Windy work days have to be the worst!
So long as they last long enough for an evening session then it's not too bad.
Lots of French folks do lunch sessions too.

Manuel7 said..
What do you feel is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing today?

Interesting threads in windsurfing forums that are derailed by one-trick ponies with pet peeves, fragile egos and an insatiable need to be right...not thinking of anyone in particular.

Imax1 said..

philn said..

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.

I wonder if Sandy is the same in real life as he is on this forum ?

Hey, plenty of people complain about certain mfg masts that break, or foils that break, I am just pointing out problems with a shop. If you search my posts you will also see positive comments about North Beach based on my experience. Just pointing it out now after I met a second guy who was sold a mast that did not fit the boom or sail, did not mention the first guy from over 2 years ago until now because it was only one data point. After seeing the first guy struggling to make the "new" boom (correction, not a new mast) clamp on his mast I pointed out it did not fit, but he was convinced it would because he had been told it would!, fortunately he finally dug around in his truck and found an insert for the new boom that got it to work on his mast, the second guy did not have a boom head clamp insert, and did not know better, so his session was a comedy to watch from the shore.

So in keeping with the OPs title, shops that sell mismatched equipment make it frustrating for a beginner in particular to enjoy the sport. The second young guy has never been back, probably gave up.

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.

That must be pretty annoying indeed. Have you tried Severne Enigma booms with their masts? The Gorilla G2 masts have SLIPLOK preventing it from slipping but even with the older generation masts I've never had this issue with the Enigma booms so maybe worth a shot. Admittedly I'm fairly lightweight so not sure if that makes a difference.

Sandman1221 said..

Imax1 said..

philn said..

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.

I wonder if Sandy is the same in real life as he is on this forum ?

Hey, plenty of people complain about certain mfg masts that break, or foils that break, I am just pointing out problems with a shop. If you search my posts you will also see positive comments about North Beach based on my experience. Just pointing it out now after I met a second guy who was sold a mast that did not fit the boom or sail, did not mention the first guy from over 2 years ago until now because it was only one data point. After seeing the first guy struggling to make the "new" boom (correction, not a new mast) clamp on his mast I pointed out it did not fit, but he was convinced it would because he had been told it would!, fortunately he finally dug around in his truck and found an insert for the new boom that got it to work on his mast, the second guy did not have a boom head clamp insert, and did not know better, so his session was a comedy to watch from the shore.

So in keeping with the OPs title, shops that sell mismatched equipment make it frustrating for a beginner in particular to enjoy the sport. The second young guy has never been back, probably gave up.

OMF***ingG. Please block me

Man i love windsurfing. It has to be the best sport out there, and now that foiling is here, i can sail almost 365 days a year on some type of windsurfing gear. Theres only one problem, no-one will pay me to windsurf everyday, so i have to work a 9 to 5 to pay for all the gear coz apparently its made of diamonds or something. :P

PS: yes kiters are a nuisance because they tend to think that they own the water, having said that i've met some really great people that are kiters but the rest seem to be "look at me" types that think the world revolves around them. Also, compared to windsurfing its easy, so anyone can get into it and they often have no sailing background, and therefore have no concept of port and starboard or right of way rules. Best to stay right away from them wherever possible.

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 bet he then turned 50 and went out to buy a $20,000 carbon road bike.

lotofwind said..
"What is the most frustrating thing about windsurfing that keeps people from enjoying the sport?"

That the oldies that still do it say it's really hard and takes a lifetime of commitment to even get half good at it,
when it's actually quite easy.

That frustrates you? smh

For those with work or conditions issues...
Would you move for windsurfing?
Did you?
Do you wish you had?

Been sailing for 25 years+, the most frustrating thing is when a 15 year old flies past you on Slalom gear. think l'm getting slower in old age.

Manuel7 said..
For those with work or conditions issues...
Would you move for windsurfing?
Did you?
Do you wish you had?

Yes!

In fact, I'm in the middle of a move and proximity to good spots was a big factor. I just went out today, maybe one of my last times there, at a spot that I'm very familiar with. It can have good sea breezes but if they are not in the right direction there is chaotic nightmare chop. I didn't have an appreciation for how difficult this made riding a race foil until much later. Today was one of those days, wind shifted to generate the chop instead of getting blocked. I was getting in survival mode not flying fast, just trying to get home. Other gear would also have been a better choice. Found myself not being able to ride locked in and realized it would be forming bad habits and just turned home.

But where I am moving I will be 10-20min from a great flat water spot, another great foiling spot that's deep enough regardless of tide, and similar (if not shorter) distance to the big spots and a wave spot. I could have been closer to the main spots but I would have to compromise greatly on the size of the place I could get, etc. with the market being what it is. I've been fortunate enough to be close to the water for as long as I have though.

Previously, I lived near the Seattle area (the gorge was 3-4 hours away, never went there as a total newbie), and sailed on a lake. I never got fully planing but it did put the idea in my head to stay near the water on the next big move...

One of those days a couple years ago where the direction wasn't bad, I was really figuring a lot out but having a blast on a foil chasing sailboats there. I'll definitely miss it for that. It'll be too far out of the way to catch this particular boat race now.

So awesome! Many people on the spot, always a bit sketchy sailing alone.... Wonder how many great spots are left untouched but still with decent civilization distance!

the cost

Consistent conditions is for sure appreciated!
Interesting to note that no one(?) answered nailing the jibe or planing through them

Manuel7 said..
Consistent conditions is for sure appreciated!
Interesting to note that no one(?) answered nailing the jibe or planing through them

I was aiming for planing gybes in chop but I've lowered my sights to dry ones.