Windsurfing

Exmouth, Devon, England

November 2025

My previous windsurfing experience was a short session in Australia in 2006, where I spent more time in the water than on the board, and a very gusty few minutes a few years ago at Loch Earn with Allistair and Alison. With both of those experiences under my belt, I think it is fair to say that I am still a total novice, (but keen).
A few years ago, we bought a couple of Red Paddle Co windsurfs, but apart from a session in the back garden where we followed a Youtube video on how to rig the sail, the kit had never left the bag.
My old friend Carl Sawyer is a true waterman, and along withhis many talents, he is also a windsurfing instructor. As we were planning a trip down south, I asked if he would be able to give Rhona and me a lesson.
The date was set a couple of weeks earlier, and it turned out to be perfect. For the 3 days prior to the session and the day after it, the wind was howling and the rain was bucketing down, but on the actual day the conditions were spot on –gentle breeze and sunshine.
After showing us how to rig the sail, we then carried the single windsurf and a SUP down to the Duck Pond, in Exmouth. (This is a sheltered and shallow bit of water on the Exe Estuary that the locals use when learning a new skill. The perfect training spot.
Taking turns, I went first, while Rho and Carl paddled the SUP alongside, with Carl shouting instructions.
My first session was a short one, as my old foot injury, (see 2018 11 City), came back and forced me to stop.
While I rested my foot, Rho took her turn. As well as the 2 experiences mentioned above, she had also done some windsurfing on holiday before we met, and although that was almost 30 years ago, it didn’t take long for it all to come back to her. By her second go, she was sailing off into the distance, before performing near perfect turns, and heading back towards us, remaining dry for the whole session.
By my third and final session, I was doing OK for a beginner. I was able to go downwind for 50m or so, before gingerly turning the sail and the board around and then come back up into the wind. I did take a few swims, but as the water was only waist deep, I pretty much bounced back up onto the board.
Rho and I had a great time, thanks to Carl, (who has been trying to get me into windsurfing for over a decade), and his enthusiasm, and we’re hoping to get the kit out now we know how to use it.
My foot issue also eased up after a while. (I wonder if it was because I was constantly moving my feet on the board), and I even managed about 15 minutes of SUP, (my first in 5 years), with just a little bit of pain.
Happy days!!