And finally, don't forget your third party insurance - just in case you happen to collide with anyone! Everyone going afloat should have at least third party insurance cover which means that you are insured if you cause damage to someone else or their equipment. If you want to insure your own equipment as well (against damage or theft) then you should consider taking out more comprehensive insurance.

To help keep costs down, third party insurance is available FREE when you join the RYA as a windsurfing member; for children and students (aged under 21) membership only costs £12 and there is a family membership too (from £52 by direct debit).

For those children taking part in T15 inter-club challenges, it is a requirement that you are an RYA member. This also means that you won't have to worry about insurance cover since it's automatic when you join as a windsurfing member (make sure windsurfing is highlighted as your primary interest on the membership form and ideally join ahead of the event via your T15 club).

RYA membership offers around twenty specific benefits for windsurfing members; we have included what we consider to be the top five benefits for windsurfers - but you may disagree! To find out the full list of RYA membership benefits visit the RYA website and join online.

We would like to encourage as many people as possible to become RYA members so that we can increase our voice when it comes to fighting windsurfing and boating issues and defending your interests. We also need more members so that we can continue to expand the T15 initiative. In return there are a number of benefits provided to members:

This is included in your RYA membership when you specify windsurfing as you main boating interest. It covers you for £2,000,000 on inland and coastal waters of the UK and Europe, and up to 30 days in any one period of insurance worldwide.

RYA members are now able to save 15% off standard AA direct debit prices on vehicle based breakdown memberships.

Selected magazines offer RYA members a significant discount off their cover prices when you take out a 12 month subscription. Boards magazine are included in this offer.

RYA Members receive a 10% discount every time they buy books, CDs, videos or regalia from the RYA whether it be in person (at RYA House or at a boat show), by mail order, over the phone (0845 345 0372) or from the RYA Online Shop. In addition, all members receive RYA Magazine, a quarterly membership magazine free of charge.

RYA members can get a free windsurfing sail number by emailing windsurfing-competition@rya.org.uk

The above are what we believe might be the top five benefits for windsurfers although you may think some of the others are more to your liking. The RYA website details a full list of  current RYA membership benefits.