Hi, I have just bought a windsurf setup including a funster board(which I am told is a good beginner board?). I have NEVER windsurfed before, although a longtime wave surfer.
I am looking for a few lessons, just the basics and rigging up. Willing to pay/be pointed to a windsurf school, or even if anyone would be kind enough to give a few tips, Safety Bay area if poss.
I have the next 2 weeks off work, and hoping to get a handle on this thing ASAP.
Cheers
Gaz

Drop into any of the WA Shops for a rigging lesson. It is winter so they should have a bit of time on their hands.....

As he said, drop into Windsurfingperth, see Reg and get him to show you set up. He sells that brand anyway. Then take a look on their web site they have a few standard beginer layouts for you.
Go only in mornings when the wind is real light, so you get most out of session until you gain some skills. Too windy and you spend all your time getting knocked down.

I was in the same situation.

I talked to locals for advice, which is real handy, and I found 'Jem Halls' DVD Beginner to Winner' was worth the money. About $30, shops or ebay.It has everything.

I find windsurfing is like learning a difficult musical instrument. Need tenacity and persistence, and every time I head out I get just that little bit better. It aint easy, that's why not everyone is doing it.

I still have a LONG way to go. If only I could beach/water start.

jh

Thanks for the replies fellas, and the private messages!
Much appreciated.
Gaz

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Rexo said...

I find windsurfing is like learning a difficult musical instrument. Need tenacity and persistence, and every time I head out I get just that little bit better. It aint easy, that's why not everyone is doing it.

That is a really good analogy. It takes a long time to get to expert level but there is constant improvement, albeit with some plateaus. Regular practice is essential to build both muscle strength and muscle memory and refine techniques. Nailing gybes requires repetition, repetition, repetition just like perfecting a passage of Chopin.

Rexo, ask one of those locals to show you how to beach start. You should be able to get the knack of it in an hour or less, then it's just keep practicing in deeper and deeper water until it's a water start.

If you are computer savy and use torrents heres the link
kat.ph/usearch/beginner%20to%20winner/

There is a windsurfing/kitesurfing school in safety bay called WA surf, just get lessons there, they also sell gear and can help you with rigging

Not 100% sure, but WASurf seem to have gone all kiteboard these days, including lessons. Closed for winter at the moment, so can't check.
Gaz

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GazzaP said...

Hi, I have just bought a windsurf setup including a funster board(which I am told is a good beginner board?). I have NEVER windsurfed before, although a longtime wave surfer.
I am looking for a few lessons, just the basics and rigging up. Willing to pay/be pointed to a windsurf school, or even if anyone would be kind enough to give a few tips, Safety Bay area if poss.
I have the next 2 weeks off work, and hoping to get a handle on this thing ASAP.
Cheers
Gaz

Saw ya out there on Saturday at the pond Gaz. Youre doing amazingly well, most people dont master turning the board around inside two sessions!

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Subsonic said...

GazzaP said...

Hi, I have just bought a windsurf setup including a funster board(which I am told is a good beginner board?). I have NEVER windsurfed before, although a longtime wave surfer.
I am looking for a few lessons, just the basics and rigging up. Willing to pay/be pointed to a windsurf school, or even if anyone would be kind enough to give a few tips, Safety Bay area if poss.
I have the next 2 weeks off work, and hoping to get a handle on this thing ASAP.
Cheers
Gaz

Saw ya out there on Saturday at the pond Gaz. Youre doing amazingly well, most people dont master turning the board around inside two sessions!

Really? Thanks, that's cool, I was certainly having fun. Stayed til almost dark!

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GazzaP said...

Subsonic said...

GazzaP said...

Hi, I have just bought a windsurf setup including a funster board(which I am told is a good beginner board?). I have NEVER windsurfed before, although a longtime wave surfer.
I am looking for a few lessons, just the basics and rigging up. Willing to pay/be pointed to a windsurf school, or even if anyone would be kind enough to give a few tips, Safety Bay area if poss.
I have the next 2 weeks off work, and hoping to get a handle on this thing ASAP.
Cheers
Gaz

Saw ya out there on Saturday at the pond Gaz. Youre doing amazingly well, most people dont master turning the board around inside two sessions!

Really? Thanks, that's cool, I was certainly having fun. Stayed til almost dark!

Just wait till you get hooked in and planing, scared the crap outta me the first time it happened, thats when I knew I was hooked!

I saw a few (Pyro) going pretty fast out at Safety Bay today!

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GazzaP said...

I saw a few (Pyro) going pretty fast out at Safety Bay today!

Whoo Hoo, yes! It was awesome.