I now have some time to get back into windsurfing after 20years. I weight around 78 kg. The last board I sailed was 190 liter fat narrow BIC board. I know equipment has changed a lot and YouTube now has great content. I could get into the front straps, use the harness and no center board. I am looking for two things. First a recommendation on how to start again and secondly what equipment to look at. Any advice would be appreciated.

you will get plenty of advice soon, but the first step should be to find local windsurfers and talk to them

My advice is to just do it! The program is still stored in your brain and muscles.

(Maybe don't go out in super gusty or offshore conditions)

Where are you based, what kind of bodies of water / conditions will you be sailing on and what kind of windsurfing appeals to you?

I got back into windsurfing 5 months ago after 20+ years. I'm no expert but happy to provide my 2 cents.

I definitely second the advice to go and speak to the locals. In my experience everyone is always up for a chat and can talk gear for hours.

I see people struggling and would love to make some suggestions but feel awkward. You should just ask.

well maybe a kona one, big board so stable and easy to relearn on, and planes easily.

Why do people return after 20 years , never 19 or 21 ?

Select to expand quote

remery said..
I see people struggling and would love to make some suggestions but feel awkward. You should just ask.

It can be awkward, I was watching a guy who I had never seen at our spot ,with an older board (narrow long nosed slalom shape) really struggling to rig a newer race sail on an old mast boom and extension thought I offer a tip (more downhaul as usual!), was shot a look of back off! When he did head out on the water with a very badly rigged sail he still ripped the lake apart having more fun and going faster than most of the others. I was well and truly put in my place!
So yes ask for opinions dont wait to be approached.

Select to expand quote

Imax1 said..
Why do people return after 20 years , never 19 or 21 ?

I had a month off over Xmas which was enough time to round up some old gear from a mates farm shed, dusted it all off and after working out what wasn't mouse eaten, found enough bits that worked. Had a cracker afternoon then did the count back, had been 25 years since last on a sailboard. Instantly hooked again, time for some newer gear

Select to expand quote

macattaka said..

Imax1 said..
Why do people return after 20 years , never 19 or 21 ?

I had a month off over Xmas which was enough time to round up some old gear from a mates farm shed, dusted it all off and after working out what wasn't mouse eaten, found enough bits that worked. Had a cracker afternoon then did the count back, had been 25 years since last on a sailboard. Instantly hooked again, time for some newer gear

Welcome back , it's so much fun .

I guess patience is the key but it seems a challenge to find decent used gear locally here in SA. Is it worth getting gear couriered from interstate ie: cost, damage?

Select to expand quote

macattaka said..
I guess patience is the key but it seems a challenge to find decent used gear locally here in SA. Is it worth getting gear couriered from interstate ie: cost, damage?

I'd definitely recommend looking at sourcing gear interstate unless you're willing to wait forever to find what you need.

Most people seem to use e-go to ship windsurfing gear. If you do depot to depot shipping the cost of shipping a sail interstate is pretty cheap (like $20). A board will be more expensive of course but still worth it if you're looking at near new boards that cost you less than half of the price of a new board. I haven't had any issues personally so far with damaged gear (touch wood).

Patience is definitely key in waiting for the right used gear. It's good if you already have a rig you can use to get out on the water while you wait to slowly built up your quiver. Much to my wife's dismay i'm definitely finding buying used gear a bit of an addiction, it just never seems to end but I always tell myself just one more thing and I'm done, but then it doesn't.

Select to expand quote

cleverku said..

macattaka said..
I guess patience is the key but it seems a challenge to find decent used gear locally here in SA. Is it worth getting gear couriered from interstate ie: cost, damage?

I'd definitely recommend looking at sourcing gear interstate unless you're willing to wait forever to find what you need.

Most people seem to use e-go to ship windsurfing gear. If you do depot to depot shipping the cost of shipping a sail interstate is pretty cheap (like $20). A board will be more expensive of course but still worth it if you're looking at near new boards that cost you less than half of the price of a new board. I haven't had any issues personally so far with damaged gear (touch wood).

Patience is definitely key in waiting for the right used gear. It's good if you already have a rig you can use to get out on the water while you wait to slowly built up your quiver. Much to my wife's dismay i'm definitely finding buying used gear a bit of an addiction, it just never seems to end but I always tell myself just one more thing and I'm done, but then it doesn't.

Thanks for the reply cleverku,

That definitely expands the search criteria :)

If you still have your old equipment better start where you left!! Newer equipment are a lot easier

New gear feels a little different, I reckon if ingot back on new gear after 25 years I might have been a bit disappointed and feel like I had "lost it". Instead I went out on my old gear and just picked up where I left off, but with a lot of forearm pump.

Replace the unit joint of you go iutneithnthenikdngewr.

Select to expand quote

pimalu said..
If you still have your old equipment better start where you left!! Newer equipment are a lot easier

Yep, using a 9'0" 'JumpCity' Slalom board and some old 5.3 AIR Blata thing (in the avatar) All the gear is probably 30ish years old, replaced the uni joint. I'm 100kg so limited to 20knts+ but still having a ball