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Exercise harnessing the wind at Howard Park

All proceeds will fund park improvements, like a kayak trail and shade along the beach.

TARPON SPRINGS - If you've spent any time at the beach, you know about those birds that seem to skim the top of the water. They make it look effortless.

Now you can experience something similar.

"Everyone thinks this is a sport about strength," said Tarpon Springs windsurfer Siobhan Nehin. "It's not. It's about technique."

She and other experienced windsurfers will share their skills with others at the upcoming Learn to Windsurf Day at Fred H. Howard Park.

About 30 instructors will teach hour-long lessons Saturday. Most of them frequent the park for its shallow water.

"Most of the time if you fall off your board, you can stand," said Nehin, the event organizer.

Last year, more than 290 people learned to windsurf at two organized events.

"It felt empowering to try a sport that I'd seen younger, stronger and more athletic people do," said Kyle Pierson, 46, of St. Petersburg. "The idea is to get people my age out there."

Pierson said windsurfing didn't take as much strength as she thought it would, just a little in the upper body. She wasn't even sore the next day. Balance was the only problem.

Her first thought was, "Will I be able to stand up?"

She did.

"I was surprised at how fast I was going," Pierson said.

Instructors made sure she didn't go out too far and knew how to stop and turn around.

They will do the same things this year, but a little money will be involved. Last year's lessons were free, but this time each lesson will cost $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. As of Monday, organizers had 20 people signed up and were shooting for 100.

All proceeds will go to the Friends of Howard Park, a recently incorporated group raising money to make park improvements.

It will pay for things like a kayak and canoe trail, shade on the beach, and traffic circle refurbishment.

This is the group's first major fundraiser.

"It's not like bureaucrats saying we need this, it's a people thing," said Bruce Snyder, 47, president of Friends of Howard Park. The Tarpon Springs resident moved to the Bay Area from Buffalo, mostly for windsurfing.

"I'm a regular Howard Park windsurfer for about 10 years," he said. The event's lessons will be "like a window to this amazing sport."

The sport has changed over the years. Gone is the heavy equipment only a linebacker could lift.

Now, even kids can go for a ride with the lighter and more user-friendly gear.

"It was fun to feel the wind in my hair," said 11-year-old Hilary Pierson. She was 10 when she went with her mom Kyle to last year's event.

Hilary said she felt "kind of wobbly" at first, but after a few minutes, she was off and gliding.

"Some people are just naturals," Nehin said. "By the end of the hour, some will be able to turn, others will just go straight."

All that is needed is a little sense of adventure and water shoes. Life jackets are welcome if they add confidence, but leave the baggy clothes and tiny bathing suits at home.

"Real skimpy bathing suits tend to shift, so wear a little more," Nehin said.

Date: Saturday (Rain date is Sunday)

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Fred H. Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs

Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of event. Call Carol or Rick Lehman at (727) 937-0555 to register.

Ages: All invited.

Web site: www.fredhowardpark.org