How's the windsurfing community doing these days?

[VA12]

Hi. I used to be an avid windsurfer back in the late 80's and early 90's. Life intervened and I haven't been on a board in 15 years*. Have been considering getting back into it and paying some attention to what's going on. I recently stopped off at Virginia Key Beach during a bike ride to have a look around. It was a very windy morning and I was shocked to find only a couple of sailors out. Back in the glory days there would have been 50 people out by that time.

On another bike ride a few months ago I stopped by Matheson Hammock and saw dozens of kitesurfers out. As luck would have it, one guy rigging up in the lot right next to me was an old windsurfing buddy. Got to talking to him for a while and learned that he and lots of the other old-school windsurfers had gone completely over to kite sailing. I believed him when he told me how much fun it was, but it really doesn't hold much appeal to me. But it does seem kite sailing has taken over as the fun thing to do.

How goes the entry of new sailors to windsurfing these days?

* Note on recent sailing - I did go out to the Sailboards Miami truck about a year ago and rented a board for a couple of hours. It was a light day but there was a steady 10-12 knot breeze and I got to fart around for a while. I was pretty rusty, but it is a lot like riding a bike. I do have to mention that, for light wind sailing, these new short, wide boards are not nearly as fun as the old long boards (see my note on searching for a Mistral Superlight). When you're not planing, you're slogging, and that's no fun. I did see a bunch of folks out on their formula boards going very, very fast in the light wind, but that's an expensive proposition. I'm sitting here hoping for a real resurgence of long board sailing, and wishing someone would put the original Superlight back into production. I don't think there was ever a better board for light to moderate winds, one that everyone from beginners to experts could enjoy.

[Dwight]

SUP is creating a new way for people to discover windsurfing.

Also, there is a rebirth of longboard sailing, with many new board models bringing those good old days back.

Look around and you'll find a lot on longboard windsurfing, forums, and even a mag.

[sergio_k]

I'd like to chime in on the situation (warning: just my opinion)
first, this year was not what you'd call a 'windy' year, so most windsurfers
are hibernating, takes few high wind days in a row to get them going, and we had too many
days with winds under <12kn. Second, kitesurfing and now SUP takes away
some windsurfers, or at least part of their 'toy' budget and leasure time.
On the choice of equipment, if you enjoy plaining, NOTHING will get you more TOW
than formula gear in South Florida, you can plain in winds from 7-25 knots depending on your skill level.
It could be expensive but used gear is cheap, sometimes %80 off original price, all you need 1 board/ 1 fin /1 sail
now days. It's physical, but I see it as a good thing, it's a great work out and will get you in best shape of your life.
If plaining not your main thing, longboards/hybrides(like KONA)/SUPs will get you on the water. All have their pros and cons.