Advice please! Not sure which is for me i want the most exilerating, extreme, value for money, most use given uk conditions and ease to learn. Can anyone advise thanks alot

If you're new to both and want to get out on the water in a wide range of conditions and soon progress to doing 'exciting' looking things then I'd have to say kitesurfing. Despite the fact that I prefer windsurfing, it usually takes years to get a standard where you can sail in waves, jump etc windsurfing whereas it only takes a few sessions as far as kitesurfing goes.... probably best to get at least one lesson first though or at least get someone who knows what they are doing show you what you should and shouldn't be doing so that you stay safe out there (and keep it safe for everyone else too).


Al.

windsurfing, there's no excuse for kitesurfing

Having windsurfed for 15yrs I get more out of kitesurfing now. As Al says your learning curve's a lot steeper with the kite, you've a lot less kit to carry around. Oh and it looks cool too!

Someone asked me how long I'd been windsurfing the other day.... COuldn't quite believe it when i worked it out... 21 years, and I'm still crap!!! Been kitesurfing for 6 years as well, but prefer to windsurf so I'm not any good at kitesurfing either!

Al.

Thanks alot for the advice kind of what i expected kite surfing it is!

this ones a no brainer surely, got to be windsurfing

kitesurfing is all about how cool do I look, what do they think of my baggy trousers are my sunglasses on straight anyone see the air i just got etc, etc.

andy don't fall into their clutches go windsurfing it is the only path to nirvana

or are the baggy trousers just to stop you looking like a fat forty year old frog painted black desperately hugging your little pole in a fruitless attempt to travel quickly in a straight line then fly all of 3 feet off a wave to land in an ankle smashing thunk on your four ton van filling lump of plastic that 4 people could eat their lunch off and all this progression in only 10 years of riding!

different poles different boards different sails 15 booms a few hundred uj's a 400 kilo bag of fins when you always use the same one any way.

or one kite one board and fun from 11mph to 30mph wwith room in your van to sleep!!!! so you don't have to wus it in a BnB or hotel with your hairdryer and wetsuit press. and in only one year you can be riding waves jumping 30 foot gybing (yes gybing in one year!!!) that's right you can turn round without falling off in one year! one year!!!! you can glide you can do fast little wake tricks you can hurt yourself or if you want you can go fast in a straightline and jump 3 foot off waves and land gently then turn round (with out falling off, yes with out falling off you can gybe) then go fast the other way and not get hurt if you want to. but whatever you do buy some baggy trousers so you don't look like a bloody pole hugger!

he he he he he!

all respect to windsurfers for having the patience and determination to achive the carve gybe etc that i never had. but if you're new why bother?

looking good

oh yes!!!!!

dreaming of going fast in a new straight line- you can see it in his eyes...

i think he heard my laughter, look at the shame! he needs a kite and some baggy trousers!

and this is john de hat who would probably class himself as a begginer but look at the pride the speed the trousers!!! beauty!

But you seem to miss the point Will... As Griptool said, its not what it looks like it what it feels like and you may find it hard to believe

'a fruitless attempt to travel quickly in a straight line then fly all of 3 feet off a wave to land in an ankle smashing thunk'

Actually FEELS so, so much better than easily cruising into a 20 foot jump on whilst kitesurfing.

and the fact that

'in only one year you can be riding waves jumping 30 foot gybing'

is what makes kitesurfing less of a challenge and leaves you feeling unsatisfied after a kitesurfing session. Obviously everyone is different and some people like a quick fix with very little satisfaction. For me I much prefer the rush of windsurfing even though it may not look so cool... In actual fact, I like the fact that is isn't perceived as 'being cool' at the moment, I've never liked to follow the crowd which was why I took up kitesurfing in the first place (at the time no one here had even seen a kite before).. Now that everyone is doing it I quite like to be a little different.... Trouble is windsurfing is actally a faster growing sport than kitesurfing again, so I might have to get myself a new kite soon!!


Oh, and don't forget... 'He who dies with the most toys wins'!!!



Al.

true i see your point but it depends how you push yourself. some of us ride quite hard landing wake tricks and unhooked moves going for handle passes and kite loops this is the point where the curve gets very steep and the pain increases and so does the satisfaction of making the move.

i take it we all do our sport for our own enjoyment ,whatever sport that may be. everyone is different and has different needs and expectations from their sport. its great to see everyone enjoying themselves and giving respect to each other, whatever they are on.
baggy trousers are worn for 2 reasons; firstly to stop our harnessess wearing through expensive wet suits,and secondly like my spray top to keep the wind chill off. they sure keep you warmer and extend the time you can be on the water,especiaslly in the winter.
you should try them, i hate getting cold!

yeah but i hate skiers though. especially those mini ski things they really annoy me. no respect for them at all.

And then there are jet-skiers!!!!

Al.

don't get me started!!!!

now yer talking!

Quad-bikers in the beach???

GET OFF MY LAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ooooh ravers in the dunes with 4x4 vehicles. they make my blood boil

Especially the ones that leave all their crap behind!

Al.