Yesterday I sailed in the magic warm sunshine in the morning and again as the sun set.....bloody Beaudifool!
As I was taking it all in my thoughts took me back to when on a day like yesterday many moons ago there would have been ten or sometimes double the number of guys and gals out having a ball in the sunshine and gentle breeze. No GPS, no loony loops, gear shattering wipeouts and definitely no carbon fibre, camber inducers or exotic sail cloth. Just plastic and Dacron!

There was a bit of old school freestyle; shin crunching rail riding, ballet like pirouettes, handstands and backsailing. The urge to pose is a primal urge which is in the DNA! We can't help ourselves Windsurfers have to try to impress anyone who might catch a glimpse of a contortionistpic death defying stunt with the potential to break bones, lacerate or tear muscle.
Wouldnt it be interesting to try and revive something like this? Surely we could muster some old school long floaties.
It would help stave off the windless blues and importantly more TOW =Time On The Water.

Other benefits include technique perfection; tacking a longboard is practically the same action as on a short board but at a quarter of the speed. Much easier to perfect and translate to high wind sailing. Also with sailing without a harness in light conditions for a few hours will help keep the arms toned ready to rip when the wind finally arrives. All this comes with a very minimal risk of personal injury! At least on the water. Lifting a 25Kg plastic tank on to roof racks has caused the odd sore back. It also hurts if you drop one on your foot or head.
Any takers?

My next acquisition will be an old plastic board and rig.

I agree that the time on water and bang for buck cannot be matched.

The biggest attraction of that type of board (as opposed to a raceboard) is the freestyle ability. Soft rails, no footstraps and a soft sail make all those old skool tricks much more acheivable.

While planing at 20 knots plus is a real buzz, the requirement of planing winds to go sailing can be very restrictive.

Some of the old skool freestyle tricks are definitely a complete test of skill for any sailor, and a great method to improve board handling and control.

Phil McGain said that sailing in all wind conditions (from 2-30 knots) was critical to improving sailing skills.

I remember the beauty and simplicity of the old days of plastic boards and soft sails.

Clarence

Sounds nuts but I enjoy a light wind non plane sail good practice for tacks, jibes, backwind all of which I can't do consistently but want perfect before I die..... better still on a long board or sup

I sailed twice on Saturday and yesterday. Nuts????? Very little harness use, lots of tacking a great tune- up for when the strong wind kicks in.
maybe a Hawaii theme long board and barbie session at Lauderdale beach next sunny northerly weekend? Kid and girlfriend friendly too, they love to ride tandom on longboards.

Great to hear relic..I've always loved the longboards and you can cruise about anywhere. On Saturday the Deviot sailing club had there opening day and I took the Mistral equipe with an 8.6 and raced against the dingies for a close battle in very light winds. Heaps of fun and quite a workout. As Relic said much time was spent out of the harness for a good arm workout. We only had 3-8knts of wind but just enough to get around the course for 4 laps with upwind and downwind legs. Would be great to get a few more out there and a great way to build up some skills

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Relic said..
Kid and girlfriend friendly too, they love to ride tandom on longboards.

Do your kids get on ok with your girlfriend? Is your wife ok with you having a girlfriend?

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buzzy said..

Relic said..
Kid and girlfriend friendly too, they love to ride tandom on longboards.

Do your kids get on ok with your girlfriend? Is your wife ok with you having a girlfriend?

Yep she's black and obedient, cheap to feed, and happy to see me even if I leave her out in the rain all day!

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Rustbucket68 said..
Great to hear relic..I've always loved the longboards and you can cruise about anywhere. On Saturday the Deviot sailing club had there opening day and I took the Mistral equipe with an 8.6 and raced against the dingies for a close battle in very light winds. Heaps of fun and quite a workout. As Relic said much time was spent out of the harness for a good arm workout. We only had 3-8knts of wind but just enough to get around the course for 4 laps with upwind and downwind legs. Would be great to get a few more out there and a great way to build up some skills

Hey Paul, can you post any DSC events on seabreeze. I am keen to get out and have another crack.

It would be good to see a fleet out to improve on the six windsurfers we had at the race last year.

Clarence

For all the people with a pet, family, girlfriend or boyfriend and an old plastic board and rig, the Wally nationals will be on the Gold Coast in Qld on Australia Day weekend. We'll have loan boards available.

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clarence said..
My next acquisition will be an old plastic board and rig.
I agree that the time on water and bang for buck cannot be matched.
The biggest attraction of that type of board (as opposed to a raceboard) is the freestyle ability. Soft rails, no footstraps and a soft sail make all those old skool tricks much more acheivable.
(-----)
I remember the beauty and simplicity of the old days of plastic boards and soft sails.
Clarence

If you can fly up, we'll pick you and your family up at the airport. More info soon. cheers. long-time supporters of Tas, on the wcaa committee.

For interest
a guy in just rang me then and he is selling a near new one design that is only a couple of years old.
Located in Sandy bay
i can hand on his number if anyone interested.
it is not cheap
' cheers

Deviot haven't posted their 15/16 calendar yet but they race most Saturdays over the season. Would be good to get a few out...I will post when I intend to sail but anyone is welcome any time.

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Relic said..
... Kid and girlfriend friendly too, they love to ride tandom on longboards.

Kids and I had 2 sessions recently on Cremorne lagoon on their 180 litre Starboard Rio centreboarder, the first planing tandem with me in 20 knots using a 6.5m, the second in light winds with my 9yo sailing alone using a 2m and my 7yo enjoying ditching the sail and getting the paddles out. Great to have the big board - guaranteed good family fun no matter what the wind does. Girlfriend stayed on the shore.

My 9 YO is keen to learn. It would be great for him to see your 9YO sailing solo. That will spur him on. I'll PM with my contact.

Yes, the more the merrier. I have found the shallow and relatively warm water at Dorans and the Pond have been great for the kids rather than the river. They are happy to take it not too seriously and usually have a shortish go at windsurfing then just muck around in the water. Wetsuits and food seem to keep them happy. I have been using a long rope as a tether allowing my 9yo to sail without assistance while ensuring she doesn't disappear off downwind. Last session she managed to go cross-wind quite well and is demanding to be finally set free from the tether, so that will be next session.