Hello Seabreezer's
After looking through countless youtube vids of people windsurfing and then watching some guys out in the wind today, ive decided that its a sport i would love to get into, or at the very least try...
That being said, i dont own a sailboard or rig. What would you guys recommend to a 20yr old guy that weighs ~75kg?
If anyone could recommend some cruisey, learner friendly areas to have a sail in the south Sydney/Illawarra that would be awesome.
Hey LegitK,
Windsurfing is a great sport! There are a lot of different styles (freestyle, freeride, slalom, waves) and you never stop learning. There's always a challenge.
It is not that easy to learn by yourself though. Ideally, a course would help to get you started or at least a friend to get some pointers from. Talking to the staff of your local windsurfing shop would be a good idea too (in Sydney Windsurf 'n Snow at Collaroy). There are beginner videos to watch that may help.
The first thing I would do is talk to some windsurfers at your local spot for some advice.
The best learner's spot on the NSW South Coast in my opinion is Sanctuary Point (south of Nowra). There are always a lot of windsurfers there, plenty of beginners, shallow water, consistent wind and lots of friendly approachable people to get advice from.
The kit you need depends on your weight, how fit you are, what sort of sports you've done before and what style of windsurfing you are attracted to.
Regardless, at first you will need a wide floaty board with a lot of volume and a small sail but you may not need this for very long. Maybe just 5 or 6 sessions. You could start with a 180 litre board and move down to 150 for example.
You are welcome to PM me if you want to have a chat. I live close to Sanctuary Point - where abouts do you live? You can see wave sailing at Gerroa and there are often speed sailors at Lake Illawarra (also not a bad place to learn).
Perfect reply thanks heaps!!
Ive got alot to look at and think about. I live in cronulla so kyeemagh or wanda might be a good place to ambush someone and start asking questions.
Thanks for the advice again!
Thanks heaps for that reply mate it was a good read!!
I live in cronulla so ideally kyeemagh, kurnell, wanda and lake illawarra are my closest windsurfing areas.
I'll ambush one of my mates and get them to show me the ropes!
Ch?ers again for the great reply you answered all of my questions
Select to expand quoteLegitK said..
Perfect reply thanks heaps!!
Ive got alot to look at and think about. I live in cronulla so kyeemagh or wanda might be a good place to ambush someone and start asking questions.
Thanks for the advice again!
There is a group of uni students that usually come to Kyeemagh in warm months, most of them are learning, they have a trailer with a lot of suitable gear. Start asking them, you might be able to join their club. It is best if you can try a few times before deciding to buy, don't do like I did when I wanted to learn. I got a full kit from ebay, then when I went to uphaul it sank !
When I got back into the sport last year, after 15 years, I bought a cheap, full kit off gumtree and it was a total waste of money... the only thing I still have is the 460 mast, which I'm reluctant to use in case it breaks. I ended up buying everything separately... and it all adds up pretty quickly.
Like powersloshin, I bought a 93ltr board and found it pretty hard to uphaul... it was awesome in 30kts, but who learns in 30kts (me!). I sold that board after several sessions and moved up to a 115ltr board which is perfect. I weigh 87kg. The problem with buying a learner's board is that you will out-grow it in a matter of weeks. I would suggest going with something about 30-50ltrs more than you weigh and just persisting with the extra difficulty level for a while and then you'll have a good light-wind board for when you're better. I now regret selling the 93ltr board btw :(
Windsurfing is such an awesome sport, but what makes it better than other sports (for me) is the community... I haven't met a total wanker yet. Everyone's so helpful and friendly.
Nigel
Hi legitk if you are going to come down to lake illawarra you are welcome to contact me and I can lend you some gear to learn with and show you the basics. Like many other board sailors I like to see new people join in the fun.
Select to expand quoteThere is a group of uni students that usually come to Kyeemagh in warm months, most of them are learning, they have a trailer with a lot of suitable gear. Start asking them, you might be able to join their club. It is best if you can try a few times before deciding to buy, don't do like I did when I wanted to learn. I got a full kit from ebay, then when I went to uphaul it sank !
I am part of of that group, it is in www.facebook.com/groups/Windsurfingandsailingunsw/
I can also lend you some gear for a session if you want to PM with your details I'll let you know next time I'm at Kyeemagh. You might want to contact Mobydisk (or is it Mobydisc??). I've got his spare 135ltr Tabou rocket, which could be good for you to test out... and I know he's selling it at a very cheap price given Rockets are exceptional boards. I've got a spare mast (I have 2 for sail) and extension (also for sale) and some fins + plenty of spare rope, but you'll need to source a boom and base plate to borrow. Other than I'm happy to lend you all my spare stuff. Again, PM me if you're keen... or if you're looking to buy some quality cheap gear that should get you going and wont need upgrading once you master the out-and-back drama most peeps experience on their first outing 
Peace, Nigel
EDIT: actually, I just remembered that I've got 2 older (early 2000s) sails... a 5.9 and a 5.0, which I would happily give away for free. So al you need is a board, mast, extension and base plate, which are all easily available for purchase on Seabreeze. I reckon you could get a full setup with all these bits'n'pieces for about $800-900 and it'll definitely get you through this summer and longer depending on how quickly you progress.
I'm also selling a Powerex 460/21 30% carbon fibre constant flex mast for $150 neg and 48cm mast base $50 (not neg). As well as a North Viper 400/21 100% Carbon mast which is about 2 years old and in perfect condition (will take $220... bargain)... super light mast. Have a 48cm extension to suit for $50 (non neg on the extension). PM me for details... I'm in Maroubra, Sydney, but will ship at buyer's expense.
Sorry about the advertising... just trying to help out. Remember, I'm offering 2 good mid-2000 sails (5.0 and 5.9), so thought I'd plug my items for sale at the same time. Sorry if I've over-stepped the rules, Mod. My ads are on Seabreeze (except the 2 sails) for anyone that's interested .
Peace,
Nigel
LegitK,
Long time lurker here, only my second post. I'm in Cronulla as well.
Re. gear, I've got some stuff you can have gratis - boom (aluminium), mast (old 460 SDM which won't be as good as what 2035 is offering), extension (US cup), mast base (boge joint), and an unused spare boge. Just this past weekend, another local guy offered me his board because he's done his rotator cuff "beyond repair". I haven't seen the board, but it sounds pretty much like what Akim (KA360) describes above. So there might be a suitable free board for you to start with too. Give it to one your mates when you've outgrown it, or keep it to teach others. I can lend you an older sail that will fit the mast, although a good sail is probably what you are best spending money on first.
Re. learner friendly area in Cronulla, Darook Park at the mouth of Gunnamatta Bay is ideal, especially in a southerly. For 3 hours or so each side of high tide it's from waist deep to just over your head all the way across. Most southerlies on weekends you'll find half a dozen of us there. When you get better, and the swell is big you can join Al, Mike, Robbo, Staff, and Cameron further south.
PM me if you are interested.
Select to expand quote2035 said..
I'm also selling a Powerex 460/21 30% carbon fibre constant flex mast for $150 neg and 48cm mast base $50 (not neg). As well as a North Viper 400/21 100% Carbon mast which is about 2 years old and in perfect condition (will take $220... bargain)... super light mast. Have a 48cm extension to suit for $50 (non neg on the extension). PM me for details... I'm in Maroubra, Sydney, but will ship at buyer's expense.
Sorry about the advertising... just trying to help out. Remember, I'm offering 2 good mid-2000 sails (5.0 and 5.9), so thought I'd plug my items for sale at the same time. Sorry if I've over-stepped the rules, Mod. My ads are on Seabreeze (except the 2 sails) for anyone that's interested .
Peace,
Nigel
Yeh, I get the red thumbs, but come on.... I've just offered two free decent sails to a guy I don't know from a bar of soap (I do shower in between days I've not bathed in the ocean:P). All that said, red thumbs are BS... whomever red thumbed me - did you offer this guy something for free? No, didn't think so! I wasnt trying to plug my gear for sale, but just letting this chap know that I've got a couple of masts and an extension for sale. Some thing wrong with that? I continually speak highly about the great community we have and that I prefer the peeps much more than the surfing community I've been involved in for decades. If you red thumbed me, own up and tell us why. It's esy to hit a button on the internet and remain anonymous, so here's your chance to say why you thought I shouldn't have mentioned, to a guy actively seeking cheap gear, that I've got stuff he might be interested in. Save ya clicks for something worthwhile in future.
Its your avatar. Pink Bombora is just so, er, um, 80's!!!!!!!
Just kidding, who knows??
Select to expand quoteka43 said.... Its your avatar. Pink Bombora is just so, er, um, 80's!!!!!!! Just kidding, who knows??
the missus will get a decent photo of me one day. .. maybe some extra-hold hair spray will entice her
Reviving this thread, few people offering cheap gear - does anyone out there have a cheap 430SDM mast they want to offload at the cheaper end of the spectrum?
I just need a couple of bits to get me going as a mate has lent me a Starboard Go.
Cheers
Luke
