Here is a complete list of the 5 levels of windsurfing skills: Longboard….Shortboard….Shortboard (Waves)

Longboard

CRUISING
OLYMPICS
DAGGERBOARDS

 

Level 5: Pro

  • Sails in all conditions.
  • Excels in one or all: freestyle, course racing or cruising.
  • Rarely falls on tacks and jibes.

Level 4: Expert

  • Can sail in challenging conditions.
  • Use harness, footstraps, mast track and centerboard.
  • Proficient at rigging and tuning.
  • Completes 75% of tacks and jibes. Waterstarts easily.

Level 3: Advanced

  • Sails in limited local conditions.
  • Uses harness 75% of time; uses the footstraps occasionally.
  • Can complete 50% of tacks and jibes.

Level 2: Intermediate

  • On board more than off.
  • Occasionally uses harness; starting to move back toward footstraps.
  • Initiating jibes and tacks.

Level 1: Novice

  • Sails on reach without tether.
  • Tacks for most turning.
  • Learning how to use body leverage for control.

Beginner: 6-8 Knots

  • Sails in controlled environment with supervision.
  • Can self-rescue.

 

Shortboard

GIANT SLALOM
SLALOM

 

Level 5: Pro

  • Sails in all conditions.
  • Excels in one or all: downwind slalom, course slalom or cruising.
  • Rarely falls on transitions.
  • Has repertoire of jibes.

Level 4: Expert

  • Sails in challenging conditions.
  • Uses harness, footstraps, and multiple fins.
  • Proficient at rigging and tuning.
  • Completes 75% of tacks and jibes.

Level 3: Advanced

  • Sails in limited local conditions.
  • Uses harness 75% of time; uses front footstraps.
  • Jibes for transitions.
  • Waterstarts easily.

Level 2: Intermediate

  • Can keep board on a reach.
  • Can hook in and out of harness with ease.
  • Waterstarts 50% of the time.
  • Can move back on board in search of straps.

Level 1: Novice

  • Sails short distances.
  • Tacks for all turning.
  • Waterstarts with feet touching the ground.

 

Shortboard

WAVES BUMP & JUMP

 

Level 5: Pro

  • Sails in all conditions.
  • Excels in one or all: wave performance, bump and jump or shortboard freestyle.
  • Has repertoire of transitions.

Level 4: Expert

  • Sails in challenging conditions.
  • Uses harness 100%.
  • Jumps and rides big surf.
  • Has repertoire of transitions.

Level 3: Advanced

  • Sails in limited local conditions.
  • Uses the harness 75%.
  • Uses front footstraps.
  • Jumps and surfs faces of small surf.
  • Jibes 50% of the time.

Level 2: Intermediate

  • Can sail through small surf.
  • Clears water on most jumps and lands.
  • Hooks in and out of harness with ease.
  • Uses waterstart 180s for turning.
  • Waterstarts easily.

Level 1: Novice

  • Sails through chop.
  • Waterstarts with feet touching the ground.