Saturday, August 15, 2020

5 Beginners in 1 fantastic afternoon!

Today was the busiest day ever for lessons at the Launch Pad Windsurfing Academy. I had five young and eager kids who had never windsurfed before. Here is the highlight photo of Tiia, the youngest, but I think this blog post has more fun photos than some of my Maui posts!

Way to go Tiia

The weather was perfect, warm air, warm Southwest wind and sun, sun, sun. I started everyone on the simulator, with Amber up first...

The Launch Pad ready for lessons

Rare shot of me teaching

The kids listening!


Amber showing nice form

Next up was Jack then Tiia,




Tiia showing that she would be good on the water

After a quick break (and sorry, no simulator shot of Kaija) Cowen joined the lesson.


Double upwind tow

I towed Jack and Tiia upwind a bit on the seadoo. That was my first time ever doing a double tow and it worked pretty well. They both got underway. I had Jack on the 4.2 sail and the old Le Board, and Tiia was on the nice light Ken Winner designed sail from my now long retired windglider.

Jack heading out

Jack was doing well but I really needed to race with the SeaDoo to catch Tiia as she sailed all the way to shore on a single run! I helped her tack and she got going in the other direction, without falling in. She wouldn‘t be the only one to do that today, which is quite remarkable.


Tiia after her dry tack!

I towed her back upwind a bit and helped Jack get going in both directions.




Jack heading back

Everyone heading back to shore

Tiia getting back to the point

Kaija heading out - awesome form and control

Cowen heading out looking steady

All the way to shore...

And after a dry tack, smiling!


Yeah Cowen!

Finally it was Amber‘s turn. I put her on the 3.5 with the Viper 80. She said she was nervous, but didn‘t need to be!


Nice tennis save!





And back to shore!

What a great day - and such wonderful students. Inspiring the future of windsurfing. 

I’m glad the wind report was correct as the breeze was pretty light and steady for a perfect beginner day. Now time for a higher wind day for me!


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