Windsurfing is a surface water sport that is a combination of surfing and sailing. It is also referred to as "sailboarding" and "boardsailing", and emerged in the early 1970s from the surf culture of California. Windsurfing had gained a following across North America by the late 1970s and had achieved significant global popularity by the 1980s.

Windsurfing is a recreational sport, most popular at flat water locations around the world that offer safety and accessibility for beginner and intermediate participants. The sport has two distinct interest groups, namely Racing and Riding, with many participants embracing both.

Professional World Titles are awarded for the overall winners from elite World Cup events around for Slalom, Wave and increasingly Foiling and Freestyle.

Amateur World Titles come in many forms with many differences classes and disciplines of windsurfing equipment. The major titles include course racing disciplines such as the original Windsurfer Class, the high speed long board Raceboard Class, the faster shorter board Formula Class, and the Olympics that will use the new Windfoiling Class for France in 2024. Amateur world titles are also offered for highest speed racing known as slalom.