For my opinion, I would have to say yes. I started wearing a gps 6 years ago. It took me 6 months to get 30knots for a 2 second peak. I watched others on the speed sites just cream my speeds. Often though to myself "Really" but now with persistence after 6 years, I've increased my speeds to just under 40knots. That's an increase of over 30% in speed. 40knots plus in now just in reach and I'm confident I will get it. All thanks to my gps. And with the alpha also a goal now, improved gybing is on the cards. Do you agree?
Got to love the age we live in!!!

NO!!!

I enjoyed it more before I got the GPS. Just rather get out and sail and not worry looking at the GPS. Find it hard to not look at it after each run!!!

I say "yes". I'm sill a gumby with 20 months total time wimdsurfing. Half that time with a gps. Top speeds have increased to over 30 knts (just...) and a quest for 20knt alphas and decent kays per outing has helped gybes big time, and improved stamina. Still pne of the slowest in the team, but slowly building in all regards. ps-gps is fun, but some days i want to whack it with a hammer.

Yes!!!

I've only had mine for a few month and its given me loads of motivation to get out there a improve. It was a PB party almost every time I hit the water for a while but now I need to work for it which is making me pay a lot more attention to my technique, tuning, etc. Loving it!

Yes it improves your speeds off the wind and helps with tuning but for general sailing i would say no.

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goldcoastmoz said..

NO!!!

I enjoyed it more before I got the GPS. Just rather get out and sail and not worry looking at the GPS. Find it hard to not look at it after each run!!!

goldcoastmoz I hear what your saying , it's dam frustrating trying to improve if you have a gps and your not improving, I too would rather not wear a gps and just think i'm getting better I have meet soooo many guys through the gps team challenge and heaps of guys I have yet to meet, the buzz I get with speed sailing is the socializing on the water and carpark chat ,sometimes it's not easy getting out on the water , ohh not to mention the light hearted sh-t stirring in these forums
goldcoastmoz if your ever heading down this way send me a PM an i'll show you some southern hospitality

I'm not sure how much the GPS has affected my ability, but what it does do is let me know what my ability is, without it you're just floundering in the dark. Don't wear it wave sailing though, it's meaningless there.

Yes, but more importantly it has improved my enjoyment of the the total windsurfing experience immeasurably!

GPSTC, GPSSS, Speed Fortnight, Lake George trips, new friends all over Australia and all over the world! etc, etc.

Yes, because it makes you push yourself to reach new goals. You train and practice and push your limits instead of just going for a sail.
Sometimes wearing the GPS can be disappointing, when you feel like you've gone really fast and then see you haven't, but conversely, the fastest runs are often so smooth they don't actually feel all that fast, and you get a real buzz when you look at your GPS.
As Sailquick said, the sense of community from being part of the GPSTC is the best part.

DEfinitely Yes, however as with everything there is a cost side, and that can come from taking away some of the enjoyment of windsurfing, particlarly if you get obsessed with numbers , I know I've had some exhilerating speed runs, felt total ecstacy, then looked down at my gps and been disappointed because it wasnt the speed I wanted or expected, so thats the TRAP/DOWNSIDE!!

I dont know if its improved my windsurfing, it just gives me new goals to aim for. Probably the one thing that improved my sailing was racing, above and beyond anything else a little healthy competition really allows you to focus on your weaknesses and try to improve them. But I do love the challenge of trying to get to 40kts now.

I'm with Vando on this. For general sailing i'd say no. So many people have the GPS twitch thing going on. Finish a run, pull up and twitch to check how fast they went, spin gear around and then repeat x 20 (or more). Down these parts in Inverloch its called the Invy Step Gybe.

There's some local juniors down here that i'm going to try and get sailing without their GPS's for a few months to encourage them to start gybing!!

People (myself included) need to resist the temptation to check it every run, just sail a normal session and check results later. On the flip side, if its blowing 30+ at the PiT then there's only one reason you're there - SPEED

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keef said..

goldcoastmoz said..

NO!!!

I enjoyed it more before I got the GPS. Just rather get out and sail and not worry looking at the GPS. Find it hard to not look at it after each run!!!

goldcoastmoz I hear what your saying , it's dam frustrating trying to improve if you have a gps and your not improving, I too would rather not wear a gps and just think i'm getting better I have meet soooo many guys through the gps team challenge and heaps of guys I have yet to meet, the buzz I get with speed sailing is the socializing on the water and carpark chat ,sometimes it's not easy getting out on the water , ohh not to mention the light hearted sh-t stirring in these forums
goldcoastmoz if your ever heading down this way send me a PM an i'll show you some southern hospitality

Met great bunch of people through speed sailing, in fact the best bunch since I been sailing since 1989. I say all the speed sailors are a real good bunch.

Look forward to going down south to sail ASAP. At Coffs Harbour for 1 week at the moment with no gear and 20knots blowing!

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DanP said..

I'm with Vando on this. For general sailing i'd say no. So many people have the GPS twitch thing going on. Finish a run, pull up and twitch to check how fast they went, spin gear around and then repeat x 20 (or more). Down these parts in Inverloch its called the Invy Step Gybe.

There's some local juniors down here that i'm going to try and get sailing without their GPS's for a few months to encourage them to start gybing!!

People (myself included) need to resist the temptation to check it every run, just sail a normal session and check results later. On the flip side, if its blowing 30+ at the PiT then there's only one reason you're there - SPEED

Age helps with that, I cant' easily read it without my glasses so there is no point looking until back in the car park !

I dont know about it improving your sailing but in my case it certainly made me purchase a lot more gear

Your tracks will become more precious with age
I like to put all the stats in a spreadsheet and add the google earth picture. Adds more fun during no wind periods: you can look back at your progress, or check your sail/board/fin combinations, most used sails etc.etc.

goldcoastmoz we have a bunch of people coming up from inverloch (southerly busters )to sanctuary point for a week as from the November 1st, a great bunch and im looking forward to catching up , what I like about the gps team challenge is you can meet and sail with theses guys as well as keep in touch through out the season, as well as watching them improve through the 6 categories

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goldcoastmoz said..

At Coffs Harbour for 1 week at the moment with no gear and 20knots blowing!

you've got no gear, well sort that out I've got two of everything even a spare gps



.

The guys I've met at Burrum Heads Speed Challenge are a great bunch and always willing to help out(and they have)!

I would never throw the GPS away! If anything the sailors have inspired me to get better at sailing just I don't get enough time on the water.

Only in Coffs for 1 week before I make my new base at the sunshine coast and hopefully contribute to the Sunshine Coast Vikings Team!

thanks for the offer but work interferes with my sailing too much!

GPS has killed much of the racing on the river for sure. Most of the guys including slow boat now just sail upwind to then sail crazy angle off the wind,wtf. They are a ever present danger and like kitesurfers should be confined to their own little patch.

Sailing across the wind in a local drag race is much more fun.

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Windxtasy said..

Yes, because it makes you push yourself to reach new goals. You train and practice and push your limits instead of just going for a sail.
Sometimes wearing the GPS can be disappointing, when you feel like you've gone really fast and then see you haven't, but conversely, the fastest runs are often so smooth they don't actually feel all that fast, and you get a real buzz when you look at your GPS.
As Sailquick said, the sense of community from being part of the GPSTC is the best part.

+ 1
I used to mainly sail upwind and not bear off much I'm now pushing myself to get off the wind more + use a larger sail to be powered up + get better alphas.I've only been doing it since June and 30kts is still a way away but I'm enjoying it + the talk after on the speedteam site. It's great to see who else got out and what conditions they had etc.
I think I will find it more frustrating when I sail in chop more in summer as the speeds will be lower.
I even find it interesting in those crappy days as I am still finding out planing thresholds etc..Boy it take a long time to get any miles doing 4kts..
I also love the fact that I have a record of each session with photos and google earth overlay if I want.

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hardpole said..

DanP said..

I'm with Vando on this. For general sailing i'd say no. So many people have the GPS twitch thing going on. Finish a run, pull up and twitch to check how fast they went, spin gear around and then repeat x 20 (or more). Down these parts in Inverloch its called the Invy Step Gybe.

There's some local juniors down here that i'm going to try and get sailing without their GPS's for a few months to encourage them to start gybing!!

People (myself included) need to resist the temptation to check it every run, just sail a normal session and check results later. On the flip side, if its blowing 30+ at the PiT then there's only one reason you're there - SPEED

Age helps with that, I cant' easily read it without my glasses so there is no point looking until back in the car park !

I dont know about it improving your sailing but in my case it certainly made me purchase a lot more gear

Likewise very frustrating! My polaroids are only single lens and I need multi ( too cheap to get them ...I will next time!)

Definitely, but my upper body has got bigger from holding onto big slalom sails (my t.shirts are a little tighter now). Jumping practice as suffered, don't like jumping expensive slalom boards & rigs. Tendonitis in the hip flexors from loading up the quads in down wind blasts and going for distance. So all in all I've found it has improved the sailing (more courageous flying downwind) but is hard on the body because you tend not to listen to the bod as much as to time to get out and your always going for it.

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Kazza said..

Definitely, but my upper body has got bigger from holding onto big slalom sails (my t.shirts are a little tighter now). Jumping practice as suffered, don't like jumping expensive slalom boards & rigs. Tendonitis in the hip flexors from loading up the quads in down wind blasts and going for distance. So all in all I've found it has improved the sailing (more courageous flying downwind) but is hard on the body because you tend not to listen to the bod as much as to time to get out and your always going for it.

I must be doing something wrong as I don't get sore legs and everyone else says their legs get cramps or something.. Probably not good enough and not doing long enough bear offs yet.

Or you've got legs that can take the punishment well My legs have had a lot of punishment over the years with other sports as well so they're probably just worn out.

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sboardcrazy said..

Kazza said..

Definitely, but my upper body has got bigger from holding onto big slalom sails (my t.shirts are a little tighter now). Jumping practice as suffered, don't like jumping expensive slalom boards & rigs. Tendonitis in the hip flexors from loading up the quads in down wind blasts and going for distance. So all in all I've found it has improved the sailing (more courageous flying downwind) but is hard on the body because you tend not to listen to the bod as much as to time to get out and your always going for it.

I must be doing something wrong as I don't get sore legs and everyone else says their legs get cramps or something.. Probably not good enough and not doing long enough bear offs yet.

I just get sore all over!

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Windxtasy said..

sboardcrazy said..

Kazza said..

Definitely, but my upper body has got bigger from holding onto big slalom sails (my t.shirts are a little tighter now). Jumping practice as suffered, don't like jumping expensive slalom boards & rigs. Tendonitis in the hip flexors from loading up the quads in down wind blasts and going for distance. So all in all I've found it has improved the sailing (more courageous flying downwind) but is hard on the body because you tend not to listen to the bod as much as to time to get out and your always going for it.

I must be doing something wrong as I don't get sore legs and everyone else says their legs get cramps or something.. Probably not good enough and not doing long enough bear offs yet.

I just get sore all over!

And don't ya feel like you've had a fab session when you feel like that, then you have the best nights sleep
I find nm's the hardest on the back leg quads, they are burning like mad towards the end

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Kazza said..

Windxtasy said..

sboardcrazy said..

Kazza said..

Definitely, but my upper body has got bigger from holding onto big slalom sails (my t.shirts are a little tighter now). Jumping practice as suffered, don't like jumping expensive slalom boards & rigs. Tendonitis in the hip flexors from loading up the quads in down wind blasts and going for distance. So all in all I've found it has improved the sailing (more courageous flying downwind) but is hard on the body because you tend not to listen to the bod as much as to time to get out and your always going for it.

I must be doing something wrong as I don't get sore legs and everyone else says their legs get cramps or something.. Probably not good enough and not doing long enough bear offs yet.

I just get sore all over!

And don't ya feel like you've had a fab session when you feel like that, then you have the best nights sleep
Yes I feel like I've had a fab session but I sleep very badly because I'm hurting so much . My muscles don't know how to relax and stay really tight.
I find nm's the hardest on the back leg quads, they are burning like mad towards the end

The really fast nm's aren't too bad because they don't last so long! I find myself thinking "Am I there already? That didn't take long!"

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The really fast nm's aren't too bad because they don't last so long! I find myself thinking "Am I there already? That didn't take long!"

Hmmmm haven't had one of those yet!

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petermac33 said..

GPS has killed much of the racing on the river for sure. Most of the guys including slow boat now just sail upwind to then sail crazy angle off the wind,wtf. They are a ever present danger and like kitesurfers should be confined to their own little patch.

Sailing across the wind in a local drag race is much more fun.

Is this a piss take

Improved same aspects, neglected others.
So after 3 years, in my 4th season, back to basics. Learn to gybe properly.
If I hadn't started with the GPS, I would have learnt how to gybe long time ago.
But had so much fun in the meantime

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Obelix said..

Improved same aspects, neglected others.
So after 3 years, in my 4th season, back to basics. Learn to gybe properly.
If I hadn't started with the GPS, I would have learnt how to gybe long time ago.
But had so much fun in the meantime

I have done MORE work on the gybes because of the GPS. It is the area I most need to improve in.