There are just two more weeks until the start of National Windsurfing Week 2011, an 8-day event which aims to raise the profile of windsurfing and introduce more people to this great sport. Billed as a ‘celebration of all things windsurfing’, the week will see windsurfing festivals, competitions and taster sessions happening across the country and it’s not too late for you to get involved.

Running 1-8 May 2011, National Windsurfing Week, now in its fourth year, is the perfect opportunity for first timers to get out on the water and give the sport a go, or if you sail more regularly look to develop your skills further.

Some of the events already scheduled for the week include; fundraising events for Windsurfing for Cancer Research in Birmingham, Torpoint and Hayling Island; beginner taster sessions in Northampton, Plymouth and Cornwall; open days in Bromsgrove, free lessons in Berkshire and Bedfordshire, as well as improver clinics in Berkshire and Cornwall. Check out the National Windsurfing Week website for a full list of events and locations.

Gillian Wright, RYA Windsurfing Development Officer and a key figure behind the week said: “It’s great that the windsurfing community has mobilized itself on such a big scale to promote the sport and I think it’s going to really help get windsurfing noticed. I hope that people will really make the most of it and come along to the events taking place across the country and have a go for themselves.

“But, as well as wanting to see a new crowd of people try windsurfing for the first time, I am also keen to see people on the water during National Windsurfing Week who may have considered themselves windsurfers in the past, but have perhaps neglected the sport over the years. It would be fantastic to see these people dusting off their kit and getting out on the water, joining in at their local venue and remembering what it is that they loved about windsurfing.”

The campaign also has the backing of Skandia Team GBR’s Nick Dempsey, National RS:X Windsurfing Champion, who officially launched this year’s event back in March at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show. Nick said: “Windsurfing is an amazing sport and National Windsurfing Week will give more people the chance to experience that for themselves. I think 2011 is going to be a great year for windsurfing!”

To find out how you can get involved in National Windsurfing Week and for a full events listing visit www.nationalwindsurfingweek.org