Windsurfing

[RantyDave]

I have been a sailor - dinghy racing mainly, and reasonably good at it too - for many years. I've had a few pops at learning Windsurfing, and while trapped with the inlaws in Maui have put some effort into learning Windsurfing properly.

And we are talking real effort. Rent proper gear (carbon fibre rigs are all good), get proper instruction and go out and practice.

After all this I can assure you, totally, that motorbikes are more fun. With any luck someone can learn from my misfortune and save themselves from this most deeply f*cking aggravating of all sports.

You may now return to your normal programming.

Dave

[Hawkeye]

Sorry Dave - But

Having spent years Windsurfing, I can assure you that it is in fact as much fun as riding the bike. Hooking into a harness, with your feet in the back straps, the board planing and a force 4-5 blowing. You don't have time to think of anything but holding on and hitting the lip of the next wave.:yes:

[spudchucka]

I've been windsurfing since the late 80's and used to teach newbies for a while as a way of paying for my new gear. A good day of sailing still gets me going a hell of a lot more than any days motor bike riding. The speed rush I get windsurfing is much more thrilling than going flat out on a bike and you can smack a wave, jump 20 feet or more in the air and ride the waves without having to paddle out. It can be a difficult sport to master but the rewards are fantastic.

I'd hate to think of the amount of $$$ I've blown on windsurfing gear, I used to be quite competitive and always had the lates and greatest equipment. These days I'm a lot more cruisy and don't really get into racing. A bit of wave sailing and bump & jump style is more me these days, although I would like to have a crack at a couple of speed sailing events.

[Motu]

My cousin was on the cover of Sea Spray sailing a windsurfer on Lake Pupuke when they were the latest new thing - no one had ever sailed one,so he said he'd give it a go for them.Sailing has been his life - but but gave me my first ride on a bike with his Puch moped,and I got my Bantam off him.

[Hawkeye]

The speed rush I get windsurfing is much more thrilling than going flat out on a bike and you can smack a wave, jump 20 feet or more in the air and ride the waves without having to paddle out. It can be a difficult sport to master but the rewards are fantastic.



My sentiments exactly

[spudchucka]

My sentiments exactly
Do you sail at Plimerton? Thats still one of my all time favorite spots to sail.

[MrMelon]

I want to get into a bit of windsurfing some time. Best way's just to go get some lessons eh?

[sexy beast]

i have a learner board and rig 2 sails and mast sitting in storage ever since i bought it last winter.....any words of encouragment/tips....to make that maiden windsurf!

[Indiana_Jones]

I get enough excitement riding my wobbly bike in Auckland traffic lol

-Indy

[RantyDave]

Well, boys, sounds like encouragement to me. I have another drowning lesson today - water starts, which the instructors tell me could well be a weeks' work. Jeez. My bloody arms are killing me.

Anyway, thanks. I'll get my shit together yet.

Dave

[spudchucka]

I want to get into a bit of windsurfing some time. Best way's just to go get some lessons eh?
There are a few fundamental skills that will make the whole experience so much more rewarding. Even with lessons you should still expect to do be doing a lot of face planting. The modern gear is a great deal easier for learning on than the ancient vessels I had to use, get into it, its a blast.

[spudchucka]

i have a learner board and rig 2 sails and mast sitting in storage ever since i bought it last winter.....any words of encouragment/tips....to make that maiden windsurf!
Just do it. Go down to a local windsurf shop, (there are several on Barrys Point Road from memory) and find out the best spot for beginners. Latch on to a couple of other beginers and get into it.

[spudchucka]

RantyDave, there are heaps of windsurfers in Wgtn, you shouldn't have any trouble getting encoragement down there.

[Blackbird]

I have been a sailor - dinghy racing mainly, and reasonably good at it too - for many years. Dave

Snap - raced Lasers and Paper Tigers and did pretty well in 'Tigers. It's amazing how many bikers have either sailed or flown or both. I think they all use the same skill sets and give similar types of satisfaction. I'm the bod sailing 2361 in the photo.

Geoff

[DMNTD]

i have a learner board and rig 2 sails and mast sitting in storage ever since i bought it last winter.....any words of encouragment/tips....to make that maiden windsurf!

Sure....bring it on up this way mate and I'd gladly teach you at some wicked good beaches...in exchange for a go myself :yes:
Used to race them(just with mates) down at Mission Bay Ak's a few blue moons ago. Miss it longtime for sure.
Agreed with Spud's sentiments on the rush!! Hell....flat out with your board slapping the waves,no motor,just the POWER of nature...that's what I'm talking about.
Used to race a 36' Lidguard and an ol' M Class too. Extremely deceptive are the ol' running boards man!
A rush is a rush but some make ya blush :innocent:

[spudchucka]

[B]Agreed with Spud's sentiments on the rush!! Hell....flat out with your board slapping the waves,no motor,just the POWER of nature...that's what I'm talking about.
And as yet nobody can charge you a cent for the use of wind and water.

[RantyDave]

Snap - raced Lasers and Paper Tigers and did pretty well in 'Tigers.
Ah! I had one of these fine beasts when I first came to NZ. I had a real bus, but it gave the impression that had I got one that was a bit less of a dog - needed to be stiffer in particular - it could have been a real blast.

Oh! I sailed one with my partner from Picton to the outer edge of the Marlborough Sounds for new years 2000. Kicked arse :)

Windsurfing went heaps better today. Bigger board, more patience applied - managed a waterstart or two and had a quick go planing, foot steering ... all good. Getting there....

Dave

[spudchucka]

Once you can waterstart your progress will quicken considerably and once you have been planing full noise on a broad reach you will be fully hooked, guaranteed.

[NinjaBoy]

The speed rush I get windsurfing is much more thrilling than going flat out on a bike and you can smack a wave, jump 20 feet or more in the air and ride the waves without having to paddle out. It can be a difficult sport to master but the rewards are fantastic.


I second that. The raw untamed power of a gale force wind with your board skimming the surface of the water inches away from your body.



I'd hate to think of the amount of $$$ I've blown on windsurfing gear, I used to be quite competitive and always had the latest and greatest equipment.

Been there, done that. Most of my first job salary went into a couple of boards and a quiver of sails and rigs.

[spudchucka]

Been there, done that. Most of my first job salary went into a couple of boards and a quiver of sails and rigs.
I've done a bit of reflection on past gear and I reckon I would have thrown about $25,000 into windsurfing gear over the years. It was all worth it too. Big mortages and small children means I'm fucked for keeping up with the latest sailing gear now.:bye:

[spudchucka]

Here's some samples of why windsurfing is so great.

[Hawkeye]

Here's some samples of why windsurfing is so great.


Hey Spudchucka, Where did you get them photo's of me from? :killingme :rofl:

[spudchucka]

Hey Spudchucka, Where did you get them photo's of me from? :killingme :rofl:
I love that third pic of Dunkerbeck getting huge air, the sea state and the shortness of the boom looks like the wind is hitting 50+ knots, insane!

[Indoo]

I love that third pic of Dunkerbeck getting huge air, the sea state and the shortness of the boom looks like the wind is hitting 50+ knots, insane!

I'm pretty sure thats Gran Canaria taken in a PWA comp, I've got the video of it somewhere, its also the one where Goya lands the first double forward.

[sAsLEX]

And as yet nobody can charge you a cent for the use of wind and water.

Thought the Maoris were doing it at taupo? Even charging people for overflying the lake THEY own.

[spudchucka]

Thought the Maoris were doing it at taupo? Even charging people for overflying the lake THEY own.
I hate lake sailing so they wouldn't get any $$$ out of me.

[spudchucka]

I'm pretty sure thats Gran Canaria taken in a PWA comp, I've got the video of it somewhere, its also the one where Goya lands the first double forward.
Gran Canaria is Dunkerbeck's home turf so you are probably right, it looks too flat for maui but with that wind strength it'll just about blow the top off any wave.

[RantyDave]

Ah, this is bringing the nutters out of the woodwork. I'm currently about ... ummmm ... a kilometer down the road from Ho'okipa?

Stupid place to be if you suck at Windsurfing :)

Dave

[Hawkeye]

Snap - raced Lasers and Paper Tigers and did pretty well in 'Tigers.
Geoff

Learn't to sail in an Albacore before moving onto Laser's. Couldn't afford my own boat so ended up in Windsurfing. Haven't been out on the board for about 3 years now. Got myself a Paper Tiger a couple of years ago. Never had it on the water. It's sitting in the garage waiting to be made ready for the water but always seem to have more important things to do with my time at week-ends. :ride:
I'll probably end up getting the Tiger ready over the winter, selling it and then using the funds for an upgrade to the bike once I've got my full.:yes:

[Hillbilly]

Here are some pix of the latest sails being put into production by Simmer. They're sent to me by CVristian Winther the CEO of Simmer Hawaii. I've got a '06 HiFly Free 142 as Lake Macquarie is great for flatwater sailing and freestyle. I use a Simmer SC-6 50% carbon 430 mast with a Simmer Fly 5.7, and a Simmer SC-3 30% Carbon mast with a Simmer Zero Five 6.4, as well as a Simmer 7.1 Twist. Booms and mast bases are HPL. Wet suit? Got a GUL Titanium, but only use the 0.5 mm top since I moved here.

Definitely need booties though! There are shefish called "razor fish". Imagine a scallop embedded in rock on it's side. Slices staight to the bone. There's also the odd blue ringed octopus lurking about too. Still, the runs across the lake are 2km each way from my back yard! :yes:

Here's the latest Simmer sails:

[Hawkeye]

Shit. I think I need to get the board and Tiger out of mothballs. Those pics have stirred up the memories..:yes: :yes:

[spudchucka]

Definitely need booties though! There are shefish called "razor fish". Imagine a scallop embedded in rock on it's side. Slices staight to the bone.

One of the worst experiences I've had windsurfing was at Bailey Road in taranaki. The wind had been cranking, some mates and I had a great time for a few hours. The wind started to drop and I ended up wallowing around for about an hour trying to get back to shore. I ended up about half a Km down wind and had to carry my gear back over boulders and through rock pools. By the time I got back to my car I had dozens of Kina spines broken off in the soles of my feet. After the three hour drive home I found that they had already become infected and my feet were swelling up like balloons. My wife spent the next few days picking out the spines and squeezing out massive volumes of puss. I could hardly even stand for the next three or four days. I'd never sail in a rocky area again without boots on after that.

[dnos]

Wow, there are a bunch of ppl on here into it eh. I kept looking out the window yesterday it was nice and windy up here, but i have to stop myself going out when i have the flu - cos it really wasn't a good idea last time.
I can't wait til daylight saving begins so i can get some afternoon sessions in.

[Whynot]

dam, all this talking about dinghy racing makes me want to get back into it .....
used to race one of these a few years ago :)
in fact i think we beat these guys a couple of times

[Hillbilly]

[QUOTE=spudchucka;750019] The wind started to drop and I ended up wallowing around for about an hour trying to get back to shore. QUOTE]

Had that happen too. My mate and I were 3/4 across Lake Macquarie and the wind dropped. Lake Macquarie is a salt water inlet 4 times the size of Sydney Harbour. There aren't any beaches either. So we had to swim for 2 hrs with our gear in tow right on dusk. We never saw any sharks even though there are supposed to be Bull Sharks in the lake.