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Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: Beasho on February 29, 2012, 05:29:39 PM

Title: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Beasho on February 29, 2012, 05:29:39 PM
The sport has been officially cancelled.  Now I get a subscription to TransWorld SURF?   ???

It is truly a sad day.  At least they could have sent me a SUP subscription.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Cardiff Sweeper on February 29, 2012, 05:42:24 PM
That is sad. I figured it's still hugely popular...?  Has SUP and kitesurfing converted a lot of windsurfers?
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: jdmotes on February 29, 2012, 06:50:17 PM
 I'm a converted windsurfer and most of my old windsurfing friends are either kiting or SUP'ing now... Just got too damn expensive and complicated. I'd rig a sail and 9 times out of 10 it would be wrong. Plus: add in doing the same for the wifey and you can understand  ;D...
 I have a whole trailer full of nice windsurf gear (sails, boards, booms, etc) that I can't even give away. I do keep a rig in the demo van as a lot of my SUP-boards have the optional windsurf insert. But it's not the same type of windsurfing as it is with dedicated sailboards that haul "ass"...    Paddle on,     JD
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Strand Leper on February 29, 2012, 07:13:01 PM
Beasho,

They can't offer you an SUP mag because the SUP mag that the publisher was going to start imploded.  Perhaps you could choose Model Railroading or Cat Fancy?
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: maxsonic on February 29, 2012, 08:10:20 PM
The sport has been officially cancelled.  Now I get a subscription to TransWorld SURF?   ???

It is truly a sad day.  At least they could have sent me a SUP subscription.

Sorry to see Windsurfing mag bite the dust, got my first issue of TransWorld SURF yesterday too...no worries though, windsurfing has definitely NOT been cancelled: Epicsesh.com *Windsurf and Kiteboarding Kona Winds * Maui, Febuary 7th 2012 * (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRNOrhh7Ic&hd=1#ws)

Hope more SUP'rs who've never tried windsurfing will give it a go, it's a great crossover water sport once wind fills in above 12 knots.  There's nothing like the feeling of being the man-in-the-loop control system of a windsurfing rig at 20+ knots.

Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: surfpainter on February 29, 2012, 09:22:10 PM
Oh boy! Transworld Surfing..I can't wait to see the same photos of shortboarders all doing the same cookie cutter moves all over the world..      (sorry).
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Scotty Mac on March 01, 2012, 01:33:12 AM
http://vimeo.com/m/36954367 (http://vimeo.com/m/36954367)

you guys need to see this one, pole boarding at its best.....
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: jdmotes on March 01, 2012, 03:44:17 AM
 Awesome vid, Maxsonic... I'd still be fully into it if I lived in Maui or the D.R.. I'm sure windsurfing is alive and well in the windier areas of the world...       Paddle on,     JD
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: ny37 on March 01, 2012, 04:37:31 AM
The MAG has been cancelled, but the sport is alive and kicking and tons of fun! SUP and windsurfing make a great combo. When it gets too windy to sup surf, the windsurfing begins:)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: surf4food on March 01, 2012, 06:26:10 AM
I don't think windsurfing has been "cancelled" and it will never completely die out.   There are however far less people doing it that there used to be.  Check this link out for the annual Hi Ho.  While is still features windsurfing it has become more focused on SUP.

http://go-hiho.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=hiho.main (http://go-hiho.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=hiho.main)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: surf4food on March 01, 2012, 06:31:59 AM
Windsurfing Magazine's sister mag Kiteboarding has also been discontinued. 
http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/showthread.php?2307-Windsurfing-Kiteboarding-Have-Been-Cancelled (http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/showthread.php?2307-Windsurfing-Kiteboarding-Have-Been-Cancelled)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Admin on March 01, 2012, 06:57:24 AM
Official End to Print Magazines?
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: gorgebob on March 01, 2012, 07:39:00 AM
Windsurfing is still my favorite sport. At Gorge Performance we have seen a small resurgence in bigger board sailing. 6.5 Stevenson style sailing. It is great to have the options and windsurfing is still on the top of my list.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: starman on March 01, 2012, 08:30:32 AM
Windsurfing is alive and well. Magazines depend on advertising and windsurfing ads were mostly for gear which has shifted to the web. The surfing mags are mostly clothing and are really just fashion rags mixed with a few photos.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: TallDude on March 01, 2012, 08:59:53 AM
A couple of weeks ago I cut the deck pad out on my older Naish to put a strap handle on it, and to my excitement I found a mast track. It's an earlier model Naish Nahu, that was one of their cross-over boards. Now I have to find the mast track adapter. I still have a bunch of my old windsurfing gear, that I'm looking to put back in action. I miss hearing the sail hum, and the board planing so hard that it barely makes contact with the water. Shear mother nature powered speed......
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Weasels wake on March 01, 2012, 09:22:55 AM
This was mentioned last December on the Iwindsurf forum by the former editor Josh Sampiero.

From that forum:

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:53 pm    Post subject: WINDSURFING magazine to suspend publication   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hey everyone,

Word is getting around, and I wanted to be the one to tell the iWindsurf community.

WINDSURFING magazine will be suspending publication for the upcoming year.

There's still quite a few details I'm not sure about, and our team is still quite a bit in shock.

I'm sure there will be a press release next week. We've spent this week telling our advertisers and contributors. (Sorry if we haven't gotten to all of you yet - there's a lot!)

It's been a great run. We are part of an amazing community, that I'm sure will continue, even without the magazine. Windsurfing will always be the most incredible sport in my world, and, I'm sure, yours too.


I'm not sure what the future holds for me yet, but I will continue to be a member of this community, and continue to be on the water with you guys.

I'm off to the mountain for some decompression and get my mind off the thing. Will check back later.

All the best in the wind,

Josh Sampiero


[and then again later]
 

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:13 pm    Post subject:   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Hi everyone,

Haven't been very vocal on this thread but I have of course been reading, and very much appreciate the stoke many of you offered on the job I did over the past few years. It's been an absolute blast, that's for sure! I had the chance to meet many people from this forum in person, and that has been awesome, too.

A couple of you made some points about print media in the changing digital world that I feel are very salient (and have felt so for a long time.)

My future is still entirely open - but for the next few weeks, I'm heading down to Mexico, to help host the LOTW event and hang out in LV with the boys.

After that - who knows?! For what it's worth (and mostly for your amusement) my resume is here:

http://www.youneedjosh.com/resume (http://www.youneedjosh.com/resume)

You know, just in case any of you forumites know of jobs that require someone who likes to create great content 

And remember - the wind still blows, everywhere!
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sport is far from cancelled, it has just been reduced to us hardcore types, that has actually improved the conditions out in the water.  Far less windsurfers out in the waves that have no idea of wave etiquette.  ;)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: headmount on March 01, 2012, 09:40:51 AM
Admin totally pegged this.  "Official End to Print Magazines?"  that's all this is.  Welcome to the new world.  Mostly ads anyway.  Who needs magazines when we have this?  Soooo much better. If you want to talk or see pics of wndsrfng, you can simply start a thread.  I read SURFER when I was a kid but stopped many years ago when I saw what a racket all those chick mags were at the grocery line.  I flashed that sports mags are just the same thing and swore them off.  Syanora baby.  Waste of time and money.  At least here on this forum it's just time.  Fun time.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: JimK on March 01, 2012, 09:51:29 AM
I'll put my 2 cents in to the cancellation of WS

Not happening Mags come and go (Windsport & NEWJ are doing fine (maybe better)

You've seen in this thread that high performance windsurfing is still progressing.

Equipment is still improving/selling (trust me here I KNOW)

As far as digital vs print I'm no expert so I'll let others (who are) speak to that

As far as the sports (WS & SUP) there could not be more compatable sports around. Up to about 10 knots of wind the SUP's rock over 10K there is TONS of great windsurfing equipment to exploit those conditions.
Not to mention how much fun windsurfing your SUP can be (Fanatic, Naish,  Amundson, Cabrinha ect.. put rig inserts in for just that. There is a whole segment in this forum.

Finally as far as growth I can't speak nat'l or internationally but here in NJ (Our place on Lakes Bay in Atlantic City area) There is a a TON of folks learning (we taught over 200 WS lessons last year...that is a bit more than the SUP lessons taught in the same period...This year my guess is SUP's will be even or overtake WS lessons)
Windsurfing is ALIVE AND WELL HERE ON LAKES BAY

To be a good waterman you must expand your horizons We here know how much FUN SUP's are and how versitile. But mother nature ad the ocean have lots of conditions that a surfboard, Windsurfer or Kite is a better option.

WHY LIMIT YOURSELF COME LEARN THEM ALL We have lessons and rental equipment and I bet most of the local shops do too.

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com (http://www.extremewindsurfing.com)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Weasels wake on March 01, 2012, 09:56:51 AM
Eventhough we've had some good days here in Cali this winter windsurfing, I'm really wishing I was in Maui this winter, it's been very spring'y there this year.

Epicsesh.com *Epic Maui Sessions- Windsurfing, Surfing, Kiteboarding Action* 2011-2012 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjCAr9_C2Oc&feature=player_embedded#ws)
Title: Re: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: p06781 on March 01, 2012, 10:05:20 AM
Like gorge bob I live in Oregon and still love windsurfing  too. I still feel lucky to live in Portland where everythings only a hour away!  Surfing the Oregon coast,  wind and kite and sup the Columbia gorge, and an awesome place to ski or ride nearly year round at Mt Hood. 

I will say since i got the sup bug i haven't been out windsurfing much last year while trying to improve my surfing skills at the coast. 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: surf4food on March 01, 2012, 10:29:46 AM
A couple of weeks ago I cut the deck pad out on my older Naish to put a strap handle on it, and to my excitement I found a mast track. It's an earlier model Naish Nahu, that was one of their cross-over boards. Now I have to find the mast track adapter. I still have a bunch of my old windsurfing gear, that I'm looking to put back in action. I miss hearing the sail hum, and the board planing so hard that it barely makes contact with the water. Shear mother nature powered speed......

Just out of curiosity, what made you stop windsurfing?
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: headmount on March 01, 2012, 10:37:39 AM
WW.. NICE vid.  I live in Paia and from '79-91 I was out almost every good day at Hookipa.  Now when we drive to launch at Maliko, we pull off the road for a moment  and soak up some vicarious thrills.  Jason is arguably one of the best wndsrfrs out there and still finds time to go down wind paddling. which kinda makes me feel good that what I'm doing isn't just because I'm old and washed up.  

How about that SUP guy losing traction on that Jaws wave?  And the bumper crowd at Maalaea?   That's a critical wave and having guys drop in is so hairy.  Inches deep, that's why the wave is so good.

But of all those activities  down wind paddling has been the most consistent this winter.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: pdxmike on March 01, 2012, 10:54:48 AM
I bet there will be some move into windsurfing from people who started out with standup.  Some of the gear I remember seeing on past threads for windsurfing your SUP looked pretty fun and user friendly.  It's much less of a leap to add a sail to your SUP than to go out and get totally new gear.  Windsurfing will be just another way to use your standup board---similar to people starting out doing flatwater standup, then getting interested in surfing, and heading out to the beach (or mall). 
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: bts on March 01, 2012, 11:17:31 AM
I bet there will be some move into windsurfing from people who started out with standup.  Some of the gear I remember seeing on past threads for windsurfing your SUP looked pretty fun and user friendly.  It's much less of a leap to add a sail to your SUP than to go out and get totally new gear.  Windsurfing will be just another way to use your standup board---similar to people starting out doing flatwater standup, then getting interested in surfing, and heading out to the beach (or mall). 

Maybe a little. 

I think most SUP sailors are windsurfers waiting for it to blow hard enough to ride their wave boards.

Kites are really what killed (or maybe just maimed)  windsurfing around here.  Hard to fight better light wind performance and a steeper learning curve.

Was out the other day trying to learn this down-wind thing everyone is raving about.  Passed a couple of my old launches and had sailors blow my me like I was standing still.  A real "what the hell am I doing" moment for me.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: headmount on March 01, 2012, 11:24:16 AM
Well if you're into speed, go to Florida or Seattle and race Donzis, they're the fastest.  But if you're into gliding or surfing., then dwnwndng is pretty cool.  Not for everyone I suppose and it is adventures in slow speed.  For me it's that moment of acceleration.  That's enough to keep me going back.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Ichabod Spoonbill on March 01, 2012, 11:41:08 AM
I think one of the reasons windsurfing isn't popular is that it stopped being "easy". It became more about high-performance sailing than just sailing; that whole "If you're not planing then you're not doing it right" mentality. It became a sport for experts.

I've mostly switched to SUPing because I've never been an extreme kind of guy. I don't even drive fast.

That said, I'm sad to see Windsurfing go. I wrote a couple of articles for it (and even one for that ill-fated SUP mag). The magazine had a long history. Josh was a good guy to work with, and I gather he is no longer working with Bonnier.

BTW, I canceled my subscription to Trans World Surf. Didn't like it at all. All style and very little substance.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: bts on March 01, 2012, 12:01:40 PM
HM,
I'm into surfing and glide, which is why I've been trying to get into downwinding. The jury is still out, but it's probably just not my deal.

Part of the problem for me is getting an appropriate sized board. I bet I'd have more fun on a board designed for a "big and tall" rider, but I'm not willing to lay down 3k to have a downwind board made just to find out.

I'll probably end up doing occasional downwinders on the in-between days when conditions are marginal for both surfing and sailing.  Then again, maybe I'll get a SUP with a mast track.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: spookini on March 01, 2012, 01:31:43 PM
Windsurfing vs. Paddle/prone in a very lightwind wave sesh --

session passe americaine.mp4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9klWMCkZ4nY#ws)

Cancelled?  I don't think so.  Who looks like they're having more fun there?

I started WS'ing 2 seasons ago, and spent most of last season w/ SUP.
SUP is great from standpoint of simplicity -- no setup time.  It's easy to get in a 40min session after work, and the wife doesn't even know you've gone missing.

But from a performance standpoint, for me SUP can't compare.  (Downwinding is not a realistic option.) This season I'd like to sail more than I paddle :)

Hopefully, more SUP'ers discover the joy of putting a sail on their board, even in lightwinds.  It's a great crossover.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: 808 on March 01, 2012, 02:33:40 PM
Who looks like they're having more fun there?

Of course they were having more fun. They came in a took over the break plowing though the crowd of proners.  This is the same type of behavior that gives sups a bad name.  Looks like fun but they have a boat and sail's they could have gone anywere.   ;)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Beasho on March 01, 2012, 03:48:02 PM
The sad reality is that I have subscribed to Windsurfing back to the days of Windrider.  It is one of the few vestiges of my life that stretch back more than 20 years.

Windsurfing in no subtle way shaped my life.  I learned when I was 15 years old and then sat around watching the Weather Channel in Ithaca NY (new at that time) praying for a bump in the wind forecast.   We only got 10 – 15 plane-able days per year so it meant that you had to skip whatever was going on when the wind blew.  Moving from Ithaca to NY City, Philadelphia and Boston meant scoping out all the best spots from Sandy Hook NJ, to Heckscher State Park, Lakes Bay, Cape May to Cape Hatteras.  Kalmus beach, Chapoquoit beach and off to Pocomo on Nantucket.

I was then lucky enough to get a summer internship in San Francisco and I was sold.  The Bay Area offered bump and jump, urban, river and wave sailing all within a 50 mile radius.  You could be sailing a 4.0 at sunrise and then rest up for a wave sailing session in the afternoon.
    
The heroes were Mike Waltze, Maui Meyer, Cesare Cantagalli and of course Robby.  Laird was just an aberrant speed sailor back then.  Davenport, CA offered the best down-the-line wave sailing spot in the mainland US and I could finally start to emulate my Hawaiian idols.
  
I ended up in Half Moon Bay because it was close to Davenport with proximity to the life blood in Silicon Valley.   My 3 kids were born and are being raised in California ultimately products of favonian and thermal breezes.  I am not sure if it is a function of available time, learning curve or evolution but I grew up and old with windsurfing.  

We used to joke that there were only 30 windsurfers in the World.  We would run into them at the Gorge, Hatteras, Crissy Field . . .  I even ran into ‘Luke’ whom I met in the Dominican Republic, then again on a the beach in Chapoquoit, Mass and then surfing in the morning at Hookipa, while waiting for the wind to come up, all within 24 months.

SUP today feels like windsurfing did back in the day.  There’s a small group of truly dedicated SUP’ers and the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers are once again open for discovery.  The technology and shapes are mutating at a staggering rate.  Everyone has an opinion and there is no consensus other than the overarching joy experienced on the water.  It’s great to be young again.  SUP forth and sail on.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Beasho on March 01, 2012, 03:55:03 PM
I dusted off some old video.  Back in the day this was all cutting edge and cool. 

Many of you crossover East Coaster SUP - Sailors will recognize the spots.

White Squall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1ksEAQJZ64&context=C31ba1d4ADOEgsToPDskIdaaxQEwE7VUzlgUC6mU81#)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: TallDude on March 01, 2012, 04:14:59 PM
Quote
Just out of curiosity, what made you stop windsurfing?
Hey 'surf4food', I had a serious back injury that shut down pretty much all sports for about 3 years. I was so focused on work and paying for doctors (not having insurance at the time), that I moved away from the water completely. Got married, had kids. SUP got me back in to surf, and now maybe windsurfing again. The wind is too inconsistant and weak where I live. I used to drive an hour plus to San Pedro, Ca if wanted consistant wind. I used a 6.9 most of the time. Rarely could I go smaller around here. We go to Tahoe and Big Bear a lot these days. It would be nice to have sails with me next time we go.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: mbarnhar on March 01, 2012, 06:59:20 PM
Beasho, You started this thread by repeating a tired old kiteboarder's mantra of "windsurfing has been officially cancelled".  After reading your 2nd post, you would think someone with your windsurfing experience would be a little more kind to the sport.  I think you might have cancelled windsurfing for yourself.  Windsurfing is not "officially cancelled".   Some of us just like to do both windsurf & SUP.  Lots of reasons Windsurfing Mag folded....sad indeed....but the sport lives on.  Sorry....I'm actually a laid back, thick skinned, stoked windsurfer & SUP'er...but the whole "windsurfing has been cancelled" thing is plain bull and it always gets my nerves when I hear that.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: surf4food on March 01, 2012, 07:51:31 PM
Quote
Just out of curiosity, what made you stop windsurfing?
Hey 'surf4food', I had a serious back injury that shut down pretty much all sports for about 3 years. I was so focused on work and paying for doctors (not having insurance at the time), that I moved away from the water completely. Got married, had kids. SUP got me back in to surf, and now maybe windsurfing again. The wind is too inconsistant and weak where I live. I used to drive an hour plus to San Pedro, Ca if wanted consistant wind. I used a 6.9 most of the time. Rarely could I go smaller around here. We go to Tahoe and Big Bear a lot these days. It would be nice to have sails with me next time we go.
At least SUP is a good work out for the back (well depending on what exactly the injury is).  Good luck with getting back into the wind.  I know south OC isn't known for wind conditions.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: surf4food on March 01, 2012, 08:03:17 PM
We only got 10 – 15 plane-able days per year so it meant that you had to skip whatever was going on when the wind blew.  Moving from Ithaca to NY City, Philadelphia and Boston meant scoping out all the best spots from Sandy Hook NJ, to Heckscher State Park, Lakes Bay, Cape May to Cape Hatteras.  Kalmus beach, Chapoquoit beach and off to Pocomo on Nantuckt    
I think that epitomizes why there are so many less people windsurfing these days.  Most areas there just isn't the consistent wind to make it worthwhile to invest so much $$ in all the equipment.  Here in San Diego which is a very light wind town we at one point had 4 windsurfing shops, now they're all gone.  Kiteboarding has pretty much taken over (tho you still seem some windsurfers on that rare cranking day) and even that seem to be fading a bit.  SUPping can be done on any body of water anywhere. 
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Weasels wake on March 01, 2012, 10:24:06 PM
Who looks like they're having more fun there?

Of course they were having more fun. They came in a took over the break plowing though the crowd of proners.  This is the same type of behavior that gives sups a bad name.  Looks like fun but they have a boat and sail's they could have gone anywere.   ;)
Maybe in that clip but ahh, no, that very rarely happens, at Ho'okipa it's not allowed, and at most other places, by the time the wind comes up enough for there to be good windsurfing, the proners are out of there because it's too windy.  Windsurfers vs. proners is far less an issue than, well, you know.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Piros on March 01, 2012, 10:33:00 PM
I think one of the reasons windsurfing isn't popular is that it stopped being "easy". It became more about high-performance sailing than just sailing; that whole "If you're not planing then you're not doing it right" mentality. It became a sport for experts.

Good point but that's now reversing to a small degree.

It's actually going through a resurgence in Australia , as kiting is not sailing ( in it's true form) and people are enjoying the feel of sailing again , still plenty of poles on the water around here. The local kite ,Sup & sail shops are still moving windsurfers.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Ichabod Spoonbill on March 02, 2012, 03:02:51 AM
I'm glad to hear it. I was pushing longboarding for a while here in NY, but nobody seemed too interested. To me honest, I got laughed at.

I still sail my longboard though, and it's a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Water-kook on March 02, 2012, 06:08:46 AM
The truth is windsurfing has become a “purist” sport. ;)
All the kooks who were not that into it or found it just to much work and to difficult went to kiting and now SUPing
I do all three sports so don’t think I am just defending the only sport I do. I really like all three sports but if I had to give one up for good it would be kiting as it is the easiest of the three and I am starting to get bored with it.
Kiting and SUPing are much easier to do on many levels. The equipment for one is much less in both sports. Kiting is way easier to learn than windsurfing. I do love the simplicity of SUPing with just a board a paddle and a leash.
Windsurfing is alive and well and allows more action on the wave than any other water/wave sport. ;D
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: spookini on March 02, 2012, 04:50:43 PM
We only got 10 – 15 plane-able days per year so it meant that you had to skip whatever was going on when the wind blew.  Moving from Ithaca to NY City, Philadelphia and Boston meant scoping out all the best spots from Sandy Hook NJ, to Heckscher State Park, Lakes Bay, Cape May to Cape Hatteras.  Kalmus beach, Chapoquoit beach and off to Pocomo on Nantuckt    
I think that epitomizes why there are so many less people windsurfing these days.  Most areas there just isn't the consistent wind to make it worthwhile to invest so much $$ in all the equipment.  

Nah.  Outdated notion based on outdated equipment...  The modern shapes are much wider and plane much easier.  The problem IMO is a lot of WS'ers are old-timers who haven't invested in a new board in the past 10-15yrs.  As a result there's not much recent equipment out there.  Too many narrow 80ltr boards and ppl praying for nuclear wind so they can get planing.  (Sorta like in Beasho's old-time film reels :) )
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Ichabod Spoonbill on March 02, 2012, 05:49:47 PM
The windsurfers in my neck buy a lot of new boards, but they never buy a board very large. The philosophy is, “If you're not planing, you're not windsurfing.”

The wide boards are nice, but they're also kind of limited. You still really need to be planing to have fun with them. I really think longboards are much more versatile. I have one of each, BTW. The longboard (215 liters) can go out from 5-25 mph winds. The wideboard (150 liters) about 15-25. With limited vehicle space, which do you think is taken out more? (I will admit the wideboard is more fun at planing speeds.)

A longboard can also be SUPed, which is how I got onto this sport in the first place. Go Kona!
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: wilanz on March 04, 2012, 10:00:24 PM
I've been SUPing for almost 2 years.  Primarily SUP surfing but I do get out on flat water with family and friends.  This past summer I wanted to learn how to sail and took a 2 day course on a 20' Sailboat.  The sailing center also had brand new windsurf gear all rigged.  I tried it and was hooked right away.  I sold my board to get a SUP that could also windsurf.

A couple of months later, I went to check out the Florida Wave Challenge http://floridawavechallenge.com (http://floridawavechallenge.com)   It was very cool to watch and I wanted to do that!  Foot straps, jumps and flying across the waves.

Race SUP was replaced with 115L windsurf board, sail rig and a couple of sails.  I'm still learning how to use that small board but in the meantime,  windsurfing a SUP has been great.

Here's a pic of my latest - Starboard 12' SUPer (Big Easy).

These days I show up to the beach with a paddle and sail rig.  Always have a good time!  The days of solo downwinders with board locks and rollerblades have been replaced with upwind sailing followed by some downwind blasting.

I'm a SUP->windsurf convert and this winter in south Florida has been great to learn. 

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/429207_10150846424167538_644662537_12866045_2036979386_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: DavidJohn on March 05, 2012, 04:24:55 AM
Please bring back the good old days..  ;D

DJ

(http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/djp-3/Snapbucket/19AE5E48.jpg)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Easy Rider on March 05, 2012, 11:18:03 AM
wow - look at all the One Designs.   
My brothers first one was sail number 1240. 
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: SUP Sports ® on March 05, 2012, 11:38:30 AM
Most all windsurfers from the Tri-Counties area...SLO/SB/Ventura spent time at Lopez Lake during the foggy summer months...
The inventor of the carbon skinny mast, George Greenough, was a regular back in the day...

http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf1.jpg (http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf1.jpg)
http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf2.jpg (http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf2.jpg)
http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf3.jpg (http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf3.jpg)
http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf4.jpg (http://surfingsports.com/images/george_greenough_wsurf4.jpg)

I don't miss the 80's colors at all...;-)

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2009/11/windsurfing-early-years.html (http://blog.surfingsports.com/2009/11/windsurfing-early-years.html)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: blueplanetsurf on March 09, 2012, 12:01:50 AM
Windsurfing is not dead, check out some new school action:
Redbull Riders Kai Lenny and Philip Koster boosting at Pozo * Epicsesh.com (http://vimeo.com/38174637)

and another good one:
Philip Koster in Pozo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGIP6Pgsc60#ws)
Title: Re: Official End to Windsurfing
Post by: Caribsurf on March 12, 2012, 08:21:56 PM
I admit I spend lot more time on the water SUP surfing, and I pray for no or light winds.  Quite a change from a few years ago when I lived for big winds and spent a lot of my time windsurfing.

Just got back from 3 week trip to my Caribbean home and the winds were howling for almost 3 weeks straight.  As much as I wanted to SUP, I had to dust of the windsurfer and unroll the 5.0 sail and wave sail in 30 mph winds most days.  Still had some fun SUP sessions, but had to work much harder than I prefer to do.  Fortunately waves were good

As much as I have thought of retiring from windsurfing, I guess mother nature sometimes has other plans for me. 
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