I've just completed a windsurfing lesson and would like to get a gear.
First will be a board, preferably a used one.
I am 50 years old, 70 kg and would like to get something that I can use for a while as I progress.
What I am looking for is a board to cruise around the Swan River in Applecross. No big wave.
I have no plan to go to the ocean and not the type that will want to sail at 80 km/hour.
More like a comfortable ride just to enjoy the day.

What size board (width and litre) should I get?
Some of those Starboard designs look nice and clean.

Thanks.

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Balap said..

I've just completed a windsurfing lesson and would like to get a gear.
First will be a board, preferably a used one.
I am 50 years old, 70 kg and would like to get something that I can use for a while as I progress.
What I am looking for is a board to cruise around the Swan River in Applecross. No big wave.
I have no plan to go to the ocean and not the type that will want to sail at 80 km/hour.
More like a comfortable ride just to enjoy the day.

What size board (width and litre) should I get?
Some of those Starboard designs look nice and clean.

Thanks.

I'll probably see you there. Just learnt and managed to borrow a 150litre board off a friend (very generous and kind) who wasn't using it. I intend to spend a fair bit of time at applecross getting up to speed on it.

When I started windsurfing a couple of years ago I did 1 lesson then went and bought a 130 litre JP Fun Ride. I'm 68kg so not far from your weight. It was a bit of a learning curve for the first few days but I progressed fairly quickly in the scheme of things. A lot of people will tell you to get a board with a dagger board so you can get up wind etc but I don't agree. Yes it will make it easier in the short term but you will learn to get up wind on something like a Fun Ride sooner or later through technique so you there's a very important skill you will learn early that you wouldn't otherwise on a board with a dagger board because they will get you upwind with almost no technique and you will use something like a Fun Ride for a lot longer than a dagger board style board.
I just think jump in the deep end and learn to swim. If you get a single fin board straight up I believe you will progress at a faster rate in the long term. There will be people that disagree with this but that's the way I did it and in hindsight I'm so glad I did. Its one of the the things that got me to where I am now MUCH quicker. If you start with a dagger board you will learn stuff but once you go to a single fin board, which is where you want to be, you will have to learn certain techniques all over again because the dagger board makes a board behave very differently.

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qldnacra said..

When I started windsurfing a couple of years ago I did 1 lesson then went and bought a 130 litre JP Fun Ride. I'm 68kg so not far from your weight. It was a bit of a learning curve for the first few days but I progressed fairly quickly in the scheme of things. A lot of people will tell you to get a board with a dagger board so you can get up wind etc but I don't agree. Yes it will make it easier in the short term but you will learn to get up wind on something like a Fun Ride sooner or later through technique so you there's a very important skill you will learn early that you wouldn't otherwise on a board with a dagger board because they will get you upwind with almost no technique and you will use something like a Fun Ride for a lot longer than a dagger board style board.
I just think jump in the deep end and learn to swim. If you get a single fin board straight up I believe you will progress at a faster rate in the long term. There will be people that disagree with this but that's the way I did it and in hindsight I'm so glad I did. Its one of the the things that got me to where I am now MUCH quicker. If you start with a dagger board you will learn stuff but once you go to a single fin board, which is where you want to be, you will have to learn certain techniques all over again because the dagger board makes a board behave very differently.

I agree and disagree with this.

I agree about the fact that there is an element of efficiency about buying a progression board first up rather than a wide floaty, learner board for the reasons you stated - you will be challenged AND potentially learn faster.

But I disagree for the same reason, if the OP goals are to enjoy his time and learn as he goes then there is no point throwing himself in at the deep end and struggling for the weeks or months it will take him to get used to a free ride board.

I say this from personal experience and an example from the weekend. A young, and very athletic learner came to our regular spot with his 125 LT free ride board after having his two lessons on bigger, friendlier gear. He persevered but he kept uphauling, rounding up into the wind and falling in and wasn't having fun. I didn't have my learner board with me but gave him a go on my 135 LT, 85cm wide free ride, and "Bang" he was up and sailing. It wasn't pretty but at least he got going. He is going to buy a bigger learner board now.

If you want to enjoy yourself and learn at your own pace then I would go for a 150 Lt' ish Starboard GO or similar; JP Funster etc Something wide and bouyant - wide would be 75cm +

It will allow you to learn and cruise on a stable platform in light wind and also allow you to progress to planing when and if you want.

The down side from this strategy, would be when / if you want to progress to faster gear, heavier winds, you may not have a use for such a floaty board and will need to purchase a new one. Where, as qldnacra said, if you buy the progression free ride board first then you already have it without more expense.

It depends on your priorities.

Hi Mate,

5-6 years ago I decided to get back into windsurfing and got a Starboard Go 145 L. You can very easily uphaul in any wind and I do this on the Ocean of Anglesea in big swell. You can also waterstart.

The board is stable, easy and fast all at the same time. With medium winds and a 6 - 7 m2 sail, I can get it easily planning.

You also can look at a carve board around 130 L , but the starboard has worked beautiful for me.

Just for info I am 70 kg also

Thanks guys.

From what I read, I should get a board 130 - 150 ltr (perhaps closer to 150) with width at least 75 cm.
I don't need to get anything bigger like 180 ltr?
I will look around for a board like starboard and funster.
Also regarding the daggerboard, I can put it an angle as I progress can't I?

I will rent a board to practice for a couple of months.
The one that we used on the lessons were around 1 metre wide and had a fixed middle fin.

tazmania
What board are you using? I might be able to spot you. I often walk my dogs pass the car park except when it's too hot.

Hi,

My entry level board is a JP Xcite Ride 146l. I started using a 5.7m sail and graduated to a 6.7m rig after one season. The board is good for learning all the basics such as water starts, harness, footstraps and planing. Up hauling a sail is straightforward for beginners. As you go a bit faster the board is lively in choppy conditions. I got a smaller fin to help this. Ideally a smaller board is better once you have mastered the basics and want go faster in different conditions. The important thing is to have a board which provides some challenge, but with which you will have fun riding.

Buy a starboard go around 150l.. They have amazing resale value. You will have trouble finding one because everybody keeps them.



I still have my 170l go for light wind blasting. Love it.

I agree with Yuppy, Starboard Go around 150 Ltrs, unbreakable, good non planing but really good when planing, the type of board you'll keep when you progress because it will still be good in lighter conditions.

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Balap said..

I will rent a board to practice for a couple of months.
The one that we used on the lessons were around 1 metre wide and had a fixed middle fin.

This is a great idea. Do all your early sailing on the 1m learner boards, they are very cheap to rent and you will learn to sail rather than learn to balance

A Go or Funster are good options but don't discount boards with a centre board like a Starboard Rio, Tabou Coolrider, JP Explorer. They have performance similar to a Go or Funster but in my opinion are more versatile. They have incredible wind range as well as the option to go exploring upwind with ease.

If you see someone at Melville with a blue Coolrider (or a car with Patrik stickers) say g'day and have a go.

I agree with Paddymac. The Go and Funster are great boards and have plenty of volume for learning and for light wind cruising. I have just progressed to a 131 Carve and regularly use a 7.8m sail for 10-15 knot winds. On the light days I am usually sailing Melville Waters on my own or with a few others.
Look for the white Isuzu and say hello.

Apart from anything else, the wide big board will get you out on the water more often and time on the water helps a lot.

I'll be on an Exocet Speed Slider XL 150 litre. Probably more on light days to start with too.

In my opinion, the 3 different purchasing roadmap can all be made to work.

Option 1 - Very Large 170 - 220 ltr board with centreboard
This option is ideal if you are not very fit, and or you don't anticipate getting out on the water more than once a week to learn. It will give you the best chance to progress up to the point where you can plane in the harness (the first really fun part).
Centreboards can always be lifted up to improve your technique, but can save a lot of "walk of shame" in the early stages.
After a couple season of this, the board will sell for very little depreciation as these boards tend to be very tough (EVA soft materials all over), and are always in demand.
If you decide not to sell it, kids and learner friends could always use it in the future.

Option 2 - Large 130 - 180 ltr board with no centreboard
Similar comments to above, except there will be a few walk of shame (nothing wrong with that). Ideal if you are somewhat fit and can get to the water at least a couple time per week. Larger ones will still be easy to uphaul, and EVA decks will mean less scratches and bruises.
Probably even better resale value than above, especially if you get the soft EVA decks.

Option 3 - Medium 110 - 140 ltr
Most of these comes without the EVA decks - this means it can be a painful beginning. These are much faster boards that will require you to learn hard. I would say that you should be quite fit and be keen to try and sail at every opportunity.
If you go this option, invariably you will want to go fast in the future! You will start to think of a smaller 90-100 ltr board to do so later and end up keeping this board for light wind days.
As these boards don't have nose protection, you will damage the nose when you learn to plane. It is no big deal to either pay someone to repair ($100-$150) or to learn yourself.


edit: If you decide on option 1 - I just saw this ad (not mine) - http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/casuarina/surfing/jp-new-school-180-windsurf-kit-including-mast-boom-and-sail/1038180839

What exactly is, "the walk of shame" in windsurfing parlance?

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GrumpySmurf said..
In my opinion, the 3 different purchasing roadmap can all be made to work.

Option 1 - Very Large 170 - 220 ltr board with centreboard

This option is ideal if you are not very fit, and or you don't anticipate getting out on the water more than once a week to learn. It will give you the best chance to progress up to the point where you can plane in the harness (the first really fun part).

Centreboards can always be lifted up to improve your technique, but can save a lot of "walk of shame" in the early stages.

After a couple season of this, the board will sell for very little depreciation as these boards tend to be very tough (EVA soft materials all over), and are always in demand.

If you decide not to sell it, kids and learner friends could always use it in the future.

edit: If you decide on option 1 - I just saw this ad (not mine) - http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/casuarina/surfing/jp-new-school-180-windsurf-kit-including-mast-boom-and-sail/1038180839

Thank you for the info and the link.

I will go for step 1 or 2. Not 3. I want it easy and fun to start with.

Few more questions:
Is this a good board to start with?
Is the asking price fair?
How old are these gears?

That board has a centrefin option - this is a new or different way of thinking to a centreboard. I guess the idea is that if you are an early beginner, leave the centrefin in. Once you wish to plane a bit, then remove the centrefin. This has the advantage of being lighter and "more advanced" board.

The rig looks on the small side (370 mast and unspecified sail), but that is probably a good thing for a lightweight early beginner.

The whole lot does look like in great condition and looks like as new. As for the value, I guess that depends on you! I think it is more important to get yourself on the water quick before the season vanish!

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tazmania said..

What exactly is, "the walk of shame" in windsurfing parlance?

While sailing you are out having fun, but you haven't learnt enough to be able to stay upwind, so you get blown downwind and after a bit of time you have to walk your kit back upwind to where you started, then start again, get blown downwind and repeat......

Therefore it became the walk of "shame" as YOU haven't learnt to keep upwind.

Everyone does it until you learn.
Or you break stuff and then have to walk back.

Cheers
Graeme

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tazmania said..

What exactly is, "the walk of shame" in windsurfing parlance?

When you end up drifting downwind a lot, and then have to walk your board and rig back along the beach in the shallow water until you get back to where you started.

Good to hear the walk of shame is normal for beginners... started windsurfering 2 weeks ago and having trouble with upwind, have 200L board, was wondering if I should make move for 150L board??

Just for clarification... a board with a centre board is NOT always a beginners board.

A Starboard Start is a beginners board. A Starboard Rio can be used by beginners, but is an all-round board that is good for what Balap wants.

A JP Funster is a beginners board, a JP Explorer is an all-rounder

A Tabou Coolrider is an all-rounder.

RRD Easyride is a beginners board, a 360 Evolution is a freeride board.

A good all-rounder will do 25 knots with total comfort in the right conditions, it'll also be at home in choppy stuff, or going upwind, or stable dead downwind or lightwind or old school freestyling or... well, you get it. These are the modern take on the classic Windsurfer - just waayyyyy better.

I'm not saying they are for everyone but I reckon for lots of people, like Balap, they are worth considering.

Thanks again guys.

paddymac, I'll take your advise and will get one of the all rounder board you mentioned.

I will still rent one for a few weeks while looking for it.

Balap, sometimes the shops will let you demo a board. If you can this is a great option. Just about any board that has been mentioned will be fun, if you can - try a few and see what you think.

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Harrow said..

tazmania said..

What exactly is, "the walk of shame" in windsurfing parlance?

When you end up drifting downwind a lot, and then have to walk your board and rig back along the beach in the shallow water until you get back to where you started.

Got it... Did a big one yesterday myself

Although when I got back to my start point I sat down and watched some other guys who were way better than I and it was interesting to see that no matter what the skill level there was lots of frustration as moves attempted didn't come off for all of them. Meaning to me that there is always a learning curve and they are still learning too so they probably aren't laughing at me walking up the beach as they went through that stage too.

This site offers some good advice on board choice. Especially question 4
jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2008/02/top-16-windsurfing-questions-answered.html?m=1

I'm not sure of your calm water requirement. It to me this suggests non planning conditions on modern learner/ intermediate boards

Just wondering if a long board ie Starboard Phantoms have been considered as a next step after the school fat boards? If calmer water is the guiding requirement plus increased opportunities to go out in light winds a long board may be a better option?


Cheers Jeff

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Balap said..

Thanks guys.

From what I read, I should get a board 130 - 150 ltr (perhaps closer to 150) with width at least 75 cm.
I don't need to get anything bigger like 180 ltr?
I will look around for a board like starboard and funster.
Also regarding the daggerboard, I can put it an angle as I progress can't I?

I will rent a board to practice for a couple of months.
The one that we used on the lessons were around 1 metre wide and had a fixed middle fin.

tazmania
What board are you using? I might be able to spot you. I often walk my dogs pass the car park except when it's too hot.

Balap were you down there today? Someone with a dog was looking closely at my board and I thought they were about to talk to me but walked off.