Old noob

Hi guys

I have relocated from South Africa a year ago and ended up on the Capricorn Coast in QLD. Last time I was on a board was 30 years ago ( Windsurfer One Design and a Windsurfer Rocket Express). I decided I needed a fix again and ordered a JP Xplorer to start off with again. Now just waiting for the wind to pick up and some valuable tips from this forum.

Thanks Snags. I stay in Lammermoor but will first get my sea legs back on Causeway.

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WimC said...

Hi guys

I have relocated from South Africa a year ago and ended up on the Capricorn Coast in QLD. Last time I was on a board was 30 years ago ( Windsurfer One Design and a Windsurfer Rocket Express). I decided I needed a fix again and ordered a JP Xplorer to start off with again. Now just waiting for the wind to pick up and some valuable tips from this forum.

Hi WimC,
Welcome back...I too lost the "Force" for many years and have been making my sailboarding renaissance over the last 2 months!
I found that all the old basics were still there, that I could water start OK, the brain knew how to shift the weight around but everything was very different.
The rigs are way, way more efficient these days but maybe ask Sausage to give you some rigging tips....downhaul tension is absolutely critical whereas previously we were used to almost none at all. The boards, being so light, take off at an alarming speed on a reach but I did find getting back into the straps and harness very difficult at first. They just seemed to be in the wrong place!!! I have been really lucky to have had the Mandurah Mob guys to help me to get back up and running by giving me much strategic advice. (Thanks guys!) After a couple of sessions in gusty 20-25knts my skinny arms have stretched somewhat ( now are "gibbon " length) and several critical, but clearly dormant, muscles in the upper arms and chest have been found wanting....more than just a little bit! Remember that perfect physique that we once had?....well, it's has gone south now, the stamina is way shorter and niggling injuries just don't seem to heal up like in the good ol' days! I've been doing shorter sessions to start with to try to ease back in and I reckon that has been a good call. Maybe talk to the locals about a buoyancy or impact vest too. Big help for me.
I've been having a ball....I really hope you do too!
Just watch out for the resident croc in the Rosslyn Bay Marina!