lunchbox - 14-7-2012 at 10:48 AM
So a few days ago my neighbor was selling his old windsurfing gear and I decided to buy it. Figured for $200 (sail, board, mast, boon, mast extender,
etc.) I couldn't good wrong. And he said the price came with free lessons! This Sunday, we're planning on taking them to Castiac Lake to try it out!
And then next week, I'm going to bring the family...my oldest son, who has had no desire to try kiting, actually wants to try it! I'm thinking he
might like it!! I think that alone would be worth the money I spent 
So has any one tried it or have the desire to try it?
If you've tried it, how is the fun factor as it relates to kiting?
KAZEDOKA - 14-7-2012 at 02:14 PM
You cain't put a price on a activity that brings the family together for fun and laughs.
Windsurfing was my primary sport for 25 years, it's a BLAST. Compared to kiting the learning curve is long and steep. just like kiting equipment there
is no one size fits all. Older equip is not user friendly. As I read you will be receiving lessons on1day assimilating info then a week later offering
your son your interpretation of the lesson. Thats how every one started, and provided much entertainment for the people on shore. I don't know how big
your lake is? If large I would highly recommend learning how to do a self rescue b/4 venturing out. Just like the kiting bug/ when you POP that
windsurfing board on a plane the Windsurfing bug will bite hard. Most Important HAVE FUN.
carltb - 14-7-2012 at 04:48 PM
go and hang your kites up in shame and never darken this forum again with such blasphemy. pole dancer
Kamikuza - 14-7-2012 at 05:16 PM
What Carl said 
I tried it as a kid and again as an adult - got the worst
sunburn across my back ever (full-coverage blisters!) and got nowhere at all. Although the advantage of windsurfing seems to be you need less wind to
get a ride and the locals go out in off-shore wind.
... I'm sticking with kiting. Big jumps!!! :Ange09::wee:
beachrights - 14-7-2012 at 07:17 PM
Had one when I was 16- now have one at 45. It mostly sits at the lake and laughs at me. It is difficult to get the upwind angle right- your kiting
skills in my opinion will not help- completely different beast.
mougl - 14-7-2012 at 07:40 PM
I used to windsurf as a kid, did a little more in my mid 20s. It was fun but I prefer kites now. BIG air!! Now the only pole dancing I get near
is...oh look! Shiny!!!
nocando - 14-7-2012 at 08:13 PM
Give the poledancing a rest.
You will find lugging a board, boom mast and extras is a right pain, is good fun while it lasts. I
Also need a good sized garage or shed.
Kites take up less room
:wee:.
Flyfish - 14-7-2012 at 08:36 PM
Lunchbox! DO NOT listen to them! It's all killer. I used to pole dance for years before kiteing. If your kid is into it, that's killer. Google "Kia
Lenny", then tell me it sucks.
Carl, after watching YOUR videos, I bought a landboard!
Here's some of me POLE DANCING!
I appologize for horrible quality - I found the VHS tape and taped it directly off the tv. Also sorry for the music, guess that's what I was into in
the mid 90's. Plus remember that a mast is 15 feet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA7HfUrfWBY
Here's the same spot kiteing it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXRjOvAKK3o
It's ALL good!
lunchbox - 14-7-2012 at 09:18 PM
Hey Flyfish....nice videos...you got some serious skills!
Gotta say, I was kinda surprised on some of the posts especially coming from this forum. But it's all good...everybody's entitled to their opinion!
Funny...I got a lot of the same stuff from my surfing friends when I starting kiting and then SUPing. Glad I didn't listen to them because I think I
found a sport that is just as good as surfing (kiting) and with the SUP I can surf a great wave all to myself (in L.A. believe it or not) that just
wouldn't work with a normal surfboard!!!!
...and the reason for the windsurfing....tomorrow is a perfect example. There is no wind forecast for the beach but there is at the lake.
Unfortunately, there is no kiting at this lake so why would I not at least try it!?! Anyway, the goal is to get good enough to ride waves....there is
an excellent right break close to home and kitesurfing is not allowed there....and to me...it's all about riding the waves!!!!!
Thanks again for the words of encouragement and the videos...love both of those soundtracks BTW 
nocando - 14-7-2012 at 10:46 PM
Hey has any body used a HQ Hydra to pull them about on a sailboard hull.
If yes I need to know more
BigMikesKites - 15-7-2012 at 04:31 AM
For $200,
Family time. Perfect. My prediction is that you both will have a hard time learning it. you will comment something like the kite is so much
easier. son will try kite and neither of you look back. its worth the investment.
But i'm not a genie. I may be wrong. But thats how i would like it to work for me.