Hey all,
I've been both sailing and surfing for a while now and I thought it was about time that I make the natural progression and blend the two.
I have absolutely no windsurfing experience and at this stage don't really have an understanding of all the theory either.
I'm well versed in gybing skiffs under pressure and riding waves on a short-board and mal and so am relying on getting the hang of it fairly quickly?
Just wondering whether any more seasoned people could recommend a decent board for someone of my background (intermediate-advanced skiff sailing, intermediate surfing) and size (184cm, 70-75kgs)?

As it says in the thread subject, I'm a total newbie so any input would be appreciated.
Cheers in advance.

Hi TWOODY,

good on ya for having a think about it.
I was lucky enough to have been in your situation about 15 years ago.

I would recommend heading to windsurf and snow @ collaroy and have a chat to sammy, or the crew and see what they have.

Unless your totally loaded, you wont want brand new gear, so a good 2nd hand rig and board would be the go.

It all depends on where you are going to windsurf from, what you want to do with it, and how often your going to do it.

The progression is long but is extremely rewarding.

start with windsurf and snow and see how you go from there.

cheers and good luck.

Hey Twoody,

I was just about where you're standing 13 months ago. Had a good surfing background, and had catamarans for a few years and figured I'd try my hand a wind surfing in the suds. I soon worked out surfing and sailing in the waves are two totally different things, and whilst I throw my 152 litre sail board into the surf in the very early days it was detrimental, frustrating and dangerous. IMO, work on your sailing skills first, picking shallow, flatwater locations until whatever time it takes to get comfortable with the sail size, board, tacking, up-hauling and ideally waterstarting. If you're a quick learner you should be in the surf (sub head high stuff) on a sub 100 litre board in about 12 months.

As for gear, sadly it will probably be a big board (150 plus litre) and smallish sail (say 5.0 meters or so) till your skills progress- which shouldn't be too long if you hit the flat water as much as possible. Oh, and get some lessons! I had 3 locally and it saved me a whole heap of wasted time and saved me from learning too many bad habbits.

Good luck with it.

Hey Tom,

I just noticed you're from up this way (well, close enough...) so if you wan't to catch up and have a lash here at Trial Bay, let me know. I'm always keen for a sail, and have a huge learners board you can jump on. I'm definitly no expert, but could give you some tips and pointers that will help make the learning stage a bit easier.

Cheers,

Phil

Thanks Phil and Fletch,
You're right, I think starting small is probably the way to go. I'll keep looking around the area and see what comes up, It's kind of hectic with the whole settling into uni etc but, when things calm down I'll have to give the guys at Collaroy a check.
At least now i know what I'm in the market for now, around 150L and 5sqm and that it's a pretty friendly sport.
Thanks again.

Select to expand quote

twoody95 said...
Thanks Phil and Fletch,
You're right, I think starting small is probably the way to go. I'll keep looking around the area and see what comes up, It's kind of hectic with the whole settling into uni etc but, when things calm down I'll have to give the guys at Collaroy a check.
At least now i know what I'm in the market for now, around 150L and 5sqm and that it's a pretty friendly sport.
Thanks again.

The best part about taking advice from a good store like WS&S is that they'll find a board and rig that won't need to be sold once you progress.
Theres always a need for a bigger board, once you've learnt the basics. (good for friends and light winds)
Its hard when buying online.
unless you know exactly what you need and want.

good luck.

im an advanced sailor and i use my 170 liter starboard GO to teach mates on and to blast away in light winds. these boards really hold there value. 150 litres would be great. buy a 10 year old 5m wave sail, alloy boom and a 30% carbon mast. This will get you into the sport and you will keep all of the equipment.

the biggest mistake newbies make (me included) is buying a small board too soon. it will frustrate you and slow down your learning.

dont buy anything under 150l until you can carve jibe and tack.

when you first get on the plane on a windsurfer its like your first surf on a clean face. only difference it lasts a whole lot longer. have fun

Thanks for all the advice guys, I reckon I'll go for about 150ish litres and about 5sqm. There's a good lake to practice on here before i hit the surf.
Thanks again, might see you out there.

Hi twoody I would also look at getting a sup with a windsurf mount for your first board. If your wanting to get into waves they are great to learn on but will also double as a light wind waveboard and a sup as well. We often sup sail when the wind is way to light. More time on the water is always a good thing.

You can buy them with 150ltrs as well. Anything like the 10.5 starboard drive would be great to learn on.

IMHO SUP/sail is a great tool in the kit once you have got the basics of proper windsurfing sorted. Tacking, carve gybing, planning, getting in the foot straps etc. If you want to accelerate your learning as much as possible get a board primarily designed for windsurfing. Cross over gear is great but it also introduces some compromise in the gears ability.

Have fun

Darvio