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Gone with the wind
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With a long summer ahead, ALIX NORMAN needed a new challenge. Cue a wind surfing instructor called Jorg
With an expat upbringing, where life revolved around the sea, the pool and extra-marital affairs (for which I was sadly 20 years too young) I’ve always been pretty sporty. I’ve sailed the lagoons of the Red Sea, which came to an abrupt end when I capsized and the rays began to circle the boat. I’ve tried diving, but my sinuses explode below two metres. I’ve snorkelled the shores of Akamas, but fish are fish and starfish lead terribly boring lives. I’ve wakeboarded and waterski-ied: “I stood up, now what?”. I’ve tried kiteboarding, but lack “dude!” DNA. This summer, I needed a new challenge...
“Challenge yourself to windsurf,” said my eternally ambitious editor - who could convince me to lop off a leg and swim with the sharks if it made good reading. “Off you go!”
Off I went. First stop, the internet. Wikipedia is vague about the origins of windsurfing, merely stating it did not emerge until the latter half of the 20th century, “though Polynesians have been undertaking day trips over oceans standing upright on a solid board with a vertical sail for years”. But it does give a clear warning to beginners: “The sport has a considerably shallower (i.e. longer) learning curve when compared to other so-called ‘extreme’ sports.” Okay, dedication is required; now who will be able to put up with me for more than one lesson?
This being Cyprus, a friend had an acquaintance who knew a man called Jorg; the windsurfing instructor at MacKenzie Watersports in Larnaca. Checking out his windsurfcity site, I was impressed by the professional tone and their certification from the VDWS (German International School Association for Watersports). Plus they were hosting the: 3rd Cyprus Windsurf Festival. (A festival! Would there be cocktails?) and promised that I could follow: “a course of ten hours and a subsequent theoretical and practical exam,” after which I’d be a holder of the Basic Licence Windsurfing...” it took me years to get my driving licence, and here I could get one for windsurfing in ten hours flat. Learning curve be damned!
In person, Jorg - who is multi-lingual - is a German with a wicked sense of humour. Within minutes, I realised I’d struck lucky. When I tried kiteboarding, I was blown halfway to Israel while the teacher impressed his mates. This was the opposite end of the spectrum. Jorg was absolutely professional: calm and reassuring, encouraging and great at introducing me to other windsurfers, a clique that is totally different from any other group I’ve encountered. They’re friendly, supportive, enthusiastic and always game for a laugh. They’re all ages and nationalities: Svetlana from Bulgaria and Marios the banker. Dimos with the wacky board shorts and Stavros the single-minded physics teacher. The elegant Marlen from Austria and her prodigal offspring. Seven-year-old Max from Russia, who speaks English like the Queen. Glamorous Sylvia who windsurfs the beaches of Brazil each winter. The two twenty-something brothers from Dali – the elder patiently teaching the younger. And the boss of the beach, the charming Adamos, who calmly runs the whole show, philosophising on life and feeding anyone who’s around for lunch.
Safety came first: how well could I swim (well), what experience had I had (none), basic insurance (inexpensive), rules of the water (don’t hit anything), and the instruction booklet. Within half an hour, Jorg had ensured I fully understood the wind (previous teachers had left me with the sense that upwind is a swearword and offshore a bank account), the currents and how to rig the equipment. Then it was straight onto the simulator. Despite visions of technical goggles and huge waves on massive screens, a simulator is nothing more than a board and sail on the beach, to get a feel for the wind. Which is strong!
Two days later I was on the beach again, ready to challenge the waves. I’d spent the night before perusing the instruction booklet, clarifying sticky points such as tacking and turning. I would never be more ready to fall off a board... But I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe it was the gentle wind, maybe it was the temperate seas, but I was up and moving within the hour. Yes, at times kids of 12 and geriatric gentlemen swooped past as I floundered like a plastic duck in a clogged gutter. But there were moments where the sail caught the wind, the wind caught my hair, and my bikini stayed in place! I was windsurfing! No, better, I was a WINDSURFER!
It’s been three weeks now, and I’ve almost finished the course. I can get to where I want to go, and come back! Several people will testify they’ve seen me pull off a beach start. I’ve ridden the waves, hung out just watching the sea and been to the festival (there were cocktails – lots of them). I’ve bought board shorts, rash guards, a waterproof camera and a season ticket (at €900 for unlimited equipment usage, it’s the best deal on the island!). I watch windsurfing DVDs. I live in my bikini. I won’t plan anything in advance in case the wind is good.
In short, I’m hooked. I never thought it would be such fun, and so challenging! But as Jorg says: “That’s what it’s all about: the challenge. Windsurfing isn’t about competing with others; the contest is with yourself. And the challenge is endless.” Looks like my next challenge will be finding the money for my winter wetsuit.
info@windsurfcitycyprus.com or call 96 445101
Prices:
1 hour private course €45
2 hour private course €70
10 hour beginner group course (min. 4 person) €200
10 hour beginner (under 16, min. 4 kids) € 160
Equipment rental €15 per hour
