i dont get it, kiting appears to be so much funner, is there some things in windsurfing that are better than kiting or are they just stubborn?

HC1 is so right. I try to do both and they are both great fun. Windsurfing is way more technical while you can improve really quickly in Kiting...just look at the numbers doing each.

the funny thing is dustin,

you just don't get it!

they windsurf cozzzz there GAY!!!!

There pole dancers

sooo true!!

I have to admit that I was watching the sailboards floundering around inside the break at Wanda recently and was wondering the same thing, and I used to windsurf every day I could. And as for showing off its used to be all about speed and tricks as well. Its funny but I didnt take up kiting because I thought that it didnt look like much fun, that was back about 5-10 years ago when most kiters were learnign and getting tea bagged around the bay. These days I know better!

There are some pros, Sailboards, they go a bit faster, but you need more wind, the feeling is very similar when your on the plane, but there is no hang time, its safer in that you cant really get hurt, certainly no lofting, I did break a toe in Maui falling on the board after a jump off a wave. As for gusty squalls, if you have too much sail up its still too much, but you can just sit it out above the water, and you never have to swim back and never loose a board, you just roll the sail and paddle in. Best of all is that you can go out in the pouring rain and it doesnt matter that much. Worst is the amount of gear and the big board and uphauling before learning to water start.

I forgot about the effort it takes to cary the bastard back up from the beach after a long session, the rust stains on my bonnet from the salt water dripping off the board and how you carry your board down first and then the rig so nobody nicks your board from the car park.

ahh the good old days.

Chalk and cheese... if you have to ask you will never know.

There are very few people around who kite who have ever sailboarded well enough to be able to compare.

Wavesailing offers faster harder turns, bigger harder smacks, more use of the wave power, generally a lot more skill and experience to do well .....something you can not understand if you can't do it.

Kiting offers bigger floating jumps, more variety of jumps (unhooked etc.), faster learning curve (hence you can feel like an almost instant hero), easier to get through bigger waves in light gusty winds, more time on the water due to lower wind constraints, fit your gear in poxy little cars, easier to carry gear up beach if you are a weener,......

8 ft+.... if it was all about how easy it is to get out the back then surfing would be obsolete and everyone would ride a goat boat.

Jeff

There Happy ......

Fitzy Gold Coast OZ

Im not a big fan of freestyle windsurfing or slalom but in the waves...nothing beats it. Having seen some of the riders from over east up in the north west tearing it up (all 13 of them ), its safe to say that we kiters will soon be, or maybe even are, competitive.

This topic is "gay"

@ Yousurf,

A large proportion of our students last year and this year are surfers attracted by the way guys are riding surfboards in the waves, so they don't all think kiting is "lame", on the contrary, most have been watching kitesurfing for years and are starting to see potential.

@ echostorm,

I agree with you, dumb topic. Both sports are really good fun and should be appreciated for what they are, both individual forms of freedom and expression.

Wave riding on a sailboard is still very cool, especially at Margies or if you've ever seen Scotty McKercher or Pat Redman ride at Gnaraloo.

Kite "Surfing" is still in it's infancy and will progress a long way yet. Windsurfing didn't look that great 6 years into it's development either.

Stop putting this divide between the sports, many of us original crew used to do both, and some still do. Just ride what you ride and be happy about it and respect others rights to ride and enjoy what they like. Respect is cool!

Dumb topic,

Lets just respect other people's choices... *smiles*

People prefer various things for a numerious number of reasons and whatever does it for one person, might not do it for another person. It's just how it works...

Goodwinds [}:)]

Surfers surf best
Sailboards fastest
Kiters highest

Its best not to compare further or your sport could be slotted behind boogers and goat boats, ohh the shame.