Cali Cam turning 60 in July. Was looking online to see if that was a realistic thought. After 30 years, is it possible to return? Read a post on this site 2014 from Kevin posting about similar thing. I was very encouraged by responses and the humor too! Clear to me it is more than possible. Will some body tell me about some forums I might like to join. People returning to sport after many years, people windsurfing my age, etc.
I was a mediocre lake windsurfer. Never got confident or strong enough for strong winds, but I did use a harness to keep me out there on really windy days. I had only brand windsurf available and eventually O'Brien came out with a affordable one, which I bought and loved.
When the sail finally blew out I was able to afford a newer lighter weight sail. Windsurfing was my thing and I absolutely loved it! When I got married,still married, my husband liked boating. He turned me on to jet skiing. Windsurfing became going to boat but we would bring my windsurfing stuff.
Boaters and windsurfers like very different conditions and bodies of water. Eventually the windsurfer came less and less . We live on a small lake, but that is turning more than sailing. Blah, blah, blah. I digress terribly!
If you have any site suggestions I would really appreciate it. Sorry for such a wordy post and definitely TMI ( too much information) Thanks and happy sailing to All!
You'll be one of the young ones!
If it's 30 years since you last sailed, you also find the new equipment much easier to use. You'll need to give a little more detail though if you want good recommendations on what gear to buy.
Weight, typical wind speed in your area, what you were able to do when you last sailed, what would you like to be able to do? Could be you just want to glide around on a large stable floating board in a 6-10 kt breeze on calm water, or do you want to get planing and skimming across the water on a smaller board in 15-25+ kts of wind?
You'll be amazed at how much more user friendly the equipment is now days, as well as how much used stuff there is available to buy for cheap, thanks to other new sports taking people away from w'surfing. So with that being said, it's a great time to re-enter.
This site is as good as any other site, better than most for general info, but if you're looking for illustrated tips, go to YouTube.
Welcome back. I see many windsurfers over their 70ies, once met a 82 yo couple. They all looked in great shape thanks to the sport.
Tried taking my kit to my fathers sail boat last summer, it doesn't work because boats anchor at calm bays. Bays are gusty, with awkwardly changing wind directions, even if you want to do it in light winds, its no fun, and you will most likely fall downwind. If you anchor near a nose/channel (which will still be uncomfortable for other passengers), and if you have a 15hp+ dingy in your boat, it can take you to the channel and bring back when you are finished, need a communication device, maybe a whistle would be enough if you are close enough to the boat.
I think this is the best English speaking forum, at least for windsurfing, no need to look elsewhere.
Yes plenty of help here, as already mentioned, many of us are ancient.
My wife didn't start windsurfing till she was 50, and only gave it up because of arthritic knee problems, when she was over 70.
It's certainly a great sport for all ages, helps keep you fit and active.
I've recently had back problems, and eased up considerably on my windsurfing, because I didn't want to make it any worse. My Doctor told me I was wrong, he recommended, pain killers if it got too bad, but just keep windsurfing, it's the best thing for you.
I totally agree after 35 +year's the kit is easy to sail and user friendly I've just taken up windfoiling at 64 and loving it one of the guys locality still ripping at 76 !
Age is just a number.
Select to expand quotelotofwind said..
Good to see some youth getting into the sport.
Physical youth is a transient thing, mental youth is something else.
The only way to evade physical age is to die, if that's your choice, you'll miss out on a lot of fun!
Hi Calicam,
I used to sail slalom/waves in South Australia in 1980's in the 15-30knt sea breezes. Life was complete back then.
Now live on a small lake in Texas. Got bored with SUP and kayak, bought a beginner board to windsurf again, got planing the odd few times when wind got up past 15knts. Then stumbled across foiling for light winds.
Made a small initial mistake of buying a Neil Pryde pinkie foil as it was advertised as entry level (the seller meant entry level price, I thought entry level skill). The pinkie was fun but hairy for a beginner. Started to research other foils on www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling
Very helpful advice on seabreeze.
Now have Slingshot i84 and an Fwind2
Hey spring chicken. There are many many windsurfers/windfoilers/kiters out there older than you. At the Event Site in the summer you see more gray hair than any other color.
Yes, like others here have said, you will be AMAZED at the user-friendliness of the newer gear. If you get such newer gear, you will do just fine getting back into the sport. No worries. Be sure to get smart advice about the gear to get.
I am 72 and started windfoiling at age 69, and love life on the wing. If you are even thinking about windfoiling, now would be a great time to get into the swing of it. Get foil-compatible gear, even for fin sailing for now, then you can easily and inexpensively transition into foiling later. As a general rule of thumb, for a given wind strength, windfoiling takes a smaller sail than finning does.
Welcome back.
Select to expand quotelotofwind said..
Good to see some youth getting into the sport.
We are all keenagers
Not sure where you are, But if you are anywhere near Gosford NSW come over and see us. Two local guy in their mid 70s absolutely rip , but more to the point we have beginners and returners around your age coming regularly and progressing well.
look us up:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/Gosford-Saratoga-Sailboards-Racing--Freeride-Lessons-?page=19
