The CWA started in the early 1990's as the Canterbury Windsurfing Association. As that name suggests, it was originally formed by and for windsurfers. In 2005 the name was changed to the Canterbury Windsports Association in recognition of the growth of kiting, and wider interest in wind sports on water, land and snow. Recent developments in foiling and wing-ing should see the CWA sail well into the future.