University Dally Kansan, July 16, 1981
Page 5
Windsurfing takes skill, is fun and challenging
By MARTHA BRINK Staff Reporter
What is that strange contraption skimming across Lake Perry?
Has some crazed sailor traded in his boat for an ironing board with wings?
Relax. That contraption is a sail board, commonly called a windsurfer.
Invented in 1967 by a California computer analyst, the original windsurfer has now been joined by at least 20 other brands of sail boards.
The craft consists of a foam-filled board, flexible fiberglass mast, an aluminum or teak, wish-bone shaped boom and a triangular sail.
THE WINDSURFER is especially popular because it is portable. The ship can be transported on top of a car or carried to the water under one arm.
This eliminates the need for a boat trailer, launching ramp or dock.
Tom Welsh, Lawrence graduate student, is a sailor, skier and skate boarder. He decided to try windsurfing just for the fun of learning a new sport.
He has logged about 25 hours of windsurfing at Lake Perry, and now he's hooked.
"The more I do it the more I like it," he said.
Walleh taught himself to windsurf after reading an article about the sport. His first few hours were tremendously frustrating.
Welsh said he made the mistake of beginning on a gusty day. It took three hours before he got the board to move more than a few feet, and another four hours until he could control its direction.
Welsh learned that an experienced sailor has no great advantage over a
landlubber, except for his knowledge of winds.
The sport also doesn't take a lot of strength. Balance and coordination are the key elements, since where you stand on board and where you maneuver the sail determine the course.
However, the thrill of windsurfing makes up for the long hours of practice.
"It's definitely like flying," Welsh said. "There are times when it lifted my feet off the board, and I was just hanging on."
Windsurfers can attain speeds of 28 mph. Welsh said the fastest he had gone was about 15 mph.
Windsurfing is especially thrilling because the rider is so close to the water, Welsh said. When the board is moving quickly, water rushes over the surfer's feet. The force of the wind on his legs will generate his tipteps, and sometimes he must leap back until he is almost sitting in the water as the board rushes along.
When the windsurfer is going fast, Welsh said, the board begins to vibrate and hum, sounding like a strong rush of wind.
According to Jim Fowler, owner of Midwest Yacht in Oatle, windsurfing has been popular in Wichita for several years and is training to catch on in the Kansas City area.
"Everybody thought it was just connected with the ocean," he said. "But not anymore."
"A LOT OF MOTOR boats come up to watch," he said. "The people often wave to me, but I can't wave back I have to hold on with both hands."
Welsh said he thought most people could learn to windsurf from one of the many articles and books on the sport.
said he still attracts a lot of attention at Lake Perry.
He suggested that a beginner start on a calm day with a steady 5 mph. wind and no waves. The best place is in a quiet cove.
Under these conditions a person should have some success right away, but not as long as possible.
Once a person has mastered the basics, however, he should go out on the lake in stronger winds.
"Otherwise you haven't made contact with the thrill of windsurfing," Welsh said.
Windsurfer Class Racing
STEVE WILINGS PHOTO
Windsurfing has few risks of injury.
One potential hazard, however, is hypothermia from exposure to cold water and winds. Even on a warm day you can suffer from an lower body temperature and can cause the body's vital functions to cease.
Windwairder often wear wetsuits or modified suits designed especially for skiing.
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The only other hazards related to board sailing are bruised shins and sore muscles.
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Walsh said that during the summer a wettsuit was not necessary on Kansas lakes because the water is warm.
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Port Perry Sailcraft will begin renting sail boards next week.
Because of the windsurfer's speed, the sport is good for racing. The 1984 Olympics will include a windsurfing class.
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No races are scheduled in this area, but Welsh said he expected some by next summer.
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At least five books on windsurfing outline the basics of the sport. Most sporting magazines have featured on the sport within the past year.
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AFTER MORE HOURS of practice at Lake Perry, Welsh said he would like to try ocean windsuring, bringing in the element of crashing waves. An ex-seasoned windsurfer can fly through the air, jumping 40 feet from a 15-foot wave.
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