the GPS teams and individuals have lost the spirit of windsurfing.
Not so long ago, you'd be windsurfing and be alongside other guys and girls out there having fun, thumbs up, a hand wave or the 2 fingers and thumb (knarly). Now the only time we talk seems to be before we hit the water. The gps guys come from behind and pass you, no wave, no acknowledgement at all (yep i'm faster than him). Meanwhile, they're either doggin it (sinking) or flat out.
No fun, no frills, just the numbers. Sort yourselves out will you. You're changing the fun loving sport I have 80's and 90's videos and DVD's about.
I had a good sail today with 5 other blokes at peel st Toukley with no GPS. sunny, windy and having a good time. Memories and companionship, that's all I need.

Hey I always give you a wave or thumbs up when I sail past you at Canton Beach. I'm using a GPS but don't take it too seriously. Just a way to record my sailing. I agree we are taking it quite seriously as witnessed by the close calls from people bearing off downwind and losing awareness of whats going on around them.

hey canton if you want someone to talk too come down to illawarra I'll talk to you , I spend more time in the carpark than I do sailing

I found lots of friends in the GPS challenge, most of them very sociable and helpful. I also sail with others that don't do the gps. I don't find a problem if someone wants to take their session seriously, sometimes you need to concentrate to try and improve your technique, and that's what the gps is for. The spirit of windsurfing means different things for different people.

Select to expand quote

canton1 said..

the GPS teams and individuals have lost the spirit of windsurfing.
Not so long ago, you'd be windsurfing and be alongside other guys and girls out there having fun, thumbs up, a hand wave or the 2 fingers and thumb (knarly). Now the only time we talk seems to be before we hit the water. The gps guys come from behind and pass you, no wave, no acknowledgement at all (yep i'm faster than him). Meanwhile, they're either doggin it (sinking) or flat out.
No fun, no frills, just the numbers. Sort yourselves out will you. You're changing the fun loving sport I have 80's and 90's videos and DVD's about.
I had a good sail today with 5 other blokes at peel st Toukley with no GPS. sunny, windy and having a good time. Memories and companionship, that's all I need.

You see exactly that same sort of comment between Mtb and roadie cyclists.
Its just different perceptions mate, that's one of the great things about those humans.
Enjoy your sailing.

Better Get yourself a GPS and join the 'in crowd'. Then come barreling past one of the other Gps sailors and youll get the thumbs up!

Maybe it's karma or something, you get back what you put out.

Whether I'm on my wave gear or slalom with GPS I find most other sailors to be friendly and sociable. When they're in 100% concentration mode on a down wind run they may not be able to take one hand of the boom to give you a greeting but if you look closely you'll probably get a smile.

Its not like that where I sail. Lots of GPS sailors but unless they're in the middle of an hour or going for distance they stop to chat where convenient. Still plenty of waves and thumbs up too.
The GPSTC has increased the camaraderie enormously.

I think if GPSTC had a category for time spent talking crap on the beach before getting wet I would finally rank top 10 in Aus. Seriously though I sail with the Southerly Busters and can honestly say that there is plenty of time for fun out on the water. (and sledging back in the carpark later).

Come down to lake Illawarra, As Keef said you'll find him in the car park most of the time and he's always willing to shoot the breeze.....All the other guys are very social as well, The speed guys are very serious on the water (40 knots and i wouldn't be waving that's for sure) but they still find the time to ham it up. It's a great spot and has great people to sail with, I think it's a very social sport even though we spend so much time alone out there. The car park is where it all happens, The rest breaks as well, Plus he re-rigging and after sail beers...Sounds very social to me.

I love this game

Select to expand quote

jh2703 said..

Come down to lake Illawarra, As Keef said you'll find him in the car park most of the time and he's always willing to shoot the breeze.....All the other guys are very social as well, The speed guys are very serious on the water (40 knots and i wouldn't be waving that's for sure) but they still find the time to ham it up. It's a great spot and has great people to sail with, I think it's a very social sport even though we spend so much time alone out there. The car park is where it all happens, The rest breaks as well, Plus he re-rigging and after sail beers...Sounds very social to me.

I love this game

Its pretty well the same at Canton Beach. There are many windsurfers there when the westerlies blow who enjoy a yarn. Its a great vibe there with Sydneysiders, Central Coasters and windsurfers heading south from the Hunter. Until recently it was possible to walk down the road and buy a hot coffee as well. The GPS Teams Challenge is primarily about getting windsurfers in touch with each other and building relationships in what can be a solitary recreational activity. Through the Challenge I've gotten to meet and know many windsurfers around Sydney since I got back into it in 2007. The categories of the challenge are well balanced, encouraging us to spend time out on the water and not just go for down wind blasts for that speed peak at the expense of a good alround windsurfing session.