"Windsurfer" wasn't catchy but it made sense - a surf board driven by he wind. "Sailboard" same thing, the "board" gives people the idea. "Kite foiler" does the job, as does "kite board' We are all OK we talk of "Slingshots", "Pinkies" and " IQfoils" and understand each other completely. But how do you explain it to the person in the street? You've got to start off by calling it something. "wind foiler" ??? how many things have foils and are driven by the wind? So you go on "Now have you seen those kite surfers with the thing on the bottom"? They usually have. "Well it's a bit like that only a windsurfer on top". At least if you're a moth sailer who's gotta rush off to go sailing and someone asks you what you sail you can start off by replying "A moth"

"Unifoiler"? The universal joint being the distinguishing feature?

I don't refer to myself as a kitesurfer, but i just nod my head in agreement when asked if i had fun kitesurfing on the weekend.


im not game to start explaining what windfoiling is. I'd be there for an hour trying to, and still get asked if i had fun kitesurfing on the weekend.

Hey Luke I just say kitesurfing is for people that can't windsurf and leave it at that

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Subsonic said..
I don't refer to myself as a kitesurfer, but i just nod my head in agreement when asked if i had fun kitesurfing on the weekend.


im not game to start explaining what windfoiling is. I'd be there for an hour trying to, and still get asked if i had fun kitesurfing on the weekend.

Most of the times I head to the beach by myself and especially in the early evening I go out by myself . And I too have been identified as a kite surfer. There was a group that brought their 48oz cocktails down to the picnic tables to watch the sunset. They were down there often enough to say that is their beach and I am a visitor. So I spent my time explaining that a kite is on of those things in the air.

Unfortunately the Metro-Parks took over about a half mile of the shoreline and made it for "everyone". The first thing that went were the beach catamarans. They second thing was the 48oz cocktails when they started to pinch the locals a $140 each for an open container in public. The third that happened was the Corporate Events where they put up tents between the parking lot and the beach. Then they put up fences so they could serve Alcohol. Now there is no questions. Be happy with questions, it could be much worse.

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stroppo said..
Hey Luke I just say kitesurfing is for people that can't windsurf and leave it at that

Yeah, thats a good one Strop. I'll remember that for next time.

I still confuse people when I say I'm going sailing - I'm not on a boat though

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Ian K said..
"Windsurfer" wasn't catchy but it made sense - a surf board driven by he wind. "Sailboard" same thing, the "board" gives people the idea. "Kite foiler" does the job, as does "kite board' We are all OK we talk of "Slingshots", "Pinkies" and " IQfoils" and understand each other completely. But how do you explain it to the person in the street? You've got to start off by calling it something. "wind foiler" ??? how many things have foils and are driven by the wind? So you go on "Now have you seen those kite surfers with the thing on the bottom"? They usually have. "Well it's a bit like that only a windsurfer on top". At least if you're a moth sailer who's gotta rush off to go sailing and someone asks you what you sail you can start off by replying "A moth"

Have readily available pic in your phone to show it to the ones that show any interest in what you do. I think most people don't really care if we foil or windsurf. For them is just an old weird sport for rich people (even if it is not true).