I would highly recommend wearing a helmet and lifejacket when windsurfing. I've been a half-mile from the shore, and I can't swim a half-mile.

Also, there was a windsurfer in Austin. He got hit by something, either a board or a boat, and went down and didn't come up. If he had had a lifejacket he probably would have lived.

Also, I have been slammed so hard windsurfing, that even with a helmet, I had a bad headache.

Surfing is about waiting. Windsurfing and wakeboarding is about action. Nonstop action.

Kitesurfing--now that is something I will not try. Way, way dangerous.

Look at this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/11...2b9be2.jpg?v=0

http://www.sunnyfuerteventura.com/fu...learning-2.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/conten...1n_470x350.jpg

surfing circle-jerk taken to new levels.
http://www.savejapandolphins.org/gra...er/circle2.jpg

I've been knocked out on the wakeboard and had probably my worst fall on anything on the Air Chair. Catching an edge on a wakeboard is a bitch, as it feels like falling onto concrete going about 30 mph. Certainly enough to leave you with a nasty headache for the rest of the day.

I probably should wear a helmet, but haven't done so. I always wear a life jacket though. The other thing, and I am sure windsurfing is similar, is that Wakeboarding kicks my ass. My core and thighs get a nice workout from the pulling against the rope with all the carving. It's a sore feeling, but the good kind. Then to relax, we throw out the Wake surf and cruise. I'm hoping to get out and try surfing this summer on our trip to SoCal.

windsurfing is grueling. when you are a beginner. But for the experienced, it is not so grueling, as you tend to use your body weight to control the sail and board.

Forget surfing. Try windsurfing.

One thing surfing has going for it is that it is a lot cheaper.

Considering I will be staying with family who own surfing gear, and not windsurfing gear, I think I'll be giving surfing a shot this summer. If you want to take me out windsurfing, I may take you up on that sometime.

Moron, they usually do this when someone has died.

Way to be insensitive.

where are you going this summer?