Hey LegitK,

Windsurfing is a great sport! There are a lot of different styles (freestyle, freeride, slalom, waves) and you never stop learning. There's always a challenge.

It is not that easy to learn by yourself though. Ideally, a course would help to get you started or at least a friend to get some pointers from. Talking to the staff of your local windsurfing shop would be a good idea too (in Sydney Windsurf 'n Snow at Collaroy). There are beginner videos to watch that may help.

The first thing I would do is talk to some windsurfers at your local spot for some advice.

The best learner's spot on the NSW South Coast in my opinion is Sanctuary Point (south of Nowra). There are always a lot of windsurfers there, plenty of beginners, shallow water, consistent wind and lots of friendly approachable people to get advice from.

The kit you need depends on your weight, how fit you are, what sort of sports you've done before and what style of windsurfing you are attracted to.

Regardless, at first you will need a wide floaty board with a lot of volume and a small sail but you may not need this for very long. Maybe just 5 or 6 sessions. You could start with a 180 litre board and move down to 150 for example.

You are welcome to PM me if you want to have a chat. I live close to Sanctuary Point - where abouts do you live? You can see wave sailing at Gerroa and there are often speed sailors at Lake Illawarra (also not a bad place to learn).

Thanks heaps for that reply mate it was a good read!!
I live in cronulla so ideally kyeemagh, kurnell, wanda and lake illawarra are my closest windsurfing areas.

I'll ambush one of my mates and get them to show me the ropes!

Ch?ers again for the great reply you answered all of my questions

When I got back into the sport last year, after 15 years, I bought a cheap, full kit off gumtree and it was a total waste of money... the only thing I still have is the 460 mast, which I'm reluctant to use in case it breaks. I ended up buying everything separately... and it all adds up pretty quickly.

Like powersloshin, I bought a 93ltr board and found it pretty hard to uphaul... it was awesome in 30kts, but who learns in 30kts (me!). I sold that board after several sessions and moved up to a 115ltr board which is perfect. I weigh 87kg. The problem with buying a learner's board is that you will out-grow it in a matter of weeks. I would suggest going with something about 30-50ltrs more than you weigh and just persisting with the extra difficulty level for a while and then you'll have a good light-wind board for when you're better. I now regret selling the 93ltr board btw :(

Windsurfing is such an awesome sport, but what makes it better than other sports (for me) is the community... I haven't met a total wanker yet. Everyone's so helpful and friendly.

Nigel

There is a group of uni students that usually come to Kyeemagh in warm months, most of them are learning, they have a trailer with a lot of suitable gear. Start asking them, you might be able to join their club. It is best if you can try a few times before deciding to buy, don't do like I did when I wanted to learn. I got a full kit from ebay, then when I went to uphaul it sank !

I am part of of that group, it is in www.facebook.com/groups/Windsurfingandsailingunsw/

I'm also selling a Powerex 460/21 30% carbon fibre constant flex mast for $150 neg and 48cm mast base $50 (not neg). As well as a North Viper 400/21 100% Carbon mast which is about 2 years old and in perfect condition (will take $220... bargain)... super light mast. Have a 48cm extension to suit for $50 (non neg on the extension). PM me for details... I'm in Maroubra, Sydney, but will ship at buyer's expense.

Sorry about the advertising... just trying to help out. Remember, I'm offering 2 good mid-2000 sails (5.0 and 5.9), so thought I'd plug my items for sale at the same time. Sorry if I've over-stepped the rules, Mod. My ads are on Seabreeze (except the 2 sails) for anyone that's interested .

Peace,
Nigel

2035 said..
I'm also selling a Powerex 460/21 30% carbon fibre constant flex mast for $150 neg and 48cm mast base $50 (not neg). As well as a North Viper 400/21 100% Carbon mast which is about 2 years old and in perfect condition (will take $220... bargain)... super light mast. Have a 48cm extension to suit for $50 (non neg on the extension). PM me for details... I'm in Maroubra, Sydney, but will ship at buyer's expense.

Sorry about the advertising... just trying to help out. Remember, I'm offering 2 good mid-2000 sails (5.0 and 5.9), so thought I'd plug my items for sale at the same time. Sorry if I've over-stepped the rules, Mod. My ads are on Seabreeze (except the 2 sails) for anyone that's interested .

Peace,
Nigel

Yeh, I get the red thumbs, but come on.... I've just offered two free decent sails to a guy I don't know from a bar of soap (I do shower in between days I've not bathed in the ocean:P). All that said, red thumbs are BS... whomever red thumbed me - did you offer this guy something for free? No, didn't think so! I wasnt trying to plug my gear for sale, but just letting this chap know that I've got a couple of masts and an extension for sale. Some thing wrong with that? I continually speak highly about the great community we have and that I prefer the peeps much more than the surfing community I've been involved in for decades. If you red thumbed me, own up and tell us why. It's esy to hit a button on the internet and remain anonymous, so here's your chance to say why you thought I shouldn't have mentioned, to a guy actively seeking cheap gear, that I've got stuff he might be interested in. Save ya clicks for something worthwhile in future.

price of sail has just gone up from $0 by 200% ;)

Reviving this thread, few people offering cheap gear - does anyone out there have a cheap 430SDM mast they want to offload at the cheaper end of the spectrum?
I just need a couple of bits to get me going as a mate has lent me a Starboard Go.
Cheers
Luke