42 posts
Hi
Wanting to learn how to windsurf, but unsure of what i need to look for?
6,1 100kgs usual wind 13-18kts
*Bunbury Area*
Who should i talk to?
Leigh
WA
23687 posts
OK. Welcome to the best sport in the world, which will be an all consuming passion and make you sell ur boat!! Are you ready?
Basically you will be looking at a wide beginner's board of about 160L volume, and a 4.5m2 and 5.5m2 sails (roughly). Board less than 5 yrs old, and the sail / mast / boom (rig) less than about 7 yrs.
Examples of boards are Starboard GO or Start. Sails should be wave sails or dedicated beginner sails: they are "softer" and more durable. Do not buy a "Formula" board or race / slalom sails, or any sails with "cams".
Best to get a lesson package from a reputable place which will be a huge leg-up and also let you know (1) whether you really want to fork out a few hundred dollars and (2) what gear you want... you may learn really fast and then be able to buy more intermediate level gear.
For lessons try Second Wind in Attadale or Simon at Go Windsurfing in Safety Bay (?)
If you are really dedicated you can teach yourself on the aforementioned gear as long as you get a good book (many libraries still have the old 1970's - 1980's books and the basics are still relevant) and watch a good video like the instructionals by Guy Cribb, Dasher or Peter Hart.
WA
12885 posts
A few Bunbury guys frequent this forum, they'd be good to talk to.
Basically there 2 ways to learn, the slow easy way and the quick hard way.
Slow easy is big board small sail, learn to uphaul first in light winds, then progressively work up in wind strength and sail size, till you're planning and in the straps.
Fast hard way is with gear that could end up as your light wind equipment, board about 20 - 30 litres more than your body weight in kg, you start off by learning to water start and beach start, sail size just big enough to lift you on the board.
The slow easy way, gets you sailing from step 1 if the right conditions are chosen, so you can enjoy every step of the process, if you don't push the learning curve to hard.
The fast hard way, gets you slammed around, with little enjoyment till it all suddenly come together.
You can teach yourself the easy way from a book, or online instructions, but I'd recommend looking for a competent instructor for the hard method, there's just a few things that are counter intuitive that you can do wrong, (even as a yachty)
So choose which way you want to go depending on your temperament, and keenness to get planning.
That will affect what's the best gear to start with.
The learning process is normally hard on gear, so it's not a bad idea to get some cheap s/h stuff to learn on.
I've got an old board that's taking up room if you want it. probably a tad small for you to learn to uphaul on but should be ok to learn to water start, beach start
EDIT, just read Mark's post, (he just beat me) the 160litre beginners board would be the easiest way to go, but probably more expensive, depending on resale value once you outgrow it. Sail advice is right on.
WA
1109 posts
if you anything like me, you will hate the sport for the first 5 or 10 days out, and than once you get planing for the first time, you will never look back, and than you will sell everything you own to buy new gear. but yeah, definatly, you will need a big board, 130 to 160 ltrs, and sails, i learnt on a old triangle shape sail just so you have to be spot on with your technique for going up wind, and get a solid understanding for racking it forward and back, and what they do. but because you do sail in boats, i reckon it wouldn't hurt to go for a nice modern sail (2002 or newer), and for the gear that you will need, don't cheep out and go for the cheapest fiberglass thing you can find, you will need a boom for ever, and a mast so go for a nice boom, and a good 30 or 40% carbon 2 piece 400 mast. so you can use it for every stage, as far as extensions go, they are much the same so just go for what ever you can find.
i have alot to say about sails, but just as mark said, stay well clear of cam'd sails. they are a pain in the arse for rigging and for power, my first 4mtr sail had 1 cam and it took me for ever rigging it up, if you can find a nice(ish) wave sail like i did for 75buks and around 4.7 it will good for learning because it will be lite and easy to uphaul, and good for stronger days when your more advanced and with good technique you will get planing in liter days, (not a fast plane just a steady plane where you can experiment with using rails and such.)
boards, you cant go past a starboard GO if you can find one, i love mine and it will be hard finding a second hand one, because people love theses boards. but if you cant, try to find a tough plastic board, or just a foam covered board, which is 60cm wide or there abouts. and if you can find one with a dagger board, it cant hurt, i haven't used a dagger board much, besides on my uncles board but they do help alot when learning. and fins, get one with alot of surface area so you dont drift like hell when up hauling (wich i cant do any more due to water starts wich is the best thing to learn)
PM me because i may be able to help you out with getting a sail, its a four meter and one cam but its free, so who can complain.
WA
2236 posts
Check out the buy and sell section. There is stuff for sale in Bunno. you could get some components that you will need such as boom, mast and small sail.
I live and sail in Bunno here. A good spot to start is the lechenault Inlet. It a perfect place to start as you will be sailing in waist deep water (great to learn to beach/water start). All the crew that sail there are friendly and will happliy give you some tips if you are willing to listen.
cheers Bender
WA
12885 posts
Do I get the impression yachty's said the wrong thing?????
QLD
5612 posts
as a fellow yachtsguy, i can tell you windsurfing is very addictive ! There is no going back. Also you dont need to find crew.Sail whenever YOU want.you'll know what I'm on about the first time you plane.
42 posts
There's a 2005 F2 Board 130 L has "ride 284" writen on it. It's for sale in the "buy &sell" section for $270. Would this be a sutible board? Will try and teach my self?
42 posts
After a look around the net it seems the boards not 2005 but around 2000, 2001. Would it still be good for the price?
TAS
2213 posts
Yep, I had one of those boards, definately around 2000. Is it yellow and white with hibiscus flowers? I found it a good board, my first modern short board, and learnt the waterstart and gybing on it. (mind you, I'm 73Kg, so it would have been bigger for me than it will for you). I sold mine about 2002 for I think 750 bucks, so if it's in good nick then that's a good price.
WA
23687 posts
It is a good board and good price. BUT if you are teaching yourself you will have to be very dedicated to learn on the board.
If you can do 3 lessons, or even about 20hrs teaching yourself on a wide 160 - 180L board you will fing learning on the F2 much much easier.
I strongly recommend a lesson or two before stepping on the F2.
Don't let me put you off though: it can be done. People have learned on smaller and more difficult boards, I'm just making sure you ask yourself "if I can't even get going after 2 weeks of trying every day will I stick with it?"
WA
12885 posts
Yep, if you're young and fit, the boards big enough to learn the fast hard way.
BUT, it's bloody hard with out somebody there to tell you what you're doing wrong!
The most likely outcome, as Mark suggests, is that after a few weeks of frustration you'll give up!
I can have a go at giving you some direction, exercises and instructions, to teach you sail and board control. I'm sure lots of other people will join in with advice as well.
WA
4170 posts
And if you spend a bit more money buying something exactly suiting your needs - you also buy a bit more commitment, the bit you might need to get over the learner's hump.
A friend of mine, who'd never sailed anything beforehand, made good progress teaching himself on an old formula board with 6.0 raf sail, got planing after 4 or 5 sessions.
You can see we're all keen to see you get over sit-down boats, my last boat was a Javelin. Didn't see the light until I was about 35 - you're way ahead of the game.
WA
243 posts
Yachty Boy if you are a member of the local sailing club, then just ask around for George Tate. He does a bit of sailing and used to compete on the masters tour in slalom?? Most guys who windsurf down this way have been taught by George. He has a couple of big widestyle learner boards to teach on and your sure to be planing by summer. If ya cant find him just PM me and I will get ya his contact. Personally I wouldnt bother buying gear yet until ya know what ya want. Heaps of crew sail the inlet, and a few of us are weekend/midweek nomads chasing waves.
Roost...
WA
12885 posts
Yachty, listen to Rooster, he's making a lot of sense!!!!!
. I'm looking at it as a winter training tool and a fun way to stay fit.
