Hello to all you forumites, just been directed to this great site by the guys at Boards. Thought the best place to post first would
be the introduction forum so this is me a 34 year old slightly receeding podgy retail manager trying to get into windsurfing (have my
RYA1 booked for this saturday at Bala)
Looking to maybe meet up with some other beginners or hang around some guys in the area to try and pick up some tips maybe join a club,
are there any?
Any advice?
If you get away from Bala and sail at Aberdyfi at Borth, Im sure youll find plenty of helpfull sailors and kiters to help you along.
Good luck.
Thanks shem, I was kind of thinking that I needed to learn on flat inland water is that the case?
I must admit the thought of blasting along on the ocean was the draw but seems like a pipe dream at the moment.
Took our 2 year old to the beach (ynyslas) last year and both he and I enjoyed watching a couple of guys blasting up and down the
coastline, must be an awesome feeling all that speed and no engine......ah never mind one day hopefully
Bala will be a good starting point, but once you have the basics mastered the steadier winds of the estuary at Aberdovey/Ynyslas will
be ideal for you...
No doubt one of the people you saw blasting up and down at Ynyslas last year was me!!
Let us know when you'll be down this way and we'll give you some words of encouragement!
Al.
Thanks Al I'll definately take you up on that my job takes me too Aberystwyth and clarech bay so I'm down that way about once a month
might just come down to the shoreline and watch some moves.
really would love to get out on the ocean have to say lake sailing does'nt really do it for me and want to progress to the sea asap.
Are there/you any instructors down there for some tuition?
Yeah, sailing on the sea is where its at, but it does usually take a while to get competent enough to sail on the sea when the
conditions are good... Many people take many years before they can windsurf in waves and some people never get that far, so you do need
to learn the basics on flatter water...
There aren't any windsurf schools / instructors around here, again simply because learning to windsurf is easier on flat water so a
school on the sea around here wouldn't have many days that it could actually teach people!
It is still worth coming down though because you can play around and practise on lightwind / flat days or get out on the flat waters of
the estuary and people will always be willing to lend a hand and some tips.
You may end up wanting to kitesurf though as that is what most people do these days (there are only a few of us still windsurfing
around here).. Kitesurfing is MUCH easier and therefore often more attractive, especially to newbies. You can be blasting around quite
happily on the sea on a roughish day after just a few goes at kitesurfing, whereas it will take years to get to that level with
windsurfing... I still windsurf though even though I did kitesurf as well for a few years. The kitesurfing was good to start while it
was new and exciting, but I soon reverted back to windsurfing once everyone else started kitesurfing (I'm never one to follow the
crowd!). I also get more of a rush from windsurfing simply because it is more challenging and therefore more satisfying too.
Al.
Had'nt given kite surfing much thought but may give it a whirl this summer. Really on a mission to be able to beachstart and sail
without looking like a muppet by the end of the summer........ok october when I'll probably cry off like a big girls blouse!
first day of my rya1 on sat so looking forward to that then got a gap of a couple of weeks before the second day which should give me a
chance to get plenty of practice in.
Thanks for taking the time to give me the advice looking forward to seeing some of you in action on the water.
I spent many happy days on Bala, and I still like the flat water of the Ynyslas Estuary, but you need to time it with the right tide
and wind conditions.
Once you are feeling confident enough to have a go on the estuary, it's only a matter of being confident enough to cope with the tidal
flow, let us know and I'm sure that we could help out as it's best not to sail alone - isn't it Al 
btw - I've been sailing for years and I still look like a muppet, so don't set too tough a target 
[Edited on 10-5-2007 by Dave]
quote:
There aren't any windsurf schools / instructors around here, again simply because learning to windsurf is easier on flat water so a school on the sea around here wouldn't have many days that it could actually teach people!
It is still worth coming down though because you can play around and practise on lightwind / flat days or get out on the flat waters of the estuary and people will always be willing to lend a hand and some tips.
You may end up wanting to kitesurf though as that is what most people do these days (there are only a few of us still windsurfing around here).. Kitesurfing is MUCH easier and therefore often more attractive, especially to newbies. You can be blasting around quite happily on the sea on a roughish day after just a few goes at kitesurfing, whereas it will take years to get to that level with windsurfing... I still windsurf though even though I did kitesurf as well for a few years. The kitesurfing was good to start while it was new and exciting, but I soon reverted back to windsurfing once everyone else started kitesurfing (I'm never one to follow the crowd!). I also get more of a rush from windsurfing simply because it is more challenging and therefore more satisfying too.
Al.
I brought some friends to play on the windsurfers last year at Aberdovey. If you can get up on your board and sail / turn without too
much hassle, I don't think you will have any trouble. Might be worth leaving the 20 mph plus days alone for a few months. You will find
that it is quite shallow in places when the tide receeds.
Not to sure I agree with the comment regarding how easy kitesurfing is. Windsurfing is more physically demanding to learn, but with
good instruction and modern kit, you should be blasting along in your straps in no time. Confidence and skill in the waves can take
years though !!!.
Good luck with your windsurfing, it's a very rewarding sport.
Simon
Thanks again for all the tips guys, getting itchy feet waiting for tommorrow (even watching the wind in the trees lol)
Quite fancy aberdovey at some time this summer! Dunc do you do 1-2-1 coaching? for a price obviousley! by the way is that you doing
the loops on the gallery?
Aye that'll be me welshtrowy, I only tend to Windsurf Inland now though and Kite on the Coast.
I'm around Borth/Dovey a lot, we'll sort something out on the coaching front. Just get someone to point me out on the Beach or look for
the Red VWTransporter.
Dunk
No its not you Dunk.... Its Duncan from South Wales...
I assume you mean photos such as these Duncan Loops
Al.
Sorry dude, I thought you ment this one, ok one handed lol
Or this one
equally as impressed dunc
Looks like a regulation Dunks crash to me !!
Wellcompleted my first ever full days sailing and loved it....hated it.......loved it what a roller coaster and how frustrating!!! ah
but there were moments (not many, but enough) when I had the biggest stupidist grin on my face
If it was'nt for that bloody chop I would have had a few more I'm sure.
Got a couple of weeks untill my second day so now need practice problem is my boards lambada and rumba aint gonna cut it (I need some
width as the actress said to the vicar!) so I need some advice on a used board (under 300 squid) have my heart set on a JP new school
205 what do you guys think?
[Edited on 13-5-2007 by welshtrowy]
Don't know what size you are looking for exactly, but I have an immaculate 2001 F2 265 air sitting in my shed. Got around 116 ltrs volume. Fab board, but I just don't windsurf anymore.
I wish Si unfortunately due to my size and skills (lack of) I am more in need of the titanic or atleast a fridge like 200 litres of volume ........but one day soon who knows!
if you check out al's post boardwise are having a beginners demo day at aberdovey in mid june so go and try all the new gear for free
then make a decision
Guys can someone take a look at this kit on ebay and give me some advice, is it worth going after?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mistral-Ntrance-windsurfing-kit_W0QQitemZ160114270273QQihZ006QQcategoryZ117167QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Hmmm.. The repairs to the board don't look as though they are too good and the sail has been repaired too. It doesn't sound as though
it is in particularly good condition, and therefore probably not a great buy.
Also, it really is a complete beginners board so won't take you much further than that... I don't know how 'podgy' you are, but you
would probably be better off on something a little smaller that although a little more difficult to learn on will then take you a bit
further once you have mastered the absolute basics..
This does of course depend on your weight and how quickly you pick up such sports, but you may soon outgrow a complete beginners
board.
I have to admit to not really being familiar with bigger boards much these days, but something like his (also on ebay)
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Windsurf-Board-Fanatic-Eray-2004-160L_W0QQitemZ320112491804QQihZ011QQcategoryZ117167QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/ur
l] may be better... See what others have to say though as well.
It may mean you need a few more lessons at Bala to master the basics on a beginners board, but once you have, a large allround board
will be a better investment and will become a useful lightwind board once you progress onto smaller kit.
I know little about the e-Ray though so if anyone thinks it will be too technical to sail then speak up!
Al.
quote:
Originally posted by baileyman
Looks like a regulation Dunks crash to me !!
Too true - spent many a windy day at draycote watchin you try to kill yourself !! lol