I've always strapped one on since I had it but there are several times I just forget to put in the gear bag or simply recharge it. What I've noticed not using one is I tend to sail not furiously to reach the personal bests but really enjoy going on different reaches and not be reminded how many km's, ave. speed , etc.. The end result to this I end up sailing on the same lines as my other mates who don't use one and tends to be fun. Anyone who has the same feeling or is it just me using too much of it!?!

If I didn't want to keep track of how many kms I sail I'd leave it off when sailing chop as I can have a lovely sail but then the speeds are so low..

I think there is a balance.

GPS has been shot in the arm to windsurfing, providing a outlet for competition without the need to organise boats, marker boys, race organisations to coincide with appropriate wind conditions. The team challenge creates healthy competition and rivalry between teams and individuals, as well as providing a means of measuring self improvement. The other advantage is that GPS doesn't just measure speed, but also other parameters like Alphas and the 'Hour of Truth' which reflect board handling skills.

However, I agree with you JP, this focus on numbers needs to be balanced by sometimes just sailing for fun. I almost always wear my GPS, but some sessions, depending on wind conditions, I deliberately just sail for fun.

Like John I always wear mine, but I only look at it when I get home and log on ka72.

And the part I prefer is the google overlay.

It shouldn't make you focus only on speed and km. but apart from the record chasers (which is fine with me !) I suppose most of us just sail for the fun, even with a GPS on.
(though I noticed a young guy the other day with a gps watch and he would press buttons as soon as he stopped or fell in, I asked him why and he said : I pause it so it doesn't ruin my average speed.... he's only 15 !!!)

Its all in the mind, and what you tell yourself about it. GPS can greatly enhance windsurfing, and it can also ruin windsurfing sessions.

When I have ruined windsurfing sessions it is because I have been obsessed with achieving a particular speed or result and fallen short for whatever reason, and then I curse myself and forget what a wonderful feeling I just experienced. What I have done to combat that is when I go for a speed run, at the end of the run I tell myself to soak up the feeling of adrenalin and exhilaration before looking at the GPS, when I have savoured the feeling for a couple of minutes, I then allow myself to look at the gps, and if result not what I wanted I don't dwell on it, i refuse to get angry, and go for another sail.

So I agree with others that if the gps has a tendency to spoil some sessions or runs, don't look at it till later. Another option is if the gps in no way enhances your windsurfing then easy, don't wear it.

I'm at the crossroads with my gps. I really like the social side of meeting all the great speed sailors in different areas and reading the amazing post on the GPSTC. That side of gps ownership is terrific. I've meet some terrific people and had a ball sailing different locations. But the whole numbers thing tends to screw with my head. Whilst I've only been using a gps (on and off) for about 2 years, I find I have much better days sailing without it. This is simply because I relax more, let the stress of work drift away and focus on purely having fun. With the gps on I'm on a bit of a mission to try to beat / or achieve certain numbers. Thankfully this mission is personal, but it's still subtracts from the days fun and is unneeded pressure, so I'd sooner leave the thing at home and just go sailing.

"Ultimately all the gps represents is result driven accountability, which after time will eventually lead to focus, stress, pressure from within to continue to improve" Very well put WindyAus

I like windsurfing with my GPS but I don't really worry about numbers when I'm sailing. I don't worry about my GPS except to worry that it will fall off my arm and I'll lose it. I enjoy looking at my results in the evening or the next day and the conversation on the GPSTC site. It adds to the pleasure of windsurfing.

My GPS is not set up the best so I can't really tell what my results are till they are uploaded. It suits me as there is no incentive to hop off the board and check my results at the end of a run, so I may as well keep windsurfing unless I need a rest. If for example one day I go for distance, I don't check to see how far I've gone, I just keep going till I've had enough or can't keep going.

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sboardcrazy said..
If I didn't want to keep track of how many kms I sail I'd leave it off when sailing chop as I can have a lovely sail but then the speeds are so low..

But Sboardcrazy surely you have your own personal PB category for how fast you can negotiate the chop in the middle of Lake Macquarie? Or out beyond Nobbies?
( You don't have to tell us what they are. )

I rarely sail flat water now, won't break any official PBs, but still occasionally take out the gps to see if I'm getting any faster out beyond the point.
(I'm not saying either)

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Ian K said..

sboardcrazy said..
If I didn't want to keep track of how many kms I sail I'd leave it off when sailing chop as I can have a lovely sail but then the speeds are so low..

I rarely sail flat water now, won't break any official PBs, but still occasionally take out the gps to see if I'm getting any faster out beyond the point.
(I'm not saying either)

you didn't have your patrik last year , and i'm doing a new fin for primbee EL capitain

My take on gps vs no gps:

I wouldn't sail with a gps if I wasn't in the gpstc. It's nice to know the speeds and distance, but I really like the team camaraderie. I've had holidays to Lake george, Sandy Point & Maui all with people I've met on the gpstc.

I like to know how many kms I've done. Kms = TOW = happiness.
I like to know if my gybes are improving. Although alphas make me gybe tighter than I like.
I like having a beer with fellow speedies at the end of a big day in some other state.
I like to know that Rexy is, and always be, that little bit faster than me.

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keef said..

Ian K said..

sboardcrazy said..
If I didn't want to keep track of how many kms I sail I'd leave it off when sailing chop as I can have a lovely sail but then the speeds are so low..

I rarely sail flat water now, won't break any official PBs, but still occasionally take out the gps to see if I'm getting any faster out beyond the point.
(I'm not saying either)

you didn't have your patrik last year , and i'm doing a new fin for primbee EL capitain

Twisting my arm Keef? Tempting, your fins are proven PB getters.

Are you using carbon for the reinforcing this year? I noticed you had one proto reinforced with horse hair last season. How'd it go? Make sure you get the hair from a thoroughbred. That epoxy is as good as amber. You never know, If you knock out a fin in the Primbee shallows that DNA will be preserved in mudstone for millions of years. Jurrassic Park all over again. You'll need hair from one of each sex...... no hang on, apparently not.

"So I agree with others that if the gps has a tendency to spoil some sessions or runs, don't look at it till later. Another option is if the gps in no way enhances your windsurfing then easy, don't wear it."

Am trying to do what Hardie does but the 2nd bit for some reason is hard not to when it's telling you 'you're my sparring partner'! Basically I use it 95% of the time whether the sailing is bump n' jump or flat slalom. I guess the urge to record it for future reference is quite addicting. Can't fool a gadget. But am glad my sailmates are pretty used to me wearing one however there are always side comments like 'join us in the shallows more to have a bit of talk' . Well I do join them in waist deep and talk about how great the weather and conditions are but the gps is telling me the average is getting lower and then am off again. True it can make me a better sailor but a boring one most of the time on the water. Lately, if the conditions are not that well I do leave it in the bag..that is lately and hoping to have a friendly sail with them and not just numbers.

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Ian K said..

sboardcrazy said..
If I didn't want to keep track of how many kms I sail I'd leave it off when sailing chop as I can have a lovely sail but then the speeds are so low..

But Sboardcrazy surely you have your own personal PB category for how fast you can negotiate the chop in the middle of Lake Macquarie? Or out beyond Nobbies?
( You don't have to tell us what they are. )

I rarely sail flat water now, won't break any official PBs, but still occasionally take out the gps to see if I'm getting any faster out beyond the point.
(I'm not saying either)

Got soft since GPS and rarely go out in the chop unless lightwinds with big gear.. shark sightings have also affected the sailing.Much as I'd love to try my semi sinker falcon out in chop I know I will fall in and have to waterstart and I'm not keen on kicking my legs around with 5m great whites hanging around .. or running out of wind and having to swim in. If it wasn't for that I think I'd do some sessions each month in flatwater to get better scores then try and get back to B & J etc and relearn how to chop hop..
I suppose that's a good way to look at it too- see how much you can better your PB in chop.. Once the b shark buggers off maybe I will..

I think maybe too it's about goals and expectations? If you set a goal, have an expectation you will meet it, then fail, it's human nature to be disappointed and feel crappy. Do that successively and windsurfing could start to feel crappy.

So I think the challenge is managing your own goals and expectations. If your goal is to have a fun sail because windsurfing is FREAKING AWESOME, your expectations will always be exceeded and you will always be stoked .

The GPS should be seen as a stoke recording device, not a source of stoke in its own right.

PS - I love what I will from now on think of as "Mike's theorem". Km = TOW = happiness

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needsalt said..


"I think the challenge is managing your own goals and expectations"

Wise words Salty, and something I'm sure many struggle with.

I think we all strive to be our best, and often numbers don't accurately reflect skills or pure enjoyment for the day. How long you are buzzing after a sweet session is a far more accurate measure of success

I use the GPS every single session, regardless of water conditions or goals on the water. Most of the time, I'm not going for speed or distance, since nobody else from the team is out with a GPS. But I like to analyze jibes, compare speed in different conditions and spots, see where I sailed, and so on. Becoming too focused on making certain numbers can definitely reduce the fun. But I have seen the same with several freestylers, who became to focused on learning the next trick that they forgot to have fun on the water. My lovely wife sometimes falls into that category; frequent comments after a session are "Not a good session, nothing worked". The most fun she had in months was when she took out the F2 Missile and did some speed, just for the fun of it.

This is a great topic ..

for my 2 cents worth GPS for me does not make you go faster nor does it help you to improve !!!

To be a quick and a efficient sailor on the water no matter what conditions are out there you have to know what you are doing and understand the feeling and the theory behind that , GPS will never give you that , all it is is a number game ...

I can remember a while back I used to rely on my GPS to gain better results and try to tune my gear to my results ....it actually went backwards because I started to neglect the fundamentals of windsurfing and tune by feeling and knowledge !!!!

For me now I have more fun drag racing and comparing board speed to other sailors on the water and that really shows how good you are and how good are you at tuning your gear with the right gear and understanding how your gear works and once that is accomplished then the fun really starts and sailing becomes so much easier and easy means fun, and again GPS does not give you that !!!

And I know a lot of sailors have gotten to deep with there gps that they are goin backwards in there sailing and backwards means you just not learning and it really starts killing the fun because its not working for you and this is especially for the newbies !!!!....

I have noticed a lot on the GPSTC that a lot of sailors focus on 2 sec which I reakon is a joke and believe me these sailors will never get better and when ever you ask on the water "what did you get " its all about the 2 sec claiming how fast they went " not even close "
I used to be in this position but quickly realized hey this aint what it seems and started focusing else where , where its needed...

A lot of my sailing now is fanging across the water and certain conditions and adjusting to it to be quick and fun and downwind runs are not much of a concern anymore and I can honestly say I have become much quicker , efficient and wiser on gear choice for the best performance and that becomes really fun ...

Even the GPSTC or GPS speedsurfing has reached its limit of fun for me it doesn't really promote real speed sailing and you can never challenge other states or countries to be on top as a team , you can only wish that other countries and states don't get much wind for you to win and to top it off your never on the same water so its not a fair way of a challenge so the interest does drop and then it becomes more of an individual thing !!! Ive seen it and ive been there...

As for real speed sailing im trying with a friend to make a site for the true 250m - 500m - NM runs not this 2ec , 10sec runs !!!

And there will be no teams just the individual sailor and records will be recorded at the spot your sailing at and that will show the fastest sailor at that certain spot , not claiming im the fastest in the world , you are only the fastest at that certain spot !!!!
So this will show how true and fast you really are and how much you really know !!!Why I put 250m well some spots cant produce more so its a good start distance and you can actually pick what division you want for the day or with your mates have a say what are we doing today and there is your challenge 2 best runs average out of that and that is way more fun and yes less stress on having too many divisions !!!

Anyway get out with your mates and have some good drag racing and have fun doin it , it will show you how much you really know and what you have to do to get better ....

Hi Johnno, long time no hear, I hope life's treating you and wifey well

I see some comments above that love the GPS and some that don't and fair enough, each to their own, only they'd know what suits them.

Myself I love it, I sail in all sorts of conditions and just try and have fun, if the right gust comes along yeh I'll go for it and yes I want to be the fastest. Otherwise I'm chasing others, waving or giving fun abuse. The other day I sailed a new spot with lots of GPS'ers, everyone friendly and having fun, some drag races and not one cattle station won or lost. Here in Australia the GPSTC is like a big family, no matter where I go I get welcomed by everyone and offered good advice and even gear if needed. Through the old GPS I have made lots of good friends (even a couple of Victorians ) and sailed in some great spots that I would never have heard about before. JP I know you're still competing in an individual comp, have a good think about maybe starting a GPSTC team in the Philippines , no one has to be or needs to be the number one guy in the number one team.

Now, the 2sec GPSTC division comes up from time to time, it's not a joke it's just one of six divisions thought up at the time. The fact that so many sailors are saying "what did you get" means it serves some sort of service, it's just fun. If I had ever got a 33 2sec at my local FNQ beach you would have heard me scream with excitement from the other side of the planet, sorry Having said that, the Nm is my favourite division especially in trying conditions

This is why I wear a GPS, to have sailed with some of the nicest people ever, GPSTC FNQ Mob

^^^
Agree with all Firie's comments. The ocean NM is huge fun in light winds and an awesome challenge in 25 knots

I haven't had a GPS since the fire, and still get out on the speed board and my trusty slalom board. Still have fun still have a buzz.
And I'm sure every run is the fastest ever, in fact without proof otherwise all my speed runs are 50kts plus.

But seriously, there is something a bit liberating about not having to have that little distraction attached to you.

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shear tip said..
My take on gps vs no gps:

I like to know that Rexy is, and always be, that little bit faster than me.

you're a clown Speed aint everything my friend. Mike I will be forever chasing you. You are the reason I sail longer than I normally would cause I share in your happiness of just being on the water. A GPS doesn't give you that, it just gives you figures.

For me (at an older age) I found I needed something extra to keep me motivated in sailing. After many years of sailing up and down the line, I tried bump & jump, then action photography, then videoing, now GPS. So it shifts the focus and gives me another interest without it becoming boring. I know in time I will move back to B & J & just doing my own thing, but at the moment its a bit competitive just between me and trying to improve my own ratings, even though the results don't really show much improvement. Also I seem to be buying more gear so that is a benefit to the s'board shops and Seabreeze sellers - someone's had a win!
But at the moment GPS has kept me interested - so that's got to be a benefit for me and my health/fitness!

PS - Great comments above Firiebob

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gregwed said..
For me (at an older age) I found I needed something extra to keep me motivated in sailing. After many years of sailing up and down the line, I tried bump & jump, then action photography, then videoing, now GPS. So it shifts the focus and gives me another interest without it becoming boring. I know in time I will move back to B & J & just doing my own thing, but at the moment its a bit competitive just between me and trying to improve my own ratings, even though the results don't really show much improvement. Also I seem to be buying more gear so that is a benefit to the s'board shops and Seabreeze sellers - someone's had a win!
But at the moment GPS has kept me interested - so that's got to be a benefit for me and my health/fitness!

PS - Great comments above Firiebob

I'm going to start mixing it up a bit and try and get my act together again in the chop with B & J... Only thing is the Lake is really gusty so you need a big board for the lulls then you get bashed to bits in the chop.. Probably have to rig less powered up.