Light Air Wavesailing, Is it the New Thing?!

No Footstraps Required! 

The introduction of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding a few years ago enabled a new brand of enjoyment in the ocean as well as flat water. Similar to kiteboarding's introduction a number of years earlier, both sports blossomed as new and, in many respects, "easier" introductions into active water sports. Over the past year or so, Light Air Wavesailing has hit the market and offers a new and easy method to catch waves with a windsurfing rig in hand.

I have been a strong supporter of Light Air Wavesailing since my initial experiences with the AHD SeaLion during late summer 2010 and all of 2011.  Blending an aggressive light air board design with a medium sized windsurfing sail has offered many more days of enjoyable time in the ocean, as compared to years past when I only had "regular" wave gear available.  As a father of two, a full time job, and busy life schedule, my windsurfing time has taken a hit even while living in one of windsurfing's world meccas.  However, with the SeaLion and Light Air Wavesailing, many more opportunities are available to catch FUN surf and enjoy water time even with the scheduled needs of everyday life.

Seems more and more people are discovering the FUN and ease of Light Air Wavesailing and it is great to see this new windsurfing discipline take shape.  The US East Coast is perfect for Light Air Wavesailing from FL to Cape Cod and with the busy lives and limited water time we have, when you do make it out to the beach, why not have an option for when winds are side offshore at 10 knts and waves are breaking outside crumbly and fun!

As with standard SUP and kitesurfing, perhaps Light Air Wavesailing may find greater niche as it blends "ease" of a stable windsurfing platform with the ability to get into the ocean on calm easy days with surf ranging knee high to as big as you want to try!   

I would really enjoy seeing more people out on Light Air Wavesailing days.  Beauty too is that if you are here on the OBX, from Corolla to Hatteras, anywhere it can be good if there is a nice outside sand bar and a side to side-off breeze.  Anywhere there is a good sandbar can be a "popular" spot!  If you are in Nags Head, come out and join me when I hit a sesh, as I often do during the summer months!  Stay tuned to the OBX Beach Life forum for reports where to go as we usually post when we are about to hit the water!

No Footstraps Required!