Windsurfing in Barbados

deAction Surf Shop. At his shop, directly on Silver Sands-Silver Rock Beach, Brian "Irie Man" Talma stocks a range of rental surfing equipment and offers beginner windsurfing, kiteboarding, and surfing lessons taught by a professional team of instructors. The conditions here are ideal, with waves off the outer reef and flat water in the inner lagoon. Kiteboarding, which isn't easy, generally involves six hours of instruction broken up into two or three sessions: from flying a small kite to getting the body dragged with a big kite to finally getting up on the board. All equipment is provided. Silver Sands-Silver Rock Beach, Silver Sands, Christ Church. 246/428-2027. www.briantalma.com.

Barbados is on the World Cup Windsurfing Circuit and is one of the prime locations in the world for windsurfing. Winds are strongest November through April at the island's southern tip, at Silver Sand-Silver Rock Beach, which is where the Barbados Windsurfing Championships are held in mid-January. Use of boards and equipment is often among the amenities included at larger hotels; equipment can usually be rented by nonguests.