Brian Talma smashing a peak!

Windsurfing action at Silver Sands

Windsurfing action at Silver Sands

Besides Hawaii, Barbados is one of the best wave windsurfing spots of the world. The chances of wind are high and the waves are perfect for jumping and wave riding in side-shore winds. Not only wave cracks, speed freaks but beginners as well will find dream conditions in the 27°C warm waters of the South Coast on this most easterly of the Caribbean islands.

The best time to spend your windsurfing vacation in Barbados is the period of time when the cooling trade winds blow with high consistency over the island's shores, namely from mid November until the end of June. But that does not mean the rest of the year couldn't be as good or even better. During the hurricane season, which starts in June and last all the way through to November all sorts of conditions are possible.

The trades usually blow at a moderate wind speed. Mostly used sails are 4.72 to 5.32. But it definitely does not mean you should leave your 4.52, 4.02 or even 3.52 at home.

The waves in Barbados are not as mighty and powerful as in Hawaii, although they can reach mast high and above. They are of excellent quality but still forgiving. Compared to Hawaiian waves, they are slower and not as powerful but as perfect to be good enough to let a top wave professional have a good time. On the other hand, wave beginners don't have to fear anything. Get information from a local before your first ride out and you will be just fine.

To describe Silver Sands in one sentence: it is a wonderful spot for beginners and top guys alike.

Our sailable reefs and the beaches are never overcrowded because it's just too big for that. The wind is almost always coming in from an easterly direction, which is perfectly side shore. That means on the South coast you are sailing with the wind blowing from your left when going out (port-tack) and in the North and East of the island it's the other way round.

For board rentals and spare parts Brian Talma's action shop at Silver Rock, the beach next to Silver Sands, is the first address. Club Mistral is also represented with two stations, one in Silver Sands and one in Oistins, where the water is flat and suits intermediate surfers and beginners.

From 1978 to 1991 Barbados had windsurfing conditions that were outstanding as far as wind and waves were concerned. From November to April, chances to sail your short board were in the area of 75% to 80%. In 1992, 1993 and 1994 nature taught us a good lesson, which should sink into every windsurfer's mind: there is nothing we can claim or take for granted. Enjoy when it's there, but still enjoy your time if it shouldn't be happening.

But in 1996 wind and waves were back and have been above average since. The conditions in 2002 and 2003 were very good. The trade winds started blowing early this season, letting us have some excellent days of wave sailing in November 2003 and reminded us with some calm and flat days over Christmas that we are dealing with nature. The New Year however brought consistent wind and waves and Silver Sands is proving again, as it does over and over again for many years now, that Barbados is a fantastic windsurfing destination.