There's plenty of ocean and beaches up North of the River mate but Pinnaroo is probably the easiest to get access to. If you are a beginner it might be worth your while heading down to the river until you can gybe competently enough & waterstart etc. They have lessons down there as well in case you wanted to get some tips. :)

The last couple times I drove to Pinnaroo there were kiters there but no windsurfer? Do the windsurfers go to the same spot or downwind of the kites?

DDAnilo - I think it will be much easier to learn in the river. As there will be more sandbanks and shallow areas where you can stand, plus there will be no swells and smaller waves. (also the water is not so clear that you can see the grey suits :)

The 2 spots are: Melville (corner Cunningham St and Melville Beach Rd) and Pelican Point (Hackett Drive, Nedlands - JH Abrham reserve).

Yep, Grumpy Smurf is correct about where on the river to go. The light stays around reasonably late in summer so you could finish work and get to the river reasonably quickly if you wanted to DD.

What if you bought a van with dark windows and locked all your gear in it while you worked? ;)

I wouldn't bother heading to the river after work if you are finishing work and living up north. Pinneroo is fine. Plenty of people around to help out if you get stuck. Its not that bad, and it won't take long to build your confidence to sail there. The light days don't have much chop and you will enjoy the steadier winds and less travel time, and sets you up better for costal sailing in the future if that's what you want to do. Pinneroo is the most beginner friendly spot in all the northern suburbs, due to the conditions, plus friendly sailors already there to help out if you want

But most importantly, what ever you choose, sail soon, as there are only around 2 months left this season of reliable trades. After that its unpredictable frontal until late sep/oct. So get in the water now.