I think your freind there in DC is about 10years behind in info.

 

I agree with his point that back in the early 90's the focus of the ws industry was high wind and waves. When we first started Extreme Windsurfing here at Lakes Bay (Atlantic City NJ) There was a "group" who who "If I can't plane with my 6M or less I won't sail" The more enlightened use to refer to this crowd as "Fence Monkeys" as they spent more time talking than sailing. Since Extreme Windsurfing started (full time) the Spring of '94. We at this time introduced (to the broad base of SNJ sailors) to wider boards bigger sails (we use to think of 7.5's as BIG) Over that summer and the successive seasons more and more sailors were out sailing (planning) These windsurfers use to get "pleasure" of "luring" the 6M & under sailors out because these lesser experinced (in yrs in the sport) were out planning. They (6M & under crowd) believed if these new sailors could do it Why not them.

 

So what happened in the long run most of the "Old School" 6M and under converted to take advantage of the newer easier to sail planed early/faster. a very small minority just gave up really hating getting "lured out" and a small minority went over to kites. (interesting these same folks said it wasn't fun having to deal with a sail 6M but they live on 12M & BIGGER) Extreme Windsurfing is teaching hundreds of lessons, running event (although MUCH to my dismay the racing scene here in NJ is gone)

 

So why is my view different than your buddy on the Potomac? Well, it comes down to a different business model. Extreme Windsurfing stays current (nay I say Leading edge helping with various prototypes of modern freeride boards & lately SUP's) we spend most of our advertising budget getting new windsurfers. We have a certified instruction and we work on having national clinic keeping our teaching perspective current Lastly, we came into windsurfing past it's Boom" We KNOW we have to work for EVERY SALE. We work at it with current product knowledge, fair & accurate application of what will work for the customer (weather we have it in stock or not) we (being on the beach where "everyone" sails) can't "hide" from our recommendation If what we recommend doesn't work we would hear about it along with ALL our prospective customers (sailors on our beach) and it wouldn't be long before we were a has been.

 

Windsurfing here at Lakes Bay & Extreme Windsurfing continues to grow we are starting our 15 yr. I'm still REALLY STOKED ON WINDSURFING