| Windsurfing is gaining popularity in Thailand. | | | | have regular camp outs and parties there on |
| Thailand is not a super windy place. You wont see | | | | weekends. |
| the amazing freestyle moves of Bonaire or the | | | | On Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, The government |
| Gorge, nor will you see hot wave sailing action. | | | | and City sponsored Windsurfing Association of |
| With average wind strengths of 8- 18knots | | | | Thailand has been revived by a team of ex Thai |
| Windsurfers here are mainly using sails from 6.0M | | | | windsurfing champions, coaches and local |
| to 8.5M. In the worlds top locations a 6.0M sail is | | | | politician's. The benefit of this work has gone |
| considered large. | | | | straight into the local community where kids, are |
| So why do core windsurfers from all over the | | | | training and competing in local and overseas |
| world choose to settle in Thailand? | | | | competitions. It is heart warming to meet these |
| As manufacturing costs in China increase, medium | | | | youngsters who are polite, happy, self-reliant and |
| to large size companies are choosing to set up in | | | | who will grow up with a close connection to sport |
| Thailand where their specialized engineers and top | | | | and the environment. Everyone is welcome to join |
| level management are happy to move with their | | | | the local windsurfing races. With up to 70 entries |
| families. | | | | and many international guests, Thailand is |
| Thailand's perpetually warm water and even | | | | producing high-level athletes, often from poor or |
| warmer people. Low cost of living and very | | | | broken families. |
| comfortable healthy lifestyle make the choice of | | | | Pattaya City, about 2.5 hours drive SE from |
| leaving their homes utterly bearable. | | | | Bangkok, is notorious for it's red-light district and |
| Many classic Mediterranean retirement destinations | | | | the people it attracts. However it is brimming with |
| are more expensive after the Euro's introduction. | | | | international restaurants, world-class hotels, |
| Thailand, with it's Idealic Beachside lifestyle is | | | | inexpensive shopping and is still one of the |
| becoming a popular place to make those pension | | | | greatest places to learn Windsurfing. |
| Pounds, early retirement Euros', and dwindling | | | | About 10 km south of Pattaya you will find 2 of |
| Dollars go further. | | | | the largest Water sports clubs in Thailand. This |
| Grass roofed beach-side sail racks, make tedious | | | | area is where the locals, expats,(foreigner's living |
| equipment preparation unnecessary. Residents sit | | | | in Thailand) and tourists come to take windsurfing |
| around in the shade, talking or simply admiring the | | | | lessons, play and relax. |
| parade of International beach goers. | | | | Kite boarding or kite surfing has brought more |
| As soon as the wind is good, they are on the | | | | people to learn about windsurfing also. While some |
| water in minutes on the latest windsurfing gear, | | | | experienced windsurfers like to do both sports, |
| some of which is designed especially for the | | | | many family people prefer the safety, greater |
| lighter wind conditions. On good days when the | | | | challenge and independence of windsurfing. |
| wind is over 15 knots , there are over 20 sails on | | | | Stand Up Paddle Boarding a water-sport anyone |
| the water in the best spots. While this number is | | | | can learn in a few minutes is growing quickly here. |
| tiny compared to the world's classic destinations | | | | Used for sightseeing, cross-training on no-wind |
| where windsurfers number in the hundreds. It is | | | | days, surfing or as a simple yet diverse sport |
| double what you may have seen 3 years ago in | | | | that gives you great at-one with nature time in |
| Thailand. | | | | any conditions. |
| Thai people are enjoying the sport in larger | | | | Windsurfing in Thailand is just another reason why |
| numbers also. A club in "Tabsai" near to Bang San | | | | people consider working or retiring early in one of |
| University is hugely popular among Thai's who | | | | the worlds most famous travel destinations. |