Yes, windsurf right here! We have the best inland windsurfing lakes in the Southeast, along with certified instruction and an equipment retailer, right in our own back yard.

>> Warning: Do not try this sport unless you are ready to change your life. <<

Like its first cousin, wave surfing, it is one of those sublime, free-riding, passion sports. It puts you in touch with the Source, and awakens something deep within your soul. We've seen it happen too many times. From the hard-core outdoor sports enthusiasts who-have-seen-and-done-it-all, to the casual sun-and-fun types, they come off their first fully-powered windsurfing experience blown away with the wonder and awe at what just got hold of them. But one thing is consistent, they all have to have more!

Windsurfing is unique. It's you with the elements -- not you against the elements. You do not need a motor to make it work nor gravity to pull you forward. It is you and the forces of nature, wind and water, working together to have the best time in your life.

So, rejoice, you live in a great place to pursue this exquisite sport. The Augusta to Columbia, SC oval - and on over to Atlanta -- is about as good an inland windsurfing location as can be found anywhere. You can have just as much fun sailing in a lake -- on "flat" water -- as out in the ocean. Of course, it's also a pretty short, easy drive to the coast where there's some really hot locations for all skill levels; but, both Clarks Hill and Lake Murray and several other area lakes have excellent, convenient venues for windsurfing.

The prime season on our lakes is long -- from early Fall to late Spring. Both lakes are beautifully positioned, geographically speaking, to catch the higher, steadier winds of cold fronts during those seasons. These fronts almost always sweep across the area within several compass points of a northwesterly direction. One of the nice things about inland lake windsurfing is that the windy days are quite predictable. Just look for that blue-studded cold front arc on the national weather map somewhere from the midwest to New England, and in three days or so when it sweeps across here, the wind is usually going to blow stiff and steady -- sometimes so hard you think it's going to pull the hair right out of your follicles.

But, high winds are not required anymore. The manufacturers have introduced new ultra-light-wind gear that can get you on a skimming plane in very light airs. As WindTracks Journal put it: "Recreational windsurfers can dramatically increase their sailing time with the recently introduced light wind gear.... You could easily top 100 [sailing days] a year and hold down a full-time job, raise a family, make the mortgage payment -- you know, the regular stuff you're supposed to do."

Water and air temperature are hardly a concern anymore, even in the dead of winter. When a shorty is not enough, the new high-tech, lower cost, pliant dry suits will radically change your attitude about winter forever. On a strong frontal wind of 25 knots, it is not unusual at Clarks Hill to see a dozen windsurfers cavorting on the lake when the air and water temp are both in the mid-forties. Get a taste of the ecstasy in this sport and "lake wind advisory" will replace "moderate temperatures with low humidity" as your favorite weather forecast.

Windsurfing is Easy to be Hard.

Windsurfing is attainable for everyone short or tall, old or young, male or female, thin and, uh, not thin. Yes, this sport does have a learning curve that is considered relatively tough in this instant gratification world of ours; but, hey, fun is cheap; however, there is very little true joy that comes without some effort in this life. It compares to snow skiing in it's learning curve. Anyone can be up and going the first day and progress quickly.

Actually, windsurfing is harder to explain than it is to do. Windsurfing involves the near effortless balance, often in a stiff breeze, of several square meters of sail which is attached to a curved mast fastened to a surf board with a universal joint, in such a manner that, due to the pressure and placement of your weight on the board in harmony with fin dynamics, you will skim across the water, often quite fast.

It's a lot easier if you don't get off on the wrong fin, so to speak. Many people's first taste of windsurfing has been on a heavy rental rig in either a too-calm, or too-windy, lagoon at some resort without the benefit of any instruction at all. This is not a sport to pick up on your own or learn from a friend. Also, many young male muscular types take a combative approach to learning and give up in frustration while a lightweight female with an open, listening, surrendering attitude can often progress quickly to the advanced level. Major breakthroughs have been made in both instruction and beginner equipment making it possible to learn in 3 hours what used to take 6 months. It's about technique, not muscle. Major upper body strength simply is not a requirement as most people believe. Check out our intstruction page.

A Sport for the Ages

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that windsurfing is one of the outdoor participation sports rising in popularity while many other are declining. Reasons why may include