Hey guys,
I'm really keen to learn to windsurf. I've got a good mate who kites and tells me if need specific boards and sails erc.
I live in Mandurah and would be keen to get out and learn with somebody who enjoys giving tips and teaching. However, I need to buy all my gear.
I'm 125kgs and 177cms tall.
Any help and advise would be really cool.

jbgough said..
Hey guys,
I'm really keen to learn to windsurf. I've got a good mate who kites and tells me if need specific boards and sails erc.
I live in Mandurah and would be keen to get out and learn with somebody who enjoys giving tips and teaching. However, I need to buy all my gear.
I'm 125kgs and 177cms tall.
Any help and advise would be really cool.

Hi Jbgough

I am also a beginner in Queensland - I have been going for a year now and am totally addicted - as an absolute beginner I started on a Mistral Pacifico a Sup sail board 220L. Awesome, I really like to sup as well and figured if I didn't get windsurfing together then I have a sup board I can paddle. It is still my go to board to have fun.

There are a few who would like to get me off it but it is fun so I am sticking with it for the moment - in fact a local shop has leant me a board to try which should have the same characteristics as the Pacifico - it is a massive board something like 165L similar to a long board its called a starboard long tail. I will hopefully have some pics and a begginers report on that board over the next couple of days on my blog.

My oldest son is around your weight and he also likes to go to the Pacifico for its stability. There are some really nice Starboard sups that can get some pace up - depending on your budget.

The sport not only is a lot of fun but very good for fitness - which we bigger guys need. Better to the gym because you just want to keep going back and back and back into the water.

If you are interested you can have a look at my blog 'windsurfing leaning curve' in the Queensland posts - I have put most of my journey down. There might be some stuff in there that may help you with your journey. I just told it like it was.

Have fun and enjoy this great sport. Also the windsurfing community seem to be very friendly and happy to help so go to your local areas and have a chat to some of the guys there.

Cheers
Morgan

Don't rush out and blow your $1000

Some research....especially as a larger sized sailor
Read Morgan's blog as mentioned above - it contains some very hard won information

Plus ....Average joe windsurf blog

joewindsurfer.blogspot.com/p/how-you-can-start-windsurfing.html?m=1

Plus his article on heavyweight sailors
joewindsurfer.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/heavyweights-and-windsurfing.html?m=1

With your budget you are looking at secondhand gear. Be very careful and get some advice. Post what you are looking at here first if you don't have access to an experienced windsurfer

Not sure what you have access to but you will find some lessons on hire gear an invaluable start that will save you much money in the long and short haul

Cheers Jeff
Only 3 seasons in myself plus a larger lad

oops I ment 265L It is a starboard Rio Longtail - just heading out now to have a go

As more experienced guys. What do you think of that?

I am too far away from Perth to be of any assistant. However, I just want to comment on the willingness of experienced windsurfers being prepared to help out beginners.

I recall I was in a similar situation years ago when I wanted to learn how to windsurf. Being a compulsive character, and I did have a few extra dollars floating around in my pocket, I walked into a shop and asked to buy a windsurfer.

"So what kind of board would you like?" Asked the owner.

I pointed to the smallest one with techno colours plastered all over it. Why the smallest? Because I thought a small board is easier to learn on !!

The owner was a very nice person and a good windsurfer too. He asked me if I had ever sailed one. The answer was "NO". A little shocked, he advised me to take a few lessons first to suss out what I need. "Besides", he added very diplomatically, that "smaller boards are for 'advanced' sailors."

My answer was: "I want one now."

Would anyone believe me? He refused to sell. Yes, he refused.

Anyway, he worked out a way to make a transaction as well as satisfied his own conscience. Yes, "conscience". The deal was that he will sell me a bland new board that resembled more of a floating dance floor. It was ugly...not the cool object of desire I can instantly attracted to. No techno colours. No gently curved rails, but a sea of whiteness, like a floating bathtub! Above all, it weighed a lot.

Anyway, he took me out "only" on days when it was calm, and I did a few lessons. He actually refused to be paid for the lessons as well ! To satisfy my own conscience, I took him out to a fast-food joint for lunch.

Well, to this day, I still am grateful to that perfect gentleman of a windsurfer. Like I said, you do find such good characters in the windsurfing scene. I always take my business to him since then.

My advice is to get lessons through a windsurfing shop. If you don't you'll more then likely get frustrated and simply give up