If you stay upwind of them, your falling off won't bother them.

If you're starting from scratch, uphauling in lightwinds, that's what the 3.9m is best for.

If you're well and truly over your illness and fighting fit, you can try starting on the smaller stuff in stronger winds. By pass uphauling and start by learning to waterstart and beach start.

Uphauling the big board in light winds should have you sailing almost immediately, then you can slowly work up to stronger conditions. You can push the boundaries as much as you like, stay well within your comfort zone and learn slowlly, or go out of your comfort zone and learn faster.

waterstarting first, you're out of the comfort zone from the start, and you don't get to actually sail for much longer. But you do get to the planning blasting around in straps and harness stage, much quicker.
But for this method you really need good advice from somebody who can see what you're doing right and wrong. It's too technical to be a good way to learn by books or online discussion. Although if you want to try, and put up with the pain, I'm sure you'll get plenty of help here.

I started a couple of years ago on long boards with triangle fabric sails that must have been 15-20 years old, belonging to a friend, then got my own off the verge rubbish chuckout. I got a huge help by buying a used 5.2 film sail off eBay, and an ex-hire Starboard GO of 150 litre size. Used equipment can be a really good deal, both from shops and individuals.

In this thread, Leech recommended a DVD 'Beginner to Winner' which I just bought - very helpful indeed.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30603

Oceanblue,

Sounds like you've raided my garage roof-space!!! I started with gear very similar, (actually, nearly exact, ie; 2 bomboras, a race-board, various sails/masts/booms etc.) a bargain for under $300. That was 15 years ago, although I weighed a bit more than you do, I got so annoyed with trying to get the hang of it , I gave up.

13 years later (2 years ago.....for the mathematically challenged), I tried a modern, 'wide-board' 165lt, and got hooked instantly. I went out and 'invested' in a new setup, (and since have added to it with some good 'pre-loved' equip). I've been a wind-junkie ever since (just ask my wife!!!)

I don't want to put you off, I hope you get going and enjoy it on the gear you bought, if not, get a lesson on some new gear. 13 years is way too long to wait to realise how much fun windsurfing is. If you can, find someone that knows how to rig the gear you have (you'll know them by the grey hairs), they should give you some pointers on the best ways to get going.

PFDs and helmets come down to personal preference. Not many people wear PFDs (that I notice anyway), as they tend to be a bit bulky and restrictive. Probably more in favour among speed sailers than wave / manouver orientated sailers. Having said that I'm sure there are some specialised ones available that don't inhibit your movement too much, and they are useful when learning to waterstart, as they let you float a bit higher which makes flying the sail a tad easier. Helmets might look a bit dorky, but the gath models are ok and quite comfortable, and once you start getting some speed happening they can be very useful. Highly recommended. They also keep your noggin warmer when it's cold.

OceanBlue, For windsurfing in Geelong you can try Lake Connewarre in winds from South Westerly to South Easterly. Go down to the Brinsmead Lane carpark and launch from there. Its muddy but you can walk home from anywhere on the lake so as safe as you can get. The other location is the carpark you hit when going West past the Alcoa plant at Point Henry. don't veer around to the right at the SW corner of the plant. The council has just barricaded the South carpark further South of here off but we hope to get that reversed. Again shallow water so you should not get into trouble. Have a go with the gear that you bought, but I think you would be better off on a Go board and appropriate modern rig...guess it depends on your ability to absorb frustration without giving it away.
I have always worn a PFD when sailing and windsurfing is no exception. I actually wear a ski type vest windsurfing for impact protection and Gath helmet, however, its your life and if looking like a geek puts you off thats up to you. But note that last year the Water Police on jetskis pulled up a windsurfer and issued a warning that PFD's are compulsory if more than 300 metres from shore.

Good Luck and might see you on the water