Just like any other passion, windsurfing creates its own way of looking at the world, nature and everything else. Windsurfing is a way of living.
This was confirmed by the five-time world windsurf champion Rhonda Smith, who is spending some time at Lago Arenal to teach in technique improvement clinics.
Windsurfing has always been my life, and it has had many positive effects for me because it not only shapes your body, but also your mind and soul. It is feeling light and relaxed, thinking about nothing else but the wind against your body and keeping all your feelings inside," she said.
She has been practicing this sport since she was 17 years old, and is currently an instructor in the United States. She has won 30 tournaments around the world but remains humble and simple, and wishes to share her knowledge, so that everyone can fully enjoy the pleasures of windsurfing. Since her daughter was born three years ago, she has been juggling her life between raising a baby and windsurfing.
She declared herself happy at Arenal:
The place is a jewel: it is located away from the noise of the city, fast foods... the wind is flexible and it permits the development of many techniques. The pure air combined with the different scenarios staged by the mountains and the sun can place anybody's soul at ease."
Another factor in favor of the lagoon is the warm weather, which makes getting into the water into a very enjoyable experience. "It doesn't matter how much it may cost, it's worth the effort to come to a place where the warmth of the sun is not only present in the weather, but also in its people."
Rhonda also explained that it isn't always ideal to have a 70 km/hr wind; the best thing is to have flexible winds like those at Arenal, because this lets you practice different techniques, and sooner or later gives you what you've been waiting for, from quiet navigation to something more exciting.
Whoever needs a change in their life, to stop being lonely, bored or stressed, can just leave their problems behind by going for the wind. Give yourself a chance," said Smith.
This point of view is shared by Johannes Bornemisza, a young Costa Rican who has been practicing the sport for 10 years.
Windsurfing is not only an excellent and relaxing sport that you can enjoy to the limit, it also teaches you some basic rules of life, like the fact that you can't go against the wind; that you have to learn to respect and enjoy nature at the same time. Every time you get into the water you live a brand new experience and learn something different, and it also teaches you how to make your best with the available resources.
For Bornemisza one of the most rewarding things is to be totally in contact with nature and to show through persistence that you can break barriers with discipline and practice.
His first falls into the water took place at Charrarra, a small lake in the province of Cartago. After that he continued practicing at Arenal.
In the beginning it's tough, just like everything else in life, because it's a matter of strength and keeping your balance; then you reach a level in which you start enjoying the landscape and the wind", he said.
Wind guaranteed
"At this time of the year the wind is guaranteed" said Panamanian Lucas Zarak and his friends when asked why they came to Arenal for windsurfing.
We come here every year because we know we'll get strong action. It's the best place to be at this time of the year. We've been coming here for 10 years now and it's always just as good; we also love the local environment and the landscape", he said.
Zarak and his group of friends travel from lake to lake and beach to beach looking for excitement and opportunities to develop their techniques. The constant strong wind of the lagoon is critical in this quest.
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