DavidJohn said...

I don't think it's been said before but anyone who's a keen down-hill snow skier or snowboarder will appreciate what down-winders are all about.

It's just like going down a slope or mountain.. Looking for that perfect line and linking up turns etc.. and sometimes stringing together recoveries.

But unlike snow skiing the run is not over in about 10 minutes before having to get back on the chair lift.. Our runs go for at least one or two hours at a time.

We also don't have to pay $100 for a lift ticket and travel hours to get there.. We just have the minor hassle of a car shuffle.

DJ

Hey DJ, I think that is very perceptive, I agree completely. Also, what I found with downwinding is that it is very hard and even frustrating at first but the more you do it - like anything else - the more you work out how to string together the bumps, when to paddle, when to let the board glide etc etc and suddenly all the fun opens up. It definitely IS a kind of surfing on a 16footer. Also, what I do know is that the Tweed Coast is heaven on a stick for surf downwinders. A lot of the things that can annoy me about surfing this coast - big open beaches, lots of wind exposure, lots of southerly sweep, suddenly become advantages. You get a surf in the morning when it's glassy and then in the arvo when the howling southerly kicks in with a solid southerly swell at your back, the dw is a total hoot. you get 2 surfs a day instead of one - definitely beats mowing the lawn and you've earnt a couple of extra beers.

To me,
If your thinking that downwinders will be like surfing, you will be disappointed. It's about making the most of where you live and the conditions available. In summer in SA we get heaps of onshore wind at the surf locations so if you want to go for a paddle, downwinders are the answer. I would rather do a downwinder than go windsurfing on flat/choppy water which is pretty much all Adelaide and Perth sea breezes have to offer most summer days. Downwinders are fun in my book but surfing beats the lot. Sure beat running or riding bikes! Amazing what you see along the way, stingrays, dolphins, penguins, hot chicks even!

jed said...

lacey said...

i'm thinking twice about getting another dw board, reasons are there is a fair bit of stuffing around with cars transport etc. 2- i wouldn't go out solo and paddling upwind to get some dw action 500 or so metres off shore doesn't cut it and trying to organize pe
ople for a dw is hard. the time factor put in to do an hour or so ends up being 3 hrs or so when its all said and done. when you are doing dw'er they are fanastic and with strong wind and swell it is a challenge for sure, but i'm tending to find there is a lot of talk about dw, but not actually doing a lot of them and the boards aren't cheap- not sure i can justify the expanse
these are just my thoughts on whether to get another dw board
cheers

Lace they are all valid complaints - but you know you still want to do it....
I recommend taking the mobile in a waterproof pouch, heading off on your own and then ringing the good (no, great) wife to come and pick you up. Hope the injury is coming good...

yeah, your right, any paddle in the ocean is good.one thing i find is flatwater training tends to detract from my s/b suping, but true dwer's take a lot of skill and when i hope back on the surf sub not much seems to be a problem

WINDY MILLER said...

ok, jl10'4 board is defo the wrong board...


still, i think i'll stick to windsurf when windy....


i'll look out for you all,, next time your cruizin down the bay.

Hey Windy, yeah I did a downwinder on the wifes new JL 10'4" in big bay chop and didn't catch a runner until I got to the beach. It almost put me off them altogether. Once I got back on a more suited board I was keen again.