What's the average age of a windsurfer? 35yrs and over?

Tell us why it matters to you cruzin, we'll take it from there.

Something I was pondering on the way back from a fantastic unexpected windsurfing session today...

"What's the average age of a sandcastle builder?"

I am only guessing that it would be 40 50 from the few who I have met. The young un's are the teabaggers and they may switch to windsurfing as they get wiser
The oldest one I've met is close to 75 and another "oldie" wouldn't tell me his age (but asked me). I am guessing he is mid seventies. What a great sport and the ones I have met are very nice people

but I only just started last year, that only gives me 2 more years
at least I dont have to worry about cruzin checking me out if I sail

What's the average IQ of a Kiter......................................

Average age in Windsurfer One Design racing is about 34 and dropping, I think, with 25% of the fleet under 18. I've checked it when we're taking entries down for regattas, where we get to see dates of birth and allocate people to age divisions.

I think having 1/4 of the fleet still in their teens compares pretty well with similar sports. The funny thing is that to many teens, windsurfing (even One Designs) is just as new as kiting - both sports started before the kids were old enough to notice, so as far as kids are concerned they are both prehistoric.

The average age of a dinghy sailor is probably even lower, because of the number of kids in junior classes.

The interesting thing will be what Cruisin' (who does seem to be trolling a bit) would do if it is shown that kiting attracts older people than dinghy sailing or windsurfing - would he give up kiting, or would he just keep on enjoying his sport (as he should).

I'm not sure we have a class for kiters under 13, or a kitesurfing world champ under 13. Windsurfing has both.

No troll here, just a general question from a windsurfer of 5 years and kiter also of 6 months

Yes it is mark
Whether im out windsurfing or kiting it seems more middle age on the water,
is this due to cost of gear, no interest in sport, or no promotion of either sports?

windsufering said...

formula

total age of all windsurfers divided by number of windsurfers

Mark _australia said...

ginger pom said...

windsufering said...

formula

total age of all windsurfers divided by number of windsurfers

Classic
now we can talk standard deviation

Deviation?
Who you calling a deviant?

42 isnt that the answer to everything?? I think cost of gear and patience are the two factors that limit participation for the younger ones. No matter how you cut it it is far easier to throw a surfboard in the car or an SUP and head off to the water than to grab 2 masts 4 sails 3 boards and associated gear.

Moby music to my ears. I agree the SUP uptake may bring some people back into the sport. Well that is a maybe I guess. I cant wait for summer to do the SUP wavesailing thing.

I think that part of the reason windsurfers appear to be 40-50 is that they have more time available to be on the water regularly. They are usually past exams, past partner chasing, past making a home and past small kids. The younger ones just don't get out so often so it skews the apparent ratio of young to old.

I teach a few hand-picked people every summer - I usually succeed at getting 3-4 started at windsurfing (no time nor patience for more).

Usually they end up buying some sort of an intermediate, used board, none of that 3-boards-5-sails thing gregc was talking about. So no, having fun needs not be expensive.

Then they go out and perfect for 1-2 years. Some drop out, some continue with the 1-2 board experience. Finally, some end up getting in the big Tupperware party greg was referring to, and invariably end up whingeing that windsurfing is expensive - that's their problem really.

Age range for that 'new' crowd is between 16 and 25-30.

I grew up in a town in Italy where there is a big lake, very famous for Windsurfing and now kitesurfing. I never practice when I was teen Windsurfing for one simple reason. It was absolutely not affordable for a student ... That's it.
Now I live in Bermuda, I have a personal budget that my wife gives me every year and I can windsurf and buy gears.
That's why (I believe) the average is over 30. Did anyone of you have 2K or more to spend in windsurfing gear when you were 18/20? I didn't ...