Tauranga Windsports Inc club co-founder Chantelle Laurent wants everyone to join her in her happy place.

For the long-time windsurfing enthusiast, that’s flying across the water in Tauranga Harbour.

“Kulim Park is such a safe place for beginners to try out the sport,” says Chantelle. “You can’t get blown out to sea and the water where we teach newbies is shallow enough to touch the bottom.”

TWI Club hosts an open day for the public each year to give more people a chance to try windsurfing and attract new members to the club.

Today, Saturday, January 20, from 11am at Kulim Park, volunteers of TWI Club will be offering free lessons, free learner gear and a free sausage sizzle for anyone interested in having a go.

“It’s just such a great thing to do. I’m a much nicer person when I’ve been out on the water,” laughs Chantelle.

“It was actually one of the reasons I moved to the Bay [of Plenty] 20 years ago. We have this amazing harbour right on our doorstep.”

In particular, Chantelle hopes the sport will appeal to mums and dads who could do with a stress-relieving hobby.

“Cadets can join our club for $80/year which gives them full access to all our learner and intermediate gear as well as lessons or coaching when they want. A lot of people have tried Stand up Paddleboarding and then they try this, which has more speed and is way more fun.”

Those who have learned how to windsurf, often progress on to foiling and wing foiling.

“I’ve moved to foiling because I want to keep windsurfing into my 70s and 80s,” says Chantelle. “Foiling is easier on the body and you can go out in lighter winds.”

Chantelle says the club’s Open Day is a safe way to get introduced to the sport of windsurfing.

“We have a simulator to teach standing on the board, sailing, turning and stopping, and then we will get you out on a very floaty board with a super light sail to have a go on the water. We’ll have plenty of volunteers to give tips out on the water too,” says Chantelle.

“Our goal is to support the growth of all windsports in our region by making it as easy as possible for people to get to the level where they’d like to buy their own gear. We have this amazing harbour with plenty of wind perfect for sailing sports. Why not give windsurfing a try?”

Tauranga Wind Sports’ Open Day where you can learn to sail for free begins 11am, Saturday, January 20 Kulim Park.

Rash shirt or wetsuit and sunscreen recommended.