myiW Current Conditions and Forecasts Community Forums Buy and Sell Services
 
Hi guest · myAccount · Log in
 SearchSearch   ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   RegisterRegister 
Why Beginners Get Discouraged
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    iWindsurf Community Forum Index -> Windsurfing Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
andreafuentes99



Joined: 12 Jan 2016
Posts: 27

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:20 pm    Post subject: Why Beginners Get Discouraged Reply with quote

Quick anecdote as to why beginners get discouraged from this sport... they don't come to forums like this before buying their first board! And people tell them a little wave board is fine for a brand new beginner.Sad

This weekend in Key Biscayne, guy and his son were trying like crazy to uphaul on an older JP Xcite something, like 125 liters I think, in 12 knot winds with a little chop. Wound up chatting with them, he'd had a lesson (on some kind of big board undoubtedly), bought a used rig 5.0 from adventure sports (good job), then bought the board on Craigslist (ooops).

Anyway I explained to them to get a more beginner friendly board and let the dad actually get on mine and successfully balance and uphaul, pointed out the advanced guys with boards that size were all beach starting not uphauling. But of course they guy who sold them the more advanced board told them it was perfect for learning to windsurf. Rolling Eyes ANYWAY just sharing an observation.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gvogelsang



Joined: 09 Nov 1988
Posts: 435

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You were very nice to offer the Dad your board for a try.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The family were the unfortunate fate .

People are people and like a box of chocolates....
Nice that you helped enlightened them

_________________
K4 fins
4Boards....May the fours be with you

http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cgoudie1



Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2597
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 6:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Why Beginners Get Discouraged Reply with quote

Hi Andrea,

125 ltrs should float about 275 lbs, if you figure ~35lbs for the board
and sail you're left with 240 lbs for people, but, that doesn't address a
stable platform.

A 200 lb beginner would have a heck of a time uphauling a 125 ltr
shortboard. Maybe a rare exception would be a consistently windy
(20-30MPH) venue, and then the instruction technique and learning curve
would be very different.

Someone in the 100 pound range would probably do alright with 125 ltr
short board, but it wouldn't be as easy as a 180ltr board.

I've never seen nor heard of a 125ltr beginner board, you sure won't
see anything like that in any of the beginner instructional classes
(well maybe for some on who weighs 80 lbs)
A 125 Ltr JP Excite Ride isn't exactly a little wave board, but it's no
good for learning, and people should be more responsible in how they
present gear to the uninitiated.

I expect you to be riding a 125 ltr board as your biggest board probably
within the next 3 years. ;*)

-Craig

andreafuentes99 wrote:
Quick anecdote as to why beginners get discouraged from this sport... they don't come to forums like this before buying their first board! And people tell them a little wave board is fine for a brand new beginner.Sad

This weekend in Key Biscayne, guy and his son were trying like crazy to uphaul on an older JP Xcite something, like 125 liters I think, in 12 knot winds with a little chop. Wound up chatting with them, he'd had a lesson (on some kind of big board undoubtedly), bought a used rig 5.0 from adventure sports (good job), then bought the board on Craigslist (ooops).

Anyway I explained to them to get a more beginner friendly board and let the dad actually get on mine and successfully balance and uphaul, pointed out the advanced guys with boards that size were all beach starting not uphauling. But of course they guy who sold them the more advanced board told them it was perfect for learning to windsurf. Rolling Eyes ANYWAY just sharing an observation.


Last edited by cgoudie1 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 5:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
konajoe



Joined: 28 Feb 2010
Posts: 517

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who cares about having the right gear to learn on. Little boards are soooooooo cool.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What's cool is seeing people having fun on gear that works for their situation.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
techno900



Joined: 28 Mar 2001
Posts: 4161

PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Even when everything goes right (board, sail, venue, wind, instruction), some give up just because the learning curve is so slow.

Some give up because one or more elements aren't just right (too much wind or chop, large sail, small board, bad instruction). Their frustration sends them away.

Some just don't have the time or access to speed progress, so they give up.

Just getting to the water with your gear becomes tiresome for a few, and they just give up.

It takes an understanding family or significant other to commit to a lifetime of windsurfing.

The lucky ones stay with it and overcome the obstacles to become committed diehards.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Every time, right up to yesterday, some local (the Columbia flows right through town but is too swift for learning) employed person asks me about trying it out, I ask them whether they have the time and interest to drive 75 to 150 miles each way every weekend for half the year for a few years to get competent at Gorge sailing. Every one says, "Of course not." Their expression gets even more incredulous when I explain that many locals drive to the 75-miles-away spot on weekdays after work for just an hour of sailing.

It's not a sport for the casual dabbler unless the conditions are good nearby and they're in no hurry to become proficient. .
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
techno900



Joined: 28 Mar 2001
Posts: 4161

PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Heck, I have driven from Raleigh to the Outer Banks on numerous occasions for two hours of day sailing. So have several other "enthusiasts" that live in the Raleigh area.

Total driving in a day of over 400 miles.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
geohaye



Joined: 03 Apr 2000
Posts: 1437

PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Definitely a 4 to 1 ratio applies. Anything up to even 4 hours of driving (total, not each way!) for 1 hour in the straps has always been worth it...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    iWindsurf Community Forum Index -> Windsurfing Discussion All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum

myiW | Weather | Community | Membership | Support | Log in
like us on facebook
© Copyright 1999-2007 WeatherFlow, Inc Contact Us Ad Marketplace

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group