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What is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing that keeps people from enjoying the sport?

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Created by Manuel7 > 9 months ago, 18 Feb 2023
Manuel7
1247 posts
18 Feb 2023 1:48AM
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What do you feel is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing today?

Imax1
QLD, 4548 posts
18 Feb 2023 7:12AM
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Wind

aeroegnr
1495 posts
18 Feb 2023 5:23AM
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Windy days when I can't get out, no wind when I can, and all the retirees with no jobs getting out and rubbing it in.

decrepit
WA, 11882 posts
18 Feb 2023 6:11AM
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Rubbish forecast.
Plenty wind but no flat water.

powersloshin
NSW, 1656 posts
18 Feb 2023 9:50AM
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The others are faster than me

Brent in Qld
WA, 855 posts
18 Feb 2023 7:10AM
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My harness shrinks during winter and by the end of summer it's back to normal. I call it the good living paradox.

musorianin
QLD, 574 posts
18 Feb 2023 9:34AM
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aeroegnr said..
Windy days when I can't get out, no wind when I can, and all the retirees with no jobs getting out and rubbing it in.


Just about sums it up for me too . Highly weather dependent sport bound to have it's frustrations. But nothing like it when the stars align (as we all know)

Boston!
NSW, 248 posts
18 Feb 2023 10:59AM
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musorianin said..

aeroegnr said..
Windy days when I can't get out, no wind when I can, and all the retirees with no jobs getting out and rubbing it in.



Just about sums it up for me too . Highly weather dependent sport bound to have it's frustrations. But nothing like it when the stars align (as we all know)


As above but switching to foiling has alleviated this.

kato
VIC, 3347 posts
18 Feb 2023 11:14AM
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WORK

ptsf1111
WA, 151 posts
18 Feb 2023 8:25AM
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The gear is expensive and still somewhat fragile, you need at least 2 boards, 3 sails and it's difficult to transport because it's so bulky.

For people new to the sport, it can probably be frustrating that it takes years to reach intermediate level for most so many give up or never get there.

Ben1973
912 posts
18 Feb 2023 9:28AM
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Everything, it's the most frustrating sport out there

Mr Milk
NSW, 2890 posts
18 Feb 2023 12:38PM
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ptsf1111 said..
The gear is expensive and still somewhat fragile, you need at least 2 boards, 3 sails and it's difficult to transport because it's so bulky.

For people new to the sport, it can probably be frustrating that it takes years to reach intermediate level for most so many give up or never get there.


But American Intermediate level can be achieved by almost anybody quite quickly. Those advanced skills like gybing take more practice

sboardcrazy
NSW, 7924 posts
18 Feb 2023 1:39PM
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Wanting to be able to do decent gybes in chop but health issues and aging closing the window to learn.

Paducah
2462 posts
18 Feb 2023 11:28AM
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Mr Milk said..
ptsf1111 said..
The gear is expensive and still somewhat fragile, you need at least 2 boards, 3 sails and it's difficult to transport because it's so bulky.

For people new to the sport, it can probably be frustrating that it takes years to reach intermediate level for most so many give up or never get there.


But American Intermediate level can be achieved by almost anybody quite quickly. Those advanced skills like gybing take more practice


Not by Americans in my neck of the woods. The wind is tempermental and only blows during the week and the coldest of months. It takes an almost maniacal obsession with windsurfing just to get competent in a breeze if you only do it locally. I'm impressed by any locals that can stick with it long enough not to suck at it.

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aeroegnr said..
Windy days when I can't get out, no wind when I can, and all the retirees with no jobs getting out and rubbing it in.

One of the few benefits of getting old. Let us have at least this. Makes up for the aching joints, 3 am need to pee; and general feeling of existential dread and impending mortality.

philn
738 posts
18 Feb 2023 12:01PM
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Lack of waves is super frustrating

philn
738 posts
18 Feb 2023 12:02PM
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Any day the wind doesn't blow sucks.

stehsegler
WA, 3451 posts
18 Feb 2023 1:08PM
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Kiteboarders not looking before they jump, jibe, pull into a wave. it's almost like all have a stiff neck that prevents from looking over their shoulder.

duzzi
996 posts
18 Feb 2023 2:19PM
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Manuel7 said..
What do you feel is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing today?


I cannot find anything frustrating about it. Easy to carry in and out of the water, relatively easy to learn, very safe, it can be used in 0 to, say, 35 knots, and in most water and water access conditions, it gives sensations that range from the placidly serene (in 0 to 10 knots) to exhilarating (anything above), and it is the fastest vessel on the water.

Stop wining! For me it was love at first sight, back in 1982, and it has been the love of a lifetime of sailing.

len024
NSW, 116 posts
18 Feb 2023 6:59PM
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the forecast not being accurate (although it has been pretty good in the last 2 weeks)

Cuchufleta
129 posts
18 Feb 2023 6:22PM
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That's a tricky question. Personally I fel in love with windsurfing 40 years ago and never looked back. The sport has given me so much. I have formed friendships through windsurfing, the sport has taken me to some amazing places and I am still as passionate about it as when I started.

However, you need the right conditions and the right kit. There are alternatives now that look like fun and are easier to get the hang of. It's not always practical though. When I go for a bike ride, I can plan this, will know how long I will be out. With windsurfing, at least over here in the Netherlands, it mostly doesn't work like that.

Still: I love the sport and couldn't imagine a life without it!

jn1
2454 posts
18 Feb 2023 6:51PM
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Many years ago, I had a manager on 6 figures who was keen to take up Windsurfing. He talked up doing it for many months, until... he discovered how much equipment cost when he went to push the button.... This young single guy could easily afford it. But somehow, the cost rubbed him up the wrong way.

mob dog
NSW, 276 posts
18 Feb 2023 10:34PM
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Manuel7 said..
What do you feel is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing today?



Kitesurfers !

Manuel7
1247 posts
18 Feb 2023 9:14PM
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1. Kitesurfers
2. Wind
3. $$$

Didn't expect that order

Paducah
2462 posts
18 Feb 2023 9:31PM
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jn1 said..
$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Many years ago, I had a manager on 6 figures who was keen to take up Windsurfing. He talked up doing it for many months, until... he discovered how much equipment cost when he went to push the button.... This young single guy could easily afford it. But somehow, the cost rubbed him up the wrong way.


I used to think so too. I think we are in the opposite of the Goldilocks position - a bit of a low point in the saddle between cheap and expensive. Those who are very monetarily constrained think it's too expensive. Those with ample disposable income have no problem instead buying $70k wake boats, etc. There are a lot more of those by a long shot on our lake than windsurfers or even, probably, sailing craft. Similarly, there are more by a large amount more $4k wheelsets on $15k bikes than any type of wind gear- windsurf, wing or kite.

Sometimes, I think that the windsurfing industry or at least a subset would do well just by simply marketing itself as a premium product. North Sails may already be doing that. Make itself pricey and appeal to those who "simply want the best". There's always a niche for that in every industry.

Subsonic
WA, 2975 posts
18 Feb 2023 10:16PM
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I'm gonna keep it simple. Slipping boom clamps. I haven't owned boom that doesn't need bumping back up throughout a session.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
18 Feb 2023 10:51PM
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Subsonic said..
I'm gonna keep it simple. Slipping boom clamps. I haven't owned boom that doesn't need bumping back up throughout a session.


Used Weldwood contact cement to glue on truck tire inner tube rubber onto all three faces of the boom clamp, solved my problem!

Sandman1221
2776 posts
18 Feb 2023 11:02PM
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Commitment-it takes a lot especially in non-ideal locations, balance-an Indo Board helped with that, soreness after a session that can become chronic pain (forearm for me)-5 gr pure creatine before, and if needed after, every session solved that and increased my endurance during the session. A certain amount of athleticism is required-if someone does not think they have it probably will not stick with it. And do not forget good in person instruction on proper equipment can go a long way to improving faster.

Just saw a young guy (20's) trying to learn on equipment that was 30+ years old including a narrow board, cause it was cheap. And he needed a mast so bought one from North Beach Windsurfing and was told it would fit his ancient sail and boom, it did not! Second time I have seen that same problem from the same shop (boom head not fitting mast). So mismatched equipment is a big problem, even more so when you go to windfoiling. Now he had a lesson on good equipment that went well, and I can understand the cost issue, but have not seen the guy again.

So a good local shop that sells matched equipment is important, Sandy Point Progressive Sports has been that for me, and they repair the sails they sold me, big plus IMO!

Subsonic
WA, 2975 posts
18 Feb 2023 11:25PM
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Sandman1221 said..

Subsonic said..
I'm gonna keep it simple. Slipping boom clamps. I haven't owned boom that doesn't need bumping back up throughout a session.



Used Weldwood contact cement to glue on truck tire inner tube rubber onto all three faces of the boom clamp, solved my problem!


Or maybe they could design a boom clap that doesn't slip from the get go..

Sandman1221
2776 posts
18 Feb 2023 11:39PM
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Subsonic said..



Sandman1221 said..




Subsonic said..
I'm gonna keep it simple. Slipping boom clamps. I haven't owned boom that doesn't need bumping back up throughout a session.






Used Weldwood contact cement to glue on truck tire inner tube rubber onto all three faces of the boom clamp, solved my problem!





Or maybe they could design a boom clap that doesn't slip from the get go..




Sure, I have one boom like that real sticky rubber on the clamp faces never slips, another boom I have has harder rubber that slips especially in cold weather. The designer can tell the manufacturer what they want, but do not always get it.

It is not like a designer says, build me a boom with a head clamp that slips just to piss the buyer off.

philn
738 posts
18 Feb 2023 11:46PM
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Sandman1221 said..
Commitment-it takes a lot especially in non-ideal locations, balance-an Indo Board helped with that, soreness after a session that can become chronic pain (forearm for me)-5 gr pure creatine before, and if needed after, every session solved that and increased my endurance during the session. A certain amount of athleticism is required-if someone does not think they have it probably will not stick with it. And do not forget good in person instruction on proper equipment can go a long way to improving faster.

Just saw a young guy (20's) trying to learn on equipment that was 30+ years old including a narrow board, cause it was cheap. And he needed a mast so bought one from North Beach Windsurfing and was told it would fit his ancient sail and boom, it did not! Second time I have seen that same problem from the same shop (boom head not fitting mast). So mismatched equipment is a big problem, even more so when you go to windfoiling. Now he had a lesson on good equipment that went well, and I can understand the cost issue, but have not seen the guy again.

So a good local shop that sells matched equipment is important, Sandy Point Progressive Sports has been that for me, and they repair the sails they sold me, big plus IMO!


Clearly sandyballs has a personal beef that is not based in reality. North Beach Windsurfing is an awesome shop, and has always given me great advice.

t36
100 posts
19 Feb 2023 2:21AM
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Kreatin/creatine: be aware!

In people with a history of renal disease or those taking nephrotoxic medications, creatine may be associated with an increased risk of renal dysfunction.



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"What is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing that keeps people from enjoying the sport?" started by Manuel7