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Starting out wavesailing

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Created by Cam11 > 9 months ago, 4 May 2012
Cam11
WA, 13 posts
4 May 2012 6:12PM
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Hi,

Have been windsurfing for about twelve months. Can tack, gybe, plane, beach start, water start, stay (mostly) dry , am interested in trying a bit of wave sailing but don't have any experience was wondering what type/size of board/sails to be looking at. Was going to try small stuff to begin with using second hand gear to minimise the impact on the $$$ and too many tears. Currently have a JP Funride 130L with NP fusion 6.1 and 4.9 sails. Oh, and I'm about 60kg and pretty strong.

Kale.

Mark _australia
WA, 22089 posts
4 May 2012 6:17PM
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You'd be able to get a 90L ish freestylewave at your weight. Get comfy on that when on flatwater (ie able to waterstart it all the time no probs) and then go for it in small waves and slightly onshore conditions.
If you go straight to a dedicated wave board it is likely to frustrate you, and if you try with the 130L it will bounce like mad and be a bit hard.

Any shorebreak or dumpy kinda waves and the Fusions will get trashed, so try getting a 5m ish all X-ply wave sail secondhand

You're gonna love it

P.C_simpson
NSW, 1489 posts
4 May 2012 8:18PM
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69 or 74 litre wave board, 4.3, 4.7 and 5.3 wave sails, prob a 3.7 aswell.. and a RDM mast..

windaddict
VIC, 1121 posts
4 May 2012 8:41PM
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I'm thinking 80-95 litre board and 5.0m sail. With your weight, you will be able to get out in 15 knots easily. You want to go out in waist or smaller size waves to begin with and get a feel for what its like to get barrelled and then be able to water start out of it etc and build your confidence. Also with wave riding, you don't necessarily need really windy conditions. I have had plenty of excellent sessions in 15 knots just plodding out and riding in some really nice clean waves.

I am around ~70kg's and use a 93L thruster and its perfect for me with a 5.0 in those light wind days.

r2908
NSW, 214 posts
4 May 2012 9:05PM
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i was in your shoes about a year ago, i wouldn't waste your money on big gear it sounds like your quite capable, i agree with simpson's suggestion,. start with small waves to get confidence

its really not as hectic as your mind is telling you.

DO IT !!

jamdfingr
QLD, 663 posts
4 May 2012 9:25PM
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You don't need new gear, just go and find some small waves and start having a go on what you have. You can use the smaller sail in underpowered conditions to get on the wave and then have a bit of fun!

Gwendy
SA, 472 posts
4 May 2012 10:01PM
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A 60 kg dude on a 130 ltr funride in waves? He's not going to get it do anything. He also runs the risk of smashing gear not meant for waves then he can't sail anywhere. He'd be much better off picking up a cheap second hand 79 ltr waveboard and 4.7 sail. if he can do what he says he will have no problem.

Cam11
WA, 13 posts
5 May 2012 12:02AM
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Gwendy said...

A 60 kg dude on a 130 ltr funride in waves? He's not going to get it do anything. He also runs the risk of smashing gear not meant for waves then he can't sail anywhere. He'd be much better off picking up a cheap second hand 79 ltr waveboard and 4.7 sail. if he can do what he says he will have no problem.



Thanks for all the information, will be looking at some fsw boards and smaller gear....um Gwendy? Not that it really matters but the dude is actually a chic and if she couldn't do it she wouldn't say it. Have only been windsurfing a short time but have had a fairly extensive background in sailing so seem to have been able to pick it up fairly easily, think having knowledge of the wind, the ocean, sails etc. and how it all works certainly helps...also no couch potato and very determined when I want to achieve something...How does a guy get a name like Gwendy anyway??

Kale.

terminal
1421 posts
5 May 2012 3:37AM
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You should actually find the smaller board easier to waterstart, and something in the 85 to 90 litre range will be floaty enough to comfortably slog around on when you get used to it.

Main thing at the start is to get used to the board away from the waves. You need to be able to gybe it consistently and if you can transfer your tacking that would also be good, but you would have to do it faster on the smaller board. Its something that your 130 is useful for while you still have it - to learn to tack well enough to transfer it to a small board.

There is space between your 4.9 and 6.1 for a wave sail. If you have a 4m mast for the 4.9, you could maybe get a matching 5.2 or 5.3m wave sail. If you dont have a 4m mast, you could maybe get a 5.3 or 5.4m wave sail to match your 430 mast.

At your weight, you might eventually end up with just a FSW of about 85 to 90 litres and a waveboard of about 70 litres, so 85 to 90 litres FSW could be a long term buy.

Cam11
WA, 13 posts
5 May 2012 5:17AM
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terminal said...
you might eventually end up with just a FSW of about 85 to 90 litres and a waveboard of about 70 litres


Thanks for all the advice, just wondering why the difference in bouyancy between the wave and fsw? Something to do with manoeuvreability/speed?

Roar
NSW, 471 posts
5 May 2012 9:18AM
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do a trip to maui in june- july or august :)

board + 2 sail is about 300 a week and you can change boards as often as you want. The waves that time of year are pretty small and unreal for learning on as the breaks are reaf breaks about 200 m off the main windsurfing beach.

with constant 20- 30 knots every afternoon you will learn more in a week there than in a whole summer in aus.

terminal
1421 posts
5 May 2012 8:43AM
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Cam11 said...

terminal said...
you might eventually end up with just a FSW of about 85 to 90 litres and a waveboard of about 70 litres


Thanks for all the advice, just wondering why the difference in bouyancy between the wave and fsw? Something to do with manoeuvreability/speed?


I would see a 90 litre FSW as your largest board eventually and as more of a bump and jump board as it would have for example too much volume in the rails for someone of your weight to be able to bury the rail deep enough into the water for it to grip properly for wave riding. You should also be able to easily uphaul it if necessary.

A waveboard of 10 litres or less above your weight in kg would be more controllable and useable in higher winds. I'm 80kg and use a 75 litre waveboard from 5m to 3.7m sails.

Gwendy
SA, 472 posts
5 May 2012 12:40PM
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Cam11 said...

Gwendy said...

A 60 kg dude on a 130 ltr funride in waves? He's not going to get it do anything. He also runs the risk of smashing gear not meant for waves then he can't sail anywhere. He'd be much better off picking up a cheap second hand 79 ltr waveboard and 4.7 sail. if he can do what he says he will have no problem.



Thanks for all the information, will be looking at some fsw boards and smaller gear....um Gwendy? Not that it really matters but the dude is actually a chic and if she couldn't do it she wouldn't say it. Have only been windsurfing a short time but have had a fairly extensive background in sailing so seem to have been able to pick it up fairly easily, think having knowledge of the wind, the ocean, sails etc. and how it all works certainly helps...also no couch potato and very determined when I want to achieve something...How does a guy get a name like Gwendy anyway??

Kale.


Oops, Very sorry about that. Should of looked at your profile first.

Great to so a chic so dedicated to the cause. often wondered why more females arn't sailboarding. I was teaching my wife a few years ago and I thought she had a lot more natural talent than I ever had. She never went on with it.

It wasn't my intention to question your progress. The point I was making was that your learning curve being what it is, a wave board within 10% of your weight will be where you end up. A 80 or 90 litre FSW would be a nice stopgap but you'll move on from that quickly. The main difference between FSW and wave is rockerline. FSW is flatter. Pigs of things in waves IMO. I did notice your in WA which is why I suggested a smaller sail. 4.7 might still be too big.

I use a 79 ltr JP wave and I weigh 75 kgs and I've always thought it to be just right.

Gwendy's just a nickname.

Cam11
WA, 13 posts
6 May 2012 8:16AM
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Gwendy said...often wondered why more females arn't sailboarding.


I wonder myself, I absolutely love windsurfing....When I initially began I'd arrive at work Monday, all excited and run my windsurfing escapades by the girls...then I began to feel embarrassed by the blank faces and silences that ensued...now I just let them think that yes it's some sort of kitesurfingy thing that I do...and we move on to makeup, hair and movie stars, they're happy...for some reason they just don't seem enthused by it or to get it??!!

Must admit that going into some shops can be a bit intimidating and more often then not I'll be treated as though I must be there to buy something for my man or have wandered in by mistake and couldn't possible know a thing, there's never any female staff, so maybe there's still the idea that the female belongs on the beach in a bikini while the guys ride the waves. Also not a lot of female orientated gear about, need more pretty boards with flowers on them maybe.

On another topic what about types of fins for wave sailing...??

Subsonic
WA, 2963 posts
6 May 2012 8:25AM
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Cam11 said...

Gwendy said...often wondered why more females arn't sailboarding.


I wonder myself, I absolutely love windsurfing....When I initially began I'd arrive at work Monday, all excited and run my windsurfing escapades by the girls...then I began to feel embarrassed by the blank faces and silences that ensued...now I just let them think that yes it's some sort of kitesurfingy thing that I do...




Don't worry, that happens to just about everyone here I think

ginger pom
VIC, 1745 posts
6 May 2012 10:41AM
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Cam11 said...
Not that it really matters but the dude is actually a chic and if she couldn't do it she wouldn't say it.


It matters a lot.

If you'd said you were a chic then we would have believed your own assessment of your abilities without question.... The absence of a Y chromosome tends to make these things much more accurate.

Cam11
WA, 13 posts
6 May 2012 9:20AM
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ginger pom said...

Cam11 said...
Not that it really matters but the dude is actually a chic and if she couldn't do it she wouldn't say it.


It matters a lot.

If you'd said you were a chic then we would have believed your own assessment of your abilities without question.... The absence of a Y chromosome tends to make these things much more accurate.


Ah...the Y chromosome! So that explains why the fish you guys catch are always bigger.

R1DER
WA, 1455 posts
6 May 2012 9:43AM
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Male Female doesn't really matter.
60kg in WA 75ish litre wave board + 4.5m wave sail.
Get used to the smaller board at your local then try somewhere with waves.
As long as you can water start the smaller board, just go to the beach and have play around.

Mark _australia
WA, 22089 posts
6 May 2012 9:56AM
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I still have concerns about a real waveboard. 65-70L is what she will end up on one day, but anything under 90L is going to be a major step down.
All you blokes recommending a waveboard, did you jump straight from a 180L beginner's board to a 80L waveboard? I doubt very many did...


There is a reason crossover stuff exists. Transitions - steps down, not giant leaps.

A FSW about 80 - 90L will still have a bit of planing flat in it - can you imagine how frustrating it will be to try and get a small waveboard planing if you've had a year on a 130L?

I say a year on a FSW, once you're used to it then sell the 130L to fund a waveboard and keep the bigger FSW.


Kale - when you say gybing and you talking holding the uphaul rope and walking around the mast, or a planing carve gybe with the rig flip (and caught on the other side)? That is gonna make a big difference

Talk to Windxtasy, she knows more about gear for your weight and progressing through a similar stage to you than any of the guys here who are way heavier and went thru that stage about 5 - 25 years ago.

Stuthepirate
SA, 3589 posts
6 May 2012 12:04PM
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I've got a 110L Naish Koncept, which i'm going to take out in the waves.
I'm 90kgs, Would a 5.3 in 15knts be a good way to start on small waves? maybe port beach or south leightons?
I tried it up in Gero at St.?? something park near bluff point and was pretty overpowered in +20knts and i only had a weedy on but caught a couple of waves and jumped a couple but where in perth would best suit?

[apologies for topic bombing]

PhilSWR
NSW, 1104 posts
6 May 2012 2:03PM
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Stuthepirate said...

I've got a 110L Naish Koncept, which i'm going to take out in the waves.
I'm 90kgs, Would a 5.3 in 15knts be a good way to start on small waves? maybe port beach or south leightons?
I tried it up in Gero at St.?? something park near bluff point and was pretty overpowered in +20knts and i only had a weedy on but caught a couple of waves and jumped a couple but where in perth would best suit?

[apologies for topic bombing]


Hey Stu,

I've been taking my 116 lt FSW into the surf with a 5.2 sail. I'm only catching spilling-type waves around chest high. Clean wind from 8-12 knots is plenty- unless you want to plan and jump waves on they way out? Light wind is fine, so long as it's steady enough and has some push to chug you out the back and get you on the waves. I'm only 76 kgs though... You may need 10-14 knots to get you out the back and on the waves.

Stronger winds are fun, but certainly not essential for wave riding.

PhilSWR
NSW, 1104 posts
6 May 2012 2:09PM
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Hey Cam11,

Wave sailing is an intire different wolrd to flatwater. My first tip- small spilling waves about waist to chest high, work on smooth drawn out turns in lightish winds around 8 to 14 knots. Step two- Once comfy with step one, repeat step one again but in stronger winds from 12-15 knots and you'll tear the waves to peices

Have fun and let us know how ya first session goes

Cam11
WA, 13 posts
6 May 2012 1:14PM
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Mark _australia said...

Transitions - steps down, not giant leaps.

A FSW about 80 - 90L will still have a bit of planing flat in it - can you imagine how frustrating it will be to try and get a small waveboard planing if you've had a year on a 130L?

I say a year on a FSW, once you're used to it then sell the 130L to fund a waveboard and keep the bigger FSW.



Is all good Mark_aus_san, we are on the same page .

As for Stuthepirate....how rude!! Apology accepted!

R1DER
WA, 1455 posts
6 May 2012 2:00PM
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Mark _australia said...

I still have concerns about a real waveboard. 65-70L is what she will end up on one day, but anything under 90L is going to be a major step down.
All you blokes recommending a waveboard, did you jump straight from a 180L beginner's board to a 80L waveboard? I doubt very many did...


There is a reason crossover stuff exists. Transitions - steps down, not giant leaps.

A FSW about 80 - 90L will still have a bit of planing flat in it - can you imagine how frustrating it will be to try and get a small waveboard planing if you've had a year on a 130L?

I say a year on a FSW, once you're used to it then sell the 130L to fund a waveboard and keep the bigger FSW.


Kale - when you say gybing and you talking holding the uphaul rope and walking around the mast, or a planing carve gybe with the rig flip (and caught on the other side)? That is gonna make a big difference

Talk to Windxtasy, she knows more about gear for your weight and progressing through a similar stage to you than any of the guys here who are way heavier and went thru that stage about 5 - 25 years ago.


She sounds quite competent, with what she can already do and sounds like she's up for a challenge 130 down to 75 is a steeper learning but I think it is doable, hence learning to use a smaller board in her local conditions, save having to buy a 90 litre plus it would be easier to turn than the higher volume and stiffer rocker of a freewave.

jsnfok
WA, 899 posts
6 May 2012 11:44PM
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get used to a smaller board first

sboardcrazy
NSW, 7917 posts
7 May 2012 8:52AM
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Cam11 said...

Gwendy said...often wondered why more females arn't sailboarding.


I wonder myself, I absolutely love windsurfing....When I initially began I'd arrive at work Monday, all excited and run my windsurfing escapades by the girls...then I began to feel embarrassed by the blank faces and silences that ensued...now I just let them think that yes it's some sort of kitesurfingy thing that I do...and we move on to makeup, hair and movie stars, they're happy...for some reason they just don't seem enthused by it or to get it??!!

Must admit that going into some shops can be a bit intimidating and more often then not I'll be treated as though I must be there to buy something for my man or have wandered in by mistake and couldn't possible know a thing, there's never any female staff, so maybe there's still the idea that the female belongs on the beach in a bikini while the guys ride the waves. Also not a lot of female orientated gear about, need more pretty boards with flowers on them maybe.

On another topic what about types of fins for wave sailing...??



Yep I'm the only one up here. It would be nice to be able to commiserate with someone who understands on those days when it blows 30kts and the 100kg guys are frothing at the mouth while I'm just trying to stay on the water!

ruth
WA, 45 posts
7 May 2012 9:09PM
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Hi Kale,
as a fellow female windsurfing hopefully I can give some useful advice. I am 58 kg, so similar weight too. The sooner you can work down onto a smaller board the better, the more fun you will have. Smaller boards are much easier to water start and to control in strong wind. Would recommend you just buy cheap second hand boards and work your way down in size as you get comfortable with each (you can probably step down 20-25 litres without any problem at this stage). My biggest board now is 86 litre (FSW). My favourite board for stronger wind is 68 litre (wide wave board). It is hard to find FSW below ~ 85 litre. FSW are easier to get planning and are generally fine to surf on especially at the beginning. I am just getting into wave sailing myself but have sailed wave boards for years because only wave boards are small enough for small people in strong wind. My smallest sail is 3.6m, which I use in winter squalls, like today! 4.0m should be fine for most strong wind conditions. Where do you sail? There are a few keen women sailors down in Safety Bay if you want company.

Mark _australia
WA, 22089 posts
7 May 2012 9:14PM
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sboardcrazy said...
Yep I'm the only one up here. It would be nice to be able to commiserate with someone who understands on those days when it blows 30kts and the 100kg guys are frothing at the mouth while I'm just trying to stay on the water!



Do you offer commiserations when all the 100kg guys wanna go wavesailing and are skunked - whilst you plane around easliy in 12-14kn? lol

Obelix
WA, 1086 posts
8 May 2012 6:58AM
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Congratulations. Thats' a great progress in 12 months. I'm so envious

PhilSWR said...


...work on smooth drawn out turns in lightish winds around 8 to 14 knots. Step two- Once comfy with step one, repeat step one again but in stronger winds from 12-15 knots and you'll tear the waves to peices...


When Ocean Reef shows 12-15 knts is hardly visible on the surface.
What sort of sail would a 100kg guy need to sail a wave board in 12-15 knts?

sboardcrazy
NSW, 7917 posts
8 May 2012 9:14AM
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ginger pom said...

Cam11 said...
Not that it really matters but the dude is actually a chic and if she couldn't do it she wouldn't say it.


It matters a lot.

If you'd said you were a chic then we would have believed your own assessment of your abilities without question.... The absence of a Y chromosome tends to make these things much more accurate.


If anything I think women tend to underestimate their abilities..or at least the women of my era..

sboardcrazy
NSW, 7917 posts
8 May 2012 9:19AM
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Mark _australia said...

sboardcrazy said...
Yep I'm the only one up here. It would be nice to be able to commiserate with someone who understands on those days when it blows 30kts and the 100kg guys are frothing at the mouth while I'm just trying to stay on the water!



Do you offer commiserations when all the 100kg guys wanna go wavesailing and are skunked - whilst you plane around easliy in 12-14kn? lol


Nah.. I used to love it when they saw me out ,got all enthused & came out & slogged....that was in the good old days.. These days on flatwater the b..'s blast past me on their 8.5m+ sails and slalom or formula gear [}:)] so I can't win!



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"Starting out wavesailing" started by Cam11