And where is Alexandra aka Roxy777 ? Is the Aussie sense of humor too much sometimes? It would be great if more female sailors posted on Seabreeze. How many of us is there??

I suspect they are out there but not posting, only reading.

Susie said...

I suspect they are out there but not posting, only reading.

Susie I'm posting on behalf of Binny, and she says she's just too busy, too many responsibilities, that forum posting is a luxury that she would enjoy but can't afford.

You gotta remember she's in a relp with me

There's nothing stopping women from joining and posting, 99% of posts are non gender specific and just apply to all windsurfers. There's no devision between the sexes and why would there be? Everything that applys to men applys to women, it's the same sport.
Windsurfing isnt a very popular sport compared to many others so thats probably why we dont see more women windsurfers.
If your a women windsurfer and you want more women out there then try to encourage your friends to try it.
I think I've seen about 4 women widsurfers in the last 7 years, no joke!

Nearly all the guys I've seen teaching the GF in the last 5-7 years have done so in often the worst possible way: way too high booms, on way too small boards, in worst possible conditions - strong wind, off-shore, etc.

Almost as if they really didn't want them to learn...

Wet Willy said...

There are HEAPS and HEAPS of girl windsurfers in Singapore. And new ones are taking courses every week. From teenagers right through to women in their 50s.

And some wives and girlfriends of windsurfers have been learning...I suppose they just gave up; they realised they're doomed to spend every weekend of their lives at the beach waiting for wind; may as well join in.

I'd be there in a flash if there was any wind.

I’m here a bit, but only post occasionally. Mainly because I’m really a beginner and windsurf so rarely that I have nothing of substance to contribute.

But I love Seabreeze – it makes me feel part of the WS community, even if I don’t know you guys or get out there much. Reading all the windsurfing stuff is educational for me, for the odd occasions I do get out to sail, and all the general crap is just so entertaining. You guys are a hoot.

I have made the odd post in the past, in response to some girly picture or sexist remark, but that's just me demonstrating my own sexuality and having a bit of fun. I get where you’re coming from.

Unfortunately the kids and my business make it really difficult for me to get on the water, so it will be a long time before I learn to windsurf well. I think I’ll just have to accept the fact that time restraints mean I’ll never get really good at it, which was my original goal when I got my gear 18 months ago, and very much goes against the grain. But, I’ll have to be happy with just the occasional social sail for fun. ….maybe I’ll have more time when the kids are a bit bigger…..

Mobydisc said...

pierrec45 said...

, in worst possible conditions - strong wind, off-shore, etc.

It sounds pretty windy where you live. The wind in Sydney is normally perfect for learners, light breezes. There is a nice place to learn windsurfing at the southern end of Pittwater but it only works at high tide, when a sandbar is flooded. Lots of people take their dogs there so I call it Dog Bay. The water is about 50cms deep with clear water over the white sand.

No it's not very windy here (inland N.A.), but it's as if some guys chose this particular windy time to teach people... Again, as if they didn't want...

I'm from Sydney, long story. Yes I remember couple of places on Pittwater Rd on the way to Church Pt for northeasters. For learners on a N-E, best is still Narrabeen, and Balmoral for "added value". Balmoral is nice and quiet on sunday morning, perfect. Those are safe, on-shore summer winds. Also Sanderingham Beach for 'southerners'.

Wind there: Sydney used to be a lot windier and predictable in the 80s. Started dying off early 90s, to where we're at now - flaky, unpredictable. For Pete's sake, there are S-W winds in the summer now. Sad.

surfinchick said...

I’m here a bit, but only post occasionally. Mainly because I’m really a beginner and windsurf so rarely that I have nothing of substance to contribute.

(...)

Unfortunately the kids and my business make it really difficult for me to get on the water, so it will be a long time before I learn to windsurf well. I think I’ll just have to accept the fact that time restraints mean I’ll never get really good at it, which was my original goal when I got my gear 18 months ago, and very much goes against the grain. But, I’ll have to be happy with just the occasional social sail for fun. ….maybe I’ll have more time when the kids are a bit bigger…..

Great introspection. Being good at it should not be of such a great importance. Having fun going out should be.

About kids being young and business: it's not a restraint, it's a choice.

Personally, I always found a way to drag my kids at windsurfing, with some help from the missus and lots of compromise. Well, tons really. Ditto business: I made different decisions that were closer to my personal interests and kids, than business and career crap. I'm just a bit poorer now for it, that's all.

Hope you get your turns at windsurfing, enjoy !

i'm always on but only post if i need to.

HE'S BACK

Where ya been stewie??

Stewie said...

I'm trying to get Aunty Angela out there. She is 65 and has not been in the ocean since the Mediterranean back in the 60's she reckons.

I think everyone should teach a favourite Aunt to windsurf. This could be the summer of old ethnic ladies windsurfing. That's funny, I could see my Aunt Angela getting yelled at, getting in the way at all the busy windsurf places, I suppose I'll have to teach her to yell out, Starboard, Starboard.

Might try to teach her this weekend if it is not too windy.

Is she a Greek momma Stewie? I thought they were pretty rigorously attached to their strictly defined roles as women. Wouldn't windsurfing be out of character? You know, virgin marriages, cooking, kids, shopping, housework n loveless misery is hardly in the spirit of windsurfing.

I am here . Was in Queensland for the weekend. And I just hope wind will be good tomorrow. I have seen wind is supposed to be strong tomorrow (hopefully not too strong..... ) so I guess we will be out tomorrow

My wife got to the stage where she could water start but then saw a dolphin in the Lancelin bay (she wasnt convinced it was a dolphin fin). I dont think she ever went again. My eldest son (now 18) can jybe and uphaul but seems more interested in other things now.

Just the other day I went sailing at 5PM and was remembering the years when I had to be home to help bath the kids at at 6:30 Seems (is) a long time ago but it was worth it. Still managed to sail lots but for a few years there had to compromise.

I think pushing too hard is the thing that has put the rest of my family of the most, the kids seemed to enjoy using the big board I had as a balancing log more than trying to sail on it !

But remember its never too later, once the kids are at school there's a lot more time available, and work to live not live to work.

A GPS has helped now I can blame the "team" for making me go, I cant let them down.

Susie said...

And where is Alexandra aka Roxy777 ? Is the Aussie sense of humor too much sometimes? It would be great if more female sailors posted on Seabreeze. How many of us is there??

I found her


(it's Germaine Greer)

God wouldn't it be GREAT if Germaine posted here.
In the flesh she is formidable but I think, in writing, she would be less intimidating.
Germaine and Smooch would make an unbeatable team. They would make mincemeat out of us. Ahhh the glorious prose, the thud of figurative kicks in the gonads, the cries of despair.

Could life be any better than that?