Hi,

I'm a French windsurfer who is travelling round the world with my little family, during one year on the best windsurfing spots
Our blog : windytrip.blogspot.com

I will be in WA in jan-feb 2012, I was dreaming of that since ever. I will sail at Perth, Lancelin, Geraldton, Margaret river (if not too hardcore... otherwise I will taste other kind of liquid, like the wine...), and finally Esperance ...

I'm about to hire gear, and I am in contact with Surfsailaustralia and 2ndwind Sailboards, any advice would be useful for me, to make the good decision, as I am far far away !

Also, I wonder if a 85L wave board would be fine for me (75 kg /160 lb)
and for the sails : is 4.5 - 5.0 - 5.5 a good range ?

Many thanks for your help / Laurent

That sounds about right, you could probably be more comfortable on a smaller board in Geraldton. But then you might have trouble at the more southern spots in lighter wind.
I just hope the next season is better than the last one.

+1

a 4.0 may be needed in Gero if your board is 10L over your bodyweght, but you will want the 85L and 5.5 down south

Maybe consider buying used then on-selling at end of holiday, even sell back to shop. Could prove to be less expensive.
Another shop is windsurfingperth

Many thanks for your answer
I will take 4.2 -5.0 -5.5 with 85L
do you have opinion or advice on the surfshops ?

also, I will try to find out good spots around Denmark and Albany during the trip from Margaret River to Esperance. I guess the wind should be more consistent than in Esperance
Is the The Freo Doctor also working in this west part of the southern coast?

For your next summer, I will bring some wind from my home spot in France, as we have plenty here ! 5 days at 40-50 kts last month, it was ... too much !

Thanks again !
Laurent

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mineral1 said...

Maybe consider buying used then on-selling at end of holiday, even sell back to shop. Could prove to be less expensive.
Another shop is windsurfingperth

yes, it could be much more cheaper, mostly with second hand gear.
(Except if I crush everything in Maragaret river... )

I'm afraid that there is a risk that no more suitable equipment will remain available, as it will be the peak season.
I would prefer to book a board in advance, just not to worry about that.

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WindyTrip said...

mineral1 said...

Maybe consider buying used then on-selling at end of holiday, even sell back to shop. Could prove to be less expensive.
Another shop is windsurfingperth

yes, it could be much more cheaper, mostly with second hand gear.
(Except if I crush everything in Maragaret river... )

I'm afraid that there is a risk that no more suitable equipment will remain available, as it will be the peak season.
I would prefer to book a board in advance, just not to worry about that.

You will have no problem finding gear in the season, with 5 or 6 windsurfing shops and all the stuff for sale on this site.
You will find all you need right here I think.

Forget Albany to Denmark, wind is less consistent and any wave spots need a 4WD and are not easy to sail at - alone too.

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Mark _australia said...
Forget Albany to Denmark, wind is less consistent and any wave spots need a 4WD and are not easy to sail at - alone too.

I was just checking Parry's beach on Google Earth, and I was wondering how to reach the waves without a 4WD

so, that's exactly the confirmation that I needed to have !
thanks Mark

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WindyTrip said...

Hi,

I'm a French windsurfer who is travelling round the world with my little family, during one year on the best windsurfing spots
Our blog : windytrip.blogspot.com


Also, I wonder if a 85L wave board would be fine for me (75 kg /160 lb)
and for the sails : is 4.5 - 5.0 - 5.5 a good range ?

Yes this is a very good allround choice !
I would highly recommend Paul from 2nd wind and Alberto from Windshack for honest & realistic advice.

Good gear choice. Should give you enough range. That board might be a little to big when your on the 5.5 but that extra volume might be good for teaching your young fellas on light days.

There are also cheap windsurf dayhire in Perth (Pelican Point) during the summer with super easy rigs. Which would get your family on the water.

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WindyTrip said...
do you have opinion or advice on the surfshops ?
also, I will try to find out good spots around Denmark and Albany during the trip from Margaret River to Esperance. I guess the wind should be more consistent than in Esperance

There are no windsurf shops that I know of along the WestOz sth coast - I live in Albany.

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WindyTrip said...
Is the The Freo Doctor also working in this west part of the southern coast?

No, that's why it's called the Freo Doctor . However, most of the west and south coasts are affected by sea breezes during Summer. Albany, Esperance and points in between do have good consistent sea breezes during Summer. The south coast is generally windier than Perth.

Enjoy the trip!

thanks for all your replies !