Hi everyone,

my partner & i are keen to give windsurfing a go. We are not sure if we will like it so don't want to spend big bucks on gear initially - $200-$300 max at this stage.

I've done some research and it looks like we will need a wide floaty board with a daggerboard for learning on - can we both use the same one? I weigh around 60kgs & partner weighs around 90kgs. I know we will probably both need different size sails - what size would be best for our weights?

Any ideas as to where we could get some gear? I've looked around on here and other places online (and yes I did check ebay, lol) but having trouble finding anything reasonable that is in our budget. Given neither of us have done it before we don't want to invest a lot of money in it at this stage. We don't mind doing a little work on the board if necessary.

We are both high-performance dinghy sailors. I'm sure this won't be much benefit but at least we have some concept of where the wind is coming from. Therefore we are just after something for a bit of fun, stuffing around at sailing regattas etc - nothing competative or high-tec.

Hi...

I was pretty much in the same boat, but I hadn't windsurfed for 20 years.

So I bought a cheap eBay rig at Christmas.
In under 10 sessions, I have gone from no balance (lots of falling) to beach starts.


I want to offer my gear for you to have a session on. I am 90kg and I live in Sandstone Point ( near Bribie). I am home most weekends anyway because I have young kids, so feel free to take the offer.

Craig.

Hey sailqld,

Where are you based? this will help a lot in finding the right person to help you.
You are more than welcome to come out with us if you are based in North Brisbane. Craig's gear above is really good to learn on, and your more than welcome to try out my gear as well. Although the gear is old its still good.

I would have some lessons...if ur in brissie give Simon at board crazy a call

There is the option of joining a sailing club that has windsurfing gear available for members. This may fit into your dingy sailing activities. Lake Cootharaba is a good option - where do you sail?


Keep an eye on gumtree some recent bargains were attractive - complete modern set up $500 (drat gone!!)
Cheers Jeff

No Brainer.

Simon at Board Crazy 38916470.

Just get lessons, I think it's about $50 for a couple of hours - gear included. Any other method is just madness. It can be a tough activity to learn on the wrong gear with the wrong advice.

As many have said, get a lesson.

There are places in Brisbane that can look after you - Board Crazy, Goodtime.
On the goldy at Surf FX, and on the sunny coast.

I recomend using someone close by you, build a relationship with your local shop and you will be rewarded for years to come with great service and advice.

After this you can truly assess if you do want to go windsurfing and invest in gear that might fast track you to a longer term goal.

Thanks everyone!

4511 that is a really nice offer - will talk to my partner and let you know. Probably won't be free till after easter due to sailing commitments.

Deejay, thanks for the PM - I sent you one back.

We are based on the northside of Brisbane but sail at Manly and on the Brisbane River. That takes up a lot of our weekends currently but will be interested in getting involved during the off-season (after easter).

We are both happy to fall off a lot and spend a lot of time in the water at first - we are used to that from dinghy sailing. I will look into lessons.

Hi, if live on the gold coast or coming this way then give Kirk a call he is the only instructor for windsurfing on the coast, also for gear talk to Ian or John at Surf FX at Southport they will look after you, they also can give you kirks details.

Hi Sailqld
Surfconnect also does windsurf lessons/hire from Sandgate which might suit you on the northside.

thanks Jeffrosail,

seriously considering lessons from SurfConnect at the moment, then we can hire/buy gear down the track.

I went to a clinic at surf connect once , nice fella if you live on the north side I would certainly give him a go .