Originally posted by xx404
Thanks for the tips everyone, you've given me some great Google keywords! Do any of the local shops rent DVDs (I don't have a VCR)?
As to what I'm having trouble with, it's turning the board without falling off 
When gybing I get to the point where the board is heading down wind but I can't seem to swing it around so that it's on the other tack. I'm not really sure about where to put my feet etc...totally clueless.
With tacking I know what I'm supposed to do but just can't seem to pull it off.
If you are going fast enough you can just carve the board through the turn. It sounds like you are slowing down too much. If you are gybing slowly you use the rig to turn the board by tipping the rig to the outside of the turn and sort of bend your bod to the inside a bit to counterbalance. In the slick version you switch your feet first sailing into the gybe switch footed. It should feel somewhat tippy and precarious but you will come about reliably. You can come about faster by moving your weight to the back to make more of a pivot out of it. Once you are steady on your new tack (clew first and quite broad), you can flip the rig and this alone will tend to push the board further around closer to the wind.
Tacks are pesky manouvres that take a lot of application - like most windsurfing manouvres. If you know what to do just do it lots of times and you'll get it eventually. That said here are a few tips (from a non expert mind you). Assuming you are on a freeridy board not a formula -
1) Carve up quickly into the wind. You should tip your sail back a bit but not much. The carve is achieved with the board not so much by rig steering. (unless you are going too slowly, then a helitack would be preferable - something else to learn)
2) As you approach head to wind you move forward on the board and importantly, move your weight over the board with a view to achieving a balanced position in front of the mast. You don't actually do that but your body movement should be aimed at that so you get a smooth transition.
3) You do that thing with you feet ie front foot wrapped around the mast foot the back foot stepping up. Its best to make a couple of small steps rather than one big one.
4) Trying to keep your weight centered, look at the mast or the back of the board and wobble the mast out of the way as you step round keeping your feet on the centreline. Be quick and smooth. Big jumps don't work. After stepping around you should still have one foot in front of the mast and the other next to the front footstraps.
5) Note - Holding the mast is easier than going boom to boom.
6) At this point most good sailors most of the time back wind the sail momentarily and immediately pull it forwards while they still have some forward momentum. Then push the nose off the wind as you pull the sail over to load it up and hang off the boom.
7) You can practice this on dry land - grass or sand. Take the fin off your board, rig your sail and repeat the step around the front bit for 5 min before going on the water.
As for DVDs I've heard that Dasher's 12 step jibing tute is excellent.
Alan Cadiz' Jibing on Maui is excellent too - not as detailed but lots of variety and demos. Don't know if its available on DVD. I personally find Peter Harts vids a bit too verbal but most people like 'em. Dont know about rentals.
Variety 0
Just look for the DVD with the fat arse on the front
