Windsurfing and Ageism??

Some people seem to want to make a negative out of the age of the older windsurfers who practice our beautiful sport.

For starters, windsurfing is something that can be done across all ages from children, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, older adults, and the elderly. How can a value judgement be put on this, other than there seems to be something for everyone. Depending on where you live, and the local conditions, you will see different ages of windsurfers practicing their favored version of it.

We would probably all have no issue with children up to young adults windsurfing, but some on this forum, seem to have an issue with middle-aged and older people having a sport they enjoy?? Usually these people that have an issue with age, are concerned with image and somehow have a negative correlation with anything a middle-aged person or older adult would be interested in. Some of this has to do with the need of one generation to differentiate itself from the previous generation which is totally understandable. Some of it has to do with those that have experienced harshness, abuse, or neglect by their older generations, and they have a strong desire to rebel, this is also entirely understandable. But let’s see it for what it is, and the one thing it is not, is the Wisdom of the world about what is good or bad in it.

Being young has so many advantages to it it's not fair, but I had my time, and made the most of it. Sometimes I wish I could be young again with all that energy, young body, good looks, but with all the wisdom that I have today. Being young is great!!!!!!! But unfortunately life doesn't work that way. It's a bit cruel really that just as you start to get it, your body starts giving up on you.

However, since when did the younger generation become the holder of wisdom in any culture, that's the reward you get for ageing? The wisdom of a culture is usually held by the older generations, a fact not always acknowledged or appreciated by the younger generations. If I had a problem in life, I certainly wouldn’t seek out a 20yo for advice, maybe someone a bit older and wiser than me. But I love the enthusiasm, energy, fresh thinking, and vitality of the younger generations, they are the future!!!!!

Surely people of intelligence and life experience can make a choice for themselves how they should wish to practice their lives, is this not Australia in the 21st century, or are we in North Korea or some Stalinist type regime, where we are told what we can and cannot enjoy???. Are these choices to windsurf by the elders, not made by people who have experienced a feeling when practicing windsurfing, something they experience within their souls. Can they not choose to trust this feeling?

Maybe there is something fundamental about windsurfing for the middle-aged and older. That it is a difficult sport, that it requires high levels of technique, and that cognitive and muscular skeletal co-ordination are utilized and honed, that it does strain the muscular skeletal system strengthening it and increasing bone density, , that it does produce adrenalin, that in males it does increase testosterone production, and possibly a hormonal effect in females as well? Maybe more and more middle-aged and older people will do the sport, ….. does this make it a bad thing? Only for those that need to differentiate themselves from the older generations I geuss. Coz really it’s all good. As they say viva la difference

That heavy...ya old fart

AH, now I see, hadn't read that other thread.

Don't think we need to take much notice of stuff like that.

I gave an 8yr old girl her first windsurf lesson this arvo, sail too big, wind too strong, and chop too big. But she was determined to uphaul that sail and at least grab the boom, kept at it for ages, laughing as she repeatedly fell in. Only managed to touch the boom once, but seems keen to try again on a much lighter day.
This sort of attitude will keep windsurfing strong and I'm sure she isn't completely unique.

I met a bloke the other day at pelican point who started windsurfing at the age of 50 and he's now been sailing for 22 years. This guys my hero! I'm nearly 32 and if I can be doing what he's doing at 72 I'll be stoked!

Well I think it's because everybody knows old folk are useless and can't do anything.

And I learnt that off Abe Simpson so it must be true.

that in males it does increase testosterone production, and possibly a hormonal effect in females as well?

I'm not sure about the hormonal effect but I still cant get enough of windsurfing after 17 years, still get a great buzz

I plan to work full time when i'm in my 60's so for the time being i'm going to enjoy being fit and healthy and doing the things that i enjoy.

There's a show on Aunty, called "Grumpy old men", which was hilarious until I found myself agreeing with them

Sorry , This is probably a bit out of context , but it does relate to age and windsurfing . I came across a news item on the Lorch website about a guy who is teaching young poor kids in Capetown how to windsurf . Got me thinking that something like that could be done here , maybe through Police youth groups or the like . I would be interested in peoples thoughts , especially the "crusty's"on how an idea like this could be done.

By the way I,m 49 but think I am 19 !!!

http://www.lorchboards.de/News-Single.142.0.html?&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=200&tx_ttnews[backPid]=6&cHash=a6ad7d2bb5

Maybe some of us can share that wisdom we are boasting about !!

Regards Martin