after my first experience; I found myself staying at a friend’s parents’ house as a 15-year-old in New Caledonia for two weeks during a school holiday. This place certainly opened my eyes. There were boards and sails everywhere, and the colour and freedom on the water were a sight to behold. My friend and I spent the whole time mucking about on windsurfers.
When I returned home to Broulee, I nagged, worked, saved, and pooled enough money to visit our local windsurf shop in Mogo, “Southwind,” owned and operated by Kel Wehner. Some may recognise the name from Shane Wehner, who came second in the Pipe Masters in 1999. Kel was a local board shaper who also shaped windsurfers. He set me up with gear within my budget—a big fibreglass windsurfer with foot straps everywhere, a couple of wave sails, and a fibreglass mast with splinters to boot. From that moment, I was hooked, blasting up and down North Broulee, slowly building confidence, chop jumping, water starting, and learning to gybe.
What I loved about the sport at such a young age was the freedom and confidence it gave me, along with new skills and always something to learn. Even over 30 years later, I’m still learning the sport. It was also super cool during the ’80s and ’90s, one of the fastest-growing watersports, with big names many of us know like Robby Naish, Jason Polakow, Björn Dunkerbeck, and Rohan Cudmore in Australia, etc. I also loved the opportunity it provided to go surfing in the mornings and windsurfing in the afternoons when the south coast NE kicked in.
I can’t emphasize enough how exhilarating this experience can be for both kids and adults alike. The sport creates a bond that’s hard to replicate in any other environment. Each small victory when learning boosts confidence and encourages you to push beyond your limits. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of windsurfing, especially when nailing a new move on the water. It gives you an incredible sense of accomplishment and truly enhances your self-esteem. Moreover, since you’re constantly making quick decisions based on the wind and waves, it sharpens those decision-making skills too. This sport’s got you covered as well mentally, It demands focus and concentration, which can greatly enhance your mental agility while also serving as an excellent stress-buster when life gets hectic. There is a super healthy lifestyle wrapped around this sport with a fantastic community of passionate individuals.
“Each small victory when learning boosts confidence and encourages you to push beyond your limits“
Now the body is not as nimble at 51, but I’m still windsurfing and certainly admire those who are still very active in the sport. But I certainly get a kick out of watching and hearing about younger kids getting into the sport and watching their confidence just keep building from their first water start to chop hopping.
Just had to grab this video from windsurfTV youtube channel of some young kids learning some higher end moves. I think if you watch you can see the confidence build as they push each other in learning to push loop.
Upcoming Gerroa Youth windsurfing camp
The NSW Wave Sailing Association is having a week-long development camp in Gerroa during the first week of January 2025. It’s great value, and the local crew can assist with accommodation in town, as we know it can be a bit expensive to stay in the area during this period. The association also has plenty of good gear ready to go along with experienced sailors and qualified windsurf instructors to help teach all levels. If you want to learn more, visit the Gerroa Youth Camp details page on our website and see what it’s all about.
Written by James Hayward member of NSW Wave Sailing Association
