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<div>Hi guys

<div>I read many of the posts on here and I'm impressed with the friendly and the welcoming atmosphere for a new sailors, so I guess I'm in the right place for asking my question.(sorry if it'll be long)

<div>I'm in my fifties, very fit and weigh 65kg . I learned windsurfing by myself in my early days on a big board ( no youtube at that time ), and as a beginner I got to the stage where I surfed nicely (planing? ), and used harness and foot strap ( but never learned to tack or jibe properly, and in order to change direction I used to drop the sail, jump to the other side and start again, lol).

<div>I would like to try and get back to the sport and see if I still like it (and hopefully improving my sailing skills) but unfortunately there is no place in adelaide for renting equipment for few hours for this purpose, and I don't want to spend money before I would be sure I hooked again on the sport.

<div>So my question is: is there any chance to borrow some old gear from one of you guys for few times , maybe when you are sailing Boggy Lake or any other location, with intention to buy a proper second hand gear in the near future if I do hook again on the sport?
( which then, I'll probably ask which one to buy, without growing out of it too quickly? but let's take it step by step).

<div>Thanks in advance for your reply.

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Thediver said..

I've got a boom and a waist harness (should fit you) you can borrow. PM me your mobile and I'll get into contact with you. Other people might lend you some gear. The board might be a hard one as people don't own them for very long.

I have N old 4.0 sail you can borrow to learn on. Will fit a 400 or 370 mast. PM if you want it.

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<div>Thank guys for your offers. I get the feeling that my request is unreasonable or it will take me ages to gather all the gear needed. I think I don't have much choice but to buy a cheap second hand gear to start me going. I'm already following KOLoughlin post about second hand gear and the responses from the members here . Thanks again jn1 and barri for your offers, much appreciated.

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Thediver said..

I went thought this process as well when starting out, so I know what it's like. I was sort of lucky as Matt Stringer was running his Windsurfing school at Westlakes and this gave me a taste. If it wasn't for that initial exposure that got me interested, I would have picked up another hobby.

I'm going to be very busy over winter with interstate work and am selling/buying a house as well, so sailing will be the least of my worries. Otherwise, I would offer to meet up over winter so you could have a try on my big gear which will still be very small for you at your level. Your 65kg, so I reckon you'll be in with a shot. PM me your mobile no and I'll ring you if there is an opportunity over winter.

That cool mate I'll pm you my mobile No. My other sport is scuba diving (which I doing in the last 25 years), but windsurfing was always in my mine , and I knew that one day I would like to get back to it , as I'm still remember the fun I had in the past with this sport, and living 5 Min' walk from the beach, feel like a "waste" opportunity. Thanks again.

don't do it now just wait till September. We are going into the autumn doldrums then cold winter and you will just get disapointed.be more crew around in spring and summer. Give yourself some time to get some gear together. I'm 55 also sailing keeps me feeling younger but only now sail the daylight savings season.
If you get stuck could lend you a 5.5 ezzy wave with matching mast and boom.

I picked up one Matt's Starboard GO boards when he sold the school gear, also have a few small sails and complete rigs. Trying to teach one of my kids so don't want to let go of the gear for long but might be able to lend stuff short term.
Cheers
Graeme

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jimbob SA said..
don't do it now just wait till September. We are going into the autumn doldrums then cold winter and you will just get disapointed.be more crew around in spring and summer. Give yourself some time to get some gear together. I'm 55 also sailing keeps me feeling younger but only now sail the daylight savings season.
If you get stuck could lend you a 5.5 ezzy wave with matching mast and boom.

Thanks for the offer mate , it's so pity you are living a few good hours from me? (Adelaide). I think I'll take JN1 offer , and your suggestion about gathering second hand gear. I'll post a question about it and hope to get some guidance and direction. Surfing in the autumn is not much of a problem for me as I'm still diving in the autumn, and I hope I can use my diving wetsuit for windsurfing. Thanks again

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GWilko said..
I picked up one Matt's Starboard GO boards when he sold the school gear, also have a few small sails and complete rigs. Trying to teach one of my kids so don't want to let go of the gear for long but might be able to lend stuff short term.
Cheers
Graeme

That will be great Graeme if I'll be able to borrow the gear for a while, I'm living just around the corner from you. Please let me know if you want me to PM you my mobile No.
Thanks