If you’ve ever watched a windsurfer carve across water before nimbly walking around the board as they change direction, you might be forgiven for thinking that the balance the sport requires makes it prohibitively difficult. However, you shouldn’t be put off by appearances. It only takes a day’s course to get you standing up on the board and sailing around. ‘The perception is that it’s a very hard and not very accessible,’ says Amanda Van Santen, Chief Windsurfing Instructor for the Training Department of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). ‘But actually it’s the complete opposite. It’s not as technically difficult as it might appear and you can pick it up relatively quickly.’ Windsurfing is definitely an appropriate choice for families as well, says Amanda: ‘It isn’t really very dependent on someone being incredibly fit or of a certain age, and if you like you can book lessons as a group and learn together.’

Windsurfers steer their boards by tilting and rotating the mast and sail, as well as by tilting and carving the board. It’s possible to reach incredible speeds – windsurfers have been clocked travelling at over 50mph – as well as do freestyle moves. ‘People find it exhilarating,’ states Amanda. ‘It’s outside, in the water, in the fresh air, it’s very social, active and good for fitness.’

Though often associated with beach holidays in exotic locations abroad, this is a sport that can also be learnt and enjoyed around the British coast – or at the many inland centres recognised by the RYA, which is the governing body for windsurfing in the UK.

An excellent way to start is by taking one of the RYA’s Start Windsurfing Courses. During two days, beginners are taught basic skills such as how to orient themselves in relation to the prevailing wind, and how to get on the board and hold the boom. By the end of it, they should be able to sail to a chosen point on the water – across the wind, upwind and downwind – and return to where they started.

Normally, windsurfing lessons begin on a simulator before progressing onto the water. The simulator allows you to practice basic manoeuvres, such as climbing up onto the board and pulling the rig out the water, and getting into the sailing position. After that, the instructor will demonstrate on the water, then it’s your turn to have a go. Lessons are delivered in a simple way without too much sailing terminology. All the equipment needed is provided by the centre.

Beginners wear buoyancy aids and don’t have to be strong swimmers, but they do have to be confident in the water. Every RYA-recognised centre has a safety boat looking after groups of learners. If the wind blows you in one direction and don’t feel you can get back, the safety boat will come and help you. Children can get started from about the ages of 6-8. The RYA runs two programmes aimed at enthusing children, OnBoard (www.ruob.co.uk) and Team15 (www.team15.org.uk), and encourages their parents to join in too.

Richard Sills, a part-time doctor who lives in Launceston, Cornwall, has three children – Sam, 15, and twins Saskia and Imogen, 11 – who compete at a high level in windsurfing. Sam was world under-15 Techno champion last year, and got one of his first tastes of the sport at a Team15 event. ‘I think it’s a tremendous sport,’ says Richard. ‘My children get a lot out of it. It does them a lot of good from a self-esteem and self-confidence point of view, it keeps them fit, and they’re doing a lot of exercise.’

Another great thing about it, says Richard, is that it gives modern kids a freedom to roam and a feeling of independence that they might not get on dry land. ‘Once they are on the water, they are their own boss, they can go where they like and they’re in charge. I would definitely recommend other parents get their children involved.’

For a list of RYA-recognised training centres and clubs, visit www.rya.org.uk