SA
23 posts
I have been Sailing and windsurfing most of my life and a few years ago took up Kiteboarding love all them all. and made good friends all round, no offence to anyone in particular but l don't understand why there is such an attitude between the two disciplines of wind powered sports,where is the Aussie spirit, like a simple gooday as you pass on the beach? have alot of respect for the skill needed to windsurf to a reasonabe standard and enjoy watching them blast at Bower Rd on my way home from a kite? understand that the word attitude may be harsh but reasonable from what l see.
SA
112 posts
I must say I am a bit confused myself at the attitude.
Lost my board one day and a sailboarder said 'saw your board about 300m out' wouldn't you pick the bl**dy thing up.
Surely you help out fellow water users, just enjoy the water I think.
Jim
SA
16 posts
I dont understand it either. I spent 20 years windsurfing before kitesurfing came along. Windsurfing to me was what kitesurfing is now. I loved it and I can see why the guys that do it love it. When I first started kitesurfing I took an massive back step to learn and almost gave up but glade I didnt. I am a friendly guy and will chat to windsurfers while they rig on the beach/car park. Before it was banned at Bower rd I used to go out there and the was one windsurfer with a blue sail that has allot of attitude. Once he came up to me and started waving so I waved back only to find out on the next tack he was yelling abuse. (This guy still windsurf there and others have also had run ins). Most windsurfers are friendly so I am not judging by this one. I reckon this guy is just pissed that kitesurfers are faster, jump higher and are robbing him of his show off rights.
SA
23 posts
Yep, it's a shame the ban is at Bower for Kite's, still lot's of other great spots around, l was doing a downwinder from Bower to Larges a few months back and some freak on a Windie yelled some abuse when passing, not sure why but the water is for us all to use and enjoy Mate, there are a few windsurfers that sail at larges it's great to sail with them,makes me feel like having a ride?
SA
233 posts
I think you will find that most of the guys that windsurf have either tried or can actually kite well. I personally have windsurfed for over 20 years but still have respect for kiters especially those that push their limits on the water. Don't worry about the angry blue sail, he even gets pissed off at other windsurfers . He's just a grumpy old man these days.
TAS
156 posts
I'd be angry if I had to carry all that gear to the water and couldn't boost.
SA
23 posts
On that note, you Probably hit the nail on the head? the reason l took up kiteboarding was it was it's so much fun to hit a big swell and glide off the lip somthing l never got good at in all the years of windsurfing, but l was a bit of a flat water wimp, lol boggy lake hero of days gone, head to Adelaide on a 35knot westerly and crash and burn most of the day and get stuck under the sail,lol... bring it on with the kite gear love it? Plus carring your windsurfing gear down the beach Sucks, over that.
QLD
1287 posts
I along with Batesy have done, and still do, both windsurfing and kiteboarding.
There's a tonne of reasons why certain people stick with some and not others.
Now living in Sydney, I've found the windsurfing conditions far better, but if i was still in Adelaide, i would probably kite more.
The long progression factor of windsurfing also deters many, and steers more towards kiting.
The question at hand is not as simple as many think and there are again many reasons for each.
Windsurfers have been around a lot longer and when kiters show up at your local demanding respect can make the issue worse.
But for the most of it, windsurfers and kiters do ride in peace together.
If you look out for others, then they will look out for you.
pretty easy.
SA
23 posts
Wow thanks fletch, makes me chuckle when l hear everyones thoughs well l was probably on my windi when you where still on the boobie lol, but all comments aside, there are some that strut the beach like they own it in all sports and probably don't deserve a mention, but like l said simple gooday is a starter, everyday beach goers say hello, pissed and stoned people say hello why are windies so slow to befriend the humble kitefreak?
QLD
1287 posts
i don't get it either Pete.
but having started windsurfing first and then taking up kiting, when the sport was super young in SA, I've heard and seen all sorts of B.S.
we are all there to make the most of the wind.
enjoy it while it lasts.
SA
23 posts
Spot on Fletch. it's there for all of us, respect and enjoy help out all disciplins where you can and keep safe.. had my say topics near dead? LOL enjoy the rest of the summer good wind in SA at the moment..
