Windsurfing off Hove Lagoon

The sessions are coming to an end and after a full on year on the water with most of the time spent being in the water, not on it,  I’ve been loving it! Starting off I was thinking that I would never get it and now I am in the harness and on a sea when it’s nice and flat. I am now setting up goals for future session and I want to LOOP… but first I might need to used the foot straps and learn how to turn a board that is not the size my garden decking.

I had my first really good sea moment the other day launching from Lagoon Watersports on a Sunday afternoon clinic, with ideal conditions. The session was about getting going and into the front strap, which were bits I had attempted with not a lot of success in the past. It started on the land with a group of us being shown on the simulator with very broken down demos and coaching points with a lot of encouragement. The instructor helped with getting the right kit for the conditions and ability and we were quickly rushed onto the beach to get on the water. With rules set out and the instructor in a boat I felt happy to bear away, strap in and blast!! As we got on the water we met out by the boat and started off with a follow the leader out away from the beach. He told us to just drop our weight back and down, and just go. With most of us starbursting over the sailing area with this new found speed the instructor had the massive task of rounding us all up but with the time on the taxi boat back to upwind land we had time for some one to one coaching.

Bump and jump - this is what James is aiming for next!

On my second blast I got more speed than I had got before and felt that I needed to be in the straps so I took the leap and went for the front strap. When it was in and I was planing; it felt so alien to think I was in the first strap. It was bouncing around and still not going where I wanted it to go but it felt great for the whole 30 seconds I was committed to the board. Back on the boat on my taxi back upwind I was told a way of stopping the unpleasant bouncing around and go for the back strap as well.

Things were looking good for ending the year in the straps and blasting but I needed a couple more runs and a lucky gust to hold me up. As I started up again I was back in the front strap and shimmying the back foot back, I had no idea I was going downwind but I was flying and didn’t care!! There was a moment where the water was flat and I went for the back strap but as soon as I did the board shot into with, stalled and I fell in! Again, after that I was back in the boat being coached on the next step.

Nik Baker on the water; James is aiming high and looking to get looping in the future!

That was it, I had all the know-how but just needed the bottle to go for it and again I had my spot of flat water and the wind to be planing comfortably, front strap came with ease as all I was thinking about was the coaching points and the back strap. As I stepped into the back strap the board this time didn’t shoot up into wind and I kept going with even more speed and I just had to go with it and hope for the best. I heard the powerboat coming from the side with a very excited instructor shouting away at me to keep going, I was buzzing! I went into a lull and it was all over but the feeling was amazing and it was the biggest change in my windsurfing, turning the board around was still a small issue but I do not care, I was just planing in the straps on the sea with nothing stopping me apart from French customs that may have something to say.

The first year has been going from step to step and now strap to strap with coaching along the way from anyone willing to help a beginner, which in the windsurfing community is always easy to find. So, from a time where I was just giving it a go the sport has eaten my time and energy in the best way possible and now as the winter is coming to a start I am thinking what to do – maybe Dahab or a very thick wetsuit!!

Find out more about Lagoon Watersports:

website: www.lagoon.co.uk

phone number: 01273 42 48 42

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LagoonWatersports

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/hovelagoon

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Inspired by the Olympics?

We want to offer you the chance to try some Olympic Watersports and non Olympic Watersports here in Brighton and Hove. It is really about getting out on the water and trying something new. Finding out if watersports is for you or your kids

To follow up on the Olympics we have some great opportunities for you to give watersports a go.

Sportivate Multi Watersports for Teenagers Age 14 – 16 - Just £10 ! – 6 x 2 hour sessions  trying Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaaking, Stand up Paddleboarding, wakeboarding. The usual cost of these would be over £200. Click here for more details, dates and too book 

Sportivate Learn to Windsurfing for Women age 19 – 25 – Just £40 ! - 6 x 2 hour sessions, plus 4 x club training sessions. The usual cost of this course would be over £200. Click here for more details, dates and too book 

Coastal Sailing Taster from Brighton Marina – Just £10 ! - 75 mins sailing experience off the Brighton Coastline on our Sigma 8 metre performance sailing boats, with an RYA sailing instructor on board to give your the a hands on sailing lesson. Please click this link to book your place

Inspired by the Olympics – Watersport Tasters September 29/30 – Just £25 ! -  Why not try our Olympic Watersports Taster Sessions at Hove Lagoon. Full tuition and all equipment is provided, including a wetsuit. You get to try three sports for just £20 -

Women only – Adults – Kids

I’ve got the need for speed, but even more the need for some control! After completing my RYA Start Windsurfing and receiving my ticket that now states I have started on the drenched road to windsurfing land I have become hooked! With many friends and work mates confused by the idea of going outside in this beautiful English summer let alone going out on the water people are starting to wonder what I have started doing. I have been found going up and down the lagoon for hours on end, only wondering how I get on this drug you hear the other windsurfers craving for. I’ve been watching windsurfers coming over from the other side of the wall where the infamous sea is kept with both signs of satisfaction and frustration on their faces from either getting planing or not, but with an excuse for both! I want to be on this!

Improver Lesson at Hove

Having loved my start course and having spent quite a few hours floating around practicing what I learnt I started going to the improvers nights on a Thursday after work for a bit of assistance with my windsurfing. The first time I went out on the water after my course it felt like I had just passed my driving test and this was the first run to the shops I was nervous but so excited to be back on the water. With the lagoon giving such an easy starting point and then ongoing support I jumped straight in and got up.. then fell in! With so many things going on in my mind it seemed like I had forgotten it all but after a few minutes and some guidance from the instructor I was back up and blasting on my plastic fantastic and a sail that I only wanted to make bigger.

After an exciting sail a few days before I was back for more! While getting my kit out I saw a bigger one next to my normal sail and I just had to give it a go. Once I was on the water, before I pulled up this monster of a four meter, I looked at the others with their airplane sized wings thinking I’m almost there. The session went well on my new bigger sail and like always I left the lagoon again wanting to go bigger and faster! The next time on the water came a new surprise in the form of a board that felt like a tea tray. I was motivated by an instructor to move onto the Fanatic Viper which to move around was a lot easier but on the water it was a bit of a surprise, after being on my floating piece of decking that offered me so much comfort. With a few very wet tacks I started to stop looking at my new board and got my balance back. I was just so happy with myself that I had now moved off the start kit and onto the more colourful improver gear and I felt like my windsurfing was improving at a very good rate.

Windsurfing off the beach at Hove

With days of not windsurfing I found myself on weather and windsurfing websites waiting for the wind and work to be done so I can go back out on the water. And then it came, it was windy and I had an afternoon off to go and see if I can sail in a storm. Keeping with my new board and being on the lagoon this flat water but windy base meant I was safe to give it a go no matter what the weather. With the wind blowing I ended up moving … and moving really too fast! I was holding on and that was about it. Sailing at what felt like a hundred miles an hour for the first time was a massive rush and I could see how people get addicted and I most definitely was.

Now I am up and going and truly hooked I’m going to move on and I have been told I’m ready for the intermediate non planing course to get me out and onto the big blue. For me I feel I have improved and am loving the sport and want to continue because my next goal is getting onto the sea and going even faster!

Windsurfing at Hove

Written by James Hart

Find out more about Lagoon Watersports:

website: www.lagoon.co.uk

phone number: 01273 42 48 42

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LagoonWatersports

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/hovelagoon

Learning to windsurf

Learning to windsurf is probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. With a huge worldwide social and recreational windsurfing scene, I have never been short of finding a like minded and enthusiastic sailor, like myself, to share a car with and spend hours out on the water and on a beach with. It has changed my mind on this stuff that previously annoyed me because it messed up my hair or ruffled the trees at night, but now I find myself at work, spectating weather sites praying for more wind!

Before learning to windsurf myself I only really saw it as standing on a massive floating plastic board whilst holding some strange sail-like thing that somehow uses the weather to move you along the water. Now I see that windsurfing is far more than that, and a lot more attractive too! Before starting my RYA Start Windsurfing course, an internationally recognized qualification, I was feeling apprehensive about whether I would be able to do it and nervous because the closest I have ever been to doing a sport on the water is sitting on a lilo in the middle of a pool. The reason I wanted to learn windsurfing was to try something very different, I now live in Brighton by the sea whilst previously I was in London where the only exercise was a forced, once a week trip to the sweaty smelly room of the local gym because that was what I thought I had to do to keep a standard level of fitness.

Lessons at Hove Lagoon

When I got the water sports centre at Hove Lagoon there were a lot of different types of people there, learning a variety of sports and at first I couldn’t tell who I was on a course with, or who out of the people in board shorts, no shoes and sunglasses introducing themselves was my instructor. I met my instructor and the others on my course shortly after signing in at reception and was then very calmly given an outlook to what I had got myself into. After being introduced to the course instructor and the other students, it was straight outside to see the equipment that I still hadn’t quite got my head around. Our instructor first showed us the boards and told us how they were ideal for learning on, being big and stable. Then we were introduced to the sails which were all kept fully rigged and ready to go, and I was given a size that suited my height, weight and the conditions. The surprising part about all this kit was that it was so easy and simple to handle and understand. Once all the equipment was out our instructor spent a lot of time at first on the simulator, showing us and getting us to try the few positions that we would need to get up and moving on the water. These positions were all very well broken down and put across in a way that made me really want to give it a go. After getting changed into a wetsuit (a strange devise that I was told was to help keep me warm, but only made me feel like a penguin) we headed out onto the waist deep water of the lagoon to have a first attempt at this new sport. The morning was spent just standing up and going in a straight line and using the wind to move us around the water, there were some pretty spectacular, let’s say dismounts, from myself but in this safe, controlled environment it was all part of the fun. By the end of the first day we as a group were all sailing across the wind, turning around and starting to steer the board. We had all been introduced to the equipment and gained a bit of background knowledge to the sport. The instructor said to us “as long as you are moving and enjoying it you are windsurfing”, so I felt that at the end of the first day I had achieved that and I felt really good about it, and very excited for the following day!

Hove Lagoon

The next day came after a very good sleep as I had been so tired from the day before. Once again I was quickly put at ease about what we were doing and there was no time to waste, so we got the equipment out and I found myself on the simulator going through what we had done the day before. The second day was about moving towards the wind and away from the wind which, at first, I had no idea about what our instructor was saying but after a good demo with an explanation I started to pick up this new skill quickly and easily. All the way though we were told in simple words the next step, whilst always working on a bit that we had done before which made the learning feel logical and progressive.

Level 1 course in full swing

At the end of the course it felt amazing that I had achieved something that previously I had worried about doing. The myths of windsurfing about it being hard and needing a lot of strength were torn up and burnt! The feedback I got from the instructor, who obviously loved the sport and was very passionate about it, was always positive and helpful. The Start Windsurfing course is an extremely rewarding course which does not require any specific skills or previous experience. With the main part about the course being an introduction to windsurfing with the aim to get you to enjoy the sport, I could say with certainty that it had done that and also got me to a point where I can hold my own on the water with an instructor. After doing this course I will always recommend it to anyone because it is a fun, fast and relaxing sport and achieves a full body work out with some pretty amazing perks, like having your gym on the beach!

Planing action at Hove

Once you are totally hooked on windsurfing the next stages are even more exciting, the next instalment of the windsurfing journey will be with you very soon as we follow the progression of another newly addicted windsurfer. 

Find out more about Lagoon Watersports:

website: www.lagoon.co.uk

phone number: 01273 42 48 42

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LagoonWatersports

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/hovelagoon

FLOW poster

FLOW (For Ladies Of Watersports) and W4CR (Windsurfing 4 Cancer Research) have teamed up to  provide ‘Go with the FLOW: For Female Cancer Care’ a fun day on the water for budding to experienced waterwomen, with a whole host of exciting activities raising money for Breast Cancer Care and ovarian cancer research run by Cancer Research UK.

‘Go with the FLOW: For Female Cancer Care’ will take place on Saturday 24th September 2011, at Hove Lagoon Watersports  http://www.hovelagoon.co.uk and will include a morning yoga with waterwoman  and health guru Caroline Radway  www.fitbodyfix.com , learn to windsurf, wake board and SUP sessions from female instructors, intermediate and advanced windsurfing coaching from FLOW’s top Hunk Sam Ross  www.sam-ross.co.uk , demo equipment, music, cakes, a movie and more!

The highlight of the day is set to be the ‘Blast 4 Breast Cancer’ where all the ladies will hit the water, for a team relay race, with legs on both the lagoon and sea (condition dependent!) so ALL levels of waterwomen can take part and be in with the chance of winning some amazing prizes. You can enter as a Team of 4, or enter as an individual/pair and we will put you in touch with potential team mates. We are encouraging teams to use the Blast as a fundraising opportunity, getting your friends/family to show their support for your team through sponsorship which will be donated directly to Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research UK ovarian cancer projects by W4CR.  More details for team entrance and fundraising will be on www.flowatersports.com

Don’t worry guys you can be involved too! We are more than happy to welcome watermen along that support the fairer sex, you can enter and take part in many of the activities available on the day. We are keeping all coaching sessions for ladies only, however you can soak up the atmosphere, hit the water, eat cake and even enter the ‘Blast 4 Breast Cancer’, if you have a penchant for pink and a blonde wig that is!

To be part of a fantastic festival atmosphere, while learning some new skills and hanging out at the beach with a relaxed group of friendly surfer chicks simply head to www.flowatersports.com for full details and to enter. Cost of entry is £10 (for all activities and coaching excluding wakeboarding, £20 (for all activities and coaching including wakeboarding) plus a minimum donation of £10 to the registered charity W4CR.

What is FLOW?

FLOW is an organisation set up in June 2010 by former professional windsurfer, coach and personal trainer, Amy Carter. FLOW aims to unite females in windsurfing, SUP, wakeboarding, etc to share our knowledge and passion for the water, as well as pushing the message that these often male dominated sports are fantastic for women too. Online www.flowatersports.com has a vast array of articles covering health, fitness, technique, location guides, kit bag, interviews with inspirational waterwomen and the very well received Hunk of the Month, all by women, specifically for women. Offline Amy delivers watersports events and coaching, combining with her work as a personal trainer, Amy concentrates on conveying the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle, enabling women to make positive changes in lives, and increasing the opportunities for ladies to be active participants in watersports, particularly windsurfing.

Amy says: ‘Go with the FLOW: For Female Cancer Care’ has been a rough idea of mine for a few years now, and it feels fantastic that all the thoughts and planning are now coming into fruition. I really hope that as many ladies as possible will make their way to Hove for what will be a fantastic day, even if you have never set foot in the sea before, don’t worry! Everything will be provided and you will learn new, exciting sports in a safe and relaxed environment, with lots of other like minded women. I cannot wait, hope to see you there!’

What is W4CR?

FUNDING RESEARCH, SUPPORTING CANCER CARE AND EDUCATION > Windsurfing4CancerResearch (‘W4CR’) was set up as a registered Charity by windsurfer David Tuttlebee in March 2009 to increase awareness of cancer and funding research, supporting cancer care and education. Since 2009 W4CR has raised over £120,000 from fundraising charity events. The beneficiaries have been Cancer Research UK (Bowel and Skin cancer projects), Breast Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Care, Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign, John Hartson Foundation and other hospices.

Brian (W4CR Trustee) says: Go with the FLOW: For Female Cancer Care is a wonderful fundraising event, the beneficiaries are Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research UK (Ovarian cancer research project) and September 24th at Hove will be the ‘first ever’ of its kind and a great opportunity for ladies of water sports to join together and have a truly fun ‘fundraisin

Beginners at Hove Lagoon

Action-packed summer for Lagoon Watersports

Lagoon Watersports have got a few busy weeks ahead with a range of exciting events to keep the community busy, creating a real buzz of activity and giving literally everyone a chance to get involved. Lagoon Watersports have got a stand at the TakePart International Festival of Sport and at Paddle Round The Pier whilst also offering taster sessions at Hove Lagoon on both those weekends, they host the BSA Slalom Event and the very special Windsurf for Cancer party.

You can expect a large crowd heading to Preston Park on Saturday 19^th June from 12 – 5 pm to kickstart the International Festival of Sport, with the Lagoon Watersports team keen to give everyone the chance to have a go at windsurfing and sailing. The TakePart Day is a large scale free event with a fantastic exhibition of sports and physical activities, and you have got 2 options with Lagoon Watersports – taster sessions in Preston Park which are best described as balance tests on dry land (no need to get into a wetsuit!), or alternatively you can head to Hove Lagoon for one of their much sought-after taster sessions on the calm and safe waters of the Lagoon. Adults and kids are offered the chance to try windsurfing or sailing for just £10 per person as part of the TakePart festival, sessions include all equipment and full tuition and are suitable for beginners. There are sessions for different age groups on 19, 26 and 27 June. Check out www.lagoonwatersports.co.uk or call 01273 42 48 42 for more information.

Lagoon Watersports have been supporting the huge charity event Paddle Round The Pier for the last few years, and will be showing their support again this year. The well-known beach festival takes place on Hove Lawns and Hove seafront during the weekend of 3 & 4 July, and the team from Lagoon Watersports are passionate about introducing as many people as possible to water sports, offering kids and adults the chance to have a go at sailing whilst supporting the various charities. Visit them on Hove Lawns to say Hello, have an informative chat to the team and get out on the water.

3 & 4 July will be a busy weekend indeed as Lagoon Watersports also host Round 5 of the British Slalom Association 2010 series on Hove Lagoon. This is one of 8 events, and the first of a mini series of events hosted by North-Sails, Fanatic and iON with prizes provided by Baker Academy and Sportif. Last year Mat Pearch took top honours and it looks like this year’s event is going to be an awesome, adrenaline-fuelled contest with Mat keen to defend the title. More details on http://ukwindsurfing.com/ .

Another date for your diary is 10 July - Lagoon Watersports are hosting a special Windsurf For Cancer party at the Portland Rock Bar in Hove with doors open from 8 pm. Anyone is welcome, windsurfer or not, with one common aim – raising as much money as possible for W4C. The party is a celebration of all things windsurfing with big screens showing windsurfing movie classics, a big windsurf raffle with prizes from Fanatic North and Boardridersguide, and music by Lagoon Watersports’ very own band ‘Twig and The Giggleberries’. For more information on the charity visit www.windsurfing4cancerresearch.org or get in touch with Lagoon Watersports. A big thank you to lagoon.co.uk , Fanatic/North and boardridersguide.co.uk for supporting and sponsoring the party.

For more information on Lagoon Watersports, community events, courses on offer and membership options please visit www.lagoonwatersports.co.uk or call 01273 42 48 42.