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Windsurfing (packing checklist)

If you started out flying a kite and like the feeling you get from the pull, there's a chance you may like windsurfing too. Not being able to fully utilitize the water with a kite in the summer months, windsurfing is a fabulous alternative. If you like the water, add some wind, get some balance and a little knowledge and you're gone!

It's natural. It's healthy. You've probably seen it on the Outdoor Life Network on television. Don't be intimidated by those large waves you've seen in Hawaii and California. You can wind surf right here in Ontario.

Believe it or not, around Lake Simcoe you can wind surf all year. The summer season can start as early as May or April and last into November or December. The warmest water temperatures are from June to August. You can probably get by without any kind of wet suit during this time.

In summer, there are locals that may rent equipment or give lessons. One such local that sells inexpensive used boards and gives beginner lessons for all ages is Robert Lang. He can be reached at 905-895-3381. He's been Grant's instructor since he started and he a very talanted, wind surfer and teacher.

In winter, when the ice freezes, you can keep sailing on the lake using a snowfer or kite skiing.

Winter

What do you do when the lake freezes over in the winter? Try Snowfering! It's actually easier to learn to wind surf in the winter. You don't have to pull yourself out of the water and get tired. You don't have to worry about trying to balance on the board because of waves. Last but not least, you don't have to uphall. And about the cold? Well, as long as you dress warm, you burn up so many calories, you never seem to get cold. You may only feel a little cool when you're rigging and de-rigging. If you want lessons, Charles does offer rentals and lessons.

Ice Safety

A common question about the winter is how safe is the ice? Well, it's as safe as you want it to be. We're not reckless. Often the ice fishermen are already on the ice before we are. They are also a great source of information about the ice conditions. We take precautions and have equipment that can help in an emergency. Firstly, you shouldn't go out there alone. Grant had a terrible fear of falling through the ice until he met a fellow who says he has fallen through a couple times. There were a few items he had to aid in self rescue.

The obvious one was a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket which also protects your back on the ice. Make sure it's  a certified one. The other thing you'll want is a whistle. A great whistle for CAD$6.99 is the Fox40. You can get them at the Rigging shop listed below.

The second item was a set of  ice picks to pull yourself out if you do in fact go through. The PFD keeps you afloat while you pull yourself out with the ice picks. You can build your own out of a piece of broom handle or similar shaped dowel about 5-6 inches long. Epoxy a nail in one end (covered with a cork so you don't stab yourself ) and string the two dowels together at the other end.

You should also keep a spair set of clothes to change into in your vehicle along with a rope just in case. Hopefully you'll never need to use them!

By the way, Grant is an enthusiastic beginner.

Retail Stores Around Toronto (or driving distance)

There are a few stores around Toronto that sell wind surfing gear. Every year the stores hold windsurfing swaps, so you can sell some of your equipment or buy someone elses. It's a great way to upgrade your equipment.

Gear

Here is a collection of Internet Web sites to some of the major manufactures in the business, as well as some other goodies.