Then. You waved at anyone with a windsurfer on the roof.
Now. You cant see the driver because of the 5 boards, 6 sails, masts, booms etc etc.
Then. You went outside and looked at the water and wind.
Now. You spend 3 hours comparing electronic devices & still aren't convinced its windy enough to sail.
Then. Chucked your one board, sail and boom on the roof and up, up & away.
Now. Speed sailing, wave sailing, foiling, free riding, B & J, etc etc. Wheres the giant van?
Then. You just went to the nearest lake, beach, harbour happy as.
Now. Another hour trying to decided where to go in what wind direction.
Then. Rigged straight away with excitement.
Now. Cant decide between 136, 121 or 114 board with 8.6, 7.8, 7.0 sail. 44, 40 or 36cm fin or equalivent weedy.
Then. Hoped there would be someone else to sail with.
Now. Pray there are no more than 15 guys all in the one spot at your local so you don't get run over.
Then. Fall in, crash, plane, hoot with happiness, laugh your head off and smile smile smile!!!
Now. Couldn't crack 30 today. Didn't get a good Nm, Alpha etc. Jump wasn't cool enough. Not enough guys telling you, you were flying.
Then. Come off the water with a grin a mile wide and bask in the after glow of a fun time being part of it all.
Now. Worried you didn't go fast enough or didn't beat everyone!!!!

Just a light hearted look at the difference between "the good old days" and todays different world. According to me, that's all.
Please don't get offended or paranoid. Have a giggle at your memories.
Cheers.

Yeah spot on! I miss the 'one setup' days. Although the late 80s at GB had much a bigger crew sailing.

Excellent!

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ka43 said..
Then. You waved at anyone with a windsurfer on the roof.
Now. You cant see the driver because of the 5 boards, 6 sails, masts, booms etc etc.
Then. You went outside and looked at the water and wind.
Now. You spend 3 hours comparing electronic devices & still aren't convinced its windy enough to sail.
Then. Chucked your one board, sail and boom on the roof and up, up & away.
Now. Speed sailing, wave sailing, foiling, free riding, B & J, etc etc. Wheres the giant van?
Then. You just went to the nearest lake, beach, harbour happy as.
Now. Another hour trying to decided where to go in what wind direction.
Then. Rigged straight away with excitement.
Now. Cant decide between 136, 121 or 114 board with 8.6, 7.8, 7.0 sail. 44, 40 or 36cm fin or equalivent weedy.
Then. Hoped there would be someone else to sail with.
Now. Pray there are no more than 15 guys all in the one spot at your local so you don't get run over.
Then. Fall in, crash, plane, hoot with happiness, laugh your head off and smile smile smile!!!
Now. Couldn't crack 30 today. Didn't get a good Nm, Alpha etc. Jump wasn't cool enough. Not enough guys telling you, you were flying.
Then. Come off the water with a grin a mile wide and bask in the after glow of a fun time being part of it all.
Now. Worried you didn't go fast enough or didn't beat everyone!!!!

Just a light hearted look at the difference between "the good old days" and todays different world. According to me, that's all.
Please don't get offended or paranoid. Have a giggle at your memories.
Cheers.

Then, we had never heard of Lake George
Now, we can't wait to go every year!

Thanks for the Stoke Larko

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John340 said..Then, we had never heard of Lake George
Now, we can't wait to go every year!

Thanks for the Stoke Larko

Yes! And towing with us a trailer full of toys! Choices, Choices!

yeah too funny, had one board, one fin which never got taken out and two sails one mast and one boom. good times

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ka43 said..
Then. You waved at anyone with a windsurfer on the roof.
Now. You cant see the driver because of the 5 boards, 6 sails, masts, booms etc etc.
Then. You went outside and looked at the water and wind.
Now. You spend 3 hours comparing electronic devices & still aren't convinced its windy enough to sail.
Then. Chucked your one board, sail and boom on the roof and up, up & away.
Now. Speed sailing, wave sailing, foiling, free riding, B & J, etc etc. Wheres the giant van?
Then. You just went to the nearest lake, beach, harbour happy as.
Now. Another hour trying to decided where to go in what wind direction.
Then. Rigged straight away with excitement.
Now. Cant decide between 136, 121 or 114 board with 8.6, 7.8, 7.0 sail. 44, 40 or 36cm fin or equalivent weedy.
Then. Hoped there would be someone else to sail with.
Now. Pray there are no more than 15 guys all in the one spot at your local so you don't get run over.
Then. Fall in, crash, plane, hoot with happiness, laugh your head off and smile smile smile!!!
Now. Couldn't crack 30 today. Didn't get a good Nm, Alpha etc. Jump wasn't cool enough. Not enough guys telling you, you were flying.
Then. Come off the water with a grin a mile wide and bask in the after glow of a fun time being part of it all.
Now. Worried you didn't go fast enough or didn't beat everyone!!!!

Just a light hearted look at the difference between "the good old days" and todays different world. According to me, that's all.
Please don't get offended or paranoid. Have a giggle at your memories.
Cheers.

Classic!

Then. You downhauled and outhauled with one hand till it was block-to-block.
Now. Get out your winch and tape measure to get your crease to the dot.

Then - tie the boom in 30 minutes

Now- clamp on in 30 seconds

1986..3 slalom boards, 3 wave boards..4 2nd gen 3 camber sails, 4 1986 wave sails.

I could downhaul those cambered sails because I was 35 years younger, and possibly a bit stronger then.
But Prismas and IQ's of the late 90's requires the most sheer horsepower to fully down.

Then ...... 30 years old. Got disalusioned constantly falling off a narrow TC runner = never made it past beginner

Now 60yo and a shed full of fat wide boards I can ride = windsurfing is now available as a sport for me. Every waking minute thinking about sailing.......

1 board, 2 sails and 3 fins that would all spin out at the wrong time creating a new panel in your sail.
Give me now any day

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AusMoz said..
Then - tie the boom in 30 minutes

Now- clamp on in 30 seconds

Yes and too bad if you had it in the wrong spot!

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decrepit said..

AusMoz said..
Then - tie the boom in 30 minutes

Now- clamp on in 30 seconds

Yes and too bad if you had it in the wrong spot!

I recall leaving it in the same spot and go regardless or finding something to knock it into place that usually broke the boom plastics

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ka43 said..
Then. You waved at anyone with a windsurfer on the roof.
Now. You cant see the driver because of the 5 boards, 6 sails, masts, booms etc etc.
Then. You went outside and looked at the water and wind.
Now. You spend 3 hours comparing electronic devices & still aren't convinced its windy enough to sail.
Then. Chucked your one board, sail and boom on the roof and up, up & away.
Now. Speed sailing, wave sailing, foiling, free riding, B & J, etc etc. Wheres the giant van?
Then. You just went to the nearest lake, beach, harbour happy as.
Now. Another hour trying to decided where to go in what wind direction.
Then. Rigged straight away with excitement.
Now. Cant decide between 136, 121 or 114 board with 8.6, 7.8, 7.0 sail. 44, 40 or 36cm fin or equalivent weedy.
Then. Hoped there would be someone else to sail with.
Now. Pray there are no more than 15 guys all in the one spot at your local so you don't get run over.
Then. Fall in, crash, plane, hoot with happiness, laugh your head off and smile smile smile!!!
Now. Couldn't crack 30 today. Didn't get a good Nm, Alpha etc. Jump wasn't cool enough. Not enough guys telling you, you were flying.
Then. Come off the water with a grin a mile wide and bask in the after glow of a fun time being part of it all.
Now. Worried you didn't go fast enough or didn't beat everyone!!!!

Just a light hearted look at the difference between "the good old days" and todays different world. According to me, that's all.
Please don't get offended or paranoid. Have a giggle at your memories.
Cheers.

Great list,
I'll probably get shot for saying this on the GPS thread (maybe it should have been in the general, or get moved to it ?)

you still can have the 'then' things/fun/stress free times, even 1 board 1 sail.. keep it simple keep the stoke high:)
just leave your GPS at home and only sail when you know its windy,

I've gone from 2 boards to 1 this season (did the same 2 seasons ago also, so I know its true! ) and currently only used one sail for last few months (will need a smaller) , probably only need 2 fins 90% of the time.
light winds will be for teaching and maybe the odd Sup sail...or dare i say kite!

Windsurfing gets gear complex when you want to start playing in light winds...and or racing/competing.. the GPS comes out from time to time , but just for my own interest , ..besides I already know I am the world champion fastest at my local anyway :)
The stoke pretty high when you rock up to your local, one board and sail in the van and an island to go sail around that , often has whales or dolphins cruising past at this time of year.....September spring suit optional , and there is cold beer on tap at the rigging spot.
I read these threads about accuracy of doplars and boblars and winhabigity thingyabobs and accusations of evidence tampering, i get a head ache just trying to keep up with it.

Windsurfing doesn't have to be stressful, its pretty simple really, and buckets of fun:)

Jonesy, Great Pic of Old Woman Island. Ive always wanted to sail there.

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ka43 said..
Then. You waved at anyone with a windsurfer on the roof.
Now. You cant see the driver because of the 5 boards, 6 sails, masts, booms etc etc.
Then. You went outside and looked at the water and wind.
Now. You spend 3 hours comparing electronic devices & still aren't convinced its windy enough to sail.
Then. Chucked your one board, sail and boom on the roof and up, up & away.
Now. Speed sailing, wave sailing, foiling, free riding, B & J, etc etc. Wheres the giant van?
Then. You just went to the nearest lake, beach, harbour happy as.
Now. Another hour trying to decided where to go in what wind direction.
Then. Rigged straight away with excitement.
Now. Cant decide between 136, 121 or 114 board with 8.6, 7.8, 7.0 sail. 44, 40 or 36cm fin or equalivent weedy.
Then. Hoped there would be someone else to sail with.
Now. Pray there are no more than 15 guys all in the one spot at your local so you don't get run over.
Then. Fall in, crash, plane, hoot with happiness, laugh your head off and smile smile smile!!!
Now. Couldn't crack 30 today. Didn't get a good Nm, Alpha etc. Jump wasn't cool enough. Not enough guys telling you, you were flying.
Then. Come off the water with a grin a mile wide and bask in the after glow of a fun time being part of it all.
Now. Worried you didn't go fast enough or didn't beat everyone!!!!

Just a light hearted look at the difference between "the good old days" and todays different world. According to me, that's all.
Please don't get offended or paranoid. Have a giggle at your memories.
Cheers.

Then 5 boards on the roof of the hatchback (belonging to ya mates mother) with 5 blokes inside it
Now 5 boards on the trailer (so as not to upset mother) and hoping to find a mate at the lake.

Then pink fluro sails....woohoo
Now pink fluro sails ...eh ok

Then. Just apply Linseed oil with brush or rag to the wishbone, give the mast foot a coat while your at it.

Now. Remove old grip, acetone, prep surface, get adheasive, foam nap roller, blade, tape, sanding block, new gr

I know it's light hearted but come on we all remember the good old days with cloudy nostalgia.

This week... Wednesday slalom kit, Thursday foiling, yesterday bump n jump, hopefully today big kit, tomorrow maybe longboard, windsurfing has never been as diverse, accessible & potentially fun as it is now!

Who cares what anyone else is doing, who cares where you sail, what type or how much kit you have... it's all windsurfing! Chase that dream, satisfy your inner youth, don't think look at that nice new bit of kit wouldn't that be nice, get it! Don't think i'm too old to try that, send it! Live in the now & rediscover that stoke of that first moment, glisse vitesse i think it is called.

Fwiw dunno bout where you sail but it used to be that crowded here that collisions where common. Fibreglass masts that gave you itch for days, oooh this ones so much better it has a carbon stripe, not to mention roof racks were essential... just for your one piece mast. Wobbly booms, "i dunno if i should sail out that far today" & those damn spring pins which were better at permanently being stuck, that pain in your thumb for days after from trying to push in those f@$ing pins on a cold day. Even wobblier fins that spin out at slightest pressure or if you had a good one just rolled the fin box out of board. Those chest harnesses which were as challenging to figure out as removing a bra one handed in the dark. Catapulty stretchy heavy sails or the alternative of terrible monofilm "oh wheres the tape" & how well did you know your sail repairer! Boards that where heavy enough to attract a watch your back warning & were slippery as ice, oh how my toes don't miss unexpectedly meeting that daggerboard or mast foot. Trying to downhaul with extensions that had all the effectiveness of not having pulleys & had the uj permanently attached (or stuck)- I wonder how many never had kids as a result of toes/feet slipping. Terrible footstraps which were as comfortable as a bit of hemp rope, harness lines which put a bimini twist to shame & were as effective as a chinese finger trap after a catapult. Being hit in the face by that jet of water that shot out of the daggerboard slot, a similar experience im sure to that poor girl in the middle of a bukkake party. I could go on for pages, yep cloudy nostalgia... loved every minute of it but things are so much better now!

Look, it was just meant to be a fun bit about the differences of windsurfing back then to now. Yeah sure, the gear ****s on what we had back then. But all those things Mk7 touched on were all part of the journey plus we didn't know any better. But you still had fun right!!
But the real reason I posted it here in GPS area is, have a look at the surrounding topics!! Talk about how serious every little aspect is taken these days. Well, in this place anyway. Yeah I know there are narky and easy going people, each to their own.
FFS, there are constant arguments about devices, name calling, software, posts, personality clashes, do it my way or piss off, etc. There a few that got it but not many.
Lighten up, its supposed to be a fun sport. Lifes too short, your a long time dead!! Flame suit on.

Too true, your point wasn't missed

Loved your post ka43 and love windsurfing. I didn't take it up til late 90s but can see how the sport has evolved over time and is continuing to evolve still. Cant beat that high after a windsurf, whether its cruising around in light breeze or hanging on in high winds.

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peterowensbabs said..

ka43 said..
Then. You waved at anyone with a windsurfer on the roof.
Now. You cant see the driver because of the 5 boards, 6 sails, masts, booms etc etc.
Then. You went outside and looked at the water and wind.
Now. You spend 3 hours comparing electronic devices & still aren't convinced its windy enough to sail.
Then. Chucked your one board, sail and boom on the roof and up, up & away.
Now. Speed sailing, wave sailing, foiling, free riding, B & J, etc etc. Wheres the giant van?
Then. You just went to the nearest lake, beach, harbour happy as.
Now. Another hour trying to decided where to go in what wind direction.
Then. Rigged straight away with excitement.
Now. Cant decide between 136, 121 or 114 board with 8.6, 7.8, 7.0 sail. 44, 40 or 36cm fin or equalivent weedy.
Then. Hoped there would be someone else to sail with.
Now. Pray there are no more than 15 guys all in the one spot at your local so you don't get run over.
Then. Fall in, crash, plane, hoot with happiness, laugh your head off and smile smile smile!!!
Now. Couldn't crack 30 today. Didn't get a good Nm, Alpha etc. Jump wasn't cool enough. Not enough guys telling you, you were flying.
Then. Come off the water with a grin a mile wide and bask in the after glow of a fun time being part of it all.
Now. Worried you didn't go fast enough or didn't beat everyone!!!!

Just a light hearted look at the difference between "the good old days" and todays different world. According to me, that's all.
Please don't get offended or paranoid. Have a giggle at your memories.
Cheers.

Then 5 boards on the roof of the hatchback (belonging to ya mates mother) with 5 blokes inside it
Now 5 boards on the trailer (so as not to upset mother) and hoping to find a mate at the lake.

Then pink fluro sails....woohoo
Now pink fluro sails ...eh ok

I confess, i had an all pink JV sail. And i really liked it

It's a great topic, Larko. I'm relatively new to the sport (2.5 years) and got introduced to the GPSTC early, so it's all I've pretty much known from a windsurfing perspective. I'm grateful to it as I think it's helped me improve my sailing faster than if I had stayed as a free rider. I like the fact that I can measure and quantify my progress in my chosen disciplines by comparing my current results with my past results. It's an invaluable tool. But you are right. I have had plenty of sessions where I have come off the water and have been bummed out as I didn't get the numbers I was hoping for or expecting. And that goes against the main reason for going windsurfing in the first place, which is to feel good! But, as most GPS sailors could attest, the buzz you get when you crack a PB or get a good set of numbers is immense and I am probably addicted to that feeling. Is it a bit stressful at times? Yes. (Have I rigged the right sail? Did I get there in time for the best of the wind?) But I guess it's all about keeping it in perspective. Can I still enjoy a session if my numbers disappoint? I'm not sure.... I hope so! Would I enjoy it and get as much satisfaction from it if I was just free riding. I don't think so.
I sometimes wish I was the guy in just a pair of boardies and a waist harness, carefree, and blasting away. But it's just not me.

Then: Windsurfing was the best sport in the world.
Now: Windsurfing is the best sport in the world.
Somethings never change.

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tbwonder said..
Then: Windsurfing was the best sport in the world.
Now: Windsurfing is the best sport in the world.
Somethings never change.

Well said.

Now also has foiling.

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Boston! said..
It's a great topic, Larko. I'm relatively new to the sport (2.5 years) and got introduced to the GPSTC early, so it's all I've pretty much known from a windsurfing perspective. I'm grateful to it as I think it's helped me improve my sailing faster than if I had stayed as a free rider. I like the fact that I can measure and quantify my progress in my chosen disciplines by comparing my current results with my past results. It's an invaluable tool. But you are right. I have had plenty of sessions where I have come off the water and have been bummed out as I didn't get the numbers I was hoping for or expecting. And that goes against the main reason for going windsurfing in the first place, which is to feel good! But, as most GPS sailors could attest, the buzz you get when you crack a PB or get a good set of numbers is immense and I am probably addicted to that feeling. Is it a bit stressful at times? Yes. (Have I rigged the right sail? Did I get there in time for the best of the wind?) But I guess it's all about keeping it in perspective. Can I still enjoy a session if my numbers disappoint? I'm not sure.... I hope so! Would I enjoy it and get as much satisfaction from it if I was just free riding. I don't think so.
I sometimes wish I was the guy in just a pair of boardies and a waist harness, carefree, and blasting away. But it's just not me.

Boston you're obsessed with numbers, get an iPod and cruise to music ??

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Tinlyds said..

Boston! said..
It's a great topic, Larko. I'm relatively new to the sport (2.5 years) and got introduced to the GPSTC early, so it's all I've pretty much known from a windsurfing perspective. I'm grateful to it as I think it's helped me improve my sailing faster than if I had stayed as a free rider. I like the fact that I can measure and quantify my progress in my chosen disciplines by comparing my current results with my past results. It's an invaluable tool. But you are right. I have had plenty of sessions where I have come off the water and have been bummed out as I didn't get the numbers I was hoping for or expecting. And that goes against the main reason for going windsurfing in the first place, which is to feel good! But, as most GPS sailors could attest, the buzz you get when you crack a PB or get a good set of numbers is immense and I am probably addicted to that feeling. Is it a bit stressful at times? Yes. (Have I rigged the right sail? Did I get there in time for the best of the wind?) But I guess it's all about keeping it in perspective. Can I still enjoy a session if my numbers disappoint? I'm not sure.... I hope so! Would I enjoy it and get as much satisfaction from it if I was just free riding. I don't think so.
I sometimes wish I was the guy in just a pair of boardies and a waist harness, carefree, and blasting away. But it's just not me.

Boston you're obsessed with numbers, get an iPod and cruise to music ??

It has pushed him though. He is sailing really well ..