downwinders??? confused.

Hey DJ, I think that is very perceptive, I agree completely. Also, what I found with downwinding is that it is very hard and even frustrating at first but the more you do it - like anything else - the more you work out how to string together the bumps, when to paddle, when to let the board glide etc etc and suddenly all the fun opens up. It definitely IS a kind of surfing on a 16footer. Also, what I do know is that the Tweed Coast is heaven on a stick for surf downwinders. A lot of the things that can annoy me about surfing this coast - big open beaches, lots of wind exposure, lots of southerly sweep, suddenly become advantages. You get a surf in the morning when it's glassy and then in the arvo when the howling southerly kicks in with a solid southerly swell at your back, the dw is a total hoot. you get 2 surfs a day instead of one - definitely beats mowing the lawn and you've earnt a couple of extra beers.

To me,
If your thinking that downwinders will be like surfing, you will be disappointed. It's about making the most of where you live and the conditions available. In summer in SA we get heaps of onshore wind at the surf locations so if you want to go for a paddle, downwinders are the answer. I would rather do a downwinder than go windsurfing on flat/choppy water which is pretty much all Adelaide and Perth sea breezes have to offer most summer days. Downwinders are fun in my book but surfing beats the lot. Sure beat running or riding bikes! Amazing what you see along the way, stingrays, dolphins, penguins, hot chicks even!

yeah, your right, any paddle in the ocean is good.one thing i find is flatwater training tends to detract from my s/b suping, but true dwer's take a lot of skill and when i hope back on the surf sub not much seems to be a problem

Hey Windy, yeah I did a downwinder on the wifes new JL 10'4" in big bay chop and didn't catch a runner until I got to the beach. It almost put me off them altogether. Once I got back on a more suited board I was keen again.