Windsurfing

[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.

[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?

[spudchucka]

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

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.
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.

[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!

Here's the latest Simmer sails: