I'm a legit windsurf coach!

I've enjoyed teaching people to windsurf for decades. I’m going to guess I’ve taught dozens, and will have to compile a complete list of students someday… So,

I thought it was time to get an official credential and so I signed up for the Sail Canada windsurf instructor program. I have my Pleasure Craft Operator Card, first aid, CanSail sailing fundamentals, and coach boat safety credentials.

The May 24 weekend was the date selected for the Ontario Sailing Windsurf Coaching course. I was the oldest student by far, the other 8 trainees were in their early 20s and looking to teach windsurfing to kids at local clubs.

David Zeni and Max Robinson were the course instructors. I’ve known both for years and they are great windsurfers and ambassadors of the sport. And they are great coaches. Over a Friday zoom call and 3 days of on and off the water teaching, we all learned a lot.

Toronto Windsurfing Club fully stocked with beginner gear

Big storm coming…

Quite the system going through

Some coaching drills on Saturday morning

From Max’s social media

Fun way to teach self rescue!

A bit colder Sunday for drills…

On the holiday Monday, we had an opportunity to demonstrate what we had learned with some volunteer students. My poker buddies Michael and Mike had come down with their kids. Michael was my student, while Mike took photos on shore of us and the kids in their first windsurfing experiences. 

Getting the students ready for their sessions

Mike showing good form on the simulator

It was perfect weather with a light 3-5 knot breeze blowing onshore. The water was cold but clear, ideal for a first time experience at Cherry Beach. Mike did great staying upwind consistently so I could head out on my Kona and Idol 5.6 and sail around with him.

At the end of the session we had a good debrief with our instructors. I’d learned a lot that I will incorporate into my teaching at the www.launchpadwindsurfacademy.ca . Things like hands, knees, feet to centreline, twist to get going, self rescue instruction on water, hold the boom when falling, sail with your student etc.

Simcoe for 1st day of 2022 in Ontario

After our trip to Hatteras I’ve been off the water for a few weeks with some other nice overdue travel. I’m back and have all the gear down in Toronto getting ready for my windsurfing instructors course though.

After chatting with few friends on a windless Wednesday race night at TWC the consensus was to head to Lake Simcoe for the great SW day predicted for the Friday before the May long weekend. I made sure my afternoon was clear and kept an eye on the Spot of the Day Ontario facebook group.

Sure enough the wind was filling in as I scored the last parking spot at Clarendon Park. I’d never been there but it was easy to find and also a great launch spot. Max, John, Jeff and other friendly faces were there rigging on the nice grass. There were already a lot of wingers out on the water.

I took the 6m Echo on the 99cm foil and had a great wing session. I was dry for 20 minutes getting the majority of my wing jibes generally with just a light touchdown.

Fun wingfoil session

As the wind kept picking up from 15-20 knots I decided it was time to right the 5.6 Idol and try the Skate 108. That was a pretty sweet setup and I did 21 kms. Not much jibe success on the outside, but got a few nice ones in by shore. I did need to come in and put on a weed fin, as there were some reeds floating out in the middle that I could mostly avoid but still managed to snag one on most runs.

Longer windsurf session

After an hour I decided to try wind foiling, and rigged the 4.8. I definitely like cruising on the foil the most with the windsurfing sail, but my jibes are not as consistent as with the wing. With the wing being overhead, you just have more stability when turning. I managed one carving 360 on the windfoil, not foiling the whole way round, but at least I completed my 2nd one in 5 years.

Short windfoil session

Spot of the day member Daryl heading with his helmet cam

Three sports in 3 hours. It was a great day and I made it back just in time for the introductions on the zoom call for the first lesson of the windsurfing instruction course I’ll be doing all weekend.