Hi Guys, my name is Lisa, sorry for crashing your very informative forum....full of great info though and you all sound like your having a ball out there!

I am wanting to surprise hubby with a windsurfer and perhaps a lesson or two to get him started...he has been gagging to windsurf for over a year now but there is so much crap out there (bought a dodgy off ebay) that i dont know where to turn and then i happened across this site and thought yay....locals!

We live in the dandenongs and he is a typical extreme kiwi boy....bikes, boards, kayaks, tramping and now water craft LOL so any helping hands out there to direct me to somewhere where i'm not going to get taken for a ride (the old, here comes a gal with no clue!) i would be most appreciative. He is 37yo, 6'3", 90 kilo....so not sure what i would be looking for with regards to equipment. (we have little kids so nothing really $$$$$ as the budget doesnt support it :) and it doesnt have to be new (prefer 2nd hand)....but at least work well and be able to take a thrashing, if you know what i mean.

Cheers, Lisa

Hi Leelee,
Welcome to the sport and prepare to be consumed!
As a first time board you probably need something thats nice and wide with a bit of volume...I'd say something around 140-150 litres and 75-80 cm wide. Look out for Starboard Go's or Jp Excite Rides (although they rarely come up as second handers)
In terms of sails go for something that is less than 3 years old if you can. I'd suggest something with crossply (ie NeilPryde Excess or KA Koyote) as they are more rigid and solid.

Once you've got the gear please fell free to sign up to the Inverloch Windsurfing Club- www.driftmedia.com.au/iwc
We run come and try, beginner and mentor days and we'd love to get more people out enjoying this amazing, all consuming sport
cheers,
mick

Hi Lisa,

Go into SHQ which is on beach road in Sandringham and ask for Paul - he will be able to sort you out with exactly the right thing. Maybe give them a call first - make sure you ask for Paul - he is the windsurfing specialist and really knows his stuff! call 9598 2867.

I think this will be a better bet than trying to find your way through all the inappropriate second hand equipment on ebay & windsurfing classifieds.

Good luck! Be prepared to not see your husband ever again on a windy day... unless you take it up too!

Cheers,
Fletch

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leelee said...

Hi Guys, my name is Lisa, sorry for crashing your very informative forum....full of great info though and you all sound like your having a ball out there!

I am wanting to surprise hubby with a windsurfer and perhaps a lesson or two to get him started...he has been gagging to windsurf for over a year now but there is so much crap out there (bought a dodgy off ebay) that i dont know where to turn and then i happened across this site and thought yay....locals!

We live in the dandenongs and he is a typical extreme kiwi boy....bikes, boards, kayaks, tramping and now water craft LOL so any helping hands out there to direct me to somewhere where i'm not going to get taken for a ride (the old, here comes a gal with no clue!) i would be most appreciative. He is 37yo, 6'3", 90 kilo....so not sure what i would be looking for with regards to equipment. (we have little kids so nothing really $$$$$ as the budget doesnt support it :) and it doesnt have to be new (prefer 2nd hand)....but at least work well and be able to take a thrashing, if you know what i mean.

Cheers, Lisa

This is a completely consuming sport has been known to create rifts in relationships, even divorce so i hope that you know what you are getting into.

Like drift said Look for modern wide boards, Starboard GO's are perfect. I was lucky enough to get one second hand but if you go out and spend a couple of grand (or a little less), dont worry they have great re-sale and are snapped up quickfast. Check this one out its more or less what you would want: www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Boards/~r0_da/2007-Starboard-Go-250-cm-139-litres.aspx?search=EjQ0DoWvNYj5oA28bIuUaA%3d%3d

Sails and booms are everywhere You should be able to get a 2nd hand mast, boom and sail for around $400.

Go to SHQ or RPS and speak to the guys there. They have beginner kits starting from around 2499. I have easily spent more than that buying rubbish on ebay that is good for nothing. It took me a while to really understand what I should be looking for. The sport will end up costing you aprox 2k a year in gear and other stuff so its not the cheapest of sports.

SHQ and RPS also do lessons, but they are really basic to start off with. If hes really committed, buy him the gear and "Beginner to Winner" DVD and he will be up and going in no time.

I'd also follow Drifts suggestions and join the inverloch crew. Its always better to sail in a good friendly crowd.

Hi Lisa

I would definitely recommend getting in contact with a store...even if you eventually buy majority of your equipment off seabreeze, e-bay etc. Stores should be able to offer the right advice and and access to education and a selection of suitable products as well as introducing your husband to more crew to hook up with for banter and sailing sessions. Your store should be able to help your husband progress as quickly as possible with the sport offering trades and upgrades on equipment as skills develop.

We are a long way from the Dandenings but if interested check out coreboardsports.com we have a selection of second hand and new equipment. we lend out most of our second hand equipment for a try before you buy basis and we always recommend that our clients cross check our prices against seabreeze as we are big fans of the site. Our focus is primarily wave sailing but we also work from the very basics (we have a youth windsurfing fun day happening at Barwon Heads tomorrow for example...all welcome!). we also have gift vouchers for store stock and lessons which you should also be able to find at most stores.

Happy hunting...If you ever leave your husband I think most seabreeze readers would be keen to ask you out..dont believe my wife has ever thought of such a gift..maybe once i think she gave me a voucher to non-parachute sky diving lessons..or was that cage-less shark feeding?!? If you and family ever venture down the Surf Coast region be sure to say hi.

regards
Nick

thanks so much for all the info...i didnt get him one for xmas as thought, i actually didn't realise they were so expensive (and rightly so) but we decided to forgo the xmas prezzie for each other as we bought a house instead...compromise sheeesh!

so now i am back to my original plan to organise lessons down at inverloch, see if he loves it and work towards a board.

Again, thanks for the help guys.....hope the wind picks up for you all!

peace, leelee

Hi LeeLee

Inverloch Windsurfing Club is planning a Come And Try Day on 25/4 at Anderson Inlet Angling Club Inverloch
This is open for all comers, is free of charge and is being sponsored by Windsurfing Victoria and SHQ.
There will be 6 beginners boards, a coach and lots of friendly helpers on the day.
Check out the our website at www.driftmedia.com.au/iwc for booking information

sounds like a troll, i remember a forum post exactly the same as this one a while ago..

troll? really? who has that much time?