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?
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.
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.
Funny, I've found windsurfing one of the friendliest sports going 
I'm not too talkative if it's windy and I'm busting to get onto the water, but after a sail I'll talk to anyone, even their dog 
I used to play indoor cricket, have a bad night everyone treats you like the junk yard dog 
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.
Dralyagmas, maybe they were kiters that were attempting to windsurf, but were in a bad mood because they couldn't master a superior sport 
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.
most guys and girls, well i think there was one once, that i have met on the beach windsurfing, usually end up being new freinds, i haven't realy met anyone that was a complete tool, or wouldn't be up for a quick chat, myself like prob almost everyone else, would be in a hurry to get on the water before the session so a chat then would be a bit short and wouldn't have my full attention.
I've found sailors to be a great bunch of people, it's not very often you will find a group of people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages all with a common interest like windsurfing. I used to hang out at skate parks, now there are a group of guys with really bad attitudes..
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... 
Try jybing in front of them and droping in on a few of thier waves . That should get the conversation going on the beach.[}:)]
In 20 years of windsurfing I've almost never enountered rudeness or a lack of willing to talk on the beach. People might be a bit quiet and self-absorbed if they are rigging up ready for a 25knt session in head-high waves, but thats understandable!
After a break from windsurfing for a few years I am back into it again, and complete strangers (as long as they have windsurfing gear) always say hello.
The crew you encountered are definitely the exception.
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
Wow!
I would have thought that completely the opposite was true, certainly around Perth. There seems to be a real culture here of encouraging newcomers and people with less experience. I know if I see a badly rigged sail (obvious sign of a beginner) I usually offer some rigging tips.
The fastest guy in WA (or Australia for that matter); Slowboat, is always super helpful and chatty on the beach to anyone and everyone. In my experience even the pro-dudes in Maui or wherever are mostly as friendly and chilled out as f**k. I borrowed gear from Phil McGain and Matt Pritchard, and had a good chat with Robby.
I would have thought that boardies-over-wetties wearers were far more guilty of having attitude since they think they are so cool.
Select to expand quoterussh 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.
windsurfers are the friendliest people i have met. but thats only because i havent met a bad un. give us a shout if you're up for a sail at semaphore / largs, especially if you like drinking afterwards
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.
Fark, If you had introduced yourself to me and the family we would have invited you to dinner, after a quick heineken in the carpark!
I think I know who you might be talking about, they'll keep!
Come and say hi next time!
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.
Been playing for two seasons, and majority I meet will say g'day when approached.
Only two issues in this time that I can recall.
Once in a Windsurfing outlet a guy was trading all his gear (big board and sails) for kite gear and he indicated (when I asked him cos I was a nosey bugger) that windsurfing too him was secrete mens/womens business and he could never get any help from anybody.
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
draly! you're welcome here up in the tropics even if am in a "sail first talk later mood"
dralyagmas,
come down to the limestone coast, the crew (3 off us) at beachport here are always freindlyfor a chat and a few beers, been out 5 arvos in a row, 3 days on a 5 and 2 on a 4.2 looks like the rest of the week will be the same, speed trials should have been a week later as sunday was a solid 30 knots.
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.
