Not sure if this topic has been discussed already...
I'm looking to make the jump into the waves this summer 
but I'm worried that all my sails have cams and are too big and I will have to invest in new gear. What is considered ok, considering that all I'll really be doing to start off with is just getting used to riding in and around waves EG not really surfing or jumping yet?
My smallest sail is 5.0M and has 3 cams and I have 400 and 460 mast (SDM if that makes any difference). My board is a Tabou Rocket 115L.
I was just thinking about getting a one non cammed sail to fit my 400 mast. Can someone suggest a size?
Any advice is appreciated.
Oh yeh, i sail in Sydney Northern Beaches and am going on hols to Coffs Harbour in January so want to make sure i can sail there, heard there are some great spots.
The rocket will be a pig in the waves with its double concaves.
What brand mast do you have? What size extension?
How heavy are you?
Look for a x-over sail between waves and freeride 5.2-5.4 maybe
Thanks for the advice Stu,
I'm 80K.
Shame about the Rocket. I have 40cm mast extension.
Sounds like a new board and sail ; )
Cams are a no-no in the surf. Although if you are just going to blast out through some very small surf to then sail in the ocean you'll be OK. Just note that swell creates wind shadows, and it can be a real bitch water starting sometimes; those cams won't help. (and the whole time you'll be hearing da-da-da-daaaa).
Playing in the surf is a lot more fun on a board with a little bit of V to it. Playing in the surf is also more fun with no cams. Those waves have a lot more power than the wind, playing in the surf is also more fun with gear made for the surf!
Easiest on a cross onshore day with enough wind to get planing fast. You probably want your weight + 15-20 in litres, and a 5m - 6m sail.
Sounds good. I might come join you. I've only been in surf a dozen or so times myself and it really can be great fun. Better than paddling out and bobbing around like shark bait.
I would love to do the same but My biggest worry (in your situation) would be damaging those cammed sails, as they probably wouldn't deal with the punishment that the waves will dish out. Also they would be a nightmare to water start in the whitewash if you have to get out if a pickle fast.
When I decide to go out in the waves I will probably by some old sails, and an FSW board (but not too old). I have heard that a lot of people go out and bust up their gear on their first go in the waves, and the experience leaves a bad taste in their mouth so the don't do it again. $250 on a board and $100 on a sail, would be as much as I would invest for a first go. Damage limitation.
Sounds good cheap wave gear of that range is easy to come across if you get a few blast on around waves you will be hooked then and happy with out spending to much just make sure your water starts are up 2 scratch its a bit harder in the ocean and slow down on the way in so you can pick up some waves happy days
Been sailing over 20 years and never done waves or freestyle sailing,only slalom on river.
Driving the extra 10km's to the ocean and 10km's back is deal breaker for me!
Tried a wave board couple of times and nearly puked,and wave sails while lighter not nearly as stable as cammed sails!
Probably prefer free ride/wave sailing to kitesurfing thou,but you never know till you try.
My nearest sailing spot is 100km away, nearest wave spot 290km...I go on every windy weekend...
The shore break is a big issue when going out into waves. Most of the beaches on the NSW coast have beach breaks which results in a fair bit of shore break. Shore break makes it difficult to launch plus if you stuff it you could have a big dumping wave smashing you and your gear. Waves breaking close to the shore results in fairly strong currents running along the beach.
So before you go out closely examine the beach. Look where the shore break is smaller and there appear to be deeper water heading out back. These are rips, bad news for swimmers who don't know what to do but windsurfers can use them to get out the back as the swell may not break in the rip.
Don't go out if you are overpowered either. Best to be a bit underpowered unless the waves are really big, then you probably should be be cautious about it.
If you come off and can't waterstart quickly with big waves bearing down on you, try to grab the mast tip and point it out to sea. This will reduced the likelyhood of your mast hitting the bottom with the massive weight of a breaking wave on it, resulting in a smashed mast.
I don't windsurf in the waves anymore as I'm a bit over it but used to. Its a lot of fun and you don't need a huge amount of wind to enjoy it.
