Windsurfing weather
By Adam Norsworthy
Knowing where the wind will be important in choosing the perfect windsurfing holiday destination for you.
Wind is a result of a difference of atmospheric pressures. Air always moves from high to low pressure. Wind patterns are caused by both global and local events.
Global: Around the equatorial belt, air is heated and rises. Sub-equatorial air rushes to fill the vacuum created by the rising air. The Earth's rotation creates a phenomenon called the Coriolis Effect which bends these winds.
"Wind is a result of a difference of atmospheric pressures. Air always moves from high to low pressure."
In the sub-equatorial belt (0-30º), winds blow easterly. These very reliable winds are called trade winds because they were used by sailors to go around the world to trade goods. They are to be found in places like the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and also the North and South Pacific islands.
Between 30-60º of the equator, winds tend to blow westerly. They are, however, less reliable than trade winds.
Windsurfing weather
By Adam Norsworthy
Local: Winds are created due to the temperature difference between the continent and the ocean. Whenever the ocean is cooler than land, onshore breezes are created. Offshore winds are hence found when then ocean is hotter than land.
Foehn winds are created around mountains, where the hot air rises up the slopes and, when cooled down at high altitude, come back down. Such effects are the reason for windsurf spots like Lake Garda in Italy and the River Hood in Oregon.
"Whenever the ocean is cooler than land, onshore breezes are created."
The Venturi effect, meanwhile, occurs when wind is forced through a narrow gorge, for example in between two hills. Sotavento in Fuerteventura is a good example of this.
Wind is not as unpredictable as a novice windsurfer might think. Researching your preferred destination's weather patterns and topography (try windguru.com) will enable any windsurfer to forecast a good session.
Adam Norsworthy is the editor of leading windsurfing website, www.ActiveAdventures.co.uk.
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