More beginner lessons! First father son combo!

I taught two more beginners! William is 10 years old and was a natural. He spent a lot of time on the simulator after my dry land lesson and could control the sail and board to keep it oriented across the wind. So it was easy to send him out on the new Fanatic Viper 80 and a small 3m flat sail. He did very well and after being towed upwind twice by the Seadoo he had the sport nailed. He even did a jibe without being taught how. His smile and joy at being in control of his destiny was very rewarding to me.

Father son windsurfing lesson success!

His father Andrew is 41 and was almost too good; he would hold the sail perfectly but wound up going sideways on the Viper 80. He was a bit too quick putting both hands on the boom which resulted in him stalling going upwind. So I set him out on the old YPSI Wayler longboard and made him promise not to take his front hand off the mast. Voila, he also got the sport figured out.

Andrew giving me a high five!

I did try going out on my foil for a bit. There wasn't much wind and I only planed up onto the foil for a few seconds. But teaching the beginners was more fun anyway and the whole family seemed to have fun in the sun!

Post session family drone shot!

Our local mascot

Little brother having fun on the simulator

My wife on the ride home

It was a great low wind bay day.

Father and son got in a second session the next day and were both way upwind chasing each other. So fun to teach a father son combo. Apparently the potential kite purchase may now be changing to a windsurfer for the whole family. Maybe I'll recommend a Viper 80.

The old YPSI goes upwind in light wind way better than the Techno,
3 tacks instead of 5. (July 14th)

Post script: it is amazing to think that the spot the beginners were windsurfing was once a busy coal harbour:

Andrew was windsurfing right where that big freighter is.

Key Harbour ca. 1916 - from www.ghosttownpix.com