Its more than obvious that there are not many young windsurfers around in WA, with the exception being the few kids who got into windsurfing because one of their parents is a windsurfer. To me it seems that kite boarding is the main attraction for teenagers in WA at least, i only know there is one other youngin roughly my age windsurfing around perth. so my question is what is the future of windsurfing in australia, the drop of popularity these past 2 decades were great for cheap gear to learn with but it seems windsurfing is a dying sport for my generation (teenagers of today), im not sure about other countries like germany, brazil or europe where i think it is more popular, but what does everyone think will happen to australian windsurfing a few generations on?
you haven't been to melville beach lately. lots of kids sailing. some of them are getting really good too.
it is interesting. 7 years ago i met no kids windsurfing, and everyone was 40+ locally who were sailing, but now there are quite a few young people having a go. it's like 2001 -2003 was the low and it's slowly growing again
Ive noticed it seems to be an aging sport ..like bushwalking where 99% of people are over 55!
Australia has an aging population so its probably natural that a sport like windsurfing has more silvertops.
Even a supposibly youngish pastime like playing computer and video games has an average particpant age of something like 35.
Cost is the driving factor, as always. 1 Mast = 4 skateys = 2 bmx etc
Unless your supported by your folks its really hard to get into, similar to motox go karts etc. Couple this with the relatively little publicised sport and you'll attract few kids. The sheer amount of gear to be carted makes it hard for a teen to get out to decent spots.
I think once footage from decent productions hits the TV (ie lano classic $80k production) it'll start to attract the same younger crowd as the euro's seem to have.
Yip, and you need your parents full dedication aswell.
How many folks want to drop you at the beach and leave you there by yourself?
= NONE
So they have to stay at the beach when its blowing 20knots for 3hours straight.
windsurfing is not dead yet!
i have been teaching my son to windsurf since the beginning of last summer,he is now a strong shortboarder,he jumps,waterstarts and does some of the sweetest jibes you have ever seen.
he reguarly now sails in over 30 knots,other windsurfers are astonished when they see him ride in that wind strength with his tiny rig in such rough water.
he is only 8 years old and weighs 27kg
he has mastered windsurfing younger than anyone before
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the effort or teaching your kids to windsurf is well worth it!
here are some photos of alex and dad blasting around
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i also have a daughter who is 4
she will also be a windsurfer
she already knows she is going to be a windsurfer(brainwashing has begun)
she will be unleashed in 2 years time
she will be easier to teach,she is tougher than boy!
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here is clip of alex shot 6 months ago,when he was 7
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You have inspired me!!
I have 6.5 year old son and 4.5 year daughter. I think I shall start shopping for a light/small sail.
Well done!!
--Adrian
vosadrian-COOL
you are going to love this adventure and you know all of you lives are going to be better for it!
remember,give it 100%
always make it fun
get good gear-the best,lightest you can get your hands on(dont scrimp)
most of their learning done at home,rig always set up at home for play +demos
shelter them from bad expiriences(chop,strong wind,weed,ect)
swim,lessons regularly then variety(lakes,diff pools and sea) for confidence
always make it fun
does the wife windsurf?if not you may as well do her at the same time!
Harmony,then you will be able buy all the gear you like
go windsurfing whenever you want
spend all your holidays in windy places
and everyone is happy
if you need any help/advise ,send me a message
RIGHT- anyone else going to give it a go!!!!!
its parents that need to teach the next generation of windsurfers
no one else can do it for you
you ,have to pass it on to your children
if you dont teach your kids to windsurf properly(to planing level)while they are still young,they will find something else to get into,something easier or something you dont want them to get into.
to learn to windsurf takes time,very difficult in the beginning but so rewarding later
windsurfing has taught my son to be patient aware of his surroundings ,communicating , maturity,confidence,desire to be better and that it takes small steps to reach your goals,and anything is achievable
kids are better when they windsurf
ka360, I would, if I could....it's all well & good if you can afford it - it's tight enough buying 2nd hand gear for some of us without shelling out for a kit for the kids. If there's enough left after paying for their education - I'll be doing it.
In saying that, good on you for giving your kids that opportunity.
From someone who has spent the last 60 years on the beaches, it is clear that there has been a huge reduction in all beach sports, including surfing, boogie boarding, windsurfing, etc.
This has been coincident with the rise in popularity of computer games and their radical improvement in entertainment value. Specially over the last 10 years.
The problem is that computer games are there in the home ready to go when the kids get home from school, or whenever,.
No gear required, no packing up, no travel, no parking, no nothing.
Just hit the ON button and away you go. 
And when you are finished, just get up and go to the fridge and stuff your face, 
, then back to the computer and carry on maybe.
15 years ago there was standing room only on the local surf reef regardless of whether conditions were good, bad or absolute crap.
Now, unless conditions are near perfect, there is hardly anyone out. (Which suits me fine really.. I'm just stating an observation.)
There are more people taking up kiting because it is new and more visible to passers by and it is an easy transition from skate boards, water skiing or wake boarding.
If it had been invented 20 years ago and before computer games it would have been even more popular.
Like most other physical sports I think it will eventually succumb to the fake reality of the almighty computer game.
Most physical activities these days are behind the 
ball when it comes to competing with the attraction of computer games..
I can't see this changing any time soon.
There is no reduction in beach sports on the Gold Coast, the beaches are busier than ever before, which creates its own issues.
We also have a few younger crew coming through, not all teenagers, but young and keen all the same.
And give it a few years and my little bloke will be out there too, he turns 1 in a few weeks so has a bit to go yet but already loves watching the Windsurfing Movie.
We are also noticing a resurgence in windsurfing here, with even a few that went to kitesurfing coming back to the fold. Every single one of them says the same thing, windsurfing is much more difficult than kite surfing. Put that together with the i want it now generation and the outcome is less of the younger crew getting into it.
hi adrian
number 1 peice of eqipment
EZZY
1 +1.5 kids rig pack -comes with 2 sails 1+1.5m,mast, boom,uni and kids size uphaul
about $450 retail
this is perfect for both your kids
sounds to small? remember it has to be fun and easy
great size for in the house too-let the kids use it for play,long before they go out on the water
if your son progresses quickly and outgrows it or needs more power , then great!
get the next size up-you will know when
i dont think there is an ezzy dealer in sydney-wetspot in canberra would help you
i think severne do a similar kids rig pack in dacron-new this year but have not seen one yet
BOARDS
something realy big with a foam deck for the first couple of on water sessions
maybe borrow or hire an adults beginners board
they can only go in a straight line,the kids rig cannot steer the board
so tie a 10m rope to the board ,and reel them back in
dont expect more than 5 minutes,slowly,slowly and has to be fun
have an old board in the backyard as play equipment,sometimes attach the rig
make it normal for your kids to play with windsurfers and be windsurfers
make it thier idea to want to windsurf
spend some time watching windsurfing videos(with them) and tell them they will be able to windsurf like that oneday soon and you can offer to teach them
start hyping the kids up(especially your son)
have fun!
It was good to see six juniors entered for the ledge to lancelin this year. More than the last two years which is the extent of my experience. I have two sons who windsurf - they got into it one day at a pelican point "try windsurfing" event. I have windsurfed on and off since 1980 and was into catamaran sailing at the time. We bought a BIC 293 which was a big board for them at the time (aged 12 and 10) and have gradually collected a range of gear since. Its not too bad when everyone is a different size and you can have a family "quiver." It got me back into the sport and seeing them develop has been one of the most rewarding things I've done. It's also kept me on my toes trying to stay ahead of them. I think I now have to concede they're getting ahead of me (aged 17 and 15). I took them to Gnaraloo last year and this year. They always let me be the test pilot at new locations and if I come back in one piece they're off. I must admit seeing the youngest go out the first time at Gnaraloo I had my heart in my mouth, but he just skipped over a couple of waves and was away no problems (age 14). I've recently tried kite sailing myself as an alternative to lighter days and I think windsurfing is a way better sport. Kiting is an ok fun gimmick but being attached to a parachute on the end of 25m lines is not my idea of a serious water craft. Because its such as hassle launching and landing it again off the beach you don't tend to stop for a break and to socialise like in windsurfing. The kids aren't impressed with my aberrant behaviour!
I think Bluestorm has a really good point here. While it's great to teach kids young and all that stuff, sooner or later they become teenagers and just want to hang out with their mates. If noone else they know is into windsurfing then they'll eventually lose interest. That's probably why you see 'pockets' of young windsurfers. Luckily for us in Safety Bay there are at least 6 regular young windsurfers (probably more). That might be a carry over from when Simon used to run a kids club down here. That's also why we like going to the competitions, so that we meet other younger crew who are also into windsurfing. The Gero crew (who are a bit older probably 16-20) are an amazingly talented bunch of windsurfers who always seem to be having fun on and off the water and I think windsurfing is still alive and well up there. Hopefully you can make it down to Safety Bay for a sail one of these days BlueStorm or maybe try turning up to a contest.
Curryan it won't be long before the young ones will be going out and testing conditions for you. My son is 14 and goes for stunts I wouldn't dream of already, it cost me a complete rig last week, which is a bit of a bugga, but it's hard not to be impressed by that "go for it" attitude. Check out the pictures I posted a few days ago. We kitesurf and windsurf, but in Safety Bay there are definitely more young windsurfers than kitesurfers. Is that unusual?
Over here in Melbourne I'm one of the youngest guys on the water.... and I'm 30...
There are some younger ones - Flaka and some of the lads from SHQ, but not a lot.
I personally think it's due to:
a) the cost of the gear over here (far more than europe and the UK for new and second-hand)
b) the massive availability of surfing (far more than in most parts of the world)... who wants to buy thousands of dollars of kit when you can have fun for much less on a surf board? This is a problem that most of Europe doesn't have
c) Lack of students who travel to go to Uni - in the UK, everyone moves away to go to Uni, and has to make friends, so they join clubs. The Southampton University Windsurf Club had 400 members when I was there, and was essentially the starting point for the Student Windsurf Association which encourages and inspires and subsidises large numbers into the sport
d) Kite surfing, which (in the city at least) has taken a large chunk out of the potential new blood coming into the sport....maybe less so down the coast.
Personally I think the Australian scene will survive, helped by the influx of euro immigrants (myself included) who move to this amazing country with windsurfing at the top of their list of priorities.
wow your kid is alot better than me KA360 and thats hard to say since im a competitive little 15 year old.
Sloth ill bear in mind competitions but i dont think im as good as your son yet 
i think the kids that windsurf have to be very lucky to have parents like you, my dad is also
quite ready to take me windsurfing which is great, also im very lucky being the youngest (so most spoilt)
in my family and can get older siblings to drive me around the place 
i guess the main thing is say with
kite surfing kids can cath the train or bus to spots with just a backpack and carrying a small-ish board
Hi,
Dunno about other areas but I sail up at Lake Cootharaba in Queensland. Perfect learning spot and get a decent number of kids up there "attempting" to windsurf. However rarely see many under the age of 16 cruising all the way accross the lake. My brother (12) is an exception and races accross the lake pulling off three or four jumps every run but just needs to gain some weight to handle a bigger sail!! At 14 I'm almost beating the old man but can't pull off the tricky stuff my brother gets up to.
One of the problems is that kids might get a week in during the holidays to practise but just never follow through. It took us almost 2 years until we actually started to really enjoy the sport. Its one that takes loads of persistence as many of you know! However as with all sports it should return to a normal level of participation so I'm guessing we'll start to see a resurgence in numbers soon (hopefully).
yeah sailcoothara like you said i guess like anyother sport you need alot of practise and kids options are narrowed by time at school and all like myself.
i've been sailing for 7 years and started windsurfing when i was about ten (im 14 now) i sail on the weekends racing longboards and get out on botany bay in the right conditions for a shortboard......since then ive been teaching alll my school friends how to sail and just recently my mate got a brand new one design.....i think the one design has a lot more uses then people think and could just "save" windsurfing....with a good boom on them they can be a lot of fun and can go out in anything....the shortboard has a lot to do with not many kids windsurfing..when i started it was such a challenge because my dad had never shortboarded before. Learning to waterstart was enough to nearly put me off but only a lot of perseverance and windsurfing movies kept me at it. i reckon the longboard is the secret...........
Yeh Bluestorm, I was just lucky that we had a holiday place in the perfect spot for it with a dad who cant get enough of the sport!! .
I dunno Fabian, I've given longboards a go but theyre just no where near as fun and quick as the shorties. If you have the time its a far better aspect (in my opinion) of windsurfing to get into. I absolutely love my 96 Hypersonic even though it took half a year to get used to. Locked in the straps in that thing cruising accross the lake at 20 knots + is bloody hard to beat if you ask me!! Don't get me wrong, you need the time and conditions to really enjoy that sort of board but if you can find a place to do it, don't pass the oppurtunity. Longboards are great to learn on but you eventually (or atleast I did) wanna go faster and get more runs in!!
great h2o
pm me your postal details and i will send you a crystal clear copy on dvd
also will put on a copy of a clip of him as a beginner,so they can see what they are ready for and can expect
video your kids as they learn,and let them see it (the good bits,edit it a bit)
alex gets up early every morning before anyone is up and watches it
sometimes i think he is amazed,and can't believe he can do those things
or is drag racing the world champion
your kids seeing themselves doing it shows them they can and are doing it
if your kids really,really want to windsurf-you have already overcome the greatest hurdle
i hope it helps your kids think windsurfing is cool and they want to become windsurfers
pleasure to help
Of course teaching your own mongrels is an obvious step - I find most windsurfing fathers do.
But teaching one's 1-2 kids, with at the most 0-1 that will take it up, does not bring significant new blood in the sport. Said otherwise: when we're gone, the numbers will be the same as now or less... 
I'm "forcing" me own 15yo to teach his mates, and I myself teach fair bit. On the off day, it's actually fun and gratifying. But never indiscriminately, only to well-chosen, genuinely interested prospects. After all, this is the Internet age - people give real quick, esp. when it's free.
As to the $$ argument: I try to steer interested people towards inexpensive, single used gear at first. Newbies are faced with experienced windsurfers and shops that try to ram down their wallet expensive multiple gear. That turns newbies right off, rightly so. It is almost well-deserved that the numbers are so far down.
(I've seen shops trying to switch newcomers to kiteboarding...)
look like those old diggers who windsurf are at sandy point, firebob. anyway most windsurfers in melbourne seem to be in there 40s, 50s, 60s and i windsurf with a guy at inverloch who is 70, real cool and nice bloke. every one under 40 seem to all surf and kitein vic. windsurfing is still the best sport in the world and i dont care if i am the last guy left, windsurfing in Australia. It just means i will have to buy me gear all off shore.
