Just wondering (and procrastinating) are there attitudes at your local beach?

I am involved with many sports and some of them the people are inviting to the new or less experienced people. The 'experts' talk openly and make them feel welcome and encourage those who are not 'experts'. I have been windsurfing for a number of years now and I feel that windsurfing is DEFINETELY not one of those sports.

Had a sail last night where I actually went home feeling quite bad because of trying to start a conversation with a number of blokes separately and being shunned. I know this is a little pathetic and I enjoy windsurfing for the sailing rather than talking BS with people on the beach but having some kind of camaraderie would make the afternoon better. Im not asking for in depth discussions of aerofoil mechanics but a few pleasantries about the conditions would be nice...

Is this just me being a unapproachable ****er?
Does this happen at other beaches?
Should I bring my own bunch of mates to talk with while not sailing?
Im I not good enough to talk to the blokes doing loops and I should avert my eyes whenever they approach?

Seeing as though I often sail alone, I happen to think my attitude is great.
I enjoy talking to myself. I have many insightful tales to tell and I laugh at my own jokes.
I very rarely drop in on myself, but when I do, I usually excuse myself because I would lose a fight against myself back on the beach.
It's a very competitive situation, but without any pressure.

but the other sailors around aren't too bad either. Except one dude who struts around like he's Australian champion or something.

Well, there is always the difficulty of talking to strangers but I find many other windsurfers willing to chat. I certainly try not to be presumptuous, and the guys who can help will often offer suggestions that I really appreciate, especially if they have seen me trying (or seen me in their shop).

If you are talking about people who are way advanced in anything, the general social guideline is to expect that you earn your way into a group. That is not a heavy deal, but let them see what you are made of before what you talk of; be willing in helping in any way you can, and accept that other people have different expectations. IMHO, any stranger that is a bit short probably has his own reasons that are not related to you but to what he is thinking about at the time.

You just offer greetings and see how things feel from there.

have you tried fresh breath mints.....
[}:)]

Yeah never experienced the whole loan the gear thing. Maybe I am just generalising about a group who were in a bad mood because the wind wasnt great and I caught them in a off moment. But really how hard is it to make eye contact as you are packing up and say see you next time?

I might have to check but I thought my breath was minty fresh.

The backloop within 10m of me was probably a good indication that they were not kiters pretending to be real people

Maybe I need to wear a rashie with hug me on it.

Maybe I need a cup of hot Shut the ***k up and get over it.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are all types everywhere.

At the same beach I have met people that will talk to you for ages after asking them what size sail they were using, and others that eye you suspiciously thinking you are going to steal their rig!

There are kiters that will do exactly the same too, so I don't think there's much difference between the sports. It's a bit harder though as the only thing in common is the wind.

I guess when it comes down to it some people have poor conversational skills or don't want to talk, and some do want to talk.

Keep trying to talk though, you might meet some nice people and it all makes the sport more fun. The only problem I have is when someone tries to talk to you for ages when you have just finished rigging up and they have just finished for the day...

Maybe they were up to something and you interrupted?

Not sure where it happened but Geez I wish you'd come and joined me out off Seaford reef last night I was looking for someone else to enjoy it with!

I do know how you feel - a few times I felt like I must have had something on my shoes when I've head to the chop heaven seabreeze location.

luckily there's still some crew that move around and don't have too much of a local mentality unlike most of the surfers I have met over the years - now theres localism at it's worse

knot board said...

My experience with the sport of windsurfing has been very different to what you are describing particularly at my local beach. I've met guys who will loan you gear without knowing your name. The problem I find is usually talking for too long on the beach and being late home. Guys I've met through windsurfing have helped me in my life and remained friends for a long time and I still only know some of them by their first name.

Windsurfer are good people.

Same issue for me we always talk for to long and worry about not spending enough time on the water. Theres people who i borrowed fins, booms and even sails from. Had a go on others boards and what not as well. Everyone looks to help others i don't know where your coming from here.

very supprised
Bubs

russh said...

Not sure where it happened but Geez I wish you'd come and joined me out off Seaford reef last night I was looking for someone else to enjoy it with!

I do know how you feel - a few times I felt like I must have had something on my shoes when I've head to the chop heaven seabreeze location.

Yeah where I was last night wasnt too bad when the wind was in. I am not going to say where just in case people figure out my face and all I will get is abuse (hmm better than being shunned?). But I think your descritpion isnt too far off.

I think any weekend sails may end up with me going for a drive down your way, but for an after work sail I just dont have the time.

How did seaford reef go last night in a gusty SE? I would have thought the cliff would have blocked a lot of it.

OK maybe I was a bit rash in tarnishing all windsurfers given the ****e attitudes of a few. For that I apologise it seems that at least the sailors on seabreeze are a good bunch.

I will keep saying g'day to all sailors and have a chat not just to be friendly but also to enjoy the day that little bit more.

Good to hear that it may be only centred around a few locations.

I have to say I have experienced the exact opposite also.

Everybody has been very friendly and will always offer advise/help etc. I have met more people through windsurfing in the last 6 to 7 weeks than I have in the 8 years I have lived in Geelong.

I have even had someone loan me a harness (thanks Red I will give it back next time I see you. I have a new one now lol).

Even the kite surfers have been a good bunch of guys to talk too .. I sometimes find it hard to understand the animosity shown on this forum to the kite surfers.

dralyagmas said...
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I think any weekend sails may end up with me going for a drive down your way, but for an after work sail I just dont have the time.

How did seaford reef go last night in a gusty SE? I would have thought the cliff would have blocked a lot of it.

Seaford reef was good fun - good gusts to get going from about 40 m off the beach and planing most of the time -- every now and then a bit light on the inside - but nice smooth water for a gybe on the gusts and fly back out.

Nice lumps out the back but nothing surfable across the reef - had one bareaway and that didn't break really

Had a 112 skate and 5.8 skates a skittery on a bottom turn but still surfable -- you need a easy planing board with heaps of volume - a 113 Fanatic or RRD 115 freewave would be perfect

Should do it more often - I really enjoyed it and it's around the corner from home.

draly! you're welcome here up in the tropics even if am in a "sail first talk later mood"

Well I'm feeling a bit guilty here, young guy p1ssed me off out in the waves, by coming over the back of a wave in front of me, he didn't get out of the way, just rode the wave in front of me. I was rude and bottom turned under him forcing him off the wave.

Back on the beach he came in to downrig, instead of going over to him and explaining about wavesailing etiquette, I just ignored him, guess I was still annoyed from being dropped in on, but he was a young guy on P plates, so probably didn't know any better.
He's probably now thinking what a Ba$&ted I am.
If I see him again, I'll see if I can do better.

mineral1 said...

Only other was some big fulla one day who stopped short of gybe point and I stalled out so I didn't happen to fall on his gear, who yelled at me like Achmed the terrorist "stop following mmeeeeee"!!!!!!!. Think I pizzed him off when I re-acted by bursting into laughter

HAHAHA LMAO!!!
"Stop following mmeeeeee"!!!!!!!