Hi,
i am new to windsurfing, and wanting to learn the sport. What is the best way to go about it?
Also what type of gear is best to get and what is a resonable price to pay for my first set

Select to expand quote

Kooga said...

Hi,
i am new to windsurfing, and wanting to learn the sport. What is the best way to go about it?
Also what type of gear is best to get and what is a resonable price to pay for my first set

You have done well by posting here first. Too many people start out with the wong gear and then end up getting ripped off and disenchanted with the sport.

Start with posting your age weight, sex, height and fitness level. We'll take it from there.

Also post something about your experience with windsurfing and other watersports as this may bare relevance to the approch you should take and your expectations.

well weigh around 75Kg and 180 tall. Experiance in windsurfing is minimal, tried it one or tow times, but sailed dinghys and yachts for ages including racing them. And i like to consider myself fit

Summer is the best time to learn, from about November onwards -> the seabreezes start to kick in around then, so its possible to get some sailing done most afternoons.

This forum and Windsurfing Victoria (wv.org.au) is a good place to start for finding out about the local scene, as there is often plenty of people to talk to and events to turn up to.

Since its winter, ask lots of questions here first...

Which side of Melbourne do you live?

Live near the city, down around brighton sandy ect, not afraid of the cold water, it isnt that bad anyway, though wind is either blowing a gale or below 5 knots. Wetsuit is all that is needed for the water. What type of board is best ot start on

I'm only still a beginner and have just moved off a Starboard Go 175 ltr to a 122ltr.

I've found the go (155 - 175) the best board to learn on. They're wide enough for you to gumby around on and once your planing they're still very stable. That board has taken me from gumby to beach starting, water starting, slow speed gybing and tacks.

You will have to make the investment of around $700 - $1000 for the board (you might find a complete package in the classifieds) then all the accessories.

Might be a good idea to head to RPS or SHQ for a couple lessons as well.

Or you might want to join a club. I'm sure that their are club member will assist.

I would probably say thay you would want to get a Starboard 155 Go or similar. Dont go too much smaller as it will just prolong your learning curve.

These are hard come by second hand, but go down to SHQ and RPS and see if they are offloading any funboards or Go's. Check Seabreeze buy/sell regularly. Hey maybe post if anyone out there is willing to sell you one, thats how I got mine.

For winter you will need:

Wetsuit 4/5mm steamer
Neoprene benie or balaclava (recommended)
Thermal Rashie (recommended)
booties - above ancle
Floatation vest - Important
harness - (you will need it pretty soon but not straight away)

Its cheaper to start in summer as you wont need half the stuff.

Board:

Starboard Go or JP Funride: 140l - 160l - Great for learning and will become your lightwind board. I wouldn't get one with a centreboard because you will grow out of it quick. The board should come with a nce long fin.

Sail: The smaller the sail the easier it is to learn. Also if you get a decent enough small sail you will be able to use it in strong winds. Start with something between 4 and 4.5m2.

Boom Pick one that fits the sail, A regular extandable aloy boom will be fine and serve you well for a while. I would say 135cm - 195cm for a 4 to 5m2 sail will cover you well.

Harness lines - you will use them pretty soon and they will save your arms. 26 or 28 inch and dont get adjustable, thats just money thrown away.

SDM mast - for a 4m a 400cm but it depend on the sail. If you can afford it get one with more carbon (70%).

Mast extension and Uni Joint. Get a nice long extension and a brand new uni joint. Dont skimp on this becuase its the hardest working part of your rig!!!

Uphaul rope - get a good one it will save your hands.

Not including the wettie and cold weather gear you will probably need between $1500 and $2000 to get you out there and having fun.

That said go and get some lessons at SHQ or RPS, they will also give you good advice. Apparently WV members can borrow learner gear free at SHQ, but I have never had that confirmed.

If you ask nicely I am sure that there are plenty of people that will help you out on the forum with all aspects of starting out.

Also - locations:

Elwood is good if its not blowing too hard, westerlies = more chop, but in summer with a nice breeze its a great spot.

St Kilda Harbour - highly recommended when learning, wish I tried it earlier - not many boats moored in your way, provides a nice breakwall from too much wind when you wanna go and its blowing too hard, and when you comfortable tacking and jibing make your way out of it and along the beach.

Sandringham - well, is a little cramped, can be fun sometimes, but you'll grow out of it pretty quickly and find it easy to run into boats (cough - no names mentioned )

Bonus level - Inverloch - great friendly crew down there - suggest joing their club - good way to meet experienced sailors and get tips - and awesome spot in a good wind because its not that deep and you can have some great runs.

Welcome to the sport and the beginning of a powerful addiction

PS - if you wanna sail with some beginners let me know - I usually go with Jermaldan on Sunday mornings, and Ozbiker56 when he's not kiting, and Architect when the water is bath warm :P

Select to expand quote

K Dog said...

Also - locations:

Sandringham - well, is a little cramped, can be fun sometimes, but you'll grow out of it pretty quickly and find it easy to run into boats (cough - no names mentioned )

That happend once.

It was the first time I got planing ever, freaked out and slammed straight into a boat.

Winner: Boat.

Hey K-Dog, think we scared him off???

Possibly

Maybe the weather has! Can't wait for summer!

Select to expand quote

K Dog said...

Possibly

Maybe the weather has! Can't wait for summer!

Or the price of the gear...

more the price of the gear, still searching on ebay, weather is fine, been sailing dighys all winter anyway

This is how much it cost me to get going:

5.2m 2000 model wave sail - 100
Boom - 100 (old)
Mast - 340 (new)
Board - 550 (with uni joint and extension - nice guy )

So $1090... for the basics second hand - you could do better on a 2nd hand mast.

You probably have a PFD..... handy to have - especially learning water starts....

I have a Heron dinghy as well - its been tempting to sell that for more gear

Select to expand quote

Kooga said...

more the price of the gear, still searching on ebay, weather is fine, been sailing dighys all winter anyway

Whats your budget?

carefull what you go for on ebay. Some of the stuff they sell is absolute crap for people that dont know any better.

You could probably get a full set up on ebay for $400 but it will be old junk that will make it really difficult to learn on.

Probably best stating your budget and posting something on the wanted section. I am sure that there are people out there with a shed full of stuff that they hardly ever use that they would like to convert to a new sail.

I think the key is to get a nice big floaty board to start off with.

I think the budget is the most important.


You can pick up sails, boom and a mast pretty cheap these days.

But don't make the mistake I've done and bought an inapropraite boom for the sails I have.

On boom length you should look for 160-220.

I'd consider the correct board (large volume starboard or JP) the most important investment.

I started out the same way as you and bought junk of fleabay. I ended up selling that off for pennies and re investing in good second hand gear.

Problem is, finding large volume modern boards. People just don't sell them! People are more inclined to keep them for use in light wind days.

Lucy for you I have 2 starboard go's and one of them will be up for sale quite shortly.

Select to expand quote

echunda said...
I'd consider the correct board (large volume starboard or JP) the most important investment.

Good advice

Select to expand quote

echunda said...
Lucy for you I have 2 starboard go's and one of them will be up for sale quite shortly.

Very lucky! Hard to come by - and the thing as, this sport is so addictive you'll want to convince all your mates into it - and having one of these boards on hand is handy for the conversion process

Select to expand quote

echunda said...
Lucy for you I have 2 starboard go's and one of them will be up for sale quite shortly.

Wow, Lucky Lucy!!! Grab them while they are on offer. They get snapped up in a second!!!

The board is most important, getting a rig sorted out is easy.

Lucy...



Opps...


My girlfriend and I both sail and we've just purchased our first smaller volume boards, so one of the large boards are going.


We're still keeping one for light wind days and mates who want to sail.

Echunda, which girlfriend are you talking about?

Select to expand quote

Old Salty said...

Echunda, which girlfriend are you talking about?

Don't tell Megs!

Select to expand quote

Old Salty said...

Echunda, which girlfriend are you talking about?

Story for The Gritty Truth maybe...?

Select to expand quote

CROWEMAN said...

Old Salty said...

Echunda, which girlfriend are you talking about?

Story for The Gritty Truth maybe...?

or maybe a crowie cares

Dear Crowie,

I have a dilema.

I have 2 beginner boards and only one girlfreind who had a new Go 133

What do I do?

I love how these get off topic

Don,t worry, i had to tell my wife yesterday that i found my
new love....there was no response

Select to expand quote

kato said...

Don,t worry, i had to tell my wife yesterday that i found my
new love....there was no response

AND

Select to expand quote

Old Salty said...

kato said...

Don,t worry, i had to tell my wife yesterday that i found my
new love....there was no response

AND

Told mine I was at it with Jen Hawkins. She looked at me with a sorry look in her eyes, tilted her head to one side and just said with a slightly puzzled tone in her voice - 'you? I wouldn't think so'. And left it that. That hurt - more than turning 40 ever did.

Man hug
I feel your pain Crowie
Me, I am Megan Gale person myself

Select to expand quote

Old Salty said...

Man hug
I feel your pain Crowie
Me, I am Megan Gale person myself

I,ll have both and the SL 52

a love other than windsurfing??????????
as the owner of two couches and an exceptional set of curtains, I wish to take no part in this discussion.......