I am looking at buying a board and rig (hope I got the terminology correct) for me to learn on but that would also be suitable for my partner (he has quite a bit of experience but hasn't wind surfed for a few years and has only surfed in New Zealand conditions not Australia - not sure if that makes a difference). We would be looking at surfing on Westernport Bay (Mornington Peninsula) or round Elwood. I would be looking at spending up to 1000 to get a full set up. I would really value any advice on what kind of setup I should look for or any other general information I need to know when shopping for gear.
Hi Kated - what's you and your partners' weight? It makes a difference to the board you start on.
The other thing to consider is whether you buy a board right at the start of the learning process, or get lessons. This is what I did - had 6 1.5hr lessons with one of the guys from RPS (www.rpstheboardstore.com) using their Starboard Go 185L. By then I was very comfortable getting up and sailing, had learned to beach start, and could tack pretty well. So I bought a Starboard Go 155L, which was perfect for learning to get planing, get in the footstraps and harness, and waterstart. I still have it today because it makes a great light wind sail - and can take up to a 9m sail. I've had a mate learning on it too, so overall this size was a great investment for someone of my weight - 78Kgs.
The only challenge is picking them up 2nd hand, because people like to hold on to them! So I guess you'll need to decide whether you really are committed to the sport (which I tested for myself through taking lessons), and if so, the trade-off between spending a little more up front on a board you'll get years of use from, or a bigger board that might not be usable for that long, but be cheaper.
I sail in the bay (Elwood and Green Point), and once you're up and planing, a big board (even a 155L) can be a real handful in the chop/swell we get, especially with the seabreezes in summer.
