Hi all am new to windsurfing and taking some lessons to try and get going as quick as possible! Can anyone recommend a type/size of board to get. I'm about 74kgs and unfortunatly don't have a whole lot of money to spend so need something secondhand that won't cost the earth. Have surfed a bit and would like to eventually do some wave stuff, any ideas greatly appreciated thanks

I'm in Perth W.A

How old are you, what's you're fitness like?????
What method are you being taught?

I ask, because if you're young fit and keen, you can learn the "fast hard way" ie without uphauling.
If you're learning the fast way you don't need such a big board as you do if you're uphauling.

If you're going to get into wave riding, you can learn the fast way, on a board that will work well as you're low wind (sub planning 12kn - 15kn) board. So a larger wave board somewhere between 90 & 100 litres would do.

If you're learning by uphauling, then you need something about 120- 150 litres, a bit too big for a wave board, but could be used for low winds with a big sail. But if you're on a budget, get and old cheapy or give away, I've got something that could do the job, if that's the way you're going.

kimbo, i know that you have posted this topic for us to answer. but just letting you know, because you have surfed and do wanna get into waves, go into windshack in north freo (windshack.com) and talk to alberto, he wont lie to you, and will definatly point you in the rite direction. he has helped me out heeps. at the moment he hasnt got much a bigginers type board, second hand,. but he has a whole lot of knowlege, and will tell you exactly what you need to know and some more about how the sport in changing and what you need to look out for, etc etc..
any way for my point on this topic.

if you wanna get into waves eventually, i would try get a board with a nice rocker line. just so you have the opportunity to take it into small waves or big chop. this way you will get a little bit of a feel before you need to go buy a wave kit. for an example of a board like this, i would recommend a starboard carve, 130 to 160 liters, but only if you have good balance, the carves have a nice volume and a little bit of width to them but still you will need good balence for this board.. another board wich is good for beggining on (but not to bring into ocean) is the starboard go, i have both of these boards i mentioned, and i love them for going into the open river, where you get really good speed, this board isnt just for learners, its for light winds, and just speeding around, getting your gybes, tacks, down. another thing is to get a board with a tough skin to it, dont go for hard fiber glass carbon type things because you will end up spending more on repairs than you did on the board, with all the slams your gonna have, especially when you get to your harness

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Originally posted by kimbo12

!Do you have an old board that might be suitable for sale decrepit?

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Well if you insist on giving me money for it, it's for sale, otherwise it's free.

In ideal conditions, with a good instructor (maybe me) you could do it the quick hard way.
Winter isn't a good time for ideal conditions, w3ind is either too light for waterstarting or too strong and blustery. But spring is on it's way, 15 - 18kn seabreezes are what you need.

For the slow way, you can start with 5 - 10kn That's possible this time of year.

If you want to try my old board, or just take it, PM me