I have skim read this thread it seems to have changed tack somewhat however I think that there is two very simple factors that dictate the popularity/lack their of our sport - cost and difficulty!
I have started this sport in the last 18 months and love it, totally hooked.
But dam its expensive and it’s not easy at all, in fact it’s pretty hard to learn in a comparable time to learning to sail, ride a bike, scuba, play footy (any code), hockey, softball .... blah blah
I have sailed all my life on boats and in 18 months am only onto a 92 l board and gybing.
I get on the water when I can and have the luxury of a job and great wife who also enjoys the water with no kids so I can get out often. However if you don’t have that luxury I think it would be a mission to get the required TOW and $ to buy all the kit.

Just my 2c worth.

hangingfor some wind to crack 30 knots, .3 off!

As a beginner boarder I’ve found it very difficult to find anyone who gives a **** people entering the sport. In my experience the primary source of information is the local store. To me they’ve only been interested in selling you expensive gear and giving little to no advise of how to use it or what you should be looking for. It’s pissed both myself and my girlfriend off, when we’re standing around a store for 15 minutes while all the staff are chatting to either kiters or numpties. I’ve walked out of the stores so many times after waiting around and not getting any service! When we do get service, they’re always trying to sell gear that is not required for a beginner on a limited budget.

For example, a fair while ago I walked into the local store, hung around for a while, then finally got service and was looking for a second hand mast. The salesman found one mast (with no price attached) and when he told me the price it was $50 cheaper than a new one!. When I told him of my situation (lack of funds from buying a starboard go) he told me I’d be lucky to find any second hand 430 masts and the price is because of this.

I walked into Island Boards at Phillip Island looking for a winter wetsuit, the salesman (I assume the owner) treated us well and he not only had a new wetsuit sale, but a set of booties as well. As the same time he gave us some great tip’s about windsurfing spots around the Island. This is why surfing is, and will always boom.

I understand that the stores main revenue is from kiters, but the service I’ve received from the stores is woefull and the only reason I’m still windsurfing is because I genuinely enjoy the sport!

I wonder how many people have walked away from the sport because of this?

WOD said...

Gestalt, you're right to point out that negative marketing isn't good. Sorry if some remarks have turned you off.

But to be fair, I think you may be reading more into some comments than was meant. None of us are depressed about windsurfing; surely it's optimistic to say that it's great, but it could be even better.

No one from "our side" is saying high-wind sailing is bad, just that it's not the only part of windsurfing. And to be honest, there's a lot of negative marketing that comes the other way (have you had anyone call your board "****" to your face lately? I had it a while ago) and sometimes we do react to that.

i guess it's the "our side" thing. what's the point.

i've had my formula board called a barge, a door, a dining table. made me laugh.
still sail OD, Formula, small board big board whatever board. it's all windsurfing and fun.

i am glad the rsx made it through too and i did not vote why because i am not a member of the starboard ass of aust maybe those that race should vote OD racing is still the biggest fleet in aust

ka43 said...

Its quite the opposite, friendly advice and NO hard sell.
Im sure the shops in Vic and Melbourne dont see themselves like that so maybe be direct and ask the salesman for some help.

I'm not one to beat about the bush, every question I asked was around gear selection and I never had a response that I thought either friendly or helpful.

My local board store can't even recomend a sail size or when asked what type of sail I should buy, the response was - "what type of sailing are you intending to do?" Fark knows I'm a beginner!

I have recomended the sport to my friends, but I've warned them about the crappy service from the stores.

On the opposite, every windsurfer I've met have been great people who are willing to assist any way they can.

I'm not one to beat about the bush, every question I asked was around gear selection and I never had a response that I thought either friendly or helpful.

My local board store can't even recomend a sail size or when asked what type of sail I should buy, the response was - "what type of sailing are you intending to do?" Fark knows I'm a beginner!

I have recomended the sport to my friends, but I've warned them about the crappy service from the stores.

On the opposite, every windsurfer I've met have been great people who are willing to assist any way they can.

Maybe it's a personal hygiene thing mate - you might have had bad breathe or body odour on the day if the staff avoided you like the plague?

"what type of sailing are you intending to do?" is a perfectly good question to ask ....

you reply "Fark knows I'm a beginner!

And they might say "Well do you want to go out on a dam or in the ocean" do you like the idea of sailing around in puffs of breeze or waiting around for the cyclone?"

Too bad they missed out on a customer - heard there is a good shop in Sydney.