Hi Everyone,

I used to Windsurf all the time in the 80's & early 90's & want to get back into it slowly.

I live in West Footscray VIC & want to get used to it all again.

I used to be able to Windsurf in the surf & was a lot fitter so I'm looking for some flat water near where I live to get back into it.

Can anyone give me pointers to the nearest flat water Windsurfing location to Footscray & what's possible to hire until I want to buy a rig again?

Thanks for any ideas/advice/suggestions

I would buy an old complete longboard . Buy the biggest one you can. Plenty around for under $100 , may have to replace the Uni joint. And take it out for a spin in the bay in 5 knots. See what you think . You may surprise yourself and still have some skill left over .That's what I did after a 25 year break and totally fell in love again. The new gear nowadays is awesome

Gear has improved out of site since the 80s, you'll love getting back into it

St Kilda marina is probably best. Pick up a wind sup and rig from Zu Boardsports. They will sort you out

Depends on what you want to spend.
But you can pick up pretty good modern gear (+5y old) for a bargain.
with the experience you have a Freestyle Wave board would be best or a Freeride board
If you can water start, +30L above your weight should see you fine
6m and 7m sail. 5.5m for the windy days.
look around for sails to match the mast style and one mast to fit a few sail sizes (430mm should be best)

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OscarQBoots said...
Hi Everyone,

I used to Windsurf all the time in the 80's & early 90's & want to get back into it slowly.

I live in West Footscray VIC & want to get used to it all again.

I used to be able to Windsurf in the surf & was a lot fitter so I'm looking for some flat water near where I live to get back into it.

Can anyone give me pointers to the nearest flat water Windsurfing location to Footscray & what's possible to hire until I want to buy a rig again?

Thanks for any ideas/advice/suggestions

Do the 2 hr drive south and join us at Inverloch, lots of flat water and sand bars. A few suss locals will be your biggest issue.

Thanks everyone for your great advice.

See you on the water soon. : >

Depends how much weight you gained, and how good you really were back in the '80's and early '90's.
Basically, windsurfing is like riding a bike. You never forget how if you were accomplished to some degree back in the past.
Certainly, a gain in body weight, coupled with increasing ages of 25, can be a detriment to your return.
Figure out your current weight compared to your previous windsurfing weight, increase board and sail size by the appropriate amount, find a flat water venue for your first few days, and you're back in action.

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Imax1 said..
I would buy an old complete longboard . Buy the biggest one you can.

I don't agree with this. He said he used to be able to sail in the surf, so he was reasonably accomplished. No reason he can't go straight to a reasonable size short board. I'd say it will only take one or two sessions to get back into it, especially if moving to flat water sailing. The biggest hurdle is working out the correct gear to buy. Probably something 40L above his weight, then he can add a smaller board for the 'good' days later on.

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Harrow said..

Imax1 said..
I would buy an old complete longboard . Buy the biggest one you can.

I don't agree with this. He said he used to be able to sail in the surf, so he was reasonably accomplished. No reason he can't go straight to a reasonable size short board. I'd say it will only take one or two sessions to get back into it, especially if moving to flat water sailing. The biggest hurdle is working out the correct gear to buy. Probably something 40L above his weight, then he can add a smaller board for the 'good' days later on.

But he did say he's a lot less fit and wants flat water to slowly get into it. I agree that a nice short board would be much better if iskill and fitness is ok . On the other hand a $ 100 Dunger wont hurt the bank to try out.

i tend to agree with Harrow...long narrow boards are hard to turn ,carry .hard to get parts for etc...
wide boards will give more stability...lighter....

Mate buy a 120 litre 75 cm wide board & a 7.5 mtr no cam sail.this setup in flat water is perfect especially if you say you retired from the sport in surf conditions.FYI the gear these days are so easy to use good luck & welcome back to this epic sport.

returning or not - litres are still flotation
120 is okay for 160 pound/~70 kg sailor returning to W/S
suggest 160/80 cm for 220/100 kilos though
and depends on local conditions too

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joe windsurf said..
returning or not - litres are still flotation
120 is okay for 160 pound/~70 kg sailor returning to W/S
suggest 160/80 cm for 220/100 kilos though
and depends on local conditions too

Local conditions are very important. Strength of wind, handling in the chop and how fast you really want to go are things to consider. Too much flotation in choppy conditions can be a wild ride. Initially, speed may not be a big issue......until you see all your mates whizzing past you. Smaller boards are great, easier to waterstart but not all that friendly for learning to gybe. My guess is that a modern board around 130-150 litres may be what you are looking for. In three years time you will have purchased another two or three anyway!!!

I am returning to Windsurfing also, in the 80's I raced Windsurfers, Dufour wings and a Crit D2. Enjoyed wave sailing too and I weighed 80kgs. Since the 80's I have raced dinghys and cats.

Now I weigh 88kgs and a couple of months ago 2 Windsurfer O.D's appeared on my local Gumtree complete for $50 so I bought them as they had been stored inside and where in great condition with loads of extra bits and pieces.

Recently the weather has improved so I have been teaching myself to windsurf again, I found my skills where rusty but quickly came back. Today I was practicing sailing around a race course, I think I can do it and I am going to give it a go sailing triangles with Pacers and Opti's at my local club.

Enjoying the challenge, loving planing again on a board and was reminded of the correct technique for a successful catapult today while bearing away.

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RedThumb said..
I am returning to Windsurfing also, in the 80's I raced Windsurfers, Dufour wings and a Crit D2. Enjoyed wave sailing too and I weighed 80kgs. Since the 80's I have raced dinghys and cats.

Now I weigh 88kgs and a couple of months ago 2 Windsurfer O.D's appeared on my local Gumtree complete for $50 so I bought them as they had been stored inside and where in great condition with loads of extra bits and pieces.

Recently the weather has improved so I have been teaching myself to windsurf again, I found my skills where rusty but quickly came back. Today I was practicing sailing around a race course, I think I can do it and I am going to give it a go sailing triangles with Pacers and Opti's at my local club.

Enjoying the challenge, loving planing again on a board and was reminded of the correct technique for a successful catapult today while bearing away.

Awesome RedThumb , welcome back

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RedThumb said..
I am returning to Windsurfing also, in the 80's I raced Windsurfers, Dufour wings and a Crit D2. Enjoyed wave sailing too and I weighed 80kgs. Since the 80's I have raced dinghys and cats.

Now I weigh 88kgs and a couple of months ago 2 Windsurfer O.D's appeared on my local Gumtree complete for $50 so I bought them as they had been stored inside and where in great condition with loads of extra bits and pieces.

Recently the weather has improved so I have been teaching myself to windsurf again, I found my skills where rusty but quickly came back. Today I was practicing sailing around a race course, I think I can do it and I am going to give it a go sailing triangles with Pacers and Opti's at my local club.

Enjoying the challenge, loving planing again on a board and was reminded of the correct technique for a successful catapult today while bearing away.

Good stuff! Where are you sailing the Wally?