Gday Guys, yep another newby wanting to get some info, tried to scroll through similiar threads but gets abit confusing. Just want some info on board size/type/sail size type etc etc. Im bout 85kgs , been surfing for fair few years and am fairly fit . Seen lots of guys windsurfing around the place and looks like an awesome way to spend a windy arvo. Also would like to buy a 2nd hand setup that would be good to learn on . I live in wa in the mandurah area , so pm me if your around this area and have a rig youd like to sell. All info greatly appreciated. Cheers.
Oh also im 6ft , dont know if that matters with size of the sail or board , total newby haha
Basically you have 2 options, the slow easy method or the hard fast method.
The first way is the more traditional, you start on a big board with smallish sail in light winds, uphauling. and work your way up to stronger winds, footstraps and harness. Using this method you can be sailing on your first outing albeit slowly.
The 2nd method bypasses uphauling, so can be on a smaller board. You start off learning sail control, beach starts and water starts. This method involves a lot of falling in off and providing a source of amusement for any watchers, so takes a certain temperament and desire to succeed.
If you want to get into waves, your 2nd method learning board can be your low wind wave board when you're ready.
I'd be looking for a large wave/freeride board around 110 litres and something like a 5.0 wave sail.
If you want to get into slalom or light wind sailing on the estuary then uphaul skills will be needed anyway, so you may as well start the slow easy way.
For this a wide board around 150litres will probably do, again if think you'll enjoy very light wind wave sailing a SUP wouldn't be a bad option, you could stay with the 5.0 sail just go out in winds light enough for your skill level
Cheers D. i think i prefer the 2nd method.Think id just maybe like to learn abit in the estuary but def wanna hit the ocean as soon as possible, got a few more questions though, gets pretty windy where i live this time of year , what do you consider light winds, 10-15 knots??. also how much do you think id get a 2nd hand set up for??
yes 10 - 15 is light to moderate.
Out the front of my place isn't bad for learning, (north end of Avalon Bay), it's fairly calm inside the reef, and seabreeze is side shore.
Estuary has the advantage of being shallow for a good way out.
Cost is a huge variable, I've got a board here that's surplus to requirements and it's worth maybe $100, but it's only 80/90 litres, too small for you to learn on.
Depends how old I guess, anything 15 years old should be close to free, and still possible to learn on.
you could be looking at a few hundred dollars all up
But newer wider boards are more stable, and 100+litre waveboards are relatively new, so they will be more, close to $1000 for a good one
Carbon masts are almost a mandate, you could pay $100 odd dollars for a decent old one.
A few of us will probably be at Novara boot ramp Saturday morning, if the predicted easterly happens, Most of the guys are more than happy to help.
If it's NE we could be at the end of Cobblers road
Learning on a 110L board at 85kg?
I would not go down that route... i know the 2nd method sounds more exciting, but if you want to have excitement, some difficulties and fun get yourself a 125-140L freerideboard. 110 will give you nothing but slow learning and misery untill you are fairly competent. Best thing to do is join a club that has equipment you can borrow untill you know what you want...
Cheers for all the info D. Much appreciated and thanks for the invite. yeah ive watched guys out the front of avalon, looks awesome. I work away so i wont be home for a couple of weeks but ill use the time to research some 2nd hand gear.
cheers mate!!
yeah okay flatout, but when i learnt to surf i didnt learn on a huge board all those years ago, but obviously its nothing like windsurfing. I might go into a shop and have a chat to the guys who work there , see what they think, cheers
flatout is right, if you have nobody to guide you, but I taught a young guy by this method a few years ago, and he was in the harness & straps and learning to carve gybe in a couple of months.
I am assuming I'll be able to give you a few pointers as well.
The other option is not to buy beginners gear and to take lessons. Lessons may cost you a few hundred dollars but its probably worth it if you are a bit time poor and are keen to make progress as quickly as possible.
Pm me if you like, im in mandurah and sail in the waves where you have mentioned 
Im happy to teach and even have a bunch of gear you can have/borrow. My girlfriend also wants teaching so maybe you wont feel so bad falling off all the time if ssomeone else is also haha,
Can also point you in the right direction for gear.
Cheers for all the info guys, yeah looked up lessons moby, was thinking about havin a go. No worries Mav , thatd be awesome , ill pm ya when it gets abit closer to when i get back , would def buy some beers for a few tips, cheers
