Winter is coming to a close and spring is about to... spring. Some of us hardy souls have been at it for most of the winter but the more sane have been waiting for warmer temps. Having had fingers and toes go numb a few times ourselves, there's something to be said for the wisdom of waiting.
Many of us have gear that needs to leave the garage. Others are either starting out, looking to replace worn gear or have moved to the area from a place where sails bigger than 6.0 aren't as necessary.
It's time for a yard sale, a swap or whatever you want to call it. Sure, we have the "For Sail" section of the forum but stuff gets lost there sometimes.
So here's the deal: if you have something you want to sell or are looking for something to buy, post it in the comments below. We'll leave this up until mid-spring. If something moves, delete or edit or comment. When it's over, we'll close comments.
Actually, the only reason for this post is to use this other pic we found.
We just wrote a post about women and windsurfing here in the Southeast, especially inland. While there are women who windsurf, most of the regulars tend to be men.
So we posted a few videos to inspire those women who may be considering either going out or taking up the sport. Since then, we've found two more really nice videos to add to the collection. We hope they serve as inspiration to both male and female windsurfers.
Good promo from the RYA in England
For the more action oriented, we present Tatiana Howard at Ho'okipa
For some reason, windsurfing in these parts is considered a "guy" thing. It really shouldn't be. Of course, when you look on the water at Lanier or a local spot, it's largely men who are windsurfing but that's really more about us than the sport.
We are tempted to blame part of this misperception on that notion that only men would be silly enough to jump into Lake Lanier in the winter time. But, someone in our household did the Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Lanier a few years back with her girlfriends so it can't be that. It just may be that women who are starting out windsurfing or considering it don't see many role models.
Well, thanks to the glory of Youtube, here are some good role models in videos posted recently. They aren't doing anything super crazy, just riding and enjoying things. We hope it encourages more women (and men) to get on the water.
Addiction can be a brutal and ugly thing. We doubt that some teenage at a party, when offered an illicit substance for the first time, says, "Why yes, I'd love to do degrading things in back alleys someday. Let's see where this leads us."
No, the lure is pleasure, comfort and a bit of a thrill. It's only later, when the cravings won't stop that even the most impossible idea seems not only plausible but perfectly sensible.
Most of us started windsurfing on a pleasant, warm and gentle day. A caressing breeze filled the sail and momentary lapses of balance only meant a swim in refreshing if not warm water. It was all so fun. So innocent.
Soon equipment was bought. And then more equipment. You maybe had to bargain with the spouse to justify a new (to you, at least) piece of equipment. Maybe you didn't reveal how much that sail cost after shipping and taxes. But, you were really beginning to enjoy the sport and a mast here and fin there didn't seem like a big deal.
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