Even Republicans do it

Long after the 2004 election campaign ads are forgotten, windsurfing will remain, stronger than ever. This once sidelined sport has gained unexpected and unprecedented popularity, and not just because of its innate challenge -and the rewards of planning over surf at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Improvements in windsurfing technology are perhaps the real reasons behind the rush to the water. A few years ago just keeping yourself and the sail out of the water was no mean feat. Back then a board measured more than 12 feet long, but gave you a mere 2 feet to stand on, and that usually a hard, slippery surface which let you slide gracelessly into the surf over which you were supposed to fly. Today a typical windsurfing board is usually less than 10 feet but gives you 3 feet of padded surface to balance on. And all this for something around $1500, wind and water thrown in for free.

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