Getting into windsurfing, Suggestions?

[m0058v]

Hi,

I am considering getting into windsurfing and am trying to get an approximate cost estimate. I am not trying to do it low cost or look for used gear. I will try to get good value gear, not the cheapest available. I am a hard working individual, who is an experienced sailor on high performance sailboats and a snowboarder. I expect to outgrow a beginner board quickly, so I plan to struggle a little more the first couple outings on a freeride board rather than one of those round things. I hope this board can be used in light to moderate wind conditions, even after I have graduated to the low displacement board for big wind and waves. Here is what I have come up with for cost estimates (all prices are USD):

Item............................................Co st (aprox)...When to buy

Sail #1 5.5-6.6m + Rig/Boom................1000...........Year 1
Board #1 Intermediate Freeride Board....1000...........Year 1
Mast Base.............................................. 70...........Year 1
Fin............................................... ........120...........Year 1
Board Bag..............................................9 0...........Year 1
Quiver Bag.............................................80 ...........Year 1
Harness........................................... ......80...........Year 1
Lessons........................................... ....250...........Year 1
Book.............................................. .......30...........Year 1
Year 1 Total.......................................2720

Board #2 low displacement Board...........1000...........Year 2
Mast Base.............................................. .70...........Year 2
Fin............................................... .........120...........Year 2
Board Bag............................................... 90...........Year 2
Sail #2 8.0m + Rig/Boom......................1000...........Year 2
Year 2 Total.........................................2280

Sail #3 4.5m + Rig/Boom......................1000...........Year 3
Year 3 Total.........................................1000

3 Year Total.........................................6000

I have wetsuits and drysuits already

Am I missing anything? Do you guys have any thoughts/suggestions?

Thank you in advance,

Matt

[clyde]

Where do you live? How old and how much do you weigh?

Your resolve to learn is the most important step in the learning process. Being prepared to spend money is ok but it maybe alot cheaper than you anticipate. Remember the old acronym: KISS. Keep it simple sailor.

Your first board may carry you alot further than you anticipate. Be wary of getting an absolute beginners board as you may outgrow this rather quickly.

When you get down to lesson time check this out:
http://www.windsurfing.sailingcourse.com/index.html

Good luck and let us know how it all progresses.

[m0058v]

I live in Rochester, NY. I am 25 years old. I weigh ~175.

Do you think I will be able to get away with just 3 sails and Rigs? I have heard the new sails can handle a larger range.

I am used to sailing, so I am used to over-estimating. I don?t want to come off as a snob; I have been saving for a new boat. If I take up windsurfing instead, there is no reason to buy old equipment that is not perfect for me.

Have I missed any big expenses? Thanks for the advice.

[Anonymous]

Hi Matt,

I'm a former dinghy racer who started windsurfing and never went back - I'm betting once you experience the thrill of planing in the straps, you'll be hooked, too.

Looks like you're pretty dialed in with the kind of equipment you're looking for - if anything, you'll be able to get the stuff for cheaper than that - always a bonus. to be honest, it sounds like you're the perfect candidate for getting into w-surfing - sailing knowledge, board skills, and willing to spend a couple bucks to do it right.

what's going to be toughest is spending the time to learn, which you may find frustrating. Cape Cod isn't far away from Rochester, and offers some excellent consistently windy conditions in late spring/early summer.

You could also get in touch with Windsurfing Hamptons on Long Island for lessons - which, by the way, I was glad to see you budgeted for. They'll save you a lot of time and grief.

A couple things to do -

Let us know some options you are considering for your first free-ride board. I would echo Clyde's comment - use a beginner board in lessons, then for your first purchase, jump straight to a larger free-ride board that offers enough float for uphaul - at your size, 140 to 160 liters will probably do the trick. This will serve as your light-air board once you're an experienced sailor.

Find some local sailors, and make buddies with them. It's nice to have friends on the water, they'll watch out for you, and tell you when you don't have enough downhaul on your sail :)

Read WindSurfing magazine! And feel free to post on the forum or e-mail me personally with any questions - josh.sampiero@worldpub.net

- Josh

[m0058v]

Hey, thank you for spending the time to reply. There is a shop out in Canandaigua, NY called the Canandaigua Sailboarding that offers lessons and rentals. It is only 45 minutes from my house, so I will probably start there. I will probably buy equipment there, if they are reasonable. I just don?t want to go in there having no clue and getting sold something for a beginner like I did when I started snowboarding. I told them I advance quickly, two weeks in and I already outgrew the board.

I have a couple friends who windsurf, I am sure they will help me out as well. Like you said, I am nervous about the wind conditions around here. It is light air all summer and usually picks up in the spring, fall and winter. My friends say you always have to be ready for a good day, but seem a little frustrated at times.

Are there any good books you can recommend, besides the magazine? Do sail battens usually come with the sail or are they extra? How long does it take to setup your board to sail?

[JohnI]

Kona may be a better first board for this newbie in Rochester. Aren't there some sailors in the Onondaga Lake area? For that matter, isn't Rochester on or near Lake Ontario? What about Canadian WS shops for lessons?

[Anonymous]

All sails should come with the battens, already installed... if they're not ... you don't want to buy that sail ;)

Set-up will probably take you awhile the first few times around.

Once you've got it figured out, you can rig quickly - i can rig in less than five minutes.

Anybody got any book suggestions? The ones i know of out there are a little older and probably tough to get a hold of - the web seems to be a much better resource ...

[clyde]

When you get down to lesson time check this out:
http://www.windsurfing.sailingcourse.com/index.html

This all you need for the basic beginner phase. It really is simple and straight forward to windsurf. Your sailing background will really help your learning curve. In the beginner phase winds in the 6-10 knt. range are perfect.

When you get to the harness and footstraps, try a DVD lesson and see how far that takes you. It will really help you prepare for the human taught lessons.

best of luck and let us know how it's going.

[m0058v]

I will probably start out on Canandaigua Lake, as that is the only place that I know of within an hour of were I live to get lessons. After that, I will sail on Lake Ontario.

I am glad to hear that you can rig so fast, that is a huge plus in my book.

Great website, I watched all the videos. They make it seems so simple and easy in light air. I am sure it isn?t, but like you said great primer for the first lesson.

What is a DVD lesson?

Thanks for all your help,

Matt

[Anonymous]

Buy a DVD :)


http://www.sideoff.com/scripts/shopplus.cgi?DN=sideoff.com&CARTID=%cartid%&ACTION=action&FILE=sideoff_home.html

[Spennie]

Man, I like this guy's attitude! Matt, I would stay more towards the 140 liter boards, unless you're going to have a lot of very lite winds, in which case I would think about the 160. Also, try to keep the width down, a super-wide board planes early, but can be a bear to jibe, especially when you're learning.
I noticed one thing missing from your list: a Wind Junkie sticker! You need to tell the world what you are! I'll be happy to send you a freebie, e-mail me through the Wind Junkie website with your address.
Best of luck with your sailing!

[RadarT]

Hi Matt,

Welocme to the addicting sport of windsurfing! It's got to be the most fun, exciting, frustrating and satisfying sport existing!

I've been windsurfing here for 20+ years. Following the forum, I'd suggest initially talking with Canandiagua Sailboards. The shop has been owned by the same person forever (well, almost), Steve is a long time windsurfer and racer, and has always been a good and honest source in recommending gear appropriate for a person's skill and sailing location.

Steve carries some stock and can order from many suppliers as appropriate. He may not be able to beat large internet companies but offers good prices AND provides great local support and will personally help with setup, tuning, and answers to your questions. Lessons are also available there.

One suggestion would be to take a lesson or two on a wide beginner board, then purchase gear to progress on. In teaching for 4 years now, I've found this to be the best way for a new person to progress and not get stuck with gear that limits your progression.

I agree with pervious postings about starting with a Kona style long board or a 160 lrt 'short board'. Both will give years of excitement as your 'beginner' and light wind board.

Good Luck.