Select to expand quoteStretchy said..
Windsurfing seems to be considered an old mans sport atm, but give it time and I reckon it will become cool again, for those who want a real challenge 
.
It is indeed satisfying knowing that I am an ultra cool middle aged dude, even if my family don't seem to understand that yet
You are wise after all Stretchy One.
I tell you whats on the increase with windsurfing and that's the enjoyment factor
Everything about the sport has gotten better, and as I get older and wiser, I appreciate every little thing a lot more, how blessed to have done this sport for 35 years, and still improving, going faster every year, and enjoying it more every year
I don't know about any of you guys, but I like having fewer windsurfers where I go. It got pretty busy with kiters replacing windsurfers, but then that has mellowed out also, so in the long run, I call it an improvement. More waves for everybody, happy new year.
It would be interesting to see what the trend in number of sessions and or sailors posting to GPSTC and how that has changed over the years since its inception. I know its only one discipline of windsurfing, but the database would provide an accurate measure of popularity over time.
Select to expand quotehardie said..
I tell you whats on the increase with windsurfing and that's the enjoyment factor Everything about the sport has gotten better, and as I get older and wiser, I appreciate every little thing a lot more, how blessed to have done this sport for 35 years, and still improving, going faster every year, and enjoying it more every year
You must be real old now!
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..
The GPSTC is certainly alive and kicking, at least while our anti-inflammatory drugs work
Get your kids and grandkids into windsurfing.
There is plenty of great kids gear on the market from all brands at reasonable prices when compared to bikes, iPads and Playstations. Secondhand market is picking up too. ALL brands are sell gear basically at cost as they have identified the need to grow the next generation.
The only reason numbers are in a decline is there is no next generation coming through and we all had kids later than previous generations.
The Three Thing to Remember when getting kids windsurfing
Keep it fun and sail with other kids
They don't need any wind i.e. 5 knots is plenty when they are grappling with the basics
Don't teach on a SUP unless you have to. They are too big for a kid's rig to steer. 115L to 140L board with a dagger board is perfect.
Don't forget - KEEP IT FUN
They tire out quickly so be prepared for them to sail for 30 minutes and then want to play on the beach (frustrating but be patient). Don't push them, keep the gear rigged and they will go back out later. Take lots of food and water to keep them fueled.
If you are in WA come down to a Metro Kids Session or a session with the SW Junior Windsurfing School, we have gear you can borrow to see if the kids are keen. In NSW check out the Rippers program and I know Clancy and the team in Tassie are running kids windsurfing too.
Proud Dad Moment - Some facts to get your motivated
Age - Just turn 6
Rig - 1.5m
Board - 115 Starboard Atom IQ (the removable tuttle box centre board means I can use this board with a 7.4m for free ride)
Wind - about 10 knots maybe a bit more
This is her second season sailing - Last season was stand drift between Mum and Dad. This year she is/has learnt to tack but still wants Mum or Dad near by in the water when she sails.
Her brother is 9yo, planning on 3.0m rig using harness lines and foot straps on same board.
All good reasons and recommendations, but you left out one huge thing that is the main competition for the kids attention, their fricken cell phones and video games. That is the most current hurdle to get across, I'm seeing it everywhere, and it's sad, they are going to grow up to be hunch backs.
All the more reason!
Windsurfing would be one of the fastest if not the fastest growing class out of all the Official Australian Sailing Youth Classes
In the upcoming Australian Youth Sailing Championships to be held at RQYS in Qld from the 11-15th of Jan the Techno 293OD class has more entries than 420 dinghies and Nacra 15's. Still more growth needed to catch the Laser's and 29er's
Over 20 entries this year which is double or triple previous years and better yet the entries are not just coming from one or two states this year, so far entries are as follows
WA 1
QLD 7
NSW 7
VIC 2
SA 1
NZ 3
Up for grabs in this Regatta
The Australian Youth Championship for boys and girls and a chance to be selected in the Aust Youth Sailing Team to compete at the next Youth Sailing Worlds
The Oceanic Championship for boys and Girls
And the chance to be selected as the Oceania Representative at the up coming Youth Olympics
Locally here, very much still declining, very very rare to see one. Pretty sad really, to see how windsurfing progressed into kiteboarding then the original roots have now died off.
Retro always returns eventually though, like flared pants and the word filthy,,,,,,wait,,,what
well, I saw a dad with daughter the other day, maybe 140ish litre board 2.5 m kids rig. This was at a spot where 30 years ago there was heaps of windsurfers out. The key will be if young people take it up.
Hey, im 1year back at windsurfing. Have managed to bring along my girlfriend her 2 daughters 10 & 14 and also a mate of mine. Theyre all learning on 80s-90s raceboards. The kids have sailed about 8 times this year. Can tack cruise along gybe. 14yo uses harness n can get the old mistral malibu planing using 4m sail. Fun times ahead.
Select to expand quoteolskool said..
Hey, im 1year back at windsurfing. Have managed to bring along my girlfriend her 2 daughters 10 & 14 and also a mate of mine. Theyre all learning on 80s-90s raceboards. The kids have sailed about 8 times this year. Can tack cruise along gybe. 14yo uses harness n can get the old mistral malibu planing using 4m sail. Fun times ahead.
And your converting free riders into race boarders
Going to try mine in a couple hours , I was thinking smashing the champagne on it but that's a waste of grog and probably not good for the board or the environment .
But if its over 15 kts it has to be a small board.
Definite growth in our area.
Was looking at a video from Elanda Point at Cootharaba from around 5 years back. I was the only person on the water in school holidays, on a 20 knot day. Had plenty of times I sailed alone there, or with one or two friends in the past.
There in September this year and this year and I think just in our group we had around ten camps on the water front, with heaps of other sailors in the park.
Light wind days had from 7 year old to teens and wives and partners out on windsups, and learner boards. As well as a number of late teens early twenties sons and daughters who are already kicking the old foggies butts, in all conditions.
Just need a good venue and suitable gear.
IMax1, 15 schmifteen. You ride that RB from 5-25kt. Having a ball the WHOLE time. Tack it railing n planing upwind, then turn n rip back down on a crankin broad reach. Ohhhh yeah!!!
Not declining in my family - got both the kids into it (aged 11 & 8). By far the best way to keep the kids keen is to take them windsurfing with other kids. If you're in WA the WWA kids' days are great for this. The next one is on Sunday in Lancelin and the conditions are looking pretty good at this stage - warm with light winds.
My young blokes getting their first waves, on our January surf /sailing road trip last year....the dream is still alive for 2 out of my 4 anyway
Seems to have stabilised over the last few years. Kitesurfing seems to be dropping off.
Its looking ok in Perth, On Sunday at Melville beach I counted 50 boards on the water and another 20 fluffing about on the bank, this was made up of juniors / beginners to the more experienced. There would have been close to the same over at Pelican point, for sure they would have been out in force at Safety bay and all the other locations on the coast. Long time since I have seen this many boards out. There was also the Windteck Cervantes challenge on this weekend, so a few more up there.
Just heard some exciting news about them re-inventing the Windsurfer One Design with a cheaper.. lighter.. easier and more maneuverable board that uses the same classic windsurfer rig.
I want one.. 
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Just heard some exciting news about them re-inventing the Windsurfer One Design with a cheaper.. lighter.. easier and more maneuverable board that uses the same classic windsurfer rig.
I want one..
Hopefully they will build it out of some super fancy plastic so each owner can modify the rocker using only a black plastic bag and solar energy .......no wait... that's already a feature of the original!
Select to expand quoteZed said..
Seems to have stabilised over the last few years. Kitesurfing seems to be dropping off.
That's what I see in the states, but foiling seems to be boosting them both a bit, but only a bit, maybe a little more so with kiting.
But take away foils, and I'd have to agree 100%.
Select to expand quoteTDG1959 said..
Its looking ok in Perth, On Sunday at Melville beach I counted 50 boards on the water and another 20 fluffing about on the bank, this was made up of juniors / beginners to the more experienced. There would have been close to the same over at Pelican point, for sure they would have been out in force at Safety bay and all the other locations on the coast. Long time since I have seen this many boards out. There was also the Windteck Cervantes challenge on this weekend, so a few more up there.
I was there on Sunday too and there were heaps of people out. Safety Bay on the other hand seems to have lost a lot of people with normally only a handful of people sailing in the pond.
It was good at Melville to see how many people come out of the woodwork for a good windy day. It made a great change from only a few at SB.
DJ - serious re the one design ?
lighter and stiffer board would be good.
Why wouldn't they do a modern version of rig while updating.
Select to expand quoteFormulaNova said..TDG1959 said..
Its looking ok in Perth, On Sunday at Melville beach I counted 50 boards on the water and another 20 fluffing about on the bank, this was made up of juniors / beginners to the more experienced. There would have been close to the same over at Pelican point, for sure they would have been out in force at Safety bay and all the other locations on the coast. Long time since I have seen this many boards out. There was also the Windteck Cervantes challenge on this weekend, so a few more up there.
I was there on Sunday too and there were heaps of people out. Safety Bay on the other hand seems to have lost a lot of people with normally only a handful of people sailing in the pond.
It was good at Melville to see how many people come out of the woodwork for a good windy day. It made a great change from only a few at SB.
Too many close calls with kiters who don't look where they are going have discouraged us from Safety Bay. We hardly ever speed sail there now even when conditions are spot on, but we do sail elsewhere.
You would never think windsurfing was in decline if you saw the number of windsurfers cars packed in around Ledge Point on Saturday.
Select to expand quotenormster said..
DJ - serious re the one design ?
lighter and stiffer board would be good.
Why wouldn't they do a modern version of rig while updating.
Because the classic style suits the board better. The Wally rig is extremely light - the sail is just 2kg compared to about 4-6kg for a normal 6m. The depth means that it produces more power, which a board like the Wally needs.
I haven't heard about a lighter board. To be honest I don't think it would have much effect. Because the Wally doesn't have as heavy a rig as a Raceboard or a couple of kg of wet footstraps it's already about as light on the water as a Raceboard - and vastly tougher. Take say 5kg off and the durability will probably collapse and every one of the current boards will be uncompetitive.
