What is the fastest way to progress from zero to wavesailing? I'm currently between jobs, so I have plenty of time on my hands.

Background.

Melbourne, male, 35 years old, 174 cm and 80 kg. My fitness is so-so. I used to work out a fair bit up until 5 years ago. I am getting back into it again. (After 5 years of sitting on my butt, my leg, hip and lower-back mobility could really use some improvement).

I tried windsurfing 15 years ago at the SHQ in Sandringham (2 x 3 hour course over 2 days). I found it to be the most frustrating, infuriating thing ever. The fact that it got quite gusty on the second day, the sunburn and all those expensive boats parked nearby probably didn't help things. At least I swore like a sailor. I did a hang-gliding course a few years later and found it infinitely easier to get the hang of (pun intended). As fun as it was to ridge-soar with the eagles in a buttery smooth afternoon sea breeze, it never felt safe to me. What also gave me pause was an experienced windsurfer who was doing the course with me. By his estimation, windsurfing is 100 times safer, and the weather appropriate much more often. (Driving up and down mountains only to find no wind beats watching TV, but was still tiresome. OTOH, a tow launch is the most s*it-inducing thing I've ever done.)

Now, fast forward to the present.

* Am I too old?

* What is the quickest way to progress? Longboard with a centreboard (what I tried at SHQ 15 years ago) followed by a big wide floaty shortboard? Will the longboard be of any use later? Back in 1998, I remember fat wide shortboards appeared which were touted as an alternative to the longboard. Have they stuck?

* Any intensive courses around Melbourne?

* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

* What is typical windsurfing season around Melbourne? (I vaguely remember being told that it's September-February, autumn is unreliable and winter is too cold.)

The windsurfing bloke I met at the hang-gliding course went from zero to wave jumping after 3 months on the water 3 days a week. Granted, he started when he was 20 and was athletically gifted. In 2000 he was using a grand total of 2 boards from the 80s (one of them a custom) and, I think, 3 sails. That's it. Which brings me to another question.

* What is the minimum of equipment required? I look at the equipment section of the SHQ site and I get a migraine. Money is not the issue. But I hate spending money on the wrong stuff. In fact, I prefer spending money on services rather than goods, because you don't have the evidence of your bad decision hanging around if you get it wrong. (Kitesurfing seems attractive in that regard. Though I can't shake the feeling these guys are not sailing, but are rather dragged along by the kite. Also, while taking up less room on land, they seem to take up all the room on the water. I just can't impose myself like that on others, especially as a newb. I hope I didn't offend any kitesurfers.)

* Does weight make a difference? I can drop down to 75 kg without too much trouble and to 70 kg eventually if needed.

* How important is swimming ability? I admit, I've never swam much in open water. I used to be able to do 2.5 km in a swimming pool despite my torturous technique. I've started swimming in a pool again, and I'm trying to correct my swimming technique to be less exhausting.

* What is the optimum vehicle? I am looking to buy a car anyway, and I'll consider anything but a van. I was looking at Subaru Foresters that were a couple of years old and other small SUVs, but would consider other cars. I heard that mid-2000s Holden Commodore wagons (the ones that were still built on the longer Statesman wheelbase) are the next best thing to a van when it comes to stashing windsurfing gear.

Sorry for rambling, but I've always loved windy weather (most seem to hate it). When the wind picks up these days, I just can't help thinking that I'm missing out. It's really blowing outside right now actually.

All replies very much appreciated.

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MrCranky said...

* Am I too old?

No

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* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

Jeepers! If this is an option for you then just do that. You can get great lessons, sail every day, work down to smaller gear quickly.

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* How important is swimming ability? I admit, I've never swam much in open water. I used to be able to do 2.5 km in a swimming pool despite my torturous technique. I've started swimming in a pool again, and I'm trying to correct my swimming technique to be less exhausting.

Just don't go further off shore than you could swim

Fitness is the first thing you need, as to get better you have to put in a lot of time on the water.

If money is no object, get lessons and get to the waterstart stage as fast as you can.

Learn to surf - maybe on a standup to begin with then maybe a longboard.

Get lightwind freestyle sails and a 100l freestyle board and practice on it until your sail control and board handling are very good. Lots of the top wavesailors have a freestyle background.

Then you can get the wave gear and work on wave riding and jumping.

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MrCranky said...
* Am I too old?

No.

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* What is the quickest way to progress? Longboard with a centreboard (what I tried at SHQ 15 years ago) followed by a big wide floaty shortboard? Will the longboard be of any use later? Back in 1998, I remember fat wide shortboards appeared which were touted as an alternative to the longboard. Have they stuck?

Big, wide floaty board. You might progress to sailing planing and in the straps as soon as a couple of months, depending on how much time on water you get. That's the important thing. Time on water.
So you might progress to, based on your weight, something around 100litres by Easter. Once you are planing the board is far more stable.

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* Any intensive courses around Melbourne?

I reckon you only need a first, introductory lesson then just do it as often as possible.
However it is very handy to sail around people that know what they are doing. They can advise you on tuning your gear, which is surprisingly important, and you can copy them sailing. This works.

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* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

Not sure on this. Not really a beginner location. 35 knots will be waaaay above your skill level.

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* What is typical windsurfing season around Melbourne? (I vaguely remember being told that it's September-February, autumn is unreliable and winter is too cold.)

I think that's the season everywhere? It is for Qld and NSW.

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* What is the minimum of equipment required? I look at the equipment section of the SHQ site and I get a migraine. Money is not the issue.

1 board, 1 mast, 1 boom, 2 sails.
This is what I am getting away with right now.

I reckon try to stick to a single manufacturer for the rig (mast, boom, sails and extension).

$4,000 for brand new gear, albeit most of it from a couple of seasons ago.
All carbon too; I couldn't have bought any better. Perhaps $6,000 if you were to buy this season's gear.
Gear has changed bugger all lately. My board shape is exactly the same as the 2013 models (but missing two fins).

...That's bloody cool you know. This gear will last three seasons at least. It's a lot cheaper than skiing.

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* Does weight make a difference? I can drop down to 75 kg without too much trouble and to 70 kg eventually if needed.

Not really. Helps in light winds, but more weight seems to be better for disciplines like slalom sailing and speed.

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* How important is swimming ability? I admit, I've never swam much in open water. I used to be able to do 2.5 km in a swimming pool despite my torturous technique. I've started swimming in a pool again, and I'm trying to correct my swimming technique to be less exhausting.

That's ...2.5KM? Really?
That's more than enough!

Note that sailing in the surf can be a lot more tiring than on flat water. You are constantly adjusting the sail, you use your arms more, and your legs too because of the chop. There are a lot of wind shadows too.

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* What is the optimum vehicle? I am looking to buy a car anyway, and I'll consider anything but a van. I was looking at Subaru Foresters that were a couple of years old and other small SUVs, but would consider other cars. I heard that mid-2000s Holden Commodore wagons (the ones that were still built on the longer Statesman wheelbase) are the next best thing to a van when it comes to stashing windsurfing gear.

If you have to fold the front seat down you have to fold it down.
Fully galvanised if you can find it, some Toyotas are, some euro cars too. Not sure how many come in wagon form though.
I've found some vans are still ever too slightly short for a short board. Others can advise better than me in this dept. I use a Subaru station wagon.

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MrCranky said...
* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

This. The rest of it will sort itself out.

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What is the fastest way to progress from zero to wavesailing?

I prefer spending money on services rather than goods

That's probably the best way to go, the first 5-10 sessions you hire dedicated beginners equipment. Better yet, buy a package of lessons that includes the gear. You'll get a high volume, very wide (90cm+) board and a very small light rig. Learn the basics - sail, tack, sail back etc. Then progress to a large "progression" type board (150L, 85cm wide) and small wave sail (5.3m) - look at harness use, then straps in 15kts and flat water. Then learn to water start. Have a go on flat water with a large freestyle wave board (110L). Learn how to gybe. Now you are ready for the ocean and practice the chop hop. Get a 4.7m sail and try some stronger winds. Get a 6m sail to increase your time on water. Now you're ready for an 85L wave/freestyle wave board and have a crack at some waves.

I reckon that's a pretty efficient path. How long? depends on time on water and skills. probably 1-4 seasons.

Don't wait - get cracking. Listen to the guys at the shops/hire guys.

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swoosh said...

MrCranky said...
* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

This. The rest of it will sort itself out.

Quoted for truth. Honestly it might be 35kts at times but nowhere else will get you as much time on water as Maui and at the end of the day that is what's needed. Plus it's the world epicentre of windsurfing, anything you could possibly need is there.

Go on a windsurfing holiday somewhere windy with instructors. 2 weeks.

www.planetwindsurfholidays.com/?url=/resorts/United%20States/Maui/

Get daily instruction, use of loads of gear in warm water.

When you come back you'll have some ideas.

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MrCranky said...


* Am I too old?

No - I started when I was 33 (6 years ago) with no previous surf/sail experience.

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* What is the quickest way to progress?

TOW (time on water)

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* Any intensive courses around Melbourne?

See SHQ & RPS

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* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

Do this - take me with you & I'll give you free lessons every day!

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* What is typical windsurfing season around Melbourne? (I vaguely remember being told that it's September-February, autumn is unreliable and winter is too cold.)

Correct - I'd say Aug-Nov is the best, although with a good wetty the season is 12 months of the year!

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The windsurfing bloke I met at the hang-gliding course went from zero to wave jumping after 3 months on the water 3 days a week.

I don't like the sound of this guy...(I'd love to get 3 days a week!)

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* What is the minimum of equipment required?

A good beginner/intermediate board - Starboard GO or JP Funrides are great, although if you plan on progressing quickly - look at a large freeride board around 130-140lt. You will learn quickly & it will become a lightwind board for you later. Sail size - around 5.8-6.5 at a guess.

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* How important is swimming ability?

You're on a big floaty thing - not an issue.

Am I too old?

No.

* What is the quickest way to progress? Longboard with a centreboard (what I tried at SHQ 15 years ago) followed by a big wide floaty shortboard? Will the longboard be of any use later? Back in 1998, I remember fat wide shortboards appeared which were touted as an alternative to the longboard. Have they stuck?

Yes I have one for teaching friends/family members. They are so much better than the crappy longboards I used in the 80s. Stable, light, grippy and you can plane them like a shortboard. If you buy one and then out grow it, you will still end up using it on light days if you really want a sail.

* Any intensive courses around Melbourne?

Yes do a course, but you will get better by simply spending time on the water. An intensive course won't take you from a beginner to jumping in a week. If you want lessons, have them periodically i.e sail for a month then get some lessons, then sail for another month more lessons etc.

* Maybe go to a really windy place like Maui for a couple of months?

What do you do for work?? Obviously the windier the place and the more time on the water you spend, the better you will get. I advanced quicker in 3 months when I moved to WA than in 2 years up in Darwin. You sail intermittently you will advance slowly. So yes Maui would be great, no idea what it's like for beginners though. There are probably better, cheaper places or were you just speaking hypothetically??


* What is the minimum of equipment required? I look at the equipment section of the SHQ site and I get a migraine. Money is not the issue. But I hate spending money on the wrong stuff. In fact, I prefer spending money on services rather than goods, because you don't have the evidence of your bad decision hanging around if you get it wrong.

I would suggest buying second hand to start with. There is a ton of 2nd hand bargains to be had out there. Sails are 6 or 7 years old are practically worthless from a dollar point of view, but would be great for a beginner/intermediate. You obviously don't want to go to old, but you don't need a new 2013 sail. You will spent most of your time being catapulted into it! Wave sails would be great, as they are, powerful and the xply ones are bulletproof. Board wise, you want something that is floaty, that you can uphaul, yet is light and still feels & acts like a shortboard when planning. Again 2nd hand is your best option, when you get closer to buying your own gear, post on seabreeze any potential buys you are considering & people can advise. Getting gear any older that say 10 years will make your learning harder, but 6/7/8 year old gear should be ok. The minimum amount of gear you want is 1 mast, 1 board & 3 sails. High wind sail 4m, then a 5 – 5.m and perhaps a 6m for light winds (depending on your typical conditions). Not many guys have 6m sails in WA. I would strongly advise walking into a shop and spending $5K+ on new gear unless you are absolutely sure you know what you want. I got bored after a few months of going back and forth on flat water so just wavesail really, so get second hand gear and then see where you are at after a few months. You will have a much better idea of what kind of sailing you want to do and therefore what gear you need.

* Does weight make a difference? I can drop down to 75 kg without too much trouble and to 70 kg eventually if needed.

Being a bit lighter will allow you to sail (plane) in lighter conditions. But it's not a huge consideration.

* How important is swimming ability? I admit, I've never swam much in open water. I used to be able to do 2.5 km in a swimming pool despite my torturous technique. I've started swimming in a pool again, and I'm trying to correct my swimming technique to be less exhausting.

Depends. If you're sailing in the open ocean then being a decent swimmer could save your life! It's good you're addressing this. When you have time, do some laps in the pool, this will only help your windsurfing especially if you ever decide to get into the waves.

* What is the optimum vehicle? I am looking to buy a car anyway, and I'll consider anything but a van. I was looking at Subaru Foresters that were a couple of years old and other small SUVs, but would consider other cars. I heard that mid-2000s Holden Commodore wagons (the ones that were still built on the longer Statesman wheelbase) are the next best thing to a van when it comes to stashing windsurfing gear.

Got a Forester and they are great off-road considering they are an SUV. Had a 2003 Commodore wagon years ago and that was huge, pile of sh!t though.

wow - ambitious question and zealous answers

one must crawl, then walk before running
hope u did not book the trip to Maui yet :)
you can start at home with DVDs like Beginner to Winner
while doing this - find local rental, schools, clubs, etc
get fit, lose weight and swim
take notes of what works and what does not
once you can waterstart, get in footstraps and use the harness THEN
you can think about spending the big bucks and go to Maui
in other words - learn to love it first
extreme windsurfing is dangerous and it does NOT need to be crazy out there to have a lot of fun. boards for light winds are getting better and better and that is where one can get comfortable before taking the LEAP of FAITH
welcome and learn to be patient
relax and ENJOY IT !!!

WELCOME BACK

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MrCranky said...* What is the minimum of equipment required? I look at the equipment section of the SHQ site and I get a migraine. Money is not the issue. But I hate spending money on the wrong stuff. In fact, I prefer spending money on services rather than goods, because you don't have the evidence of your bad decision hanging around if you get it wrong. (Kitesurfing seems attractive in that regard. Though I can't shake the feeling these guys are not sailing, but are rather dragged along by the kite. Also, while taking up less room on land, they seem to take up all the room on the water. I just can't impose myself like that on others, especially as a newb. I hope I didn't offend any kitesurfers.)

Sailing with an old epoxy wave board, works alright, newer would be better but it only cost $150, mast from 97 (new then), sails 5.4 $50, boom from 97 (new then), mast base and bits (new 97), also got a 5.0 ($40), 4.5, 4.1, just change the attitude to HOW CAN I, and get stuck in and do it. Decent gear is better and having a bit of kit so you can get out times per week will help. But to start get a buddy and get out and sail.

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MrCranky said...* What is the optimum vehicle? I am looking to buy a car anyway, and I'll consider anything but a van. I was looking at Subaru Foresters that were a couple of years old and other small SUVs, but would consider other cars. I heard that mid-2000s Holden Commodore wagons (the ones that were still built on the longer Statesman wheelbase) are the next best thing to a van when it comes to stashing windsurfing gear.

I'm driving around in a 1998 Commodore station wagon that cost $2600, fits all my gear and I don't care if it gets really rusty.

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once you can waterstart, get in footstraps and use the harness THEN
you can think about spending the big bucks and go to Maui

I don't know how you guys think people in Maui learn. Do they take a trip to melbourne to master the basics first?

I've seen multiple people go from zero to waterstarting in a month, and way better than most people on the east coast in 2-3 months. You can't underestimate the value of consecutive days on the water in a place that's all about windsurfing.

174:

yes time on water assumed that there were constant winds down under..
obviously TOW means wind requirement
AND if you have time and money to burn Maui is the place
nothing stops OP from starting at home NOW ....
now git out there OP

joe windsurfer

yes thats it t o w if its windy get out there.

Thanks for all the replies. I think a trip to a windy resort, where I'll do nothing but sail, is the way to go. Once I am fit enough.

Hi MrCranky, Two weeks with us in Cocos will shift you up the scoreboard!

www.facebook.com/2ndwindsailboards

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JEZ said...
Hi MrCranky, Two weeks with us in Cocos will shift you up the scoreboard!

www.facebook.com/2ndwindsailboards

JEZ,

When?