My wife has been trying to carve gybe for the last 9 years and yesterday we were very amused when our 7 year old son told her that he would teach her how to do it. We were stunned when, on his third attempt, he demonstrated it! Yesterday, he planned out of a carve gybe and has been consistently pulling them ever since. I still believe it is one of the hardest windsurfing moves and expected not to see him doing it until he was at least 10. But there you go....

In less than 12 months, at the age of 7, Alex learnt to:

uphaul
tack
beachstart
footstraps
planning
harness
waterstart
carve gybe
chop hop
sail fast
cope with strong wind and changing conditions
wave ride



There has been lots of discussion on the forums about when and how to teach kids to windsurf. It is generally thought that the age is much higher than 7. Even though the windsurfing industry is designing kids gear, a lot of it is more appropriate to over 10 year olds. We have found that they could improve in some areas to better cater for smaller children so they could allow kids to enter the sport at an earlier age. More kids could do it if they had the right gear. That's what it's all about. It's upsetting to hear about people considering using cut down adults gear - I can't imagine how anyone can think of a better way to turn someone off windsurfing than that. Kid's need to get a sense of achievement and adults gear will not allow them to progress fast enough to keep them interested. They need the lightest possible equiptment. They will not persevere like an adult might so even if you think that you were able to learn using an old Bombora tri fin don't think that just because you stuck with the sport that they will. How long do you think they'll be happy with no option of planning? The cost of kids gear is not that great when you consider there are packages around including mast, two sails, boom and uni for about $400. In my opinion, there is no better satisfaction than to be able to sail side by side with your son in 30 knots. I didn't want to wait 5 years and spend too much low-wind time at the water. My windsurfing goals for this year were to teach my son to windsurf, and learn to flaka and shaka and although I gave my freestyle little time this year, Alex can now sail competently and I reckon we'll be freestyle training together next year. The guys I windsurfed with as a kid are not around anymore -most stopped sailing in their twenties because of studying or partying, the ones I sailed with in my thirties gave up because of kids and houses and the ones in their fourties because of work commitments. I set out to create my own windsurfing buddy and now I have someone new to sail with who is enthusiastic and inspiring me to see windsurfing in a new light. Although I spent a lot of money and time teaching him to windsurf, I don't think there would be many happier windsurfers than me around at the moment. So, don't do it half-heartedly, if you want to get results you need commitment. If anyone, wants to share my experiences and get any advice I might be able to give to help, don't hesitate to ask - there was a lot to learn about teaching someone so young and some pitfalls to avoid.