Hello all,

I used to be into windsurfing about 15 years ago but a move overseas put a stop to regular water based sports. Having now moved back to Perth I am keen to get back into it. I dug my old gear out of storage and, to put it politely, it is knackered (and contains a vaguely embarrassing amount of fluro pink...)

Anyhow I realise things have moved on a lot since I last used a board so I am hoping one of you doesn't mind helping to recommend some gear to look for over the winter months so that I am ready for the next season. Hopefully i have posted this into the correct forum...

Basically I am 6'2" and weigh about 75kg. I will be using the board on the river mainly but also down at the beach although not doing anything too radical there (unless it is by accident!). I think the main things I would be interested in was gear that could get me back into the sport (but that I didnt grow out of too quickly). Ideally I would like something that is fun to bomb around on and gybed pretty easily.

I honestly don't know what style of board / sail I should even look for let alone brand/model etc. I am ideally looking at second hand gear as recently had a baby so money is a bit tight.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!Cheers

GREEN ARROWS will always help

Well if you're looking for something river for blasting and perhaps some ocean (ocean water is good, clean, salty etc) then i'd go what most people suggested for me, and that be a Freestyle wave (FSW). I'm the same weight as yourself but a little less altitude. So for your weight something around 90- 100L. Otherwise perhaps a freeride board for river sailing only and some ocean.

That's great - thanks for the advice! Would you recommend any specific models of boards to keep an eye out for?
Many thanks.

I have an RRD FSW 96L (plus a couple of others) Awesome board for all-round sailing, it is fast on flat water, it bumps and jumps and does waves although i'm new to waves but it does 'em. Look at what is for sale, if you see something that you like, then go to the web page and research a bit.
Popular boards are RRD, Starboard, fanatic, JP, Tabou etc. Search the forums, speak to people on the beach. A bit also depends on your ability like can you waterstart or just uphaul.

Boards these day are easier to sail, they are a little bit wider, therefore more dance floor, they get up and boggie early, turn with ease and generally eat chop.. Be careful though, once you get this stuff in your veins, there's no cure but to sail and buy more stuff

For basic rolling waves

Tabou 3S
JP FSW
RRD FSW
Naish Koncept
Goya One

Maybe if more river blasting look at a freeride board

JP excite/magic ride
Fanantic Shark
Tabou Rocket
Starboard Futura

But really if your after a board for every condition a FSW is the go

Wave capable and can get +30knts out of them in the right conditions

I'm just going by experience of returning to the sport and the advice that was given to me. By all means, i am no expert, very amateur actually, i just love the sport.

Thanks guys for this great advice. All my mates from the old days have gone over to kiting but, for some reason, it just doesn't interest me. Its great to see the are still people with a passion for windsurfing. I am going to start looking around and can't wait to get back on the water.

Hi BNB,

Great that you want to get back into it!!

What was your level when you left it 15 year ago? It makes a big difference if you were wave-riding, planing and jumping or if you were more into laid-back sessions going from point A to B and back. Do you know what volume has your fluoro-pink board?

The above information will help to have an idea whether you should go for a 95l radical board, or a 120-140l freeride style type of thing. I have seen way too many windsurfers getting frustrated and abandoning the sport for choosing boards that were too radical for their level. It much better to get something you feel comfortable with, so you can work on the technik, enjoy, and then move to the next level in due course.

Back before when I was windsurfing I could water start, gybe and get on the plane with feet in the straps. I wasnt however doing anything involving waves! I am really sorry but I can't remember the volume of my old board but I know I was able to uphaul on it so I guess it was quite a bit?!

Then I would get a t freeride 110-120l.

Although 90-100 l won´t sink with your 75kg of weight, the planing, getting back to those maneuvers you knew already and perfecting them will be much easier (and enjoyable) if you have that little extra volume... or that´s my opinion at least.

Be progressive!

...I wish you a happy "come back" to windsurfing!

Thanks for all the great advice! Can I also just ask what I need to look for in sails these days (and also how many do I need)?

Select to expand quote

BadNewsBear said..
Thanks for all the great advice! Can I also just ask what I need to look for in sails these days (and also how many do I need)?

Start at one and keep doubling or How big is your shed?

I would suggest starting with a freeride board about 120L. That will be forgiving and allow you to quickly get your skills back without too much of a struggle. Later you can keep that board for a light wind board and get a smaller board for the really windy days.
Sails? A freeride sail is much easier in manouevers than a cammed sail, and so much easier to recover your skills with. Freeride sails these days are so well designed that their performance and fun factor is really good too. Most guys on a board of 120L would be using a 7.5 or an 8.5 sail. The 8.5 may be a bit unwieldy since you are just getting back into things, and the 7.5 will be a bit of a handful in strong wind, but good in moderate winds. If you can afford two sails I'd start with one around 6.5 and one around 7.5m.
This is not the best time of year for getting back into the sport. Windy days are generally frontal, gusty and far apart. The wind is not very consistent so what ever you rig will feel wrong most of the time despite your skill level. Sessions are not frequent enough to keep your fitness up. Springtime will offer better opportunities for regular wind. Now is a very good time to buy gear however, as many people are selling their old gear with a view to upgrading next season. It is also a good time to visit windsurfing shops because business is quiet and they will have lots of time to talk windsurfing with you and give you heaps of advice.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but due to work commitments I have only just started to get around to looking for some gear. From all the great advice above I am now wondering if anyone is looking to sell a freeride board 110L to 120L? I am ideally after a Tabou Rocket but would look at anything else that anyone might have that fits the bill.
(and apologies if this is not the right part of the forum to post a request like this!).

Have you already checked the "Buy and Sell" section?

Otherwise check also the local shops. (Winsurfing Perth, Surfsail Australia, 2nd Wind, Windforce).
They also provide advice, and would have S/H sails, masts, booms...

Hi BadNewsBear, I have an excellent set of sails which you could pick up cheaply as a package.

If you are interested in sailing at the beach (as you indicate) these would be fine for a freestyle wave board of around 105 litres which would be a good board for you to re-enter the sport on at a weight of 75 kg as you state:

4.5 m2 Goya Guru Wave
4.7 m2 Goya W3D Wave
5.3 m2 Goya Eclipse Wave
Ezzy Free Radical 6.0 m2 Twin Cam

Why don't you have a look at the ones above I have for sale on the buy and sell section and give me a call.

The above sails all rig on a 400 mast except for the Ezzy which needs a 430 (but will rig on a 460.)
If you wish feel free to give me a call and I would be happy to assist.There are some Goya masts for sale on Seabreeze which would work for all of these sails too which are available for a fraction of the new cost.Happy to discuss.

If you are not interested in my sails or help you maybe able to find for yourself another great bargain on the other buy and sell entries on sea breeze.

Cheers Richard

Here is a good opportunity for a 116 litre board i found on gumtree.
There are plenty of these as well as similar sized boards on gumtree, ebay and seabreeze .

Windsurfing JP super sport 116lt
Bicton WA 6157




Condition: Used
Well used but still in good shape, great board for beginner to intermediate,

pretty quick, good volume able to pull up haul on board, easy to get plane, still have plenty of life

Year 2007


Gummie since 2012
On Gumtree two days ago
Send message
Ph 0431710536

Hi Richard,
Thanks heaps for these links. As it happens I was chatting to a friend about needing to get some gear and he has sold me one of his boards and a sail so I now have enough to get back onto the water. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. Hopefully see you on the water sometime!
Cheers

Excellent. See you on the water.