Windsurfing at Sandstone Point with a great group of learners/improvers and seasoned windsurfers cool what a good day. Even Ben and Gav came along with thier families and Jet Skiis (Morgs private rescue crew lol – they keep an eye on everyone) Was easy enough to get to for us about an hour and half. What a great place and fun for the grand kids too how cool is that and the boys can play with their Jet Skiis (whether I like Jet Skiis or not it is great to have the crew their and nice to know if anyone has equipment failure the boys will collect them quick smart and in a hurry)

Lets see if I can remember everyone who was there Mal, Jeff, Tony, Justin, Kelly, Peter N, Darren, Patrick, Josh, Pete, Kenny, Brad, Tony M, and man with grey beard – nice to have such a diverse group of cool windsurfing people together.

All a bit daunting for me with my 50cm fin after reading Jeffery’s stories of loosing so many fins out there so put the 40cm Drake on which with the 8.5 loft sail lost traction a lot – good practice I guess. From what I read that could also be because I am putting too much pressure on my back foot too. The wind didn’t look like it was going to deliver – we arrived there at nine thirty am and it looked like not much depth at all. Nice sandy bottom though and a beautiful sunny day the good part was we had an opportunity to see exactly where the hazards were located.

We had a great sail and fin still in tact lol. And we followed Tony’s (nowork) advice and stopped in to 7/11 and enjoyed a nice hot coffee for the drive home mmm just right









Peter N and Justin got a couple of long board races going around a couple of markers – my first time around a set course – did ok.The wind came in and everyone had an opportunity to have a blast which has been a while coming so we got the best of both worlds a light wind sail/race and good hour of blasting across the passage.

Thanks Justin and Peter for the idea – we are looking forward to the next one.

Cheers
Morgan

Great photos mrs Morgs!.

Is it possible to get some bigger ones in the other thread.

Not looking like anything happening this week end - will have to work on Brownie points

I have to cut the bosses hair - not that is Brownie Points plus.

What is everyone else doing?

I think you're right. Not much wind & low tides. Maybe next weekend! Back to my list of jobs around the house that have been building up.

Just thought of the best anniversary pressie for us "both" a go pro and mount Woo Hoo

Missed out yesterday - cant read a book by its cover, Vando and a couple of the guys out at Wello did ok DANG!!!!!.... you snooze you loose.....

Can I join you people I am also looking for similar level people to improve? I am a slow improver I reckon. Tks

Sure can windragon. Were you at the steps at manly yesterday ?
more the merrier

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Winddragon said...
Can I join you people I am also looking for similar level people to improve? I am a slow improver I reckon. Tks

Hi winddragon welcome. I recall your posts from a few years back.

Yes join us group of 'improvers'. Keep an eye on qld thread and you will see that we are always organising get togethers around the place

If the wind is on we are to be found sailing around Brisbane - we usually post or Sms to let the group know what's happening

Cheers Jeff
If your up for Bribie at the odd occasion message me your Phone number number and I'll put you on my Sms list

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Dwbh said..
Sure can windragon. Were you at the steps at manly yesterday ?
more the merrier

No I was not in Manly last Saturday.

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jirvin4505 said..

Winddragon said...
Can I join you people I am also looking for similar level people to improve? I am a slow improver I reckon. Tks

Hi winddragon welcome. I recall your posts from a few years back.

Yes join us group of 'improvers'. Keep an eye on qld thread and you will see that we are always organising get togethers around the place

If the wind is on we are to be found sailing around Brisbane - we usually post or Sms to let the group know what's happening

Cheers Jeff
If your up for Bribie at the odd occasion message me your Phone number number and I'll put you on my Sms list

Thank you Jeff, I pm you my phone nbr.

Winddraggon and other beginner/intermediates are all welcome to join us, Jeff on northside and we are on the southside keep an eye on this thread as I put where and when we are heading.

Getting Ready for the windsurfing season

No wind – so its off to the gym again

Four days in a row – this is becoming a habit and man I am feeling pretty good. Smashed the Cardio big time – think I am improving. Tuesday I jumped on the rowing machine and whilst there I had a good opportunity to scope the gym out for other training aids that might help me ‘fitting up’ for Windsurfing this coming season.Right near the Rowing machines is this bunch of straps hanging from a gantry style apparatus. MMM looks interesting I thought so I asked Alex what it was…TRX – not sure it will handle a fat bastard like myself but, thinking of working out a session, to have on this once a week like the one in the video. I reckon if you ad a 1/2 balance ball to stand on for some of these (eg: squat row) might be good for balance. This would be great for windsurfing surely….Looking forward to getting to the gym tomorrow already —- Well I mean what else to do if there is no wind

CheersMorgan

UPDATE: Woo hoo – Saturday morning 4/07/2015 at the gym whoa where do I start –Easy start with normal xtrainer 10 min 90cals burnt – niceOk Ok time to move to a change – cross over sit ups 3 sets of 20 – plank 3x 1min – old mans push ups 3 sets of 20 – phew!!!! Wipe my brow – 16lb kettle on my belly upside down push up getting sweaty just talking about it. Followed by TRX started with – 3 sets of 20 squat rowes – Lunge fly same 3 x 20reps tough…….. and after that took the little punching bag (speed ball) for a spin 3 reps of about a minute – wanted to take the top half for a blast Probably should wear gloves – hands are pretty tough from windsurfing anyway.
Finished off with 25 mins on the treadmill with interval blasts of 9 to 12 330 cals burnt

Not much happening this week end - going to put the board on the car though just in case lol

you never know a random afternoon of wind might just come along that hasn't been forcast

Have a great day everyone
Morgan

I'm with you Morgs

Working on the summer beach bikini body

Need to work on our fitness so we can do some big sessions on the water at Elanda in sept holidays.

Me... A gentle morning- 45minutes bootcamp 45 minutes spin class followed by 90 mins of Yoga
I call it the triathlete session

Cheers Jeff

Can't believe I've almost read through this entire thread! Loving it!

What sort of wind range are the beginners in this thread playing with? (Brisbane lads)

I'm looking at culling my kite quiver down to one kite/board to fund my windsurfing gear. Just trying not to overlap with the two.

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Mrknownothing said...
Can't believe I've almost read through this entire thread! Loving it!

What sort of wind range are the beginners in this thread playing with? (Brisbane lads)

I'm looking at culling my kite quiver down to one kite/board to fund my windsurfing gear. Just trying not to overlap with the two.

Welcome. Yes it's an epic read - credit to Morgan and Anita

I'm a knownothing about kites but sail in similar venues and winds

The times I've yearned to be able to do kites have been when the water is too shallow for windsurfing in a strong SE breeze at sandstone - usually see 10-12 m kites up

Plus low wind at lake Cootharaba when the boys get out their 17m zephyrs and take advantage of gentle breezes

I suppose you will have overlap which ever kite you hang onto

We tend to sail from 8kts up - we have longboards for gentle winds and smaller boards for 12 kts up

Much to my mentors abhorrence I have mentioned having a kite as backup but as you mentioned there is the risk overlap

I don't think I have enough petrol in the tank to do both on the same day/session

So I suppose it boils down to what attracts you to windsurfing and where you want to sail and then you get gear suitable for those circumstances.

Have you tried windsurfing?
What winds do you think you will settle on with holding onto one kite setup - I ask this as if you are new to windsurfing then keep your higher wind kite 16kts plus as more of your windsurfing learning curve will be in lower winds and water conditions


Cheers Jeff

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jirvin4505 said...

Have you tried windsurfing?
What winds do you think you will settle on with holding onto one kite setup - I ask this as if you are new to windsurfing then keep your higher wind kite 16kts plus as more of your windsurfing learning curve will be in lower winds and water conditions


Cheers Jeff

Hi Jeff!

Sorry, I worded that question a tad weird.

You still managed to answer it though! Haha..

Can't wait to get out there with everybody. Many lads on the northside in this thread?

Hi Mrknownothing

Welcome to windsurfing learning curve - you are more than welcome to join us anytime (when there is wind that is, lol)

Funny really the location where we tend to sail mostly we call RQ beach, you may have noticed on our journey - the other name for this location is 'kite beach' a good location to learn and sail.

Simon from Boardcrazy is also a must go to location to get information for windsurfing. Keep an eye on what Wind Wanderers are up to often offering tutoring and general fun get togethers.

I once kited many moons ago - I started on C kites and progressed to bow kite I still have it in the shed. The learning curve for windsurfing is steeper than with kites but both are still fun - I haven't got my kite wet for at least 5 years. My youngest took up golf which cost me my weekends for 5 years.

When he stopped his golf plight (the end you my retirement fund lol) I started looking at getting back on the water and spent some time watching the guys at Wello decided to learn windsurfing and not to get the kite out.

Mate you are young and from what I can see out there with the young guys, they get going in a season - Jeff will agree with me when I say we older dudes take a bit more to get going. Jaye my young fella was up and planning in the straps and hooked in blasting within 3 months. Me to achieve the same was around 18months. Like kiting it is simply spending time on the water.

Like Jeff said we head out from 8 ish knots up to 30 knots.

Look forward to meeting you and having a sail

Winddraggon, Mal, AntsC and a couple of us here on the Southside and Jeff, Tony, Dags Warricle all from the northside.

I usually put up here where we are going in the morning - so keep an eye on the thread

See you out there

Not today though not a breath

Next week end looking at going to the Goldy and having a sail at KFC maybe, Marine prd Broadwater

Cheers
Morgan

Maybe Wednesday?
I will be at sandstone if there is more than a breath of wind ... He said hopefully.....

Hi Morgan,
Came across this that may be helpful.
www.windsurfing.org/train05.htm

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Jacko51 said..
Hi Morgan,
Came across this that may be helpful.
www.windsurfing.org/train05.htm

Brilliant, well worth the read and putting into practice

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Jacko51 said..
Hi Morgan,
Came across this that may be helpful.
www.windsurfing.org/train05.htm

You are right there John, what a great read - thank you for the link Jacko51 very much appreciated

Off to take inlaw twin sister and family for a boat ride up the tweed river today so no windsurfing for me :-(

Tomorrow Wello or RQ?

Have a good one everyone

Cheers
Morgan

Last year about this time we went to Wello and got smashed in 30knots on the Western side of the sand bank, but had a blast on the eastern side. I was on the Naish Kailuha and Jaye on the Mistral energiser. Today I am going to take the Naish Kailuha and Jaye is taking his Naish Nitrix. Taking GPS's and Go Pro's Woo hoo.

Jaye is keen to hit Wello today for some flat water sailing - so we are looking at the tides a low at 12.30 ish we are thinking of heading there about 2pm - is that about right???

See you out there
Morgan

Windsurfing Westerly at Wello

Sunday 12 – 7 – 2015 Windsurfing in a Westerly at Wello on the Naish Kailua 180L I sailed it last year at Wello in a Westerly with about the same success. One thing though this year I have a much better understanding of what I need to do to get the short boards moving.

I set up Neil Pryde 7.5m Sail perhaps a bit big….. I am pretty sure I was a touch overpowered in the gusts – I had forgotten what is like to get thrown over and over and over again. MMM remember now – I did spend more time in the water than I did on the board on Sunday. THAT SUCKED!!! LOL

I feel I did learn from the experience – to stick with the Rio —— not really but how to place my feet. It also was a good opportunity to practice deep water starts with good success – only uphauled once and that was because the wind had dropped. Nice. First outing with the Go Pro (Note to self – press the record button before you go out lol) so no footage. Would have got to see a lot of under water.

Jaye came out for a while on his Naish Nitrix 135L with Naish 6m sail – didn’t have much fun and felt like a beginner again – he felt overpowered in the gusts and crashed a lot and came in. Keep Mum company – who was nice a toasty warm in the car.

What did I learn or achieve – Feet and weight distribution is soooooo much more critical on the smaller board (keep feet close together and baby steps) I must admit haven’t been practising that. So it was back to bury the nose under water, step back, bury the tail under water, weight too close to the rails too soon and tipped off. Wow bring it on …….. Determined to get this sucker planning and in straps. I decided that I should just focus on one thing and that is planning not foot straps with a little success. After many more stacks concentrating on weight movement and getting my weight off the board I had a successful run planning foot in back strap (intermediate). Compared to the Rio, it felt soo light under foot. Only did 13kts so only just planing – my weight was off the board

Man oh man why can’t I get this stuff….. as Jeff says, it is very humbling. In reflection this week has been full of a lot of mixed feelings and the feeling of general despondence all together about the sport – a great sport it is, but maybe some of us should just go to kiting….or give it up. I have the utmost respect for the ladies and gents who are so good at the sport on such little boards. Cudos also goes out to Jeff who is sticking with his small board and struggling through - good on you- mate.

Cheers
Morgan

Morgan,

Gusty winds are always challenging. My setup on Monday was wrong and I struggled until I got my harness lines in the neutral position and changed my booties to ones that actually grip the board deck. Lastly I chose a sail that was not to big and not to small. In my case, on Monday at the Spit, it was a 7.0m2.

Congratulations on making really good progress on your water starts. Also you were correct to concentrate on getting planning first before you try to get into the foot straps.

One thing I've started doing recently is pointing my front foot towards the front of the board when in non planning and mode. This straightens my from foot, which feels much more balanced and have much better resistance to catapulting.

Hi Morgan was waiting for you to post!!
I was thinking that given the conditions you must have had a day like mine on monday.

Must admit I didn't get catapulted as much but really couldn't make anything much of the conditions plus I had the trip under the jetty at Bribie to remember. Been under the jetty twice now ;-)

In the end I reckon the disorganised chop was my downfall - I've been out with my 7m sail in simular gusty winds but better water and had fun. I couldn't even summon the courage to bear off and get planning. However i did record 14knts - ;-)

Interesting you mentioned the Rio. I was reflecting in the way home that the Rio would have been the board to make something of the day. I've really only had success in these rough gusty conditions on my F2 comet 3.2m long

Good news for the water starts - a true gateway skill

I reckon that you shortboard development belongs initially to steadier winds and flatter water (come on September!!)

For me big days are for surviving . You build up endurance and perseverance but not a lot of success.

Interesting you mention kiting - I'm interested


The two huge days I've been to Bongaree there were plenty of kites making the most of the smoother shallows

I got talking to a young girl after helping her land her kite. She had been kiting since having lessons in March this year. Got me thinking - yes kiting seems easier - and maybe it's an avenue into making the most of huge days??? Given that both of us were certainly outclassed and we have been at it longer than 4 months!


I was also wondering what sort of board would make the gusty choppy days easier - do I need another board??? realisically in my heart I just think I need another 5 years!! And maybe knowing when to sit it out?

In contrast i went out yesterday and couldn't get going because of not enough wind! It was a pleasant relieve to be sailing on flat water with the android phone playing music (hit the wrong button in the gps). A little tired today at the gym after 3 days if sailing.

I suppose the big days are to remind us beginners why we are doing the Green runs and giving full respect to the champions of the Black runs and Moguls

Looking forward to September school holidays at the lake.

Cheers Jeff

Bloody Monday. Went out with a 6.5 koncept and it was too big, changed Dow to a 5.2 wave sail and it was too big so I down hauled it more and the wind dropped to nothing.........
souwesterlies, what can you say?
some of the gusts were at least 30 kts and then it drops to 8 knots....
no Jeff it wasn't lack of experience on your part!!

Going to head to RQ or Rose Bay today around lunch time - Good tide and have a look taking the Rio

Have a good day everyone

Cheers
Morgan

Good to see you on the water today Morgan. You were looking good and comfortable today

Windsurfing at RQ Sunday - back on the horse

Had a great day on the water first Go Pro video – this time I remembered to press record. Clive was there – Cameron was out and about on his formula gear the water was blue out from RQ the sun was shining at first at least, nice - 12 to 14 knot winds - what else can I say.

I found out what happened last week with the Naish fin/sail WAY WRONG – combo no good – should of had a bigger fin for the sail – I did keep going sideways. Please correct me if I am wrong the bigger the sail – the bigger the fin in marginal conditions – in windy conditions you can reduce the size of the fin as the board will rail up on the heal/windward side. With my weight on a board the size of Rio 259 Litres the 50cm BP fin should always be suitable, but with the Naish 180 litres I would change to a smaller fin in windy condition. It is all about the lateral resistance. Learning windsurfing is a tough one for many reasons – first one is just to get going and when you do Woo Hoo very cool. Then once you pass over to the intermediate level a whole lot of other stuff comes into play – you are now planning – windsurfing is now really starting to become fun. You have to start thinking of what sail, what fin and for some, what board to use in what wind. All windsurfing people are really nice and i have no problems asking what the other guys are using to get an idea of what to use myself.

This week it was the Rio Longtail with 50BP fin and Loft 8.5m sail – my favourite sail still. There is a lesson learnt as you get better the fin sail combo plays a more crucial role in a good sailing.

It was just what I needed to get back on the horse and have a good one and it was great – thanks Clive for your pointers really appreciated it mate – look forward to catching up again.



The video looks heaps better with the on and record buttons deployed lol
Cheers
Morgan