Hi Bob
Im new to the sport aswell and i bought my gear online. i bought my gear from hear
www.surfconnect.com/index.htm the chick there was heaps helpful and gave me a good deal. also check out ebay as heaps of people take up the sport thinking its easy as and end up giving it up, you should be able to get a good bargain. also i bought a bag from onboard at glenelg and matt was heaps helpful and full of advice so go check out his store.
make sure you get lessons aswell!
