board segment questions

keycocker · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3598

I think you are an exception among non pros.
The example of Micah is the usual in the races I work, including the Maui Race Series at Kanaha.
The GPS site shows the range of speeds.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

1. Novice shortboarder.
2. Intermediate shortboarder, can use straps, plane, and make some jibes.
3. Advanced shortboarder, easily sails anywhere in the world, on all kinds of shortboards.
4. Expert shortboarder, among the best in the water recreational, not nearly as good against dedicated successful racers or wave sailors, or freestylers.
5. The guys making money doing the windsurfing part. Not reps, not salesmen.

keycocker · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3598

Pros who make a living only competing are very rare these days.
I can't think of a single example of a guy who lives off winnings, but a few make their whole living from sponsors. They are expected to sell gear one way or another. Gear companies do not give money away for any other reason.

Almost all PWA guys are industry reps or financially independent.
Some do sail or board testing for money,usually for their sponsors but not all.
Others like Bringdal at Mistral,own or manage windsurfing businesses.
Through my work I am slightly acquainted with a couple hundred.
The idea that Anders or Peter Slade is only 1 MPH faster is not what I see at the races.
Your experiences are the exception.

SergioKapul · Joined: 04 Apr 2014 Posts: 65

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Definetely NOT nearly Pro level.
Expert level sailors, to me, can sail at least slalom, course, bump n jump nearly with the best, where a casual onlooker can only tell the difference because Pros have bright colored labels on their sails, and bright colored wetsuits.
Lots of respected amateur level sailors compete at least 10 races a year, some for longer than 30 years. They are NOT nearly pros either, but can hang with slalom gear close enough that no casual observer can tell the difference. Of course, WE know our place in the order of things, having sailed with the Pros when they come to town. I"m in Berkeley, so no stranger to sailing with the slalom pros who come by.
Remember, Wyatt, Tyson, Whit, and RobWarrick lived only 12 blocks from Berkeley Marina until they were 22 years of age, and sailed Berkeley a bit.