Hi Sunsandandsurf, since you are one of the few survey posters to reply and ask my reasoning I will answer you.
This is my opinion and it is probably not that of other people on the site so all is not lost!
The site gets numerous requests for survey monkey type surveys , the majority of the questions are the same and then they mention an item of surfing equipment. Pretty much your lay out! Often the surveys are a front for an advertising set of data and surprisingly enough the surveys are posted by first time posters who are using the poor data collection method to finish some design project. You ticked all the boxes
There is an amazing amount of the data you would like to collect on the site if you took the time to read.
My main criticism is not of the students but the fact that Universities and and other tertiary centres of learning are (maybe) encouraging students to use poor choices of data gathering.
IMO a lot of laziness is evident sourcing information/material for projects. I apologise that you have had head on collision with my soapbox.
I feel these surveys are like evangelist born again door knockers coming preaching at my door.
Strangely enough if you or another surveyor approached me at the beach or I would share fair knowledge with them
BTW the critique as you see is about the surveymonkey format not you, try reformatting your survey to real questions and you might get some replies