First time poster, long time lurker. Hi guys, been reading this forum on and off for a while now and wanted to give something back. so this post is to let you know that you'll be able to pick up a free copy of my bestselling eBook "Windsurfing - The Complete Guide" from amazon's Kindle store now this weekend. Now, amazon doesn't let you do any promo codes or such and only lets you have a few days of free copies, so this is the best I could figure out for now. There's no catch, no mail signup, no delivery cost that I know of at least. You don't need a kindle either, just a computer (well, an amazon account, but those are free) it even works with an iPhone.

The book is a beginner guide so it is mostly geared towards newbies but there might be a few things for the more seasoned sailor in it as well. It's intended either as a compliment to windsurfing lessons or windsurfing school or as standalone guide on how to windsurf for someone who has some previous experience or a buddy who can help a bit. The book includes info on: windsurf equipment; (Windsurf boards, sails, masts, types of boards, etc) windsurfing safety; where to windsurf; History of windsurfing, Windsurfing camps/Schools, and windsurfing culture. It also has some links to som windsurfing videos that I like personally.

You'll find the book here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008A5DQ7Q?tag=indepenfivebo-20

Mods: hope it's ok to include a link since this is a free giveaway. If its not cool to post links, could you please just take out the link and then people can search for the title?

NOTE: the free period will start Saturday at approximately 12:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (U.S Time) and end the same day at approximately 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time so youll have to translate that to your time zone.

Hope you'll like the book! //Bruce

Please explain how a preventer line prevents the boom from swinging across the back of the boat in a gybe.

Would this strangle me in a duck gybe?

If you can't explain , I suggest you edit your book before it pollutes the waters of public windsurfing knowledge any more.. . If that were possible.

Confusing as hell.

Please note there is a provision in Australian copyright law for parody.

It seems english may not be his first language. As far as the preventer line, i'm surprised if he didn't specify side stays earlier to stop the mast from falling over during wind gusts.

Interesting sequencing in the technique section

1 Learn to uphaul
2 Learn to beach start
3 Learn to race using le mans start off a beach
4 Learn to waterstart

All the criticism aside, this book highlights a gap.

If someone could write a good, short ebook, update it every couple of years and give it away on Amazon then that would be sooooo good for the sport.

Its not right to criticise the book here as we have been asked not to criticise in the review forum.

On the other hand this thread really isn't a review at all and should most probably be in the general forum.

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Mobydisc said...

Its not right to criticise the book here as we have been asked not to criticise in the review forum.

Not sure what you mean.

I'm happy to hear the views people have on preventer lines. If I've been unfair on this book then I'll take the comments back.

My view is that some random american bloke has written a confusing book badly that will confuse the hell out of people who are already fairly confused.

He's said that he's a long time lurker - but he isn't because he hasn't come back to defend his book. He just read that that was a way to build rapport on a forum when you advertise with your first post.

Interestingly the preventer line text is a lightly edited version of the text here

www.liveabout.com/how-to-rig-a-preventer-line-2915355

RPM and Jake have given it positive reviews on Amazon. They also gave positive reviews on a nearly identical looking book on waterskiing......

I suggest that any other readers with a penchant for not confusing the hell out of beginners stick the boot in on Amazon.com.

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ginger pom said...

Not sure what you mean.

I'm happy to hear the views people have on preventer lines. If I've been unfair on this book then I'll take the comments back.

The forum's owner asks us not to criticise reviews that are placed here. This would be for good reason. If person A gave a crap review of product B, then it would be better for people who support product B to give their own review of product B, rather than criticising person A and their review.

Of course the original poster did not post a review. So the rules don't really apply in the end.

Yes this book does appear to be a bit strange from the excerpts you've posted. I didn't take up the offer to download it. If anyone is looking for a good beginners windsurfing book, Simon Borncroft has written a very good one.

Bruce the troll?

You mean this Bruce

Most e books are re edited versions of a printed publication, ie. made ready for kindle. I'd say that the re authoring job was done badly by someone who new little about windsurfing.

I know a guy who does the re editing as a full time profession and he uses the Amazon marketing and distribution platform. It not a bad lurk, amazon provide this as a turn key solution and he gets royalties for every e book sold.