Tell them it'll be a day of lounging in the sun and playing in the water and meeting some friendly people!!! And learning the basics of windsurfing so that when they go to Maui, the Bahamas, Fiji, etc. they'll already have the low down to sail the oceans blue!!! These are the people who will stick with it... The ones who once they feel that natural acceleration will only want MORE!!! We hope you'll get involved with this... Let's see how it goes, learn from it... Make it better the next time! I want to try and keep it laid back and nobody's "show" but everybody's benefit...
BEGINNER LAND ORIENTATION Friday JUNE 16th 6:30 PM to 9 PM at SKYINE HIGH SCHOOL East Parking lot on grass. 3251 E 3760 S. On land training w/ both simulators and landboards.
BEGIN WATER FUN Saturday June 17th 10AM-3PM or Whenever you want to leave!!! GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BRINGING SOME BEGINNERS, OR SOME NEVER WINDSURFED KITEBOARDERS
, OR ANY ONE ELSE EMAIL ME AT rvpheninger@aol.com ... Title it "BEGINNER DAY FLYER REQUEST" I will email you the INVITE/FLYER, DIRECTIONS SHEET, (very flexible)ITINERARY so that you can hand some out...
Please ONLY give them to those whom you select... If we have TOO many, then they'll have to start using your gear! That's alright though right?! BRING YOUR OLD GEAR TO GIVE AWAY or sell! If you are going to be out of town or can't come because of work or other, please, still invite some people, the "directions" sheets are very explicit!
This will only work if we all contribute (if you can)! Otherwise, yes, it won't work!
----------The Challenges--------------
It turns out that growing (or trying to grow) the sport is a little similar to a kick in the groin! People have ALL kinds of concerns about it! I have all kinds of concerns about it too... It's HARD to do... So many different people involved... So many different philosophies, schedules, perspectives on what windsurfing means to them... But, to me that's what Windsurfing or Windriding or life for that matter is all about! Diversity right? I love it!
If we start doing it... It'll be easier in the future... I have talked with numerous people around the US about this. They all say the same thing... The "first time" is the hardest... Many have beginner programs that have stemmed from it... Plus, I would like to get the directors of the U of U Outdoor Rec Program there, if they can come, get them on a Startboard or other wide beginner board... That'll be all she wrote... And hopefully, they'll get some Beginner Wides into the Rec Program!
That Windsurfing Mag article is very cool... Hopefully it'll sucker some of those Gorge Brats to come here this summer, thin out the parking at Doug's!!! (not likely!) he he... I hope they do another one in the future but get here when Utah lake is going off 3.8!!! John, work on him!
But there is a REALLY COOL little article on Page 14 of this magazine (June 2006) Eddy Patricelli talking about getting young people into Windsurfing... He was trying to convince a Father to get his son into Windsurfing... Words could do it... In the end it's getting him out there! That's exactly it!
"No, I didnt' turn the tide. No miraculous revelations occured that suddenly made the father see the light. But given a second channce, I still wouldn't have argued with him. Instead I would've taken him to the water, put him on a board and helped him experience windsurfing for himself. After all, the act of windsurfing is the sport's best advocate. Then, just maybe, he might see it's not about going pro... ... That ultimately, being a windsurfer is not about how good you get, but instead is about where windsurfing takes you- the places, the people, the lifestyle..."
I am still pumped about doing a beginner day! This beginner day has gathered up some speed, but also picked up some hitch hikers along the way... This day should be about getting as many beginners there as possible, but it is also a chance for intermediate sailors who DON'T know what the Gorge is to see really where windsurfing is.
Up at Deer Creek today, near the end of the day, a guy who lives in Oakley and teaches at the Oakley Boarding School (Not our type of boarding), showed up with gear that is going to hold him back. He had been sailing at Strawberry. He said it was a bit up and down!!! (ha, I can only imagine)
The "Beginner day" can really be fun for all of us... It can help all of us if we make the most out of it... Some of us might camp out there to save some spots and get up early for OUR early session!?!?
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