WA
93 posts
Just wanted to share the love!
New to the windsurfing, I bought a cheapy board and rig after christmas and have been going out at every opportunity. I got planing and in the harness after the first week, in the footstraps by week three and just cracked the waterstart over the weekend. I have been giggling like a school girl every time I get flying across the water at warp speed, launching off the chop, and I re-live the thrill in my mind until I get to go out again. Yee Haahh!
It sure as hell beats yacht racing, which I have done for years. It takes all day, a big expensive boat and a coordinated crew....then to sit on a gunnel half the day waiting to do something...
the shadow
WA
260 posts
Welcome aboard Shadow,
If you dress up like a school girl too, I'm sure quite a few of the guys in here will share your love. They're not fussy.
(kidding)
Just wait. It only gets better!!!!!
Of course your biggest thrill will be 'hunting down' a yacht and blasting past 'em.
They hate that!
1116 posts
Schoolgirl? mmmmmmmmmmm...... (have to get over my school girl fetish, was OK when I was at school and had just left, but nealry 30 years on, and with a daughter who goes to school, I shouldn't even joke about it, but hate being PC so "school girls mmmmmmmmmmmm...")
Shandow, Welcome you sound hooked, windsurfing offers so much, yes there are lots of other great sports, but there is something very unique about WS. I've tried a number of sportz over the last 35 years, and have even experimented with a few sports in the last couple, as I felt too dependent on windsurfing, and while other sportz can be enjoyable, the energy and motivation just keeps returning to windsurfing. WS may just be a stepping stone to other sportz or you, or you may get the bug bad, and live and breathe it like some of us here do.
WA
54 posts
Mate once u tasted the sweet windsurf experience ur hooked for many lives!
Sounds like ur progressing at warp speed.... From now on u will be spending more time looking up at the trees to see what the wind is doing....ha ha...
How many people in this world have tasted planing on a sailboard...0.1%? 0.01%? 0.001%?
Whatever it is u can be damn happy ur one of the fortunate few who get to taste the thrill.... u just won the lottery...ha ha
As u can see I'm with u, windsurfing is the best....c yer...Paul.
WA
9106 posts
you bring a whole new meaning to "kite pants"
WA
9106 posts
but of course you do do them justice.....you make them look good
NSW
49 posts
Ha shadow, your story sounds familiar to me. Are you the one I lugged around every windsurf shop in Perth until we got the board and kit combo just right, then gently encouraged as you re-surfaced dazed from your unintentional forward loop attempts? Well done bro. Glad to hear you got your big bloody feet in the straps at last!
BTW credit to all the shops we visited for offering great beginner packages. I was amazed at the deals being offered to newbies, and the thought that went into getting the package right.
WA
93 posts
You got me matcham. Now I am hooked for sure...but you knew that would happen, didn't you?
I just hope you're still around after my girl, my work and everything else falls by the wayside as I become a slave to the 'doctor'.
And yes, my rig has been nothing short of excellent for me. But ofcourse I'll be back to the shops to get a smaller board real soon!
VIC
16 posts
Awesome stuff Shadow ! You BUGGER! grr lol I too started the sport just after new years. However my progress is more like a moped going up the side of mount everest. Ive had 1 lesson *the wife had one at the same time*
My progress so far is if theres no swell-chop I can tack one side and ALMOST tack the other... and thats about it. However rarely is there no swell or chop and if there is its back to the falling off to change directions whilst trying to tack.
Im curious on what size board your using and sail. I will admit I picked a slightly less than optimal board to start on *aero 117 & 5.2 sail* but I bought that with the understanding it might take me longer to master but get more use later on as im less able to upgrade through finances.
Either way I must admit Ive been able to surf-ride the waves on the way in and am having a blast. But credit where its due mate, you sound a natural at this :) Cant wait to get where your at, but not worried about how long as it takes, long as im having fun on the journey.
Cheers mate!
4paws.
WA
93 posts
Hey Fourpaws, I am a pretty big bloke (94kg) so I went for a 152litre board that floats me easily because I really wanted to break through that initial learning curve. I also got a fairly big sail (6.2m) that gets me going in light winds. The board was cheap because I had a feeling I'd either bust it or grow out of it quickly.
I must admit I had tried windsurfing once or twice about 3 or 4 years ago and I think the sailing knowledge helps with wind judgement and sail trim. In general I've been pushing it pretty hard, putting in the hours (over 25 on the water so far this year), and also catapulting and generally abusing myself in the process (broken the nose on the board pretty badly, countless bruises from wipeouts etc.) When I get tired & frustrated trying to learn something in particular I'll just have some fun and do a few easy runs. I'll just get going, do a nice long run, then ditch, uphaul and start again.
Like my bro says..'time on water' is the key. There's no avoiding it.
VIC
16 posts
Agree mate, you cant beat hours :) I try to put in at least 1 a day wind depending. I do however thing the biggest thing im learning atm is the sail trim, its one thing to know the theory its another thing entirely to apply it in changing conditions. Im having a ball and share your enthusiasim 100% mate. Its also nice to see in the forum a general sense of maturity and support. Not all sports are afforded this luxury.
Cheers 4paws.
NSW
47 posts
Ooh Mr Shadow,
Are you the same man that I saw SAWING the nose off his new board 48 hours after acquiring it?
Good on you! And send some of that Doctor over here so we can damn well get out in Sydney!
Bises
Benson
