Working in Windsurfing by Danielle Lucas of Get Windsurfing

December 14th, 2011 Posted in Blog

Here is a blog about women working in Windsurfing . Thanks Danielle

 

 

Dahab, Getwindsurfing, Living the dream in a warm windy climate…

Teach windsurfing, photograph windsurfing, go windsurfing, eat with windsurfers, party with windsurfers, live with windsurfers…..sleep

Phil and I are still living in Dahab, a mecca for windsurfers from all over, the UK, Russia and Germany making up a large number of regulars here to practise windsurfing in a beautiful, flat water, windy spot, with year round sunshine and wind.  We have just had a very busy month here, working hard as well as trying to get the most amount of time possible for ourselves on the water to go and practise our freestyle moves we are both training to land and improve.

Working in windsurfing is a great way for us to be able to practise the sport we love regularly, we get probably 275-300 days a year on the water out here.  Whether its teaching or personal sailing we can get out and windsurf.  This is why we have chosen to work in the industry, as well as because most windsurfers are a fun bunch of people, whether it’s at a hot sunny beach or cold rainy day in the UK, the working environment is generally that of a bunch of mates having a good time, sharing our knowledge and experience of the sport with people who want to learn or improve their windsurfing.  When you teach windsurfing you are passing on skills to help someone enjoy the sport as much as yourself, its brilliant to see people get the buzz of improving, going faster, water starting for the first time, making a dry gybe, even surviving the shore break after a first time coastal session.  Its such an addictive sport, and great to pass that addiction on as its probably one of the best you will ever get!

Working in the industry is a choice for the love of the sport, you unfortunately do it for lifestyle and not money.  Of course you can make money but unless you are world number one, its a job for the love of it…especially because you always need (want) more kit which doesn’t come cheap.  The kit these days though is an amazing change since even when I began to windsurf 6 years ago, and so having great gear is easier and really helps to get the most from your sessions, I have seen it make or break peoples days when they have the right or wrong set up for their ability or even their physique.  Part of this kit is not only the board, sail and all things that make up your rig, but the right choice of clothing.  Windsurfing in the heat, it’s great to have some nice colourful board shorts and a rash vest, to protect me from the sun and also make sure i look good on the water, but in the cold having the right gear is vital.  Since having Spartan suits to windsurf in, my sailing time has easily doubled, as I don’t have to go in because I am cold, I have more energy and enthusiasm and teaching is so much better as I don’t worry that I will be cold before my lesson has finished.  Definitely a massive recommendation is make sure you have the right wetsuit and sun protection to keep you out there, as you could have the nicest sail and board in the world but if you get to cold, or have too much sun, your session could be over way before you are ready for it to be.  Luckily for me I have always had good advice to help me with my kit, and so I have always had really good equipment suited to my ability.  This is another part of working in the sport I love, the part that means not only I have the right support and advice to help me keep progressing, but also that I can help others choose the right gear for themselves according to not just budget but more importantly, ability, sailing location, ambitions and sometimes just help people get more from what they have already got.

This week I have a group of students to photograph, all learning to windsurf well enough to pass an instructor course which they will complete after 2 weeks.  Its been great watching them go through the learning experience, they are so lucky to have been doing it here in Egypt, in a warm windy location surrounded by all levels of windsurfers, to inspire and also show them how far they have come themselves.  I was in a very similar position to them 6 years ago and since then have had such an amazing 5 years, travelling to some incredible destinations to find wind and waves, as well as working with so many happy, excited, enthusiastic, ambitious and adventurous people and helping them to enjoy the sport I love so much, I really hope they all find the buzz and get as much from their future as instructors as I have done……

Danielle Lucas | getwindsurfing.com