Hi guys

I'm new and trying hard! Been out a few times at Narrabeen in Sydney and am looking at trying to get bloody good really quickly!....

I went to Eastcoast at Long Reef and was really impressed with their shop...but i want to get beter before i buy big!

Where can i go for lessons and is it worth it?

thanks..
John....hokin in!

If this was kiting, I would without a doubt say you definately need lessons because of kiting's safety issues etc. However, with Windsurfing I could only assume that having lessons would allow you to progress a lot faster, a lot more soon.

It saves all the 'fiddling' around time trying to sort things out for yourself, as you slowly drift downwind, and being able to choose the right gear for the right situations. You only gain this knowledge with experience, and having lessons, give you this headstart.

Lozza couldn't be more right
"More fun, less frustration!"

I've been trying to get bloody good real quick for 15 yrs.
The fantastic thing about windsurfing is you'll NEVER get there.

Lessons will help you with uphauling and going backwards and forwards. Monstrous achievements in themselves. You will save money in the long run by not having to buy beginners kit of which you will tire VERY quickly. Your tutor should hopefully keep you away from forming bad habits and give you good sound advice on what kit to buy.

If you assume bloody good as being able to plane/use harness lines/water-start/guffed gybes and be able to avoid long swims then you are really looking at 2 years hard slog. Only YOU can do this. No amount of lessons can eliminate time on water.

So get those lessons booked NOW!! No time to waste.........

Coolrider, do the lessons, can save you a whole lot of time wasted belting yourself trying to work it out, and using the wrong rig.
Some time ago, somebody advised in this forum, to look at the following web site when learning.
www.guycribb.com
Look under the tab, TECHNIQUE.
I did and still do when I am trying to work out an issue with any technique I am struggling with.
Still only a learner myself, and this site is one of the better ones on the web.
Big tip, get your water starts down pat ASAP. Don’t stuff around with up hauling all the time. Saves lots of time and energy.
Best thing is, when you have your gear, the wind is all free!

If you are serious about improving quickly then call Mark (Hedgie)Peterson on 0412 808 187. He is based at "The Entrance" in NSW.
Cheers.

Howdy

How old is that "dude" that he needs an IRB to put around in?????? Doesn't sound like the sort of lesson i am after....

Does anyone now an instructor that actually sails...right beside me! So i can watch and learn...

Thanks

John
Hangin out to get gybin!

Hi

Ok..ok...but i really want lessons in Sydney, not Central Coast, Queensland or Far north Queensland.....if i wanted to go somewhere it would be warm and tropical....like the South Pacific...not just up the coast!

No discredit to ex-champs...I'm sure he was like me one day....before the putt putt came along....

any ideas...?

John

Hi

Went out at Narrabeen yesterday...had a ball! Great winds...

Think i may have seen an Instructor down there teaching....drove a Blue Falcon...he was teaching on a Slalom board, demonstrating to the other sailor.....a lady with her partner on the beach....

Who was he? Did anyone else see him or know him?

Seemed a pretty cool sailor...didn't even get his hair wet after 1 hour in 25 knots!

That's the lesson i am after....someone with me on a board demonstrating to me......

thanks

John

Hey coolrider, if you were out at Narrabeen yesterday you couldnt have had much fun. The wind we had on Saturday is the worst direction for the cesspool. Straight off the top of Collaroy Plateau and gusty as buggery. miserable, onshore and basically crap.
Maybe I should qualify what I said about Hedgies IRB. He actaully uses it to get out to spots and conditions that are spot on for learning. He does sail with you (or kite) and would have to be one of the most patient and insightful instructors going around. Maybe some of the others that post on Seabreeze could give you a lesson or two on humility
I also stated like Des that the boys at Wind Surf and Snow at Long Reef can help you out. And if you dont fall in and get wet now and then, then you are not learning. Just being stagnant.
Hope this makes it clearer.

Hi John

If your only on the Northern Beaches, I wouldn't dismiss the Central Coast for a lesson or to get some good practice in. Tuggerah Lake is only 45min from the start of the F3.

The reason for the boat "the IRB is no more - upgraded" is during your lesson you have the whole lake to learn on. Approx 5 to 6km down wind and you get an easy ride back afterwards.

Not to mention the instructor watching what your doing and giving you feed back so you improve quickly.

Any way if you want some help with finding some good spots on the Central Coast or your after a lesson on the Central Coast give the shop a call 02 4333 4211 Kite Force - The Entrance.

I got really good instructor.
He is based in Narrabeen, and really friendly and professional.
call him: 0419 128 124

Hi John,
I can only recommend to go to surf'n'snow, they gave us good advice on finding instructors.
Cheers
Ole

quote:

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Originally posted by coolrider

Thanks for the tips.....

Spoke to a few guys down there yesterday.....didn't go out..too gusty!

Apparently it was Warren Francis down there last weekend...does anyone else know of him??? Good teacher? Keen to get some lessons as he did look cool.

thanks
John

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Hey formulaNova,

that was my fault. John is coming to Fiji with us.

In an email I said that anyone teaching windsurfing driving a crappy falcon P/van is probably Warren. and to have fun and stir up his ego a bit, to get a reply.

It worked but not on Warren yet.

So Coolrider should come face to face with the CFD(crappy Falcon Driver) in August, when I take my group over.

Best winds
Tony L

Hi Tony,

yeah, it sounded a bit sus a 'beginner' saying that "he didn't even get his hair wet after 1 hour in 25 knots"...

Crappy Falcon Driver? Don't you have a falcon ute, although I'm sure it's nowhere near the 'pristine' condition of a Francis Panelvan!

To change the topic completely, do you run sessions down at Sandy Point often? Is it always windy down there or seasonal?

quote:

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Originally posted by RAL INN

Hey formulaNova,

that was my fault. John is coming to Fiji with us.

In an email I said that anyone teaching windsurfing driving a crappy falcon P/van is probably Warren. and to have fun and stir up his ego a bit, to get a reply.

It worked but not on Warren yet.

So Coolrider should come face to face with the CFD(crappy Falcon Driver) in August, when I take my group over.

Best winds
Tony L

---

Okay Tony,

you drive it up to Sydney, throw in a tank of fuel and I'll take it off your hands. No worries, I was going to ask you for $100 as well, but that's okay :)

Do your boards go over the cab as well? I was thinking a cab-chassis ute with the right mods would be a pretty good windsurfing vehicle as long as you can fit a full length formula board on top. It'd be nice to have a bit more security for the boards though. Certainly better and less likely to rust than a panelvan.

Cheers.

Hi John

Hope your lesson went well and you have achieved what you wanted to! Practice is important after every lesson and regular lessons certainly in the early stages can save months of struggling!

Lachlan is in Sydney tecahing and you will find him very useful.

I was down at Narrabeen teaching that day...sorry i missed you! I was driving a blue Falcon station wagon...a little incognito...as Lachlan ended my 10 year sponsorship woth Ford Panel Vans by selling my last one while i was over here in Fiji last year...bummer!

While i was back in sydney i was using my trailer for the boards... or inside for the fun short boards! Your board will one day fit inside your car too...especially if you progress quickly! I think the funniest i have seen, is my good friend and student Menno in a Daihatsu Charade with all his gear inside...!

I am now back in Fiji, operating our Fiji operation and our trips commenced last week. We have had two groups through now, since i returned on April 9th to Fiji. The first was a group of 13 from England and now we have 12 clients from Aussie, England and Europe..all staying one or two weeks for Windsurfing and kiting.

Check out www.safarilodge.com.fj if you want more information or email me directly on [email protected]

REF: Tony...thanks for the rusty trusty panel van references...i do miss the ole wagon! My policy of not spending more than $1000 on any vehicle served me well....all i needed was a tow bar, a good engine and plenty of humour at every years inspection!

REF: Dale...i am sure Coolrider (John) will improve if he has a good attitude at wanting to learn....You may recall the three years of lessons you did with me and the season passes at Winda Woppa and how quickly you progressed through your learning....interesting times ahead for John!

PS...its another 20 knots today...in warm balmy Fiji.....beautiful conditions....