I am just beginning to learn to windsurf but so many windy days go to waste because I have nobody to go windsurfing with. I feel like this limits my time on the water more than anything. Every single website I read says to avoid sailing alone (especially as a beginner), but I am just not sure how to overcome this problem of not having anybody to go with. I take all of the safety precautions (life jacket, no offshore winds, etc.) and I am able to bring my phone out onto the water but I'm still hesitant to go out alone. In addition, I sail in an enclosed body of water which would make me feel a bit more comfortable. The photos below show an image from the beach looking across the water to the other side to give an idea of how large this body of water really is. The boats in the image are not currently there and there is no current. The other image shows the beach that I launch from circled in red in relation to the entire bay. There are no other windsurfers in the area that I know of but a lot of dingy sailors and some kayakers.

So I am curious how bad of an idea it really is for me to go out and get some practice in <15 kts with a small sail with nobody supervising me or sailing with me. I am also very familiar with the area as I have been sailing here for a few years now.

Thanks for any input!

i say go for it ...i too have this problem ..i wear a helmet ..getting knocked out was my only concern .
but have addressed that with the helmet ..I'm sure a boat will come to your rescue ,,or dump your rig and paddle home .if you have good uni's booms and sails you should be right ...I tend to use my newer gear if sailing alone .
you have your phone ..great .
enjoy your passion and don't let anything get in your way .

As long as it's onshore, you can always drift back in. As Tardy says, wear safety gear, helmet and impact/flotation vest. carry spare rope with you, that can always be handy in an emergency.

As the wind picks up the risk of catapult injuries increases, when it gets really strong, the board can drift away faster than you can swim, even with rig attached.

Everything we do is a calculated risk, you cannot eliminate it completely from your life.
You just have to manage it as well as possible.
So if your getting close to the edge of your comfort zone don't go too far out, limit your self to how far you can comfortably swim.
There's still things to learn without sailing to far out, water starts, gybes, tacks etc.
Just being aware of what could go wrong is a big start. Strong steady wind is much safer than gusty swirly wind.

Off shore winds are dangerous because they are usually gusty and swirly and they get stronger the further out you get. Once you're out of control, you just keep drifting out.

Windsurfing in < 15kts is relatively safe, especially in an enclosed waterway in onshore conditions. Not much can go wrong. Basically, when you make a mistake, you get wet. If you can't sail back, the wind will push you towards shore. Use a floaty board, correct size sail for your skill and wind conditions, wear a life vest and wet suit if the water is cold. If your really worried, you can tell your next of kin when you'll be on the water and ring them when you come ashore. Give them the number of the relevant emergency services so they can contact them if you don't ring in at the nominated time.

I don't know how active these guys are, but get in touch with the New Jersey Windsurfing and Watersports Association. Their URL is below

windsurfnj.org/

Just go sail.

Looks like a great place to sail.
Get out there and enjoy it.
Just tell someone where you going and when you'll be back.

Just go for it.
You never know, there might be someone just like you, waiting for someone just like you, to go sailing with.

If you sail it....they will come.

AB....

All of the above, and if you are still worried put a hand held orange smoke flare in your life vest. With other watercraft around someone will come to your aid.

Why do Yanks find an Oz windsports forum the best place to post? There was some learner in Florida a few weeks ago, and now someone in New Jersey.
There is a blog writer near you..Peconic Puffin.. who has turned up here from time to time. You could get a bit more local knowledge from there than here

Select to expand quote

Mr Milk said..
Why do Yanks find an Oz windsports forum the best place to post? There was some learner in Florida a few weeks ago, and now someone in New Jersey.
There is a blog writer near you..Peconic Puffin.. who has turned up here from time to time. You could get a bit more local knowledge from there than here

That almost sounds like a complaint, how about considering it a complement towards this site, it is a very good site, according to this Yank.
This site is more active than the WS sites in the U.S., a lot more talkative, which can be a good thing, or a bad thing, but the activity here is more lively, which does make it more,,,,,,,, shall we say, interesting. I enjoy it.
Local knowledge is one thing, basic WS knowledge is something else which can be applied internationally, even in New Jersey.

"yanks" ?? thought that was ONLY a certain area of USA - and NOT Florida
slang term in any case
what "nice" terms are there for you Mr. Milk ??
thought windsurfers were more open minded than that
butt i guess there are asses everywhere

Select to expand quote

joe windsurf said..
"yanks" ?? thought that was ONLY a certain area of USA - and NOT Florida
slang term in any case
what "nice" terms are there for you Mr. Milk ??
thought windsurfers were more open minded than that
butt i guess there are asses everywhere

If you want to post on an Aussie site you have to spelt it "Arses"

Select to expand quote

Mastbender said..

Mr Milk said..
Why do Yanks find an Oz windsports forum the best place to post? There was some learner in Florida a few weeks ago, and now someone in New Jersey.
There is a blog writer near you..Peconic Puffin.. who has turned up here from time to time. You could get a bit more local knowledge from there than here

That almost sounds like a complaint, how about considering it a complement towards this site, it is a very good site, according to this Yank.
This site is more active than the WS sites in the U.S., a lot more talkative, which can be a good thing, or a bad thing, but the activity here is more lively, which does make it more,,,,,,,, shall we say, interesting. I enjoy it.
Local knowledge is one thing, basic WS knowledge is something else which can be applied internationally, even in New Jersey.

I get the impression that the windsurfing scene in mainland USA is in significant decline in comparison to Europe and Australia. Is that the case?

Select to expand quote

joe windsurf said..
"yanks" ?? thought that was ONLY a certain area of USA - and NOT Florida
slang term in any case
what "nice" terms are there for you Mr. Milk ??
thought windsurfers were more open minded than that
butt i guess there are asses everywhere

Its OK joe ,
It covers all USA.
Its a term of Aussie endearment. You should hear what we call ourselves !
It doesn't imply to Canadians

What about "Seppos"?
That's my favourite

^^^ +1

We even have slang names for people in each State in Australia !
Qld = Banana Benders/ Cane Toads
NSW = Cockroaches
Vic = Mexicans
SA = Croweater's
WA = Sandgropers
Tas = ?

Tas = two heads

Tas=Tasmaniacs..

We're way off topic here guys, but who cares, this is a relaxed family discussion right?
Personally I think it's great we have international posters.
As Mastbender says, it's a bit of a compliment.
Actually a while ago, I asked a non windsurfing English friend to google windsurfing forums. She said seabreeze was near the top of the list. So it is a great site and we shouldn't be surprised by visitors from all over, even those who don't have English as first language. (especially with google translate available)

+1 decrepit - thought windsurfing was about wind n water
and borders stop at the coast ....

Thank you for all the replies everybody! Its reassuring hearing that just about everyone here agrees its no big deal for me to get some practice on the water alone given my circumstances.

In regards to me being on this forum: my questions so far have regarded equipment and safety, so I figured the best place to ask would be the most active forum since these topics are universal. I tried posting on a US forum and it was giving me a hard time submitting my post so I came here. Until I have a question that requires local knowledge, I find that SeaBreeze is the best place to ask questions. I also agree that windsurfing in the US is completely on a decline so getting information locally is becoming harder and harder (kitesurfing rules most spots in my area).

Also, when searching windsurfing forum on google from NJ, SeaBreeze is the second result that comes up. Awesome that you guys are helping windsurfers get information from all over the world!

-Ryan

Well said Ryan .and welcome to our happy windsurfing family

Whatever you do Ryan , don't post a pic with your lawn in the background
Go on I dare ya

That is the reason that Heavy Weather should remain. All those half a dozen shouty failed politicians keep the traffic levels on the site high and bump it up the Google rankings.
That is what I was hinting yesterday and promptly got shouted down. Remember that abuse is meant to stay in Heavy Weather please
I'm guessing that your local seabreeze direction is SE, by analogy with NSW coast. You have similar latitude and currents (Gulf Stream vs East Australian Current) so your map there implies off shore conditions. If I was you, I'd be looking to find another launch point around that bay where the wind is cross/on to minimise the chance of a long swim or embarrassing rescue

Select to expand quote

ryanjh said..
I am just beginning to learn to windsurf but so many windy days go to waste because I have nobody to go windsurfing with. I feel like this limits my time on the water more than anything. Every single website I read says to avoid sailing alone (especially as a beginner), but I am just not sure how to overcome this problem of not having anybody to go with. I take all of the safety precautions (life jacket, no offshore winds, etc.) and I am able to bring my phone out onto the water but I'm still hesitant to go out alone. In addition, I sail in an enclosed body of water which would make me feel a bit more comfortable. The photos below show an image from the beach looking across the water to the other side to give an idea of how large this body of water really is. The boats in the image are not currently there and there is no current. The other image shows the beach that I launch from circled in red in relation to the entire bay. There are no other windsurfers in the area that I know of but a lot of dingy sailors and some kayakers.

So I am curious how bad of an idea it really is for me to go out and get some practice in
Thanks for any input!

Lots of friendly windsurfers in Oz .
You could just emigrate, there are about 5,000 people doing that every week.
ps Bring lots of US$

Select to expand quote

Imax1 said..
Whatever you do Ryan , don't post a pic with your lawn in the background
Go on I dare ya

You may also find at some point that you'll be advised that you need more downhaul. Don't be offended, it's pretty standard advice.

It should be just fine, it doesn't get more secure than that. You can also get somebody in small boat to follow, it doesn't have to be windsurfers (boat is actually better).

Select to expand quote

Imax1 said..
Whatever you do Ryan , don't post a pic with your lawn in the background
Go on I dare ya

Ryan if you do happen to post something with your lawn in the background. Make sure its mowed,lush green & not a weed insight.'us Aussies luv our lawn.

Select to expand quote

John340 said..

Mastbender said..

I get the impression that the windsurfing scene in mainland USA is in significant decline in comparison to Europe and Australia. Is that the case?

Well, without personally travelling all across this country, I would have to say yes with two exceptions, Maui and the Gorge, been to both of those places and it's still very popular. I'd also say that the numbers of people on the water in both of those places have actually increased when you throw in kites and downwinding SUP'ers. And when considering all 3 of those disciplines, you also have to throw in the San Francisco Bay area, many more on the water.

Check with Ken and Eileen from H2Windsurfing (h2windsurfing.com). They give lessons on the Jersey shore, and are familiar with the local spots. They may be able to tell you about a spot nearby where you may find other windsurfers. I think Sandy Hook Bay, which seems to be quite close to you, is a somewhat popular spot - but there may be several spots named Sandy Hook.

Your best bet will be to start with a couple of lessons. Ken and Eileen will be able to give you safety tips and show you self-rescue techniques.

Select to expand quote

John340 said..
I get the impression that the windsurfing scene in mainland USA is in significant decline in comparison to Europe and Australia. Is that the case?

I have not seen a decline in the last 5-7 years in the US, although it may depend a bit on the exact spot. However, the decline from the 1980s and 1990s to 2010 or so was probably a lot more pronounced that in other countries. I'm not sure if windsurfing ever was as popular in the US as it was in Europe, where every 3rd household had a windsurfer in the 80s/90s. But the guys who sailed here back then tell stories about parking lots filled with hundreds of windsurfers; now, outside of vacation spots like Maui and the Gorge, we may see a dozen or two on the biggest days of the year at the popular spots.

Right now, Germany and France probably each have a lot more active windsurfers than the US, despite a smaller population and a much smaller coast (and colder temperatures!). Even Canada seems to have more active windsurfers than the US, with roughly 1/9th of the population (and colder temperatures!). Of the active windsurfers in the US, many are immigrants, often from Europe.

Perhaps the more relevant thing for the Ryan is that most US windsurfer will only come out when it's really windy; very few will windsurf when the conditions are right for learning. That creates a bit of an additional hurdle for those who don't want to sail alone.

For learning things right from great teachers and with others who are beginners, there's the option to join a 3-day or 5-day ABK camp in Hatteras in October - check www.abkboardsports.com/camps/schedule. Taking an ABK camp early can shave many months of the learning curve.