Clinics: Who needs them?

We have been impressed by how much we have learnt on windsurfing clinics over the years. But it seems like there is a tendency in windsurfing to actually avoid tuition. Or is it that people don’t consider tuition rather than not wanting it? A high percentage of clinic attendees are return customers. There is a reason for that and it’s not because they need all the help they can get. Heh, we all do – windsurfing is a difficult sport! So we’re writing this article to try and open your eyes to what a clinic can offer YOU.

Top 4 excuses for NOT going on a clinic

A LUXURY: This is presuming you try and go away for a week’s sailing every now and again. The additional cost of a clinic is between £200-£300 on top of flights, accommodation etc; less than £40 a day. Most Clinics go to ‘nice’ locations with decent wind stats and centres with all the latest kit. You spend thousands of pounds on kit over the years but not a penny on coaching. It’s like spending £500 having airbags fitted to your car but not spending the extra £50 to take the advanced driving course.

FAMILY: Fair enough, if you have to coincide your windsurfing week with the family summer holiday then it becomes more difficult to spend the whole day listening to the coach. But you can still combine the two by getting your other half to join in and throwing the kids in the Centre Creche!

DON’T NEED IT: So you’re just 100% raw talent who knows it all and can visualize all your mistakes and correct them accordingly yet still can’t crack the carve gybe after 10 years of trying? Everyone needs coaching.

JUST NOT INTO A CLINIC: Do you mean you don’t want your sailing analyzed in front of fellow windsurfers or you don’t want to have to turn up to the beach at a certain time? Maybe you don’t want to have to have dinner in the evenings with everybody. Clinics aren’t boot camps you know!

‘You can windsurf, what do you want to go on a clinic for?’ my mates said.

Get videoed.

Yes, it can be cringeworthy to see yourself on video after shouting at the coach all day - “I am bending my knees” - when in fact you were as upright as the Eiffel Tower. But the short term embarrassment leads to long term gain.

Get rid of bad habits which are stopping you from improving.

There is nothing worse than being told to go back to basics. The Editor may be able to do lots of freestyle trickery, but could she sail upwind on a short board? She could by the end of the week, which meant she had a much better stance which could only help her downwind trickery!

Learn good habits and learn moves on both tacks.

UK Pros, Chris Audsley & John Skye were being coached by Jem Hall. Although perfected on one tack, he made them learn wily skippers on the other tack. They moaned all week, wanting to improve more advanced moves, but they both admitted, much later on, that this had helped them with other moves and certainly in a competition heat.

Crack a certain move that has eluded you. You’re probably only one tip away from landing it.

Again the Editor remembers learning the push tack and hears one comment shouted from the beach – look at the top of the sail – heh presto, she’s a push tack legend!

Learn to set your kit up correctly for your body weight and height.

Turn up to a clinic with your tape measure and you’ll be the teacher’s pet!

Test sail the latest equipment.

Most clinics are held at decent centres so you get to sail brand new kit and try out all the ranges.

Meet fellow windsurfers.

Many a friendship let alone a romance has started on a clinic week. Just make sure it’s not with the coach!

Have a laugh!

Laugh at and with your peers as you all try to improve. Jostle for position when the coach is filming then fall asleep during video feedback after a day’s exhaustion. Talk non-stop about the sport you love until the local beer kicks in and then talk even more. But most of all – smile during your 44th duck gybe attempt of the day. Remember, you’re on holiday!

"A couple of year’s back I'd got sick and tired of getting battered & bruised trying new moves. So it seemed like a good idea to get some help!"

A couple of years back I'd got sick & tired of getting battered & bruised trying new moves. The new moves are sometimes so counter intuitive that it if you've been sailing a long time it can be hard to adjust. It seemed like a good idea to get some help so I booked myself on a clinic.
The first few days can feel a bit awkward as you get to know people, but you soon relax and get into it. The main thing for me is to go with just one or two objectives in mind and completely focus on them through the week. But also when things don't go the way you

"I could unashamedly eat, breathe, sleep and of course drink windsurfing and everyone understood!"

I unfortunately don't get to do much windsurfing (less than 10 times per year) so a clinic is a great opportunity for me to get wet. The venues and wind stats on the various clinics I have been on have been good. The coaches know the venues very well so you always get the best out of your chosen spot. You also get great coaching with loads of enthusiasm and positive vibes which always seems to bring the best out of me. If you have a passion for windsurfing get on a clinic. PS: I haven't even mentioned the beer!

"If you have a passion for windsurfing, get on a clinic."