Gday everyone..

I'm currently in Perth, which unfortunatly takes me away from my previous love of snowboarding and skiing unless I want to fork out a few grand each time I want to visit the snow :)

I've always liked the idea of windsurfing, and Perth has some nice winds for it, but I'm being driven mad by all the options available. I try to research one brand and end up finding people say it's no good etc, so I look into the link they put up and find it's a god damn $1000 board when all I want is a nice little starter setup. Thats just one example, but there are many more heh.

Sorry for the long ramble - I guess what I'm asking is if some of you experienced people out there can let me know some good decent starter boards at a good price? Preferably what second hand boards to look for etc as I won't have the funds to go all out on new equipment (and don't want to spend a lot of money if it turns out I don't like it as much as I think I will). I'm 6'2 and weigh 95kg... not sure if that makes a huge difference to what board is best to use but figured it might be.

Cheers..

Second-Wind Sailboards south of the river are your friend! I've had great service from them since getting back into windsurfing after an 8 year break.

Hi Tazza - Ive got the perfect board for you - it will take you from the early learning stages to intermediate. I wasnt planning on selling it - Ive always kept it for my light wind board so that I can practice tricks on etc. I am 6'5" and 100 kgs. so in the early days I needed some reserve flotation so that I could uphaul etc, and this board has plenty of flotation for a big guy like yourself.
The board is a TIGA FREE X, 283 long, 152 litres - they are identical to a Bic Techno 283, which are reputed to be one of the great classic boards. The only difference is that the Techno's are blue, and the Tiga is a yellow/orange colour with a full rear deck pad. The board I would sell with a Select 44 Weedfin (Trimbox) (- which are worth $160 on their own - which I bought new)
I am in my fourth season now - and my main board now is a Kinetic 115 Gladiator.
The Tiga will get you up and planing, and into the harness/footstraps etc. and will see you right for the first years!
The reason I am selling is I dont use it much, and need the money to put into other gear like new sails etc.
If you had a lesson or two on a windsurfing schools super wide board to start - you could then transition to the Tiga putting into practice what they taught you at the school, without any real problem.
I am looking for $480 for board and fin. If you matched that with a cheaper s/hand boom, mast, and a something like a 5 metre wave sail to start - then at a later stage you can buy a bigger sail, and you have a combo that you can grow into. If you want to ask any questions re. the board - Gary 9581.5092

Hi Tazza,

Just like when you learn to snowboard you generally dont go and buy the best board and gear straight up.

Try to get a lesson or three and hire the gear before buying. You will get a good idea of what kind of gear to buy as a beginner.

David

quote:

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Originally posted by Overpowered

If you like snowboarding try kiteboarding wink wink.

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Ha ha nice troll Overpowered

Hey Tazza, you can spend as little or as much as you like. I got the stoke with $200, this was ancient gear though, and didn't get me planing. Windsurfing's all about planing really, if you've got about $800 you should be able to get a reasonable setup with a couple of sails, a floaty board, a boom, mast and extension. This is enough for you to figure out if it's THE ONE TRUE SPORT for you. It's utterly addictive though, so be warned.

You also become a social hermit, boring everyone at parties and social gatherings with tales of the epic 25 knot south easter that lasted 10 days, perfect conditions for learning your latest trick, your petrol bill will go through the roof chasing that perfect break/flat water spot and a twinkle will appear in your eye that your significant other never suspected was there.

Keep a good eye out on ebay, and this site, and you'll be up and planing before you know it. Good luck, keep us posted