Newbie Equipment Question

[swchandler]

I guess I won't make the cheerleading squad with my kind of outlook, despite the fact that it has served me quite well over the years. I have to think though that with all the high praise and unwavering support for lessons, the windsurfing instruction business must be a huge success story. Yet, one has to wonder why windsurfing remains a relatively small sport when such an impeccable silver bullet exists to churn out hoards of outstanding windsurfing talent almost effortlessly. Must be one of life's great mysteries.

[DanWeiss]

[swchandler]

In all honestly Dan, I was being a bit facetious in my last post. I just couldn't resist.

However, if I was to really target why windsurfing remains a relatively small sport, I would highlight two notable issues. The first would be the fact that many folks don't want to get in the water, particularly in the ocean. Secondly, windsurfing could be viewed as a relatively expensive sport. Also, for those that gravitate to the ocean, surfing easily nets the majority, especially amongst the youthful crowd.

[jp5]

I had surfed and sailed for years but failed miserably when trying to teach myself how to windsurf. After a couple of lessons it all came together.

[isobars]

I am living proof that one can become a good recreational windsurfer without lessons (or instructional videos). I spent months and thousands of dollars over many years seeking good lessons by traveling to the Gorge, to Corpus Christi, and to Maui expressly to procure professional lessons in a two-page list of skills from carrying my kit across a wide windy beach to ripping off consistent full-speed jibes. No freestyle/tricks or racing techniques, just solid recreational skills pertaining to WSing in lakes, the Gorge, and modest surf. I was more than willing to … and in fact did -- offer thousands more in cash for a solid week of all the productive instructions a good teacher had the physical stamina to provide.

I never found an instructor worth $50 back then. That’s largely why after 30 years of WSing, 22 of them WSing full time in windy areas, I am just a good, rather than outstanding, recreational WSer. Learning to waterstart took me a season or two and learning to rip full-speed through most of my jibes took me 10 freaking years; I’ll be damned if I’d waste more years learning any pony tricks (for show rather than go) with names even if they interested me. I can sail pretty fast already; damned if I’m going to unlearn 30 years of adequate technique now and replace them with superior technique so I can finally catch Beric or Gus, let alone anybody you’ve actually heard of.

I’m a damned good athlete, blessed with the stamina of some whole relay teams and 20+ years of virtually zero responsibilities outranking WSing. With good lessons, I probably could have been where I am now 20 years ago, with 20 free years since then to become outstanding by now. I wish to hell I had found … and taken … some good lessons during my formative WSing years. Good lessons early in the game become even more -- much more -- vital to the learning curves of people with obligations such as mowing a lawn, let alone a career or kids.

Even if a newbie has buds who can jibe (none of my locals could back then), it’s awfully presumptuous of us to ask them to give up precious windy weekend shred time to teach us, and they’re probably lousy teachers anyway. Besides, anyone who expects me to give up precious, irreplaceable, quality shred time to teach him something complicated had better be offering me something of comparable valuable, and I don’t know what that would be. Ask me when it’s not windy or expect a brief answer rather than a lesson.

I strongly urge newbies and intermediates to consider Puffin’s and many others’ advice and take some professional lessons.

Mike \m/

[braden]

I learned without lessons. I didn't have much talent but I was determined to learn. The trouble is, you can't think about what you need to do, it takes too long. By the time you figure something out, you have fallen in already. And I fell in a LOT.

If you can't afford lessons or they aren't available in your area, don't let that stop you. If you can get them, it will smooth your path.

Also, I would have learned quicker with modern equipment, specifically wider boards. I would have fallen in less. My big (145L) shortboard looks as wide as a battleship compared to the longboards I started with, at that time considered to be beginner boards.

[cgoudie1]

It took me a day to learn to waterstart (without lessons). It took me a
season (in the Gorge 1991) to learn to plane out of my jibes (without lessons). But I did watch Short Board Sailing Technique until it was
in my dreams ;*). Windsurfing is unquestionably the most difficult sport
I've ever learned. The right gear is good, lessons are good, but a place
where you can (sorta) count on good wind is priceless. You can ride the
express with all 3. But, there are no long term casual windsurfers. If you
don't hunger for it, you're not gonna make the sacrifices it takes to enjoy
a sport so dependent on the confluence of appropriate weather, adequate
time, and adequate resources.

-Craig

[windward1]

I never took lessons and learned pretty much on my own. Videos were not even available until later. I had sailed dinghys and lard boats before, so I knew what "sailing" was. I just really wanted to learn windsurfing and so did.

Would lessons have helped? Yes!!! Would I take them? No.

I took a personality test. The same one the Navy uses to test compatibility of submarine crews. One thing came out loud and clear: I do not like being told what to do. Part of my innate personality, I guess.

So am I happy that I never took a lesson? Not necessarily. I know I would have progressed faster with them. But I am ok with not having taken them and I do understand why I did not go out of my way to take them.

Learning has been fun, even if slow.

So I do agree with Schandler a bit. Do not let not having lessons available stop you. However, like the others said, if available, do not let your personality stop you from taking a lesson.

Windward1

[noshuzbluz]

[bred2shred]