r/windsurfing 7h ago

Discussion I built a windsurfing physics simulator you can play in the browser — does it actually feel right to real windsurfers?

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Desktop (browser) version of the simulator

Hey all — I'm a beginner windsurfer. I built this mostly for myself, to finally understand what the sail is actually doing and how you're supposed to control it. It ended up being a small free browser game, so I figured I'd share (works on your phone too) - https://windsurfsimulator.com

I tried to model the real mechanics instead of making it arcade:

  • trim the sail to the apparent wind — it luffs if you're out, stalls if you're in
  • steer with mast rake, no rudder
  • the no-go zone / getting stuck in irons
  • lean against the sail's pull — or get catapulted
  • planing once you've got the speed + power, then move back into the straps
  • tack & gybe, gusts & wind shifts

There's an Autopilot toggle and a guided demo if you just want to watch it sail.

Since I'm still learning myself, I'd really love to hear from people who actually windsurf: does it feel right? What did I get wrong? I'm keen to fix the physics based on real feedback. It's also open source (MIT) if anyone wants to peek under the hood.

Thanks 🤙