Windsurfing and Kiteboarding

Barbados is part of windsurfing's World Cup circuit. Winds are strongest November through April at Silver Sands–Silver Rock Beach, on the southern tip of the island, where the Barbados Windsurfing Championships are held in mid-January. Windsurfing boards and equipment, as well as instruction, are often available at larger hotels and sometimes can be rented by nonguests. Kiteboarding is more difficult, requiring several hours of instruction to reach proficiency; Silver Sands is about the only location in Barbados with kiteboarding equipment and instruction.

deAction Surf Shop. Directly on Silver Sands–Silver Rock Beach, Brian "Irie Man" Talma's shop stocks a range of rental surfing equipment and offers beginner windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing, and stand-up paddling lessons. Conditions 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.