We are back in Kurefjorden, an hour drive south of Oslo, my daughter and I. She started windsurfing a few years ago. Now she is 17. I remember the first time on a windsurfing board. She was around 5. The first time I put two booms on the sail so that she could hold on together with me.
We lived in Cuba for two years and brought our new beginner board. It was great. Warm and nice breeze. She and her Swedish friend had lots of fun with the 2.5 square meter.
Two years ago, she was hooked. She started to get more speed, control and learned how to turn. Planing was a big breakthrough.
– I love windsurfing!
We have been here at Kurefjorden a few times in May and she digs the place. You can drive all the way down, good atmosphere amongst the windsurfers and foilers. A big area with grass to rig. Lots of space on the water. She likes great, wide open spaces.
The wind has been good the few Saturdays we have been here. 8-10 m/s and sunny. Not cold at all. Gloves and wet hats not necessary, she says, warm blooded as she is.
As usual I take my RRD XFire and 7.0 square meter. She has a bigger board and a 5.0 North Hero. Today she is trying the harness. No problem. “Should have been more wind”, she exclaims, but she having a good time. “Windsurfing is so good!”
She is strong and lately not used the harness. I don’t think I would have the same strength windsurfing two hours straight without the harness.
I get a few good gybes. Always a nice feeling. Good speed too, I imagine.
Lots of people out today. Several regatta folks that I recognise from the 1990s.
Corona times have fortunately not limited the windsurfing, but as I sail, I think about how the pandemic may affect the oceans? I wrote another post about this, the other day. The main points as I can recall were these:
Will the pandemic accelerate change? Can the thousands of billion Euros rescue packages from governments around the world be used wisely to invest in green tech? Or, are we returning to the grey economy to save the world’s economies as soon as possible?
Also read: Corona and Climate Change
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!