This book has been a right old labour of love. It was commissioned back in 2002. That winter I had the bright idea of going off to write it in Maui. Installed in windsurfing HQ and bombarded by all the right influences I would surely break the back of it in a couple of months. The plan was to get up early and write 2000 words a day - only then would I allow myself to go sailing. All was going swimmingly until after 10 days we moved into a condemned studio on the beach at Camp 1 (it infringed the Tsunami regs and was due to be torn down). Then the problems started. Our neighbour was Neil Pryde tester Jimmy Diaz who had as houseguests, Ricardo Campello, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Diony Guadignino and Josh Stone. On the dot of eleven a.m. (the earliest windsurfers are allowed on the water), one or all of them would bang on the window and gesture to the ocean. I would make a 'go away can't you see I'm working' gesture but after 10 minutes of being forced to watch them splash about in amazing conditions, my resolve melted and I would dash out and join them 'for a quick one'; and then return four hours later too knackered to walk let alone construct coherent sentences.  I even tried turning the table round so I had my back to the ocean. The problem was that the wind and waves were perfect and relentless for 2 months. I did manage to slip back into something of a routine but then Whitey came to stay and that was that.

Anyway six months, 3 deadlines and a few gallons of midnight oil and finally the last 't' was crossed. I would like to think there's something in it for everyone. There are separate chapters on:

• The Basics - understanding the wind, equipment, the art of balance, developing a solid style, getting going, steering and turning, the beachstart.
• Harness and Footstraps - handling more wind and power and getting easily onto the plane
• The Waterstart
• Sailing a smaller Board
• Gybing - pivot gybes and a complete detailed dissertation on the CARVE GYBE!
• Key Manoeuvres - the small board planing tack, duck gybe and slam gybe.
• Sailing on the Sea
• Wave Riding and Jumping
• Freestyle
• Windsurfing Competitions

To get hold of a copy:

• Order online from www.crowood.com - next day delivery
• Check out your local windsurfing store - most have it and if they don't ask them why not!
• For a signed copy!! Send me a cheque (made out to Peter Hart) for £15 to 2 Rose Cottages, Woodmancote, Emsworth, PO10 8RD along with your mailing address and I'll send you a copy by return. Also tell me you who you'd like it dedicated to.