angry windsurfer

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

poor guy has no clue... Laughing

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Going back and forth, big jumps and simple spins are WAY easier on a kite than a windsurfer. That's just one reason kiting is growing, and windsurfing is not. But, once you start unhooking and throwing handle passes etc all bets are back to even, with kiting being perhaps much more difficult depending upon how far you take it.

It takes most good athletes at least two seasons to gybe a windsurfer in high wind/waves on a plane. It takes a kiter about 20 minutes to get a transition.

I only kite now, and have only since about 2002, but I had 20+ years in the windsurfing bank prior.

Eric

shred_da_gorge · Mon Jul 27, 09 9:53 am

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

there's no sense in making it harder then necessary to learn. Right

btw....I think ease of learning is probably just 1 of many forces at play here but MY GOD! there was a lot of fine looking female kiters at the sandbar this weekend Smile

it definitely made up for the marginal wind!

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Yeah and if it were gay they would call it windsurfing!!!

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

after 20+ years of windsurfing, i have yet to pull out my gear since i started kiting....and NOT because its easier. its more fun, more challenging and WAY more versatile.

not sure, but i think that sticker is supposed to indicate that "we" kite BECAUSE its easy. lots of windsurfers say that windsurfing is more difficult and therefore its cooler and more extreme. most of those guys/girls have never kited...yet.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Never windsurfed, but I actually think those stickers are pretty funny (and true)

Go to Maui and watch the guys rip it in the waves... definitely a different sport than the lawn mowers at the Event Site.

And then there's this guy....

Link

Then again, I think Carl was a pretty badass windsurfer back in the day so maybe he's more qualified to call it than me Very Happy

Sella · Mon Jul 27, 09 11:43 am

[quote="shred_da_gorge"]

Intrepidquest · Since 09 May 2008 31 Posts HoodRiver

But can you kiteloop a windsurfer? Twisted Evil

Slipin Lizard · Since 23 Sep 2005 88 Posts Hood River, Oregon

Changed my post due to Phil's... still though, it would be nice to see a more even hand.

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

flips and spins on a 132cm board are easy.

try a double forward, push loop, back loop, or any
other high flying windsurf trick and you'll realize it takes skillz and balls
to handle the 14ft mast and 8ft board in 35+ winds with grace and style.

btw, I only kite now after a doing all the above poleboarding and think
kiting is the best combo of wind, water, waves and sun on the planet
for all the obvious reasons already mentioned.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

Then again, I think Carl was a pretty badass windsurfer back in the day so maybe he's more qualified to call it than me Very Happy

[/quote]

gee, thanks phil. that was a looooong time ago and im not sure i have the qualifications to call anything. just my pov. im with most on this thread...doesnt matter what the gear/specific sport is. its the amount of huck-it attitude you bring.

ive been in a few scuffles with die hard windsurfers (the guy that refuses to even try a kite), and it always ends in the same stale mate. they play the easy card. kind of like a johovah's witness at the front door. you cant really argue with the final point they make. you just have to shut the door.

i wonder how many deaths or serious injuries have resulted in windsurfing crashes compared to kitesurfing? i also wonder what would happen if you gave a reasonably competent athlete a windsurfer and a kite without any professional instruction. which one would he finally "figure out" and which one would he most likely injure himself on?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2627 Posts The 503 METAL

I think the sticker is referring to packing and transporting the gear. When I see guys hauling all the windsurf gear down to the ocean, especially at low tide...I know it's harder! Laughing

40 knots plus with giant swell? I think a windsurfing is a little "easier".

Cool

shred_da_gorge · Mon Jul 27, 09 2:17 pm

mojo1time · Since 28 Jul 2005 186 Posts Stoked

"kind of like a johovah's witness at the front door. you cant really argue with the final point they make. you just have to shut the door. "

so true, laughing......