Hi guysI found a windsurfing set up in street junk it's missing its mast and looks pretty old. I'm wondering whether I should get this one working as a complete new beginner or I should buy a package from a shop etc. I'm 56 years old. 85 kg 6 foot three and have never wind surfed before but currently Sup surf. So balance should be okay I guess but reading the wind is An entirely new experience
Should I go to a shop and buy a package and if so would a beginners pack be too basic for me because I've had some surfing experience?? Or should I try and get this old wind server working as a first time?

It wouldn't let me put the photo up of the gear I found. I appreciate any advice to get me in the water and learn as fast as I can. I live down in Colac. We have a huge lake. I'm surprised nobody windsurfs on it !
thanks
Anton

If you can afford it, go to a shop and get their advice.

Although you are learning in 5 to 15 knots of wind, the danger is, if the gear is too hard to use, or board too small, there is a good chance of developing ingrained bad habits that will prevent you from progressing. The gear you have may probably be ok. But since it's been thrown out, I bet it isn't.

With a big floaty board, make learning to perform a tack your priority.

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jn1 said..
If you can afford it, go to a shop and get their advice.

Although you are learning in 5 to 15 knots of wind, the danger is, if the gear is too hard to use, or board too small, there is a good chance of developing ingrained bad habits that will prevent you from progressing. The gear you have may probably be ok. But since it's been thrown out, I bet it isn't.

With a big floaty board, make learning to perform a tack your priority.

thanks

If your sup takes a sail, just go with that.
There may be a reason nobody windsurfs on your lake, you just might find out what that is.

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tonners999 said..

thanks

If you can post a pic of your gear. I know you're a forum newbie and it's not letting you, but when you can, would be interesting to see it.

Based on the description it's not suitable. Best to leave it where it is.

I wouldn't buy a beginner setup either as you outgrow it quickly. Try to get a couple of lessons first. It will generally include beginner equipment and after you know the basics, you can jump an a big intermediate board with a matching sail. Your instructor can advise you based on your local conditions.

If there's no lessons in the area, maybe someone here can set you up. Try in the Victoria forum. The lake looks quite far inland. Does it get windy?

I was brutal to a crazy degree to the gear when a beginner, so it's a good thing I was renting back then.
And with hindsight, it is now also clear why that rental equipment was heavy and built like a tank.
You will also likely unintentionally be hard on the gear as a beginner - so you may not want it to be your own
Even 4.5 years later with my own equipment for more than 2 years, I found out the hard way that not all boards/sails are created equal.
I've buckled my Starboard Carve board and torn my Severne Convert sail (more than once). I saw that the kit I had could handle small jumps and catapults, so I kept on doing that - naive mistake - at some point you'll damage it.
Getting very durable gear in my location (even brand new) is turning out to be an endless hunt...

1 - definitely talk to local shop/locals
2 - with a sailing background I taught myself and eventually got lessons long after. I could get around, planing, basic foiling even, but I was doing things very inefficiently and it was inhibiting my progress until I took some lessons
3 - IF you get a beginner kit after all that, including lessons, I would at least look into something like a windsup (unless your sup will take a mast) that can plane. I have an 11'8 exocet windsup that can plane and is still fun on windy days because it shoves its way through chop at about 20kts and is still good for practicing basic lightwind freestyle in like 5 kts with a small sail. i can still explore with a daggerboard in light stuff with it. It is actually a decent one board solution (except for foiling) because when I paddleboard, I use it too. It is just very heavy to carry around.

That pic on your profile is junk sorry to say. the board will frustrate u so badly and its not a beginner sail at all.
put a small sail on your SUP if u can, google how to make a temporary centreboard for it
that with a 15yo wave sailing rig would get u going for free AND crap all over the verge stuff