Another great tandem session, getting someone back into the sport.


Re my big home made tandem..... I have no idea what it was originally other than I saved it from being trashed.

Good on you Lyndon for all you do for the sport. That's one BIG board you've got.

Just a quick report. Last Saturday we observed 1 dead adult seal and perhaps a second baby floating deep, both in Caroline bay.
This may encourage sharks to come in and to be activated to eat.
Although the risk is miniscule, it might be worth staying out of Brisbane waters for the coming week or two.

Submerged dead seals are also a danger to anyone foiling should you strike one with your foil.

I will be available for windsurfing lessons from 10am at Saratoga this coming Sunday , 30th/10/2022.
Weather looks sunny and warm. Light winds, should be good for beginners.
Please let me know who is coming, so I can bring the right kit.

Contact me through Seabreeze email

Anyone looking for a cool old raceboard, there is a cool TIGA for sale on the windsurf buy sell page on facebook.

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P.C_simpson said..
Anyone looking for a cool old raceboard, there is a cool TIGA for sale on the windsurf buy sell page on facebook.

I can't locate any Tiga Raceboards? Are you able to advice what model it was? Or provide a link?

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saltyheaven said..
If you fancy upping the ante a bit and making the racing out in Broken Bay then I'd be a starter for sure. (I would arrive from Pittwater) Perhaps just once in a while.

second this.

As someone who has never held a windsurfer boom in his life, with no equipment - and even if I did, no transport option to carry the kit -, it can be intimidating to get started in this sport. I wouldn't know where to begin but am very fortunate to have come across @Heavy1's posts on this forum where he's so kindly offering all the equipment and hand-holding for these first few crucial sessions.
Spent some time on a SUP board initially, to gain some balance and practice self-rescue.Lyndon then rigged a tandem board for us with 3.5 & 5.5 sails, on which we had two sessions throughout the day. That was a blast! I can't imagine a better way to learn; apprentice right next to the master, getting all the advice in real-time. By the time we finished for the day, we had performed several gybes and tacks.
The overall vibe of the club was very good; everyone I've talked to have been friendly and eager to share knowledge. It is admirable what blokes like Lyndon and John are doing: opening the doors to anyone who's willing to learn and become part of this. I feel I'll soon be hooked! How can you not, when you have such people to start with, willing to share their time, energy and knowledge, motivated by a simple love for the sport?
If you're thinking of getting into it and are in the Coast, this is an amazing place to start.-Alp

Thinking of taking up windsurfing? Part mid-life crisis, part adventure, I enquired about lessons at Saratoga Sailing Club. I was invited along almost immediately and my new adventure began! The club as been super-welcoming and accommodating and I have met several members, all of whom have been very friendly and willing to share words of encouragement and motivation.
As for the windsurfing? Lyndon my instructor ALWAYS has the time and patience to teach and nothing ever seems too much and it'sobvious that he enjoys teaching. It feels like a very safe environment for building the required skills and confidence to windsurf. I look forward to spending many more Sundays at Saratoga Sailing Club.

Starboard Gemini 2 at Budgiewoi.

That Gemini looks like a hoot!

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Jethrow said..
That Gemini looks like a hoot!

Yeh . I understand they clocked 23 knts on GPS that day.

Have a look at this. We had a tandem relay race.

Gee that looked like good fun Lyndon, what a great job you and JD are doing at Saratoga.
I saw the tandem at Budgewoi going great, but had my own problems with gear failure so did not have a good session.
Love your video editing and music.
Keep it up.

Anytime you would like to try the tandem... just let me know. Being light, it would be a joy to have you up front.

It's pretty close to foiling for the front person as you are well above the water... lol

Sorry to hear about your gear failure session. I've had more than my share. I'm also battling a nerve problem in my legs and feet. Just had the day in GDH. Anyway just saying don't let it knock you around too much.. and say hello some time if you want to go tandem or try some light wind alternative sailing out of Saratoga. Omg do I have a selection of every type of board.

I even have 2x starboard serenity... and im working on a serenity catamaran.
That in itself is worth a look.
.thanks for all your encouragement.

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Heavy1 said..

Starboard Gemini 2 at Budgiewoi.

Yes we clocked 23.6 knots on the tandem that day. Was an absolute perfect 3+ hour session.

As always, great coming Lyndon.

Don't forget the NSW State Windsurfer Class titles will be held on the 18th & 19th Feb 2023 at Saratoga Sailing Club

Some of Australias best Course racing sailors (including some legends of Australian windsurfing) will be competing and with an expected 50+entries the coloured sails will look spectacular on Brisbane Waters.

Come down and check it out at the club or if you Windsurf come out for a sail to check the action up close from the water.

Sara! Best club in Auz mate ????see you all there.

Beginner diary, #2Had our second and last tandem session with @Heavy1. We were lucky to catch some wind before it died down in the afternoon. Two big splashes and the lessons for this beginner was: 1) keep feet on the center line, and 2) keep the back hand well away from the clew.Overall this was another super helpful session which saw me gain a bit more mobility and confidence on the board, and even sailed with @Heavy's 9.5 sail for a couple of seconds!Thanks for your valuable instruction and company.Can't wait for the next session where I'll try it solo... That'll sure be interesting

custom tandem

starboard gemini


Exocet tandem .... Kona Mahola


4 tandem is above at budgewoi starboard gemini 2.

Small fleet of tandem boards for learning.

The exocet (mahola) makes a superstable one up board that tracks well and performs so much better than traditional short wide learners boards

Ian and Alp doing great !

A big Thank You to Paul L for his assistance with the photographs and video !!!!



Just contact me or AUS817 via seabreeze email if you would like to experience windsurfing, courtesy of Saratoga Sailing Club.
All you need : can swim , sunscreen , and looking to have fun. We supply equipment, which today means very little falling in, that is without exhaustion and frustration. I recommend that you bring some water shoes. Something cheap from anaconda is fine. We can supply most sizes , but its nice to have your own. No fees, and no limit on sessions, but our ultimate hope is to get more club members. Our success rate is about one in 10, so not too much to worry about.

We have had boys girls , men and women. Ages 8 yrs to 60 plus. I have even custom made a tiny sail mast and boom, about 1m square, for one participant who was too small to uphaul a 2,5 m sailworks ripper. We also have an arrows inflatable I-rig.

At high tide Saratoga has a shallow area almost 100m by over 500m. Its a great place to coach the little ones, even using a sup to follow.

2023 raceboard event Saratoga.




The new micro sail in action.

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Heavy1 said..

2023 raceboard event Saratoga.

The new micro sail in action.

Awesome video footage of both a first time learn to sail student and some of the best Raceboarders in NSW competing on the same location (Brisbane Waters, NSW - launching from Saratoga Sailing Club).

If anyone would like to join us, or come for a lesson, we'd love to hear from you.

Tried windsurfing for the first time on Sunday at Saratoga Sailing Club and had a great time. I'm looking forward to the next session.
Thank you, Heavy1 (Lyndon) for providing all the necessary gear and advice, and to Brett for an on-board lesson on the tandem board.
I also enjoyed and appreciated the welcoming environment and the conversations with everyone there.
Sam

Thanks Sam... you are a natural... progressed from tandem to long board with successful transitions on day 1 ... very fast progress... well done

Hi there Saratoga windsurf crew,
Will anyone be sailing at Saratoga this weekend?
I have had a couple of great sessions there in a NE'er.
How does it go in a southerly /SE'er which seems to be the forecast for the next couple of days? Would be pretty offshore..
Cheers,
Sally

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SalB said..
Hi there Saratoga windsurf crew,
Will anyone be sailing at Saratoga this weekend?
I have had a couple of great sessions there in a NE'er.
How does it go in a southerly /SE'er which seems to be the forecast for the next couple of days? Would be pretty offshore..
Cheers,
Sally

Hi Sally

Apologies for the delayed reply, I haven't checked the forum for a while.

To answer your question Saratoga is an ok launch location in any breeze (depending on your skill level), although anything with South in it is Offshore. So depending on your level of experience you may be best to launch from somewhere where the breeze is onshore to ensure your aren't blown downwind.

John

Hi all.
Just a note that .... we are thrilled to have substantial new interest in our support for beginning and returning windsurfers. However unfortunately there are a few issues at the moment.
The first is ... winter... cold and gusty westerlies are not ideal for learning. So it's important to pick your day.
Next... I have a work change and personal comitments that means no weekends available to me at the moment. And John is on rotating shifts.
If you are keen to be involved... we still go out.. but it's wether dependent.

Drop me a txt message on 0409034559

I will invite you to our wats app group.

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Heavy1 said..
Hi all.
Just a note that .... we are thrilled to have substantial new interest in our support for beginning and returning windsurfers. However unfortunately there are a few issues at the moment.
The first is ... winter... cold and gusty westerlies are not ideal for learning. So it's important to pick your day.
Next... I have a work change and personal comitments that means no weekends available to me at the moment. And John is on rotating shifts.
If you are keen to be involved... we still go out.. but it's wether dependent.

Drop me a txt message on 0409034559

I will invite you to our wats app group.

You should all do the BYRA peter loft marathon. there should be a few raceboards competing

This Sunday 21st may.. beginners to advanced at Saratoga... gear supplied if you let us know in advance.

There is plenty of activity at SarToga. At all levels. Come join us.