Why do I windsurf?

As a famous mountaineer said when asked why he climbs mountains, "if you have to ask the question, you wouldn't understand the answer".
Also, it's that "planing feeling" (said to tune of some song I can't remember - maybe "loving feeling"?)

Why did I start? I wanted to try it but at the time (many years ago) there was nowhere you could get lessons in QLD. My mum suggested I buy one so I did... a Bombora Funboard complete with the heaviest 6m sail and tie-on boom (called a wish-bone back then), and an instruction book... you couldn't get much better than that in those days! Well... I spent one afternoon uphauling and falling off with my dad reading the instructions from the bank of Lake Samsonvale. Good old dad even sailed out in the family Heron to tow me back to shore. I was in agony the next day but having bought that #$@% equipment I couldn't just quit. Best investment I ever made! Got my brother addicted as well.

Why do I still do it? There's just something about that feeling that makes you want to drop everything to go windsurfing. I've even given up dates with very attractive (but unfortunately non-windsurfing) guys because the wind was cranking and I needed my fix . And you guys think you have it tough!

Coz it's gives me a kick and with surfing it's the perfect combination when you want to be out there all the time.

Cheers

René

i dont think its a simple answer,for me i worked ,lived played in the ocean all my life so being on,in the water feels natural but there something magical about gliding over the water with no noise and every time you advance theres a feeling satisfaction within and because every time i go sailing i learn somthing new, and enjoy seeing the same feelings in other sailors and have made new friends

I took it up because i couldn't (no skills) surf, now I cant windsurf..........

I do however have a unique style, some may say its a skill, of putting various body parts through sails!

There's a huge range of experience that's part and parcel of windsurfing.

I have to say that one of the sensations I treasure is just that first bit of a session on a sunny moderately windy day (5.8) when you carry your kit to the water, drop it in, step up and glide off hooked in suspended from the sail. I love the sensation, the release. It strokes the animal in me. It's pure sensory pleasure. I kn love it.

The next one would be the sensation of speed you get being close to the water. And the way your board and sail respond to everything you do, and to the water shape. Getting to know it is all somatic learning, touchy feely, like a child learning to walk.

The next would be the striving for gybes et al. Getting a good one, just a gybe I mean, always gives me a frisson of glee.

The next would be learning something new - the struggle and finally bloody getting it provides a buzz that's hard to beat.

You can cruise easy or clench your bum and blast. You can putz about with light wind freestyle or bump and jump in 30 knots or charge down the line or jump in any number of ways. mmmmmm.... more jumps.

The point is that there is something for everybody with an able body of whatever age or inclination, mood or proclivity. Why it isn't more popular is mysterious.

Cause im addicted. To be honest I dont think I could give up even if i wanted to.

And the people.

I windsurf because every day of sailing lets me put off "doing something with my life" just a little while longer. One day at a time...

I started cos I was lazing on the beach in Singapore and I saw these guys on Formula gear whizzing along, about 1km offshore, and it looked so cool. Then I had lessons and found I was totally crap at it, but the sight of decent sailors planing past me kept me motivated...

Let's face it, windsurfing absolutely farkin RULES, and we are all so lucky to have found that out! We should all spend one morning a week doorknocking like Mormons, spreading the good word to the benighted masses.

*knock knock*
-Yes?
-Hello, I'm Wet Willy and I want to ask you a question: have you let windsurfing into your heart? Have you been saved?
*slam*

...who's up for it??

Steve Jones said...


8. food and beer doesn't get any better than after 2 or 3 hours on the water.

So true!!!

pweedas said...

Wet Willy said...


Let's face it, windsurfing absolutely farkin RULES, and we are all so lucky to have found that out! We should all spend one morning a week doorknocking like Mormons, spreading the good word to the benighted masses.

*knock knock*
-Yes?
-Hello, I'm Wet Willy and I want to ask you a question: have you let windsurfing into your heart? Have you been saved?
*slam*

...who's up for it??

Would I have to wear yak hair undies to keep my mind on the job??

Yes?? In that case,... NO!

Hang on. Maybe I could change my mind on this one.
Mormons have to spend at least 10% of their income on their religion. (called Tithing I think.)
So if it means it would be compulsory to spend at least 10% of your income on windsurfing gear I could see a large following for this new religion.

I bought my first board, a Tyronsea falcon an 1984 when my mate bought a Windsurfer one design and sailed at St Georges Bay at St Helens Tas. What a sense of freedom, sail all day then a few beers and a counter tea, fantastic.
Now living on the Gold Coast 20 years later that sense of freedom still prevails. Beats Heroin hands down mon.

cos ME WOMAN loves to get me out of her HAIR....AND i love wind in my fur coat

Stone Age said...

cos ME WOMAN loves to get me out of her HAIR....AND i love wind in my fur coat

hi stoney just wongered if you molt in summer[}:)]

fionzc said...
you sound as if you're getting too much sun & wind and too many a tumble in the waves at Mui Ne

It's true! It's true!

Don't even mention the waves...I lost my $80 sunglasses yesterday, only 2 metres from shore as well...dammit...

But I'm happy!!

MavericK040 said...

Richiefish said...

nebbian said...

The ultimate in cool:

Isnt he the only gay in the village ???

obviously not in that village as there are kiters about...

he looks more like the village idiot