Windsurfing

JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF WINDSURFING

we are surfers, @doystra

LET'S GO WINDSURFING

Windsurfing is a combination of sailing and surfing, where you become part of the rigging so the experience is as close to the elements as you can get. Windsurfing is both a physical and mental sport so you get a huge amount of satisfaction from every session.

If you want to learn a water sport windsurfing is a great option to start with especially for families. From your first windsurf lesson you will be in the water so lots of fun from the beginning.

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FAQ'S

The 10 most popular questions we get asked around windsurfing and learning to windsurf

For windsurfing from the first lesson you will be in the water so you can have a lot of fun immediately. If you want to really progress you will need to follow a course, we normally recommend a week course or 12 hours. The good news with the development of wider boards (more stable) it has shortened the learning curve significantly. Also the sails are smaller and lighter for beginners. So it requires less balance and strength than it did years ago. 

Yes we would always recommend that if you want to learn and be safe you need to have lessons and follow a structured course from a qualified windsurf instructor. 

We are insured to teach from 9 years and older in our centres in Essaouira and Dakhla. We have really small windsurf sails to make it easier to learn, the instructor is in a boat so next to them at all times.

Within your first lesson you will learn to lift the sail and windsurf in one direction so lots of fun immediately, however with all sports if you want to progress we would recommend a course over a week, as this gives you a great foundation with one of our expert instructors. 

No windsurf is not all about strength, it is about balance and technique, learning how to balance your body weight against the sail. This is why it is important to have lessons as what you lack in technique you will have to replicate with strength. 

This depends where you are and how hot it is, outside and in the water. For lessons with us you need to bring your swimsuit, sun cream and a towel, we provide the wetsuit and the rest of the windsurf equipment you need. For some destinations you will also need booties to protect your feet, in Essaouira, Tarifa and Dakhla it has a sandy bottom so not needed. 

With any watersport ideally you need to be able to swim as this means you are safe and can get to a higher level. For your first lesson we can do this in shallow water but after this you need to be able to swim to continue and have more lessons.

You do not need to be a good swimmer but the better you are the more confident you will be in the water, in your first lesson you will learn how to hang onto your equipment if you fall, This way you do no loose the board which is your primary flotation device.

Yes we are a fully certified watersports school, we have our licence from VDWS who are a certified watersports body. We then use a german insurance company for our full liability insurance. We would however recommend that you have adequate travel insurance and check that it covers windsurfing

The range of wind you need to windsurf is huge, we teach from 5 knots to 30 knots, although if you are an experienced windsurfer you go sail in stronger winds.

This varies by person as everyone learns at a different pace, it will also depend what type of lesson you would prefer, group, semi private or private. A 2 hour group lesson is 60 Euros, we however would recommend a 12 Hour course as a great foundation to learning to windsurf. A 12 hour group course is 330 Euros and 12 Hour Private Lesson is 700 Euros

WINDSURF PROGRESSION

Join us in Essaouira or Dakhla where we offer lessons or the full range of Fanatic or Starboard gear to rent. We also have great storage facilities at our beachside centre.

Why do you windsurf ?

“ Windsurfing. You have to live it. You have to learn to work with nature rather than fight or muscle against it. The more you can relax into it the better you will be. ”
Tatiana Howard

“ It’s all about enjoying the process and not focusing so much on the end results has worked best for me. ” Steve Bodner

WHERE TO GO WINDSURFING

#destinations We currently offer windsurf lessons, rental or storage in Essaouira or Dakhla, We hope you join us in one of these destinations.

Essaouira Windsurf in Essaouira

Essaouira is a huge endless beach which offers a variety of conditions to suit all levels. If you are a beginner windsurfer we run the windsurf lessons on the other side of the bay next to the old medina where the water is flat, the instructor will be in a boat so close to you at all times. If you want waves there is a wave spot to the left of our centre and a huge area of ocean to have fun in. When you are not windsurfing you can explore Essaouira which is a vibrant old medina and harbour which gives a good mix of holiday

Dakhla Windsurf in Dakhla

Dakhla is a huge lagoon with flat water and a wave spot the other side of the peninsular creating the full range of conditions to suit all levels. We have accommodation in both spots so we can choose the right option for you. Dakhla is remote so not a lot of other stuff to do outside of the water sports, We offer full board accommodation so all you need to do is focus on windsurfing.