hi all,

im interested in having a go at windsurfing.
ive heard it is quite difficult.
is there somewhere in southern Tas I can hire some gear to give it a go?

South Arm Surf or Baron Sailboards worth a go

Windsurfing tasmania inc has some beginner boards you can rent for a week at a time. Or you used to be able.

Contact Damien at Jay sails he can help you out

That is correct FoS.

There are boards for hire from Windsurfing Tasmania.

The cost of board hire is $50 per week and you also need to become a member of Windsurfing Tasmania, which is $35.

(This is less than what you would pay for board hire for 2 hours at a commercial operation on the mainland).

The modern wide-style learner boards and light rigs (like those for hire from WT) are a totally different experience to the "old days".

With a bit of basic instruction a learner can have the basics down pat in a session or two.

The Windsurfing Tasmania facebook page has some photos of some teenage beginners at our Learn to Windsurf Day after only a few hours on the boards. www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156927097979535&set=p.10156927097979535&type=3&theater

I will PM you with contacgt details.

Clarence

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jaytee said..
South Arm Surf or Baron Sailboards worth a go

really, is this the 80,s
i would certainly do the hire as suggested to start with.

Hi bazar. I'm at Taroona and have Windsurfing Tas gear for hire. Let me know if you want to hire it ($50 for the week), and we can tee up a time to meet. And you'll also need to sign up to be a WT member ($35 for the year) if you aren't already.

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your advice, hiring some gear (that you recommend for a rank beginner) sounds like the go.
I'm happy to sign up as a Windsurfing Tasmania member.
A lesson would be ok, although I'm sort of at the other end of the age spectrum to teenagers,
old dogs and that. I'll take your advice.
Realistically I'm probably only going to get a couple of half days on the water during the course of a week.
How does the weather forecast sound for this weekend?
Where would I go where I'm unlikely to disappear over the horizon?

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geared4knots said..

jaytee said..
South Arm Surf or Baron Sailboards worth a go

really, is this the 80,s
i would certainly do the hire as suggested to start with.

Andrew from Baron Sailboards was really helpful.There was another guy, Damien Walters I think his name was. Nickname was Horse Used to make sails .Had a cult following around the scene. Don't know if he is still around

Bazar, whether you are a teenager or "old salt" (or even an old landlubber), the modern boards are the best way to get started. A few sessions of a few hours each is probably the way to go (rather than one big long single day on the water).

Picking good conditions is important:

-less than ten knots (ie no whitecaps on the water)
-wind blowing towards the shore (called "onshore")
-shallowish water between 2 feet and 5 feet with a mainly sandy bottom (so it is easy to get on the board again if you fall off)
-a place with little of no current (eg not the entrance to a bay or river mouth where the water moves a lot from tides)

There are LOT of good places in the greater Hobart area (in particular Lauderdale/South Arm vicinity). Check out the "spot guide" http://www.thespotguide.com.au/TAS/index.html.

I have sent you an email also.

Clarece

Bazar
there is also someone down south who will do a private lesson.
The charge is $50 per hr.
two hrs will be plenty.
sms me if you want details
Damien 0409854754 ( Pony!)