Why does it seem windsurfing is fading away

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 927

Agreed Jurg, that over time there is performance advance in most things, (cars, computers etc etc ), but can't we question just how much further advance there can be in a wind powered lump of plastic, merrily bouncing its way across the sea? And what advance are we looking for? (Wouldn't the 'old' Cutty Sark still win hands down? They knew a thing or two in those days! Laughing

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Isn't much of modern board advance really down to improved and more efficient rigs? The fact that 20 year old racing hulls can still compete, and even sometimes win, against the latest race board offerings, surely shows that it isn't easy to improve on what was right in the first place.

The original Evo concept, despite its obvious shortcomings when taken out of its comfort zone, was a rip roaring success which helped us average surfers a lot. It just felt so right, and many feel that later attempts to cure its faults and widen its scope made it lose its initial appeal. (Wasn't it the later 07 model that was slated as like 'towing a bucket'?)

As most keep saying, shouldn't board lines be simplified allowing dealers to stock more without loss, and changes saved for only genuine improvements. Those who insist that yearly improvements are necessary simply beg the question; from where did the manufacturer gain such knowledge of improvement, and why wasn't it applied to the board in the first place? ( Twisted Evil

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jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 2053

not one thing has effected the sport, but lots. no particular order:

direct to retail

paradise design emphasis

couch potato alt's

teenage/family fixation on academic overload

nation's preoccupation with balls

lack of holistic cohesive marketing efforts. where's out equal to $1 mil bass events?

the economic squeeze on the middle class

3-phase · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 476

Windzone · Joined: 18 Jun 2001 Posts: 4

I considered kiteboarding myself (since Richard Branson was doing it and is much older than me) but after looking at the number of injuries vs windsurfing I decided to stick with windsurfing. All you have to do is look up kitemares or google number of injuries kiteboarding and you'll see a noticeable difference between the two sports.

WAVEDAVE · Joined: 22 Aug 1997 Posts: 143

I LOVE THAT MY COMMENT INVOKED ALL THESE RESPONSES , IT IS GREAT

3-phase · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 476

zirtaeb · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1754

If we can sail as well as Robbie did in 1994, and used his same gear, we'd be much better sailors than we are now.
Kiteboarding..... I can single backloop, jump as high as my kite lifts, and have pioneered several new spots around Berkeley, but I kited ONE season total, and now on my 28th year windsurfing.
If it was easy, it'd be called KITEBOARDING.

ronm41 · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 166

I started windsurfing in 1979, pretty much the hayday of the sport numbers wise. I got involved mainly to train for catamaran racing as that was big around here and on the westcoast from the mid 70's thru the mid 80's. Windsurfing was a great way to sail everyday and stay intouch with the wind and it made me a better cat sailor as well as my girlfriend and crew who started windsurfing the same time. Well, cat racing just folded almost all of a sudden in the mid 80's and I stopped racing not that long after. Then almost following suit, Windsurfing peaked and almost folded atleast around here in the early 90's and the only windsurfers left were the hardcores, a small but dedicated group and most are still active today. We get a few new guys but they are new to our area but not new to windsurfing. We also lose a few due to old age or moving away. Anyway, a few observations and IMO, windsurfing is a great recreation but only for those who have time and live close to wind and water. windsurfing means that you need to be totally locked into weather and wind conditions and this is costly in relationships, work and free time always chasing the wind. As far as growth, sure it is logical that young kids need to be brought into the sport but kids who are couch potatoes and not physical will not do it and good athletic kids who would make great windsurfers are already locked in to other sports with type A personality coaches who think that their sport is a full time occupation and the kids need to be in the weight room and summer league to play so no time for any other activity. So, I don't know the right answer for growth maybe none and windsurfing will just end up like sailboating. Around here Kiteboarding is a little more popular but they lose alot more as well as gain alot more yearly. The kiteboarders I have seen around here who started kiting without the windsurf background don't seem like the type to windsurf because it take along time to get proficient as well as more wind. The kiters who were windsurfers for the most part moved on and won't come back as they probably dumped all their gear. I guess we are just isolated here. I went to Sherman Is a few times last year and there was many more windsurfers than in years past so the high wind areas is where the numbers are at. Windsurfing still a great recreation, specialized and dedicated people involved..