Aruba's world-class windsurfing conditions attract competitors from around the world every June for the Hi-Winds World Challenge, one of the region's most popular windsurfing competitions and the only Professional Windsurfing Association Grand Prix event in the Caribbean. Wind speeds on the island are best in May, June, and July, when they average 20 to 25 knots, and calmest from September through November, when they range from 10 to 20 knots.
The area around Malmok Beach and Hadicurari, or Fishermen's Huts, is the most popular windsurfing spot on the island. Sailed by novices and pros alike, it features slightly gusty offshore winds, minimal current, and moderate chop. The water is shallow more than 60m (197 ft.) out from the shore. Boca Grandi, on the extreme eastern coast, is for advanced and expert wave sailors only. The very strong current here moves out to sea, and on-shore waves rise from 1 foot to mast high on the outer reefs. Around the island's eastern tip, the calmer waters of Rodger's Beach are excellent for beginner and intermediate windsurfers. Offshore winds are moderate, the current is slight, and the waves have negligible chop. If you are in moderately good health, with a modicum of balance and an ounce of determination, you can probably catch on in under an hour. This is definitely the place to learn -- beginners are issued a board the size of a banquet table (read: stable) with a sail the size of a cocktail napkin (read: slow), meaning you will be up and cruising in no time.
Most windsurfing operations cluster around Malmok Beach, where equipment rental averages $35 to $40 for 2 hours, $45 for half a day, and $55 to $60 for a full day. Two-hour beginner lessons with equipment are about $50; 6-hour introductory courses are $135. Operators include Aruba Active Vacations, L. G. Smith Blvd. 486 (tel. 297/586-3940; www.aruba-active-vacations.com); Aruba Sailboard Vacations, L. G. Smith Blvd. 462 (tel. 297/586-2527; www.arubasailboardvacations.com); and Vela Windsurf, at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (tel. 800/223-5443; www.velawindsurf.com). Like any good college, Vela has prodigious course listings; its offerings include Intro to Harness Use -- Da Cool Stance and Modern Science of Body Drags. Aruba Boardsailing Productions, Aruba Sailboard Vacations, and Vela are windsurf specialists -- a good bet for novices.
