I believe that many RS:X sailors will get into the kitesurfing scene and learn to race. Much of the knowledge and experience of wind and racing tactics, and how to run an Olympic campaign will be transferable to this new class. Plus, nobody will want to start a day job after a life of traveling and windsurfing!
On Monday, I spent the day in Marazion, close to my home in Bude having a go at kitesurfing. I really enjoyed learning a new sport and some of my natural instincts from windsurfing helped, the sheeting in reflex however does not and results in you being yanked up into the air!
It was a perfect day for learning, flat, onshore and 15knots. I had an instructor from JBKitesurfingCornwall helping me out which was vital, controlling the kite in the air is not as easy as it looks. I learnt to control the kite in the wind window, body drag from side to side, launch the kite in the water (a lot harder than jumping back onto a board) and I managed to stand on the board in the straps with some forwards momentum from the initial kite dip, all in five hours which I was really happy with.
It may not be the most stylish sport to learn, boots, hard hats and bouyancy aids were essential and I did get pulled through the water face first several times. It is an odd feeling, voluntarily getting dragged through the atlantic ocean with cold water gushing down the winter steamer. RS:X Windsurfers tend to stay out of the water as much as possible.
So, which ever way I look at this, the future is bright, I get to learn a new sport and race using my old knowledge, a challenge I am already looking forward to. Or I can continue windsurfing racing, the sport I am good at! If windsurfing does not make it back into the games we all have the memories and medals from the good years which will last forever.
Please sign the petition.
