Bucklands Beach Windsurfing School
After Bruce Kendal’s Olympic triumph in 1988, the sport surged in popularity, a trend which continued through the early 90s, when Bruce’s sister Barbara took gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Unfortunately, the sport soon became passé, as more and more people became frustrated by its ‘technicality’.
However, the advent of new wide boards in 2000 has seen a resurgence of windsurfing, and has cut learning time down to a matter of hours. The new style boards are wider than traditional long boards, making it easier to balance and stay upright.
Windsurfing instructor and owner of the Bucklands Beach Windsurfing School, Ashley Palmer, says students can now be out on the water and in control within just two hours.
Ashley offers a beginner’s course ($120 for two sessions plus equipment hire)—at the end of which you should be able to stand, turn and, more importantly, get back to shore again.
Ashley has taught everyone from six to 65 year olds and says it doesn’t matter how skilled you are, he and his instructors will always go at your pace.
Once you’ve got the basics down, gear can be hired for $20 an hour or you can purchase a ten-hour rental card for $175.