Hey, I'm Ryan

I'm new here and hopefully soon to windsurfing. I've sailed at national and international level for the past 3 years, and i've just got bored of it, and want something faster, and new to try!
Im guessing i could be completely wrong, but this should help me loads with windsurfing!

Questions!

1) Is it necessary to take lessons? I'm not looking to be competitive, just have a blast really, at this stage in time! Is it possible to learn from youtube tutorials and trial and improvement?

2) How much will it cost me? I don't want to spend thousands, but as i'm selling my boat, price isn't an issue! I just want a good blend of quality and price.

3)What do i buy? I'm 5'7, 17 years old and around 70kg! My balance is pretty good as i BMX, sail, skateboard and have surfed a little bit. I'm looking to do a good bit of freestyle (waves?) and maybe just blast about,( not racing)

4) What shops should i use? As it says really, will probably be online as i live in northern ireland, so i doubt theres much choice over here.

thats all the things i can think of for now, any other useful help will be greatly appreciated!

Ryan

Hi Ryan,

Sh1t where to start!

"I've sailed at national and international level for the past 3 years"

So from that you arn't scared of the water or wind and must have a damn good idea of sail trim and points of sailing.(Plus if you get into racing then your already ahead of the game as far as tactics go.)

"I'm 5'7, 17 years old and around 70kg! My balance is pretty good as i BMX, sail, skateboard and have surfed a little bit."

From that you should progress in windsurfing at a one hell of a rate. But even in your case I would still recomend a RYA level one course. O.K. a lot of it might seem to you like going over basic stuff but the self rescue bits are windsurf specific and the general craic on the water with everyone else is great.

Most of the youtube stuff is great if you have a good idea of what you are meant to be doing in the first place. Nothing better than sailing with someone who has the technique properly nailed and watching how they do it and then grilling them on the beach.

Living in Northern Ireland! O.K. at 17 I can see the attraction of freestyle but you have one of the best wave sailing locations on your doorstep. Malin and Bundornan (not strictly NI but close enough) have to rate as world class wave locations.

Gear off the internet. If you know exactly what you want and don't expect to break it then fine, save 10% 20%. But what if you want to demo some of the stuff first? Or after a couple of months you don't really like your new sail? Build up a good relationship with your local shop and these sorts of things are minor iritations and you have some good shops over in NI (and just over the border)

Hope this helps.

And keep us posted on your progress.

A video might help you too - such as 'beginner to winner' by Gem Hall, or some of the RYA ones I can't currently remember the name of. Nothing will help you more than time on the water though.

Gear wise, it depends a lot on how fast you learn - in your case hopefully very fast!

I'd recommend a minimum of 2 sails, around a 6m & 5m ish. As for boards, you'd have a choice of getting a bigger one with a retractable daggerboard (like a keel)which are easier to learn on, but may limit your progress after a while - or a smaller one around 120 - 150 litres of volume, which would be a fair bit harder to learn on, but a lot more fun once you get the hang of it.

Perhaps by having some lessons you can get yourself to the level where you can buy the smaller one without too much worry?

Good luck! Enjoy!

EDIT** - further to this reply, see my other post of stuff I am selling. You may want to consider the 5m & 4m sails, the 400cm mast, carbon boom & waist harness. I'll check in mast feet/ extensions etc. Then you just need a board & wetsuit.**


(see Ern - no mention of those 'other' packages! Hehe ).

Thanks guys! Ill check out that stuff now shawn! Can you post it?

Is everything a standard fit on all windsurfers? Like mast booms sails etc|?

I'll try to get it sorted over the next day or so, between the showers.

Most windsurf stuff is a standard fit. Exclusions to this are:

Fins - theres 3 or 4 different fittings.

Skinny(RDM)/normal masts - Some booms will fit either RDM or normal masts. Some booms will fit both. The Amex I am selling fits both. You will also need to get a mast extension/mast foot specific to RDM or normal masts.

EDIT** - further to this reply, see my other post of stuff I am selling. You may want to consider the 5m & 4m sails, the 400cm mast, carbon boom & waist harness.

How much would you do all that for??