Slalom Windsurfing

Slalom windsurfing is for the windsurfers who love to combine speed with tactical challenges. Slalom windsurfing is an internationally renowned high-wind sport. Slalom windsurfing was a rage during the 80's and the early 90's. Its popularity slowly declined due to the complicated quiver (collection of windsurfing equipments) required to sail efficiently at top wind speeds.

However, with the emergence of a new type of windsurfing boards and sails, slalom windsurfing has re-entered on the international racing scene. Nowadays, with the relatively easy-to-maneuver windsurfing boards and rig, slalom windsurfers can comfortably sail at a wind speed that is as low as 9 knots. A quiver of 2 sails and a slalom board enables the sailor to sail in high-wind conditions. Slalom windsurfing boards are small and mainly designed to gain speed in various wind conditions.

Slalom windsurfing races have a Z-shaped course that is about 2-4 kms. Windsurfers have to jibe around the obstacles that are placed along the course. Only a skillful and expert sailor can maneuver around the floating markers. The International Funboard Class Association organizes Slalom Championships every year that attracts slalom windsurfing enthusiasts from all over the world.

Slalom Windsurfing Champions:

Gareth Wood, Australian and New Zealand slalom windsurfing champion, has been windsurfing for nearly 20 years. After bagging 2 gold medals at the New Zealand Slalom Championship, he won the Australian title in 2008.

Matt Pritchard won the Nations Cup at Slalom and Racing Worlds event at Hyeres, France in 2003.

Sam Parker won the Australian Slalom Windsurfing Championship in 2007.

Slalom Windsurfing videos:

Following is a short video of slalom windsurfing that will help you observe the windsurfers closely as they sail.

You can take a look at the highlights of US Windsurfing National Championship 2005, a slalom windsurfing event in the Columbia River Gorge. Here, you can witness the close competition among the windsurfers and the different techniques of high speed jibing around the markers.

For the excitement that it offers, we are sure that slalom windsurfing is here to stay!