Starting out

Hi Barri. I learnt on a Starboard Kombat 96L. Its a "Freestyle-wave" board and is now just about dead after 2 years. It's been an awesome board. I'm also a uni student. Whilst the board and rig was really dauntingly expensive at the time, considering the near-daily use I got out of it and the fact that windsurfing its more orientated to sports like motocross than surfing, it actually turns out a bit cheaper.

You may find that its harder to learn initially on a ~100L board but you'll find that later on you'll be stoked you didn't get a "pure-learner" board such as the Go. You can already gybe and tack! You're pretty much already there! To be honest, if your getting out practicing few times a week you'll quickly outgrow such a big board. The Go and boards like it are targeted to kids and training schools. Your little money would be better spent on something that you can grow into.

If I had the board choice again I'd do it the same. I've taken my Kombat out in waves, raced it in the Lano Classic, and freestyled it nearly to death. It has been awesome. A modernish freestyle wave board (of any brand) will give you a taste of everything and let you specialise from there. Get something that's atleast 15L bigger than your weight.

Again, it may seem like alot of money, but if your really frothing on windsurfing the modern gear is just so much easier to learn on it really does reward you with a much easier learning curve.

In terms of what to prioritise this is how I see your money best spent:
1. Harness
2. Board
3. Boom
4. Sail (close tie with boom)
5. Mast + Hardware

You can save some money along the track by shaping your own fins and learning how to repair your own board. Sail repair is pretty specialised.

I hope I don't come across as buy-buy-buy, but it sounds like you're already on the way with your tacks and gybes. Watch a few videos (freestyle/slalom) and think about the direction you'd like to go. From there sus a wellpriced cheap 2nd hand Fstyle/wave or slalom board (as modern as your can find) and take it from there. All the best!

hey Barri,

first up welcome to the best sport EVER! glad you could join us.

good to cut your teeth on a big board like the hi-fly - teaches you basic rig handling skills. going to any smaller board will be tough initially to get your footwork right - any messy tacks or gybes will get you bucked off - but you gotta do your time to progress...and once you get into those footstraps, yeehaw! you'll never look back (except when you back-loop! )

so key questions - how much do you weigh? can you up-haul the vivace? where do you sail?