Hi forum homies,

I'm Katie and I'm new to windsurfing. Specifically, I've only tried it a few times on borrow boards and I've loved it so much I'd like to get one. The problem is I don't have a good idea of what would suit me, what would suit where I plan to go and how I envision my windsurfing style, and my budget is more suited to second hand I think but I'm weary of second hand boards because I've had knowledgeable people try to sell incomplete, broken equipment to me that I totally would have bought.
I am 50kg, 160cm, and plan to windsurf in protected bay areas or in areas with reduced or no waves.
Can anyone suggest what type of boards and sail sizes I should be looking at, and most importantly, whether it is possible to get an honest deal on a second hand set, and how I'd know it's honest?

Thanks in advance
K

Kinda depends where you are (thinking wind strength and how often you get out)

You only need a board about 100L and WIDE but a centreboard helps so much as you'd know.
Hard to find anything less than 150L with a centreboard.
Option could be about a 120L to 130L freeride with a 'bit too big' of a fin as long as the board is wide.

Thank you so much - to be clear I know nothing at all. Nothing. I am in Brisbane, I will ribs my only make it out on weekends

If your in Brisbane contact simon at board crazy in woolangabba for gear advice .
Hope you have tried royal queensland yaught squadron for windsurfing leasons.new beginer season just started.

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TRIMMER said...
If your in Brisbane contact simon at board crazy in woolangabba for gear advice .
Hope you have tried royal queensland yaught squadron for windsurfing leasons.new beginer season just started.

This ^^^

If at all possible learn on a big hire board. Save the purchasing money for a progression board.

You'll find learning the first steps much easier on a big learner board as it provides stability while you're wrapping your head around balancing yourself and the rig, but you'll be ready for something a bit smaller in no time. The yacht club learner course sounds ideal. The course instructor I would think will be able to point you in the right direction as to what gear is right for you.

Failing that post gear you're looking at here and seabreezers will be able to tell you whether it's right or not....

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TRIMMER said...
If your in Brisbane contact simon at board crazy in woolangabba for gear advice .
Hope you have tried royal queensland yaught squadron for windsurfing leasons.new beginer season just started.

Good advice.....
If your are Northside you are welcome to come and sail with us at Bribie. We are a loose collection with a range of experience. I have nice safe beginner gear available you can use/borrow to find your feet - I mainly need it during school holidays.

However I really do second the recommendation for RQ yacht club programs.

Have a look on the Qld forum for learn to windsurf

Cheers Jeff

Hi Katie, I'll back up Jeff's comment. He got myself and Roofer Adam started by loaning gear and advising us on what to buy. I'm only selling my beginner board now after just under one year of using it so don't be afraid to buy a decent beginner board, you will always be able to sell it later when you want something with better performance, you'll probably want to keep it though for light wind use. Be prepared to spend money, unless you find yourself in the right place at the right time a good wide beginner board will set you back anywhere between $500 and $1000, rigs are usually pretty cheap to make up by buying second hand bits. A reasonable budget would be to have $1.5k ready to go and if you get yourself set up for less then you've got cash to blow on your next sail. RQ's lessons can't be beaten if you're on the southside but if you're up our way, see you at Sandstone.

Hi Katie,
First take a windsurf course.Don't buy any equipment before course. In my opinion 10 hours beginner course is enought for you. Then you can buy a second hand gear. 130 lt board and 4.7-4.8-4.9 or 5.0 sq m sail is suitible for you. If you buy too big board (145-200lt) it won't satisfy you a few months later. Your weight is 50 kg so you can use low volume boards. I am a windsurf instructor and I have a student like you same weight and same height. She is using 130 lt JP board and 4.7 sq m North Sails sail. Good luck.
Melih....

Hi all,

Apologies! I thought I had replied to these additional posts earlier. Thank you for the advice, and jirvin4505 many thanks for such a kind offer.

I have taken up your advice and begun a windsurfing course. I have only had two lessons so far but I can already see the value of them. The instructors are clear and knowledgeable and it is helpful to watch others. I am pretty excited to finish them off and then take the rest of your advice with respect to looking for equipment.

Thanks again for the advice all, really appreciate it. I am really looking forward to getting into windsurfing. I hope to meet some of you when I am skilled enough not to crash in to you :)

K

That's great news - well done