Talking about demo days. I have been talking to three different young women about windsurfing lately and they are all keen to learn and so are all of their friends. Most of them did a few lessons in school aquatics or had parents who used to windsurf, or have surfed. They just need some encouragement and a chance to try the new easier gear, so it would be great if our two windsurfing/kiting shops could either get together or both of them hold a day targetted specifically at women. An untapped market???? I am sure the SA girls who already windsurf would support this event. I know I would. And all of the guys have partners who would love to try too with a bit of support. 
Go for it, Susie
Get their names & ph no, go to the shops & say 'these girls want to learn/rejoin windsurfing' etc
Don't take no or maybe for an answer.
Then don't publish the list on seabreeze[}:)]
Hi Susie / Kym c/o Divaldo,
We have a Womens division in the SA Summer of speed if you are keen. If you dont have a gps I might be able to arrange for you to borrow one for a couple of runs. We sailed at the mouth on Sunday in perfect conditions with about twenty guys on the water with even young bubs out there lining up with the rest of us. The spot was great with a grassed area to rig up and toilets. At one stage I counted 35 spectators & kids running around. We have a resuce boat on hand in case of trouble and the whole day is very social. Our next round is at Beachport on Jan 26/27 where most of us either camp on the spit or stay in town. If you are keen to join in the fun let us know.
Cheers,
Chris
Yeah we have done windsurfing on school camps before. Quite a few of the guys liked it but its so expansive to get into. Only one of my mates has really bought gear and started doing a bit but can't do it that often.
When i was younger, Onboard (Cutloose at the time) ran a grommit club where there were quite a few young guys, including me and my brother, just all went out together and had a sail with some gear provided. The gear wasn't great and modern but did the job. I
f they were to organise something like that again it would be awsome. And i'm sure i would find plenty of people interested. Anything in SA like that would be great because i don't know any other young windsurfers in SA really which is kind of disapointing. Ovcourse roping the girls in would get some of the blokes into it aswell. Any ideas???
Bubs
once in, there is nooo turning back (well there is really, its upwind to get another run at downwind speed
)
Hey Mineral,
Why cant she be in one of the SA teams for the challenge. I am pretty sure Susie can sail as fast as us boys. Ignore him Susie, I was born and bred in WA and as far as the sandgroppers are concerned we live in a different country and they would be better off with out us. Dont cross over to the dark side
chris
Hi Susie,
I probably taught about 5 times as many chicks as I did blokes through the windsurf school and outdoor ed places. The girls were always better to teach, their not afraid to ask questions. If you've got chicks wanting to get into windsurfing get them to contact me and I'll definitely put something together. Obviously it'll have to be when I'm back on the water (7 weeks and counting). Whether it's through 1 shop, both shops or no shops, I'm not really fussed, I'm more interested in building up the sport than anything else.
Muzza
Hey bubs,
You're absolutely right, we need more gommies coming into windsurfing.
Ideally what is needed is to form something like a club which is more of a windsurfing social club than a competitive club.
Basically a group of windsurfers who organize windsurf trips, barbies and coaching kids (and adults) in windsurfing.
A monthly newsletter with calendar of events etc, regular weekend windsurfing and barbies... who knows!
In my view this should be done by us, the windsurfers, not the shops. That way you avoid brand wars and politics... doesn't matter what gear you're on, as long as you're having fun.
... just a thought!
Windsurfing SA?
Maybe we need to get our collective heads together over summer.....
Has anyone looked at the UK T15 concept for kids - I am amazed that they can organise young kids into sailing groups in bloody England where the summer water temp is lucky to reach our winter temps.
Having a couple of kids myself I really want to get them started but am put off by purchasing kids gear which may get used for a summer and thats it. My daughter is 12 and keen and my son is 6 and willing to try anything with water.
The other thing is when you want to sail but are looking after the grommies - gets better if they can sail with you.
I think Divaldo and Susie are right - maybe a resurection of the whole windsurfing scene with some focus on the womens and kids similar to the Micro Groms surfing clubs and include the adults - I would be very keen to get involved at what ever level.
I think it's the NSW association that has a kitty of gear that they donate to groms to get them underway - gear that still has a useful life that crew donate -
MAybe we should start a thread and gain some support and get it happening.
I'm in for sure.
When I had the windsurf school I started a group called Ozgrom, which I started to get the kids not only into windsurfing, but to help them progress into freestyle and wave-sailing. Unfortunately I got pissed off with the lack of support from the shops and chucked it in... I'm keen to help get something like this going.
I've got 2 new (old style) HiFly boards that aren't beginner boards, but they'll be great for the grommies. An old 1.7 kids sail and boom and all sorts of accessories etc etc that I'm happy to put into a kitty of gear (as long as it stays in the kitty and not sold or given to anyone).
Maybe everyone interested should get together and see how much gear we can put together and see how many people are interested enough to give up some of their time to get it going and keep it going.
Sorry Susie, we've got a bit sidetracked from your original topic. I'm keen to get the girls thing happening too, whether its combined or separate from the grommies idea.
Muzza
Hey Muzza, I don't see it as a sidetrack but rather an EXPANSION which is great!!! ANYTHING to encourage more people into our great sport. I think its important to have the new easy learn gear though. Its such a shame there is not much water in the Lakes to learn on, hopefully it won't drop any more. Great to see lots of support for the idea.
I just gotta get time off work cos I'm it 7 days a week right now. 
I have just purchased a kids rig (Ezzy sails) for our 5 year old, she is pretty keen on the idea......This sort of enthusiasm in the windsurfing community is very reassuring....
When i did it (not that many years ago) a couple guys just sent out an email (or letter) just saying meet us here, and they brought a big ass trailer of just anything gear that they didnt care much about. My main gear was just an old taronsi (how ever you spell it i have no idea) 320 elite with just some old triangle sail which was 2 or 3m. We still have our old TC beacher and sails from 2.0 to 6.5 which is what i learnt on. Great gear and i'm yet to find a board as stable. If we can organise some gear and everything, I'm sure finding people to do it will not be the problem at all. Be good to see some other young guns out there because currently i don't see to many. I'm willing to get together with anyone to try organise something. The main thing is to provide SOME gear because thats the hardest part when getting into the sport. It doesn't have to be very good but enough to get people into it and buying their own gear.
Bubs
