The idea that "windsurfing" is a fairly narrow sport that needs a narrow range of conditions seems to create a lot of the frustrations and keeps many people from enjoying it.
It's a bit as if people thought that surfing was all about getting perfect stand-up barrels, that road cycling was all about riding the famous Tour de France mountain passes, or that boat sailing was all about 18 Foot Skiffs or the Sydney-Hobart. If one defines a sport that narrowly then it must become very demanding on gear, conditions, expertise, etc.
Instead, surfers accept that they need SUPs or Mals or to paddle out in 3' of slop and just chill; road cyclists ride around their town with their mates; boat sailers sail Lasers at their local bay; and they all have fun doing it because their conception of the sport and the gear they use are designed around normal conditions.
I can give you lots of reasons why I hate or why windsurfing is frustrating. But when I'm out there blasting, feeling free, challenging myself to do better and taking time to just enjoy this awesome sport it's worth all the frustrations any one can come up with.
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said..
Consistent conditions is for sure appreciated!
Interesting to note that no one(?) answered nailing the jibe or planing through them 
Nailing a planing gybe is the challenge that keeps windsurfing interesting despite the frustrations of inconsistent conditions, work on windy days etc
Select to expand quoteWindxtasy said..
Nailing a planing gybe is the challenge that keeps windsurfing interesting despite the frustrations of inconsistent conditions, work on windy days etc
Agree, improving your jibes is probably a never ending story. It never caused frustrations and only motivates me to sail more. How good is it when all the hard work pays off and you nail the jibe in even more challenging conditions!
I think it might not be frustrating because you control this (on the right gear). It's just a matter of skills, while other things like weather are out of our control.
I have been windsurfing (recreational windsurfer) for 43 years in Europe, Australia and in the USA (last 23 years in USA).
Challenges on the water are only the Opportunities to Learn more and maximize what I love. For me personally it is "moving on the water the most efficiently for maximum mileage" (considering local limiting conditions).
I totally Understand and Appreciate the Diversity in Windsurfing/Windfoiling. There are so many "strokes for different folks".
When people share on-line how they Mastered (or at least fine tuned) what they do, "their Specialties" - Everybody has opportunity to Learn and Grow. It is Win-Win for Everybody. Also it should be like "additional tool in a toolbox". Only You, the Reader, decide what is relevant.
Seabreeze is Great for that !
What frustrates me the most is that when I put a lot of my time to help people to "widen the horizon" for anyone who is willing to listen with Science, Statistics & Analysis, they feel offended and are becoming hostile.
Also because the facts do not support their developed patterns.
The latest example is about our Local Lake Washington Winds (Seattle, WA USA).
"2/3 windy in Magnuson Park"
groups.io/g/nw-windtalk/topic/97342688#81043
Some people say that "My Science is Wrong" BUT they never bring any Fact-Based Science. Or maybe we are living in parallel Universes. I do not know.
e.g.
"Science of fluid flow, wind shadow, laminar vs turbulent flow - in reference to Lake Washington Winduro"
groups.io/g/nw-windtalk/topic/85734803
"What can Lake Washington deliver 12 months in a year even for "Heavier Dude" ? - Stats & Analysis"
groups.io/g/nw-windtalk/message/76194
I wrote dozens if not hundreds of posts about Windsurfing/Windfoiling related: Weather, Local Hazards, Equipment, Safety, fine tunning for "Heavy Dudes" in light winds, etc. etc.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..
Lack of parking.
Come to Tassie, plenty of parking, just lacking windsurfers
1. Wind
Despite being blessed to live in windy Perth and having access to some amazing and varied inshore and offshore sailing spots usually within a 30 minute drive or an hour or two if more committed, the wind can still be fickle and is very seasonal, so you only get a solid 3 months of reliable sea breezes till you have to rely on winter storms for a fix - which I usually don't bother with. I suppose I don't mind a short and sharp season like this and it suits school teachers and others who can organise more time off over the Christmas/New year period. You can always chose to extend the season by chasing wind down in Albany and Esperance or up North to Denham for flat ocean sailing or Geraldton and Gnarloo for waves.
2. Cost
It's true that gear isn't cheap but I've found buy the latest and best new gear you can afford and it will last quite a few years before you feel the need to update. Get matching masts/sails/booms and it all works seamlessly. The new stuff is so much better than the old gear I occasionally pull out and use, making the $ spent seem a wise investment. If you amortise the cost over the life of your gear you are probably spending $2-3K per year which isn't too bad. Better gear also lets you tap into more of the either light or nuclear windy days.
3. Transport and storage
No matter which way you look at it, this is a real pain and where kiting and wing foiling win out big-time. All the serious sailors seem to have dedicated vans nowadays and it would be my aim to go down this road eventually. OK, I've got a dedicated old station wagon to throw my gear in but even that's becoming a tight squeeze but at least I don't have to tie my boards on the roof.
4. Steep learning curve.
I'll transpose a skiing joke about snowboarders (I'm one) to windsurfers about kiting: Q. "What's the difference between a beginner kiter and an expert? " A. "2 days" (I'm not belittling the skill of kiters, just that the learning curve is different)
I think for most I've spoken to, you never really master windsurfing, you're just happy with your level of mediocrity! This is part of the appeal, as if you sail within your limits, you feel like you're a master of your domain but if chose to push it further, there is always a challenge.
I've been doing it for over 30 years now and will do it till I'm in a Zimmer frame!
Select to expand quoteTopcatRacing said..
4. Steep learning curve.
I'll transpose a skiing joke about snowboarders (I'm one) to windsurfers about kiting: Q. "What's the difference between a beginner kiter and an expert? " A. "2 days" (I'm not belittling the skill of kiters, just that the learning curve is different)
I think for most I've spoken to, you never really master windsurfing, you're just happy with your level of mediocrity! This is part of the appeal, as if you sail within your limits, you feel like you're a master of your domain but if chose to push it further, there is always a challenge.
I've been doing it for over 30 years now and will do it till I'm in a Zimmer frame!
Yes that's a great thing about windsurfing too. It's both deep and broad. You can specialize in certain areas from speed finning to foiling, to racing, to freeride, to freestyle, to waveriding...and combinations thereof.
Just yesterday I was out and wanted to do two things: new speed PB and deliberately jump a foil. Well, I got the foil jump (just barely), but fell short of a speed PB due to room and probably just not enough wind, but they are two distinct disciplines on separate gear. Lots to learn all around.
Select to expand quoteTopcatRacing said..
...
I think for most I've spoken to, you never really master windsurfing, you're just happy with your level of mediocrity! This is part of the appeal, as if you sail within your limits, you feel like you're a master of your domain but if chose to push it further, there is always a challenge.
I've been doing it for over 30 years now and will do it till I'm in a Zimmer frame!
Too true. It's like golf in that respect but with a huge range of goals/skills to shoot for. I think that's a good thing, but I suppose it could discourage the hyper-ambitious.
"you never really master windsurfing, you're just happy with your level of mediocrity!"
Mm..I get frustrated at my level of mediocrity..
.. I'll have to become content with it..
I have no serious frustrations other than myself, so I will think of some trivial inconveniences for a laugh. These are in no special order but I have chosen 10 because that is what people do...
1. Sometimes the conditions are so good that you stay out too long so that your arms are too weak to carry your rig off the beach.
2. Biting ants that always get you when you are rigging and de-rigging.
3. Bindies on the grass where you rig
4. Unconvincing weather reports
5. Your friends take up rival sports, like kiting or wing foiling
6. You have to work when the wind is blowing
7. You are sick or injured when the wind is blowing
8. A family member has a birthday when the wind is blowing
9. The car is broken when the wind is blowing
10. It's winter and the wind is blowing (too cold)
Select to expand quotephiln said..
Lack of waves is super frustrating
That's easy to solve, move on.
We got just one life to live
