yep go get a few lessons just to get a feel for it, and see what kind of begginer equipment is out there. than also you can ask alot of questions, and get them explained as you need it to be

I also taught myself, used to sail also, so the wind was not an issue, and got a lot of useful tips from other windsurfers... Depends what your into really, lessons wouldnt hurt, just thought I didnt need them. Spend a bit of time asking questions and what not on these forums before you buy anything, saves you from getting PoS gear or getting ripped off.

i agree 555 find another windsurfer in your area make your self known ,most windsurfers will gladly give you a hand and tell or show you what you need to learn but as a learner my self theres no substitute for time on the water its a steep learning curve , there will be days when it will go rong ,frustrating, but stick at it and in know time you be flying around

I'm going down to Mullaloo beach sat and sun giving lessons to my g/f so if youre around and live up north come down with your gear and I can give u a few tips.

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Originally posted by Sailhack

quote:

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Originally posted by Zed

I'm going down to Mullaloo beach sat and sun giving lessons to my g/f so if youre around and live up north come down with your gear and I can give u a few tips.

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Can we all come?

(what's your g/f look like?)

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Come on down, it'll be a start o season party!

Hey Norton


There are very few qualified Windsurfing instructors around that have done the instructors course. I believe that there is only 4-5 in the state. Myself, Isaac DeVries, Annika, Chris plus a few others i know of possibly but cant think of.....

Im not sure what qualification the guys have at Wedge Island Surf School or Pelican point for that matter so cant comment on their standards.

When I did some work for Simon Cunningham when he was at 2nd Wind (and then Go Windsurfing), with the facilities they have and under their instruction or similar lessons are well worth it. It will save you a lot of time and energy. Then you head out and get a semi big board and a rig and go sailing.

If the school doesnt have the right equipment or it looks tatty or the instructor isnt qualified or knowledgeable its probably worth buying a nice small rig around 5m and a huge mother of a board and teach yourself. Rig back is up wind, rig forwards is down wind and look where you are going was all I was told..... I got a rig from Reg at Windsurfing Perth 7 years ago and a board that needs 2 people to lift it. I got there in the end but once i did my instructors course all the pieces fitted together and then my sailing really improved. The education is valuable.

So really the value of the lessons depends on the instructor and his teaching methodology.... If doesnt seem like the lessons are run well head to the shop and buy yourself a kit....

Many would differ from this opinion but having taught myself first and then become an instructor I can see both sides of the equation.

Also as an instructor I refuse to teach my gf or family. Gfs and family dont seem to listen....

Chad

Lessons at the start, definately.

Windsurfing has a lot to offer, and lots of challenges, and there will be plenty of time to teach yourself things (if that's what you prefer) once you've learned the basics.

Myself, I find life's too short to not take lessons.

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Originally posted by Norton

Hey all,

I'm looking at getting into windsurfing. Is it really worth the money to get lessons or can I teach myself

I sail dinghy's so I understand wind etc.

Any opinions would be helpful

Cheers,

Norton

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Originally posted by payno

i was a qualified instructor for windsurfin before i new how to windsurfer myself as the tl1(get into small boats) instructors course gives u the windsurfing instructors ticket aswell so yeah theres a few instructers in wa

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With your dingy sailing experience Payno you would pick up windsurfing quicker than most and to top it off your only 17.

To clear things up, As i understand it, getting the TL1 does not give you the TL7 instructors certificate. However they might give you a quick windsurfing lesson. (If this were the case i got ripped off....)

From the website:
AYF Dinghy Sailing (TL1 or Level 3, Better Sailing) Proficiency Level,
AYF Wind Surfing (TL7, Level 3) Proficiency Award or relevant AYF Instructor or coaching levels, or AQF Outdoor Recreation Certificate III (Assistant Leader) or IV (Leader) with specialisations in relevant sailboarding units,

As I am aware only 2 courses of 6-7 people each ever did the "official" TL7 windsurfing instructors course and many of them were from the east coast... If the above is true why would someone travel all the way from the east to do a course that can be taught in a TL1???

If your claiming to be an instructor and your only in your first year... maybe we should be concerned? I dont think you can correctly master all the manouvres in your first year..... sorry.

hey Mate, i teach windsurfing over here on the east coast, they are definately worth the money but not just to give me cash,without someone to teach you properly you could be struggling for a few months to learn to tack and sail with the proper stance etc, where as most people i teach can do all this after a 2 hour lesson, and you also get to learn on the proper gear designed for the job, after the lesson the instructor can recomend the right gear for you to buy for your first board.. alot of people are put of the sport because of the wrong instructions, everyone has heard the story of someone they know hired a board when they where on a holiday somewhere tropical, sailed out a few hundred meters fell of and couldn't get back and resulted in being rescued. this wouldn't happen with a proper instructor teaching you, we teach you to turn around first. instruction is definately worth it, even for advanced riders..

I'm RYA level 4. Is that the same qualification as they do in Oz?

quote:

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Originally posted by P.C_simpson

hey Mate, i teach windsurfing over here on the east coast, they are definately worth the money but not just to give me cash,without someone to teach you properly you could be struggling for a few months to learn to tack and sail with the proper stance etc, where as most people i teach can do all this after a 2 hour lesson, and you also get to learn on the proper gear designed for the job, after the lesson the instructor can recomend the right gear for you to buy for your first board.. alot of people are put of the sport because of the wrong instructions, everyone has heard the story of someone they know hired a board when they where on a holiday somewhere tropical, sailed out a few hundred meters fell of and couldn't get back and resulted in being rescued. this wouldn't happen with a proper instructor teaching you, we teach you to turn around first. instruction is definately worth it, even for advanced riders..

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I taught myself to windsurf although it was difficult and frustrating i was'nt going to be beaten [}:)] I then spent a few seasons in W.A. doing nothing but windsurfing and scored a job teaching windsurfing (with no instructors ticket) The school had the latest wide boards and rigs witch for 90 percent of the people was great they where tacking and jybing in light winds in minutes . But for the other 10 percent they just don't listen or they just don't get it.No matter how much time you give them.After a few years i could spot them before they even hit the water.They are the ones with the stories.
I would recomend lessons from any windsurfer as long as they have a passion for the sport and are willing to pass on their experience.I have seen qualified windsurf instructors that can't jybe??? and i have seen good windsurfers that are qualified instructors that look down upon the newbies These guys just give the sport a bad name instead of instilling confidence in a newcomers abilitys...
So pick a centre with wide style beginners boards and you WILL spot the instructors with passion for the sport a mile away.Follow this advice and you will progress rapidly.
Good luck with it mate and enjoy and remember every windsurfer has gone through the learning curve so don't be put of when someone uses you for a jybe marker
Cheers

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Originally posted by NotWal

Hey Haircut, who is this demigod you speak of?

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andrew

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Originally posted by P.C_simpson


alot of people are put of the sport because of the wrong instructions,

this wouldn't happen with a proper instructor teaching you, we teach you to turn around first. instruction is definately worth it, even for advanced riders..

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Well put...There is a lesson plan the 'most' windsurfing instructors are taught because it works. Wide boards good beginner sails and a weekend you will be amazed at the progression.. (well i was anyway)

If its safe and of no danger to you or anyone else and you know how to rig have a play around and see how you get on,most windsurfers will give you pointers(although it may confict in the begining) but time on the water is what counts.
All our trainers in queensland as good as they are can only give you basics and then you have to go it alone and fall in a few times.By the way i love the saying"if you do not fall off your not trying hard enough" which of course means your NOT GOING FOR IT!!!That applies to all levels.

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Originally posted by P.C_simpson

we teach you to turn around first. instruction is definately worth it, even for advanced riders..

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i agree with instructions. it is definately worth it. it's even worth doing the certificate levels.

it will fast track you to jumping on a shortboard.

http://www.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=2757&MenuID=Training%2F4%2F8337%2CNational%5FTraining%5FSchemes%2F34%2F22428%2CNational%5FWindsurfing%5FScheme%2F1264%2F749