Windsurfing takes the classic surf experience and adds something extra: wind power. While regular surfers paddle out and ride waves back to shore, windsurfers use a sail on their board to catch the breeze, letting them move across flat water and tackle waves with equal ease. It’s surfing and sailing mixed into one exciting ride.
What is windsurfing?
Windsurfing emerged in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of skills. Instead of just riding waves like surfers do, windsurfers can cruise around lakes, zip across bays, or charge massive ocean swells, all powered by the wind rather than just waves.
The main difference is the freedom of movement. Traditional surfers are stuck waiting for the next set, but windsurfers can roam wherever the wind takes them. Plus, when waves are flat and surfers are on the beach, windsurfers can still ride across the water.
The basics of windsurfing
Getting into windsurfing means familiarizing yourself with some specialized gear that looks nothing like what surfers use. Here’s what you need to know:
The gear
A windsurfing board (sometimes called a sailboard) is wider and more buoyant than a regular surfboard. Modern boards range from massive beginner models that could double as a small boat to ultra-light wave boards for advanced riders.
How it works
The basic concept is surprisingly simple: you stand on the board, hold the sail via the boom, and use the wind to move across the water. By tilting and rotating the sail, you control your direction and speed. To turn, you either move the sail forward (to go downwind) or pull it back (to go upwind). Learning to “tack” (turning upwind) and “jibe” (turning downwind) are the first big milestones for beginners.
Where to do it
That’s the beauty of windsurfing, as you can do it almost anywhere with wind and water. While surfers need ocean waves, windsurfers can enjoy:
- Lakes and reservoirs (perfect for beginners)
- Sheltered bays and coastal areas
- Open ocean spots (for the more adventurous)
- River gorges (where wind funnels create consistent conditions)
Hotspots include Maui’s north shore, Tarifa in Spain, the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, and Lake Garda in Italy.
Traditional surfing explained
Before diving deeper into comparisons, let’s look at what makes traditional surfing tick:
The equipment
Surfing gear is relatively minimal. You need:
- A surfboard (from longboards to high-performance shortboards)
- A leash to keep the board attached to your ankle
- Wax for traction
- Maybe a wetsuit depending on water temperature
That’s it. No sails, no booms, no complicated rigging.
Catching waves
Surfing revolves around catching and riding waves. Surfers paddle out beyond the breaking waves, wait for a good one, then paddle hard to match the wave’s speed before popping up to their feet and riding down the face. The whole experience centers on reading wave patterns, positioning yourself correctly, and then performing maneuvers as you ride toward shore.
The spots
Surfing requires ocean waves, which limits where you can do it. The best spots typically feature:
- Sandy or reef bottom breaks
- Consistent swell patterns
- Rideable wave shapes
- Safe entry and exit points
Famous surf spots include Pipeline in Hawaii, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, and Snapper Rocks in Australia.
Key differences between surfing and wind surfing
The power source difference creates a cascade of other distinctions. Surfers harness gravity as waves lift and propel them forward, while windsurfers use wind pressure against the sail. This fundamental difference means windsurfers can move in any direction the wind allows, and not just toward shore.
Equipment-wise, windsurfing demands a higher initial investment and more gear to transport. A complete windsurfing kit can cost upwards of $1,500 and requires roof racks or a van to transport. Surfing can start with just a $400 board and a bus ticket to the beach.
The skills needed also diverge significantly. Surfers need to master wave reading, paddling strength, pop-up technique, and wave riding. Windsurfers focus on sail control, balance with the changing pull of the wind, and navigating using the forces of both wind and water.
Perhaps the biggest practical difference is location flexibility. Surfers need ocean waves, period. Windsurfers can enjoy their sport on lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans—basically anywhere with wind and water. This makes windsurfing accessible to inland enthusiasts who live nowhere near surfable waves.
Learning curve comparison
Most instructors agree that the initial learning curve for windsurfing is steeper. Your first day surfing might see you standing up and riding small waves. Your first day windsurfing often involves falling repeatedly as you figure out the balance between board and sail.
However, the progression curve flips after you master the basics. Getting to an intermediate surfing level—where you can confidently catch and ride unbroken waves—typically takes months of consistent practice. Intermediate windsurfing skills can often be achieved in a few weeks of dedicated sessions.
The physical demands differ too. Surfing requires bursts of paddling power followed by dynamic balance while riding. Windsurfing demands constant core engagement, arm strength for controlling the sail, and leg strength for maneuvering the board. Both sports will leave you pleasantly exhausted, but windsurfing tends to be more consistently physical throughout the session.
The experience
Ask anyone who does both sports, and they’ll tell you the sensations are completely different. Surfing offers moments of zen as you wait for waves, followed by heart-pounding drops and turns. It’s often described as more meditative with bursts of adrenaline.
Windsurfing delivers constant movement and engagement with the elements. The continuous pull of the wind and the spray of water create a feeling of flying across the surface. Speed junkies take note: while surfers rarely exceed 15 to 20 mph except on huge waves, windsurfers regularly hit 25-30 mph, with speed specialists reaching over 50 mph.
The tricks and maneuvers diverge too. Surfers work on bottom turns, cutbacks, floaters, and tubes in the wave environment. Windsurfers can perform jumps, loops, spins, and freestyle moves in both flat water and waves. The aerial potential in windsurfing is enormous, with experts launching 20+ feet above the water in the right conditions.
Which one should you try?
Not sure which board sport to take up? Here’s a quick guide:
Location matters
If you live near the ocean with consistent waves, surfing might be the obvious choice. For those near lakes or inconsistent surf spots, windsurfing offers more regular sessions.
Weather preference
Love hot, calm days? Surfing thrives in these conditions. Prefer it when it’s blowing a gale and everyone’s running for cover? That’s prime windsurfing time.
Physical style
If you prefer explosive bursts of activity followed by rest, surfing matches that rhythm. For those who enjoy continuous physical engagement, windsurfing provides a more constant workout.
The good news? Skills from one sport definitely transfer to the other. Balance, water awareness, and understanding how to use edges all apply across board sports. Many ocean enthusiasts eventually do both, choosing their tool based on the day’s conditions.
Ride your way
Whether you choose to harness the power of waves or wind, both sports offer incredible connections with nature. Surfing delivers that perfect harmony with ocean energy, while windsurfing adds the elemental power of wind to the equation.
