This is odd, I remember [NAME DELETED] said in a post waaaaaay back:
"I have been planing for the longest time & I am in the harness and footstraps! Please stop observing and criticising me and focus on your own things."
This was on a thread discussing NP sails, and she'd mentioned that she really liked her new Hellcat. I was kind of trying to egg her along a bit because she's been windsurfing almost as long as me (well, more than 2 years compared to my 3.5) and as far as I could see she was getting nowhere so slowly that it was becoming painful to watch. Even after trips to Vietnam and Bali. I didn't want her to miss out on all the fun, and maybe eventually give up. Sure I was egging her on, maybe having a bit of a tease, but you need a thick skin on this forum and anyway it was done with a smile and good intentions.
So I was quite happy to hear that she's "been planing for the longest time & [she's]in the harness and footstraps!" And I confirmed this with her verbally the following weekend at the beach, in what was a strangely awkward conversation.
So, it's 2 months later and I've seen her out in good planing wind a grand total of 2 times, dragging along with the front foot in it's strap...not really planing, not going for that back strap...not looking like it's really happening at all...
What I wanna know is, WTF?????
(I'd put the question to her personally but I seem to be getting the icy treatment all of a sudden)
First of all there are so few female sailors that I wouldn't do anything that might make us loose one.
Secondly, you're walking on dangerous ground critising a female ... My girlfriend would hit me for that comment but at the same time agree with me.
All I can say is good luck!![]()
If she is enjoying what she is doing then good on her. We all take our own enjoyment from the sport at no matter what level.
With some people, having an opinion = criticising.
And it's good that you confirmed orally with her...
Seriously, I'd tend to drop it. Lotsa people aren't as good as I think they should be, and that includes myself. If they have a good time, and she's not complaining she's too good for the wind, so what?
There's planing, and then there's planing. Video is a great way to sort out the difference between the two. Then there's also no chance of saying "but I don't do that, and I'm doing exactly what you say anyway [you useless prick]".
Wet Willy: Boldly going where wise-men choose not to tread.
Not quite planing in the straps? hmmmm Lets seeeee...
1) Move straps in and forward.
2) Rig a bit bigger &/or sheet in more
3) More weight on the booms, less on the feet.
That's the recipe Fiona if you're reading this.
Wet Willy, it was kind and selfless of you to help her indirectly like this. Inside that gross exterior beats the heart of a true gentleman.
I think he loves you Fiona.
Seriously, a woman gets up at 5:30 in the morning to make her face up.
Do you really believe she wants to hear the truth ?
(Faintest of smileys here.)
Willy,
Its not good form to critise someone's sailing ability, especially not in person where critisism can be constructive. Personally I wouldn't like it if someone here talked about my inability to gybe, jump, go fast, tack, handle strong or light winds, waterstart, and ability to be a kook was brought up here.
Wet Willy et al. is turning this into Windsurfing's version of the Bold and the Beautiful
But yeah, Fiona is being quiet!