New windsurfer looking for gear...

Dashash · Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 2

Hi all,

My brother recently got me into windsurfing. I've been a handful of times so far and have caught on fairly quickly. I have been renting equipment and the $ is adding up. But I'm absolutely hooked! I've been considering getting my own equipment, but I know just like any other hobby, there is sooo much to read and learn first. I see myself windsurfing multiple times each week in the future. Could someone please point me in the right direction to find more information in regards to purchasing equipment? Any *must read* literature out there for me to get started?

Thank you!
David

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 4619

It might be useful if folks here understood more about the area where you intend to windsurf, to include the conditions that are most common there that interest you.

Dashash · Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 2

LUCARO · Joined: 07 Dec 1997 Posts: 146

Lake sailing and beginner, sounds like a modern long board like the kona one could be the go.

http://www.lbwindsurfing.com/journal/cruising/a-year-of-longboarding

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 2064

without that qualifier as to where one would be living, the kona on is the safest answer. lake sailing, yes, the kona one. beauty of the long board also, is the fact that one sail works over a huge wind range compared to a short board.

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 168

I have a Kona One and recommend it highly too.

www.konaone.com

I also suggest that you don't buy a beginner board, like the *board Start. If not allready the case, you will outgrow it very fast. In contrast, the Kona One will probably be a keeper for you on the longterm. If you are really hooked, you'll want to add a shortboard in the 100l range...

Meneely · Joined: 18 Mar 2002 Posts: 81

Take a trip to Aruba or some other flat water and consistently windy spot. You'll learn more in a week than in a season. Also, realize that when people give you advice on gear, they don't always think about size/weight differences. At 215#, I suffered through this early on.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 2064

i'm 210. quite often in a windsurfing destination, i'm on 1.5 to 2 meters larger than the consensus. but, when the wind averages around 30, i'm on pretty small sails myself. in the surf, i have a hard time going to something smaller than my exo wave 105. something about that board, even in gales, it just has all the power and directional ability that i want. but, that's me in mainly onshore conditions here in florida.

i learn a ton of non-planing stuff here in florida year round. some of it applies to planing conditions.