neilco
Beach Bum 
Member #: 75 Posts 16
Registered: 6-11-2002 Location: Aberdeen Member Is Offline Mood:
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 posted on 6-11-2002 at 15:33 |
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First timer
Hi all
Long time listener, first time caller and all that.
It's been such a long time since I ever windsurfed that I reckon I need to go right back to basics. Think I need to get myself some
lessons. Living in Croydon in November, this might not be easy - anyone got any ideas? How did anyone else 'new' to windsurfing get
into it?
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justal
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| posted on 9-11-2002 at 11:12 |
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Hi Neil,
Good to have some beginners on board here...make sure you keep us informed of your progress.
For what its worth, here are my opinions on the subjects (Although I like to think that I'm far removed from the 'beginner' stages
these days so how well I can relate to your situation is debatable.)
If you had asked me how to get into windsurfing a few years ago I would have said have one taster lesson (I have never had any
lessons), then buy yourself a real cheap battered old beginners board, a fairly decent rig and get out there and practise...Then once
you'd learnt the basics, upgrade to a better intermediates board, keep the old rig and get another sail to widen your wind range...
HOWEVER, all this has changed. Modern boards are SO much easier to sail than boards a five or ten years ago that when it comes to
buying a board, getting an old battered thing is now a false economy. In an ideal world what I'd suggest now is to go on a dedicated
windsurfing holiday to a decent centre somewhere warm with light winds in the morning and increasing winds in the afternoon. Whilst
there, you'll relearn the basics on modern ultra wide beginner boards by the end of the first morning (You don't really ever forget
them anyway). You'll then be able to use the rest of your time on the holiday learning to cope with stronger winds, perfecting your
tacking, and flare gybing and working towards getting into the footstraps and harness and also sailing smaller intermediate boards. Use
your time wisely whilst there and try as many different boards as you can so that you have an idea of what you should buy when you get
back. (if you find something you really like you may even be able to buy it at a much reduced rate from the centre??)
Right, now onto the actual kit choice. Its definately worth spending a little more money at this stage and buying a 'modern' board. Not
only are they more stable and forgiving in the early intermediate stages of your windsurfing career, but they will also perform better
as a light wind board for the late intermediate and expert stages. This means that after learning the basics at a centre the first
board you buy can remain a useful part of your quiver for a long time.
The actual board choice comes down to several factors. If we ignore the price consideration then your weight is the most important
consideration as this will determine which size board you'll need in a particular range (Heavyweight need bigger boards). Your
aspirations (be it racing, wave sailing, freestyle or all round general blasting in a wide range of conditions) at this stage are not
too relevant as most early intermediate boards are allround affairs that perform well in a wide range of conditions.
If you've mastered the basics then something like a Bic Techno or similar 150+ltr (ish) allround freeride board should suit you well. A
2nd hand board like this in decent condition should set you back about £350. Yep, you can get older boards much cheaper but you'll
soon outgrow them and the early stages of your career will be made more difficult and you'll progress slower on them. With the more
modern board not only will you prgress faster but it'll take you further too. Many expert sailors still revert to something along the
lines of a big 150ltr freeride board with a big sail in light winds.
Once you've mastered the intermediate stages on the big freeride board you'll have an idea yourself of which way you want to take you
windsurfing...Most people would then opt for a second smaller freeride board with all round appeal for stronger winds (of about 100
litres). You may also need to add a wave board or full on race or freestyle board to your quiver one day as well. 
Rigs: Sails haven't really progressed much in terms of design in the past 5 years, so any 'no-cam' freeride sail in decent condition
from the last few years should do you. The size you choose will again depend on your weight and the conditions you are likely to sail
in. For most people the first sail they get will be around 5.5-6.0m and should again remain an important part of your quiver...As you
progress you'll want more sails (and masts to rig them on) to allow you to sail in stronger (and lighter) winds.
Hope this helps...Basically learn the basics on someones else board then buy half decent fairly modern kit that'll be easy to progress
on but have long-lasting appeal.
Of course I could be wrong!!! 
Let us know how you get on.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Dave
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 15 Posts 388
Registered: 29-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Hey Ho
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 posted on 12-11-2002 at 20:06 |
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Windsurf Holidays
We have been going on holiday with Neilson http://www.neilson.co.uk/, for a number of years. There are other companies as well, but
Neilson do some very good holidays for beginners. We have taken friends with us the last couple of trips. They provide all the kit and
full time tuition.
Whoever you go with, it's worth it to sail in warm waters, and two weeks solid tuition makes a big difference when you are starting
out.
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justal
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| posted on 28-3-2003 at 08:25 |
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Hi Neil...
I see you've been visiting the site a bit lately. Have you been out on the water yet? Did you sort out any lessons, any kit or maybe a
holiday?
Nows the time to do it.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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neilco
Beach Bum
Member #: 75 Posts 16
Registered: 6-11-2002 Location: Aberdeen Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 28-3-2003 at 12:54 |
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Hi Justal...
Well, I've moved back to the UK, bought a flat, moved to Aberdeen... any number of excuses for not just getting out and doing
something.
But I'm ready now! Anyone any ideas where to get windsurf lessons up in NE Scotland? The beaches here are great and there's always
wind, but I've never seen anyone out on the water.
The holidays mentioned earlier in this thread look like a great idea, but probably not until summer for me though. To someone like me
they are great: lessons in the morning and then time in the afternoon to either practice or pick up a mountain bike or scuba... the
list goes on!
Neil
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ajdesq
A Force-of-Nature * 
F-O-N Champion 2003
Member #: 6 Posts 214
Registered: 24-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Living to kitesurf :-)
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| posted on 31-3-2003 at 17:59 |
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Greetings! Welcome to the throng and all that. I see you¥re moving to Croydon in November. Guess where I¥ll be based in
November? Yup, Croydon.
Before then, you¥ll be well off doing the RYA level 1 if you can, then hire some kit just to get through the 1st few sessions...
What Al says about buying an old Techno or something is sound advice - I bought my 1st board brand new and now I don¥t think I
could give it away! Having said that, if I was to do it all over again and HAD to have a spanky new board, it¥d be an F2
Discovery190... takes you a long way through your windsurfing career and is still good for pratting about on on light wind days once
you¥re more advanced.
As for Croydon (I¥ll be at Merstham, just South) then the nearest pond is Aqua Sport at Redhill. They have an EXCELLENT teaching
reputation although the pond suffers dodgy wind (it must be veggie...). If it blows I¥ll be heading off to the coast, or to Queen
Mary (40 mins) if it¥s howling. I¥m sure a spare seat in the car could be arranged.
Let us know how you get on. If you¥re still stuck by November, then I¥m a Level 1 instructor (crap sailor though!) so can sort
you out.
Cheers for now, Andrew
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk