Hello all,
I'm new to the forum. I had some beginner windsurfing lessons in Boracay, Philippines many years ago. Loved it! At home on the Sunshine coast I cannot find lessons. I am going to Bali in 2 weeks but all the schools have moved on to kite surfing and foiling. Rip curl school no longer offers lessons. Does any one know of lessons/rentals being offered? I would like to get my skills up with rentals then buy a full volume starboard carve or similar when I lose some weight 
. Am I right in assuming that used beginner boards are a bit thin on the ground? I don't see many. Thanks.
There is plenty of cheap'ish gear available... it does help to know what to look for.
I dont know the answer to the Bali question, but there are many sailors in the Sunshine Coast. Good beginner spot would be Golden Beach, and is where quite a few people will be on the water when it is windy.
Importantly, most people are approachable -> there will be quite a few people that can give you a lesson, and they may even have gear you can borrow for the lesson,
www.rqys.com.au/sailing-academy/learn-to-sail/windsurfing-courses/
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Manly may still run windsurfing lessons. I suggest you ring the club to find out what's available.
My experience has been very much like Mathew describes. Meeting sailors, getting advice, learn what gear, buy used gear.
From beginner to planing gybes and speed sailing now at medium level.
Problem for speed is lack of weight, i'll take some of yours thanks, i can't put any on i'm frothing too much and sailing all the time 
One good mentor for the spot you want to sail will be able to tell you what to get, find the one and listen to them.
Select to expand quoteMobZ said..
listen to them.
The hardest skill of all. Recognising good advice when you hear it.
My brother was doing it at home spot for 20 years more than me. He told me what to get, huge big boards and powerful low end grunt sails.
Being under 70kg this kit doesn't work anywhere else like it does at the spot for me.
I was lucky to get that advice.
If i went to a shop or asked the broader sailing community, i'd have been told a 100ltr freeride board rather than 200ltr race board most likely and for good reason, because anywhere other than my home spot i should be on a 100ltr. It is a peculiar place to sail, as are all places, the wind bends, funnels. Chop can be soft or hard, all kinds of seen and unseen hazards lurk.
Local knowledge is accumulated spot wisdom and will always serve well.
OP you might not have to wait to loose weight before you get into it, there are some very large good sailors out there, find the right kit and you'll be good.
Hi guys, thanks for the advice.
I found east bali surf and sail at Sanur Bali which offers windsurfing hire/lessons, Hobie 16s and lasers for hire. Not much of a website to speak of but reviews are mostly positive. I plan to head down most mornings for a sail, leave next week. As for windsurfing at home here, I'll put my feelers out and get talking to the locals. I have a couple of places to start now.
Cheers
Hi
i hope you got to try windsurfing at Sanur with Mr Oka. He is a four time Olympian. We went to Sanur in September and I rented boards from him twice. I am sure he would do lessons.
As you say, old school windsurfing is hard to find but I spotted East Bali Surf and Sail because they had boards stacked up outside the beachfront store.
Hopefully you enjoyed it
Mike
Select to expand quotetbwonder said..MobZ said..
listen to them.
The hardest skill of all. Recognising good advice when you hear it.
No the hardest bit is taking it..
