It was after our second windsurfing holiday together - actually, our honeymoon in Cabarete, a popular windsurfing resort in the Dominican Republic - that I realised windsurfing was going to be a big part of my life. And when I unwrapped my Christmas present to discover a Starboard Go board, I realised my windsurfing days sitting on the beach watching my husband were over. Sure I could have taken the board back and gone and bought a really nice frock, but heck, if hubby gets so much pleasure out of this sport, why can't I. Windsurfing widow, no way, I was going to master this giant flutter board and enjoy our weekends.

Initially when Brett decided to get into the windsurfing/formula series, I wasn't too happy about the prospect of all our weekends being taken up with the sport. After all, I had suffered the experience of being a sailing widow, and that was no walk in the park, believe me. Actually, walk in the park was all I could do. He would spend an hour rigging up, disappear out to the harbour, out of sight for four hours. De rigging for another hour, then home. Not a lot of social life, no other sailing wives to talk to.

The windsurfing series actually took us out of Sydney proper, and what a pleasure Hawks Nest and Jervis Bay are. Glorious sandy beaches, clear clean water, safe windsurfing for learners, and some fun. We now spend Christmas and New Year holidays at these places along with numerous non-windsurfing friends.

I am one of the 'team' now, as is Karen, who is on the verge of racing, Vicky, who is ready to hook in, Josie-anne who is learning on a Kazoo and Fiona. Fiona who is racing but also helps with starting and finishing races, and even supplies a great barbecue. And let's not forget Vegas our dog, she comes to all the regattas and shows her support.

Socially, we have a lot of fun taking over local pubs. We even had an end of season dinner at the Hawks Nest golf club. Photo evidence of which is available.

When the wind doesn't kick in, we have outdoor cricket and other games to play, some of the girls and boys go for a cycle.

The end of season is nigh, and as much as I am looking forward to getting some of my weekends back, (Brett has a nice wetsuit, he will still windsurf), I will miss the action of seeing Mike win all the time, catching up with the other widows and of course, kicking up the dance floor with everyone at the golf club.

All in all, not a bad sport and series to be involved in. And as for my windsurfing, I can now hook in and have my feet in the back straps. Helicopter tack next.

Cheers from Evelyn, windsurfing widow to Brett Morris.