Remember the good old days?/ Do you give a damn?

darcystevenson · Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Posts: 38

The problem is the old geezers themselves. Rolling Thunder with 6 boards towed behind (non of which they sail because there is never enough wind) and being condescending to anyone trying to get going as a beginner.

Oh so cool? To a young-in? No way.

Maybe when the isobars generation finally dies off there can be a new wave of people sailing with one mid-size board, and one twisted sail, and working on their cool moves. They still won't have gasoline, but they can try to make the lifestyle. Although it would be better if we didn't have to wait for the isobars generation to die off...

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

pueno · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 2807

Barnett · Joined: 11 Jul 2000 Posts: 116

Perhaps a free publication- a few pages are plenty-by an active boardsailing association (eg W Dennis/Kalmus)- that can be placed in all those "freebie" piles in cafes, etc. around the cape and maybe even in Boston/Cambridge (for New England sailors)? They are not hard to do on a home computer these days and could drum up some interest - possibly could even be sponsored/financed by gear shops. Would require a commitment by somebody who sails regularly enough and is willing to put it together.....

Come to think of it, why do we have all separate tiny boardsailing associations but nothing central (e.g. "New England Boardsailing Association"- maybe it exists but , if so, I am unaware), instead of a few guys at Kalmus independently doing their thing, a few at W Dennis independently doing their thing, etc.....) Combining into larger groups may provide the impetus and resources to put together events, publications, etc.

(I focus on the cape because it is the region I know best- could do the same in mid-Atlantic...Hatteras I think already has something like that....maybe could all combine into a "Northeast Boardsailing Association" and work together)....

I live 3 hr from Cape Cod and thus do not sail nearly as much as I would like, but I remember prior regular events on the cape that would attract the likes of Robby Naish, bring at least hundreds if not more down to Kalmus and were tons of fun for sailors and non-sailors alike- I would even drag my landlubber buddies in Northampton all the way to Hyannis for these things and they would often leave with a big smile and the ganas to learn....

Barnett · Joined: 11 Jul 2000 Posts: 116

And another thing- kitesurfers and windsurfers should be buddies and work together on this stuff as much as possible. Yeah, we have issues, but mostly we are similar folks with similar objectives. Power in numbers. Divide and be conquered.

toodave · Joined: 06 Jul 1991 Posts: 3

Interesting that almost no one is talking about the effect of kites on all this. I've been windsurfing for 25+ years, but my sweetheart is a kiter so I've been spending more time with that community. In many ways it resembles the w/s community of the 80's... stoked, young, having way too much fun on and off the water... except for a big difference... they really need eachother's help all the time to launch and land, and because of the legendary hazards of having a kitemare on the water, they tend to REALLY look out for eachother. AND with 3 kites and one board she's happily sailing in conditions I need 7 sails (3.7-8.4) and 3 boards to cover. I think it's safe to say that's what's sucking alot of the life from our windsurfing world. Personally I think we're all the same thing and there's alot to be gained from joining forces instead of this incredibly idiotic rivalry that seems to happen. So.... learn how to launch and land a kite so you can help them out ... and see what happens.....