You’ve got the basics, you’ve got the gear, now you just need to get out there and sail, sail, sail. Aim to increase your confidence in terms of how far or how long you can sail for in one stretch, or in the percentage of turns you make successfully. Always turn over in your mind the basic instructions your coach gave you. Practice manoeuvrability by setting yourself an imaginary course and following it as closely as possible.
A common problem at this stage is the fear of getting hurt, usually by being thrown from your board or “catapaulted.” Most of the time, this problem can be avoided by using correct technique. Watch other, more advanced windsurfers in your patch to pick up tips on technique, and ask someone to watch you and provide feedback. Other problem areas are learning to jibe on your shorter board, and perfecting the water start. These are techniques that really just take time to master, so keep practicing to overcome the hurdles.
As time goes on, you might start thinking of branching into one of the specialised fields of windsurfing. Different boards are required for each of these, so most windsurfers (except those lucky enough to have a big budget) choose one and get really involved. Wavejumping on the ocean is becoming increasingly popular, but slalom racing (which you can do on rivers, lakes, or a reasonably flat ocean) is still a common pursuit. Freestyle windsurfing mixes aspects of both and adds a few tricks, making it a challenge for all. Whichever you choose, you’re giving yourself a great chance to spend time in the fresh air getting fit, so you definitely can’t lose.