I look back a few years at why i started kiteboarding.
To be honest cruising about on huge freeride sails and boards, in under powered, choppy seas, really didn't do it for me and the lack of strong wave sailing winds, got a little to much to bare.
But surely when one is given the option to again windsurf in optimal wave sailing conditions, you have to think seriously about giving it another go.
To get to the point.
I went for my first proper wave sail in more then 3 years last night. (no intention of rubbing it in is intended)
Was powered on a 5.3 and 80L board and caught a few waves.
I awake this morning to see my hands absolutely destroyed.
So why do i/we windsurf???
this is the same answer i gave a kiter mate, who saw me windsurfing down the beach last night.
and the answer is..... Because I Can.
Have a good weekend guys and girls.
Hope your as full as stoke as i am.
(i thought i'd share what 3 years without a boom in hand looks like).
thanks to the wanda boys for some kit.
Yeah or just elasto tape those flappers .. you ll be right !! I was 12 Years of no sailing not even once . I Know what it feels like to get back on the water
I thought all kiteboarders' hands looked like that from... ahem.
Jokes aside if/when I move back to the GC I'm going to give kiteboarding a try for the same reasons JB has given; underpowered wave sailing is no fun on a windsurfer. On the GC seabreezes are ~15 knots at the beach, and frustratingly ~20+ knots in the broadwater not 100m away. Kiteboarding (perhaps on a thruster) looks a very, very nice way to enjoy the ocean to me.
But, I also really enjoy 14 knots on a warm day, high tide, on a "big" freeride board, 110 litres and a 7.2m freerace sail, and a big fin, on flat water, that you don't actually get in Sydney, except right next to the runway where you're suffocating from all the aviation fuel. GC has a lot of sandbanks to smooth thiings out, too many in fact. It's super relaxing and you'll hit 20 knots+ at peak speeds. I get planing same as the kites, who are often too scared to leave the beach in case they sink.
I don't need to mention why I windsurf at 25+ knots.
...but right now I'm wondering why I windsurf as this sea breeze is not kicking in at all. The clouds aren't helping. Hopefully with the change of tide this afternoon.
Having crossed Bass Strait three times by sea kayak since 2007, I look for something 'new', something technical.
Having crewed sloops with Captain Bligh types who only reveal their true personalities once at sea, I now look for the independence of kayaking, while having the thrill of being under sail.
A goal is long day windsurf trips, ie., Manly to Wollongong