Dr J did you try SUP in any kind of surf?
That would be a no. Far easier to just pay out then actually give it a try really ain't it?
I'm kinda over the thread now, I've been surfing or sailing for over 30 years so I figure I've actually earnt the right to have an opinion that I based in fact. Either accept that others have an opinion or shut the **** up.
Dude, have you been on the sauce? I am guessing so, I hope you feel better tomorrow and have some respect and regret.
Just a whole bunch of poms who don't realise they aren't truly windsurfing in their funny outfits and their silly paddle boards with sticks and the night windsurfing with jet skis and......they seem to be having fun.....don't they know their economy is stuffed .....stop looking so happy....and stop planning next years event....go and take up golf or tennis or darts.......
I had to drop off my wife at the airport for a flight. Stopped off on the way home to La Perouse to say g'day to a mate who was windsurfing. It looked pretty good. If the wind moderates a bit tomorrow I'll give it a go as I've got to take it easy right now.
I think windsurfing is becoming more popular. I saw a fair few people out windsurfing today.
went to Narrabeen and struggled in the gusts. still managed #.5 hrs on the water or better say !.5 on the water the other two in it. Luckily it's not to deep but I reckon I still have to find that spot in Sydney for Westerlies.
And there is no decline. There was at lest one other newbie out there with me so it's actually increasing - +2- at the moment.
Chatted to 3 people who were either new to or getting back in to windsurfing at lake dangerous today, not bad for a pretty cold and all over the place wind session.
Over here (U.K.) the continuing good health of windsurfing is not a given.
The current absurd pricing structure of new gear .... boards £1,500+, sails £500+ etc, ...has had two main effects.
1) New board sales are in the doldrums, and all the windsurfers I sail with refuse to pay such prices, They are all buying second hand or older discount stuff, but that cannot last. When that supply chain is exhausted, what then?
2) The dealers who remain in business are on the edge, and having to diversify to survive, especially under recession conditions. (Bikes, kayaks, clothing lines, kites. S.U.P.'s etc.)
Whether or not newcomers wish to take up windsurfing the declining market structure (and dealers know it is declining) will effectively deter them, and push them into the growing 'band wagon' sports. Biking shop sales are BOOMING despite the downturn, and there seems to be more biking magazines on shop shelves than you can shake a stick at. It is a virile and rapidly growing market, whereas windsurfing seems to the young to be fading out.
Those who live in prime windsurfing areas (good winds and good surf on tap) are in denial at the real picture. As a long time water sports enthusiast (windsurfing 30 years and on the water more than most) I sense the stench of decline in 'our' sport. Yesterday was quite good 5.4 conditions yet only a handful (3 of us to be precise) turned up, and 2 of them spent half the day talking in the car park before rigging!
Its almost like 20-30 year olds dont exist, they are either super young or super mature 
the reason it died is because school teachers don't windsurf anymore.
in the early eighties half our club were school teachers.
every wednesday they would bring half a dozen students to the lake and go windsurfing.
the final nail in the coffin was the introduction of the sputnik270.
everyone bought one then found they could not turn without doing laydowns.
Ahhhhh the problem with nostalgia is that it is simply not as good as it was when I was a lad!
saw these prices on speedsurfing forum,not a cheap sport.
BRAND NEW, never used, Severne Reflex II (2011)
7.8 retail € 969 --> now €775
7.0 retail € 909 --> now € 750
6.2 retail € 869 --> now € 725
With 1 year warranty!!!!
Methinks you protest too much (and too frequently) Mr Barn!
Where, in your philosophy of life, does forging a career, raising a family, and taking part in all the other wonders and diversions of our time on earth fit in?
Has it not occured to you that the majority of people do not treat windsurfing, fascinating and compelling as it undoubtedly is, as their sole reason for living?
You come across mainly as trying to convince yourself that you are right, and the rest of the world needs to learn from you.
I dont live in a windy place [Newcaslte] I have one waveboard and 3 sails and sail more or less 2-3 days a week in summer. Sailed the first seabreeze of the season last week and it was more fun windsurfing than all of the surfing I had been doing all winter.
