My first entry

I started Windsurfing in March 2007. I also enjoy My Family, Motorcycling and Watching Rugby Union where I spend most of my leisure money so Windsurfing was always going to be "on a Budget" until I new how far I would be taking the sport.

I've had loads of fun from the very start and really enjoyed my journey this far. I booked a one hour windsurfing lesson at my local RYA approved Sailing centre and went along with my Daughter and her friend. We had half an hour on a shore base training rig where we were taught how to up-haul, stand in the secure position and steer from that position. We were then given boards and rigs to go out and practice what we had learnt for the other half an hour. We all had a bad experience. My daughter and her friend finished the session exhausted with a gut full of dirty water and a very negative opinion of the sport. I, on the other hand, didn't think much of the training (even less in terms of value for money) but could see a way forward with practice.

I was now on my own with this (I did of course have full support from my wife who regularly comes to the water with me) and decided it was time to buy some cheap gear and start learning. I picked up a 3.5 metre Tiga Aloha longboard with 5.5 and 6.5 sails along with some very handy (if dated) books and videos for £75 and of I went. I spent the summer of 2007 on inland waters developing my skill to a point where I could sail on all points and do some very pedestrian tacks.

In the spring of 2008, I changed my sailing venue. I guess I was just really looking for a place that I could be part of and develop with like minded  people. After a few months, I booked in for some RYA approved lessons. I was taught by youngsters who, from what I could see, had no sound method and a flawed syllabus. I also decided to buy an improver board and rig package which was a Starboard Rio 80 and a tushingham express 5.5 which maintained my enthusiasm and helped me to develop. I then bought a Rushwind 7.0m sail and a 460 mast which was more appropriate for my 90kgs. I never actually finished the course of training that I had booked . I left in disgust and never returned to that venue.

I spent 2009 at Manley Mere where I learned to use a harness and flirted with the foot straps. I also did some windsurfing while on holiday in Lanzarote which also helped my progress.

In June of 2010, I went down to Aberdovey for the Boardwise Demo Weekend where I tried a number of board and rig combinations. I had done a lot of research before the weekend which was a good thing really because I didn't get much help or advise while I was there. I decided (with some advise to be fair) that a Starboard Go144 was to be my next board but I was lost as far as sails were concerned.

The following week, I went down to Boardwise with a pocket full of hard earned cash. Two and a half hours later, I came out of the shop extremely happy having had real good deal. I part exchanged my Rio board and rig for a Go144 and an Ezzy Zephyr 7.5 (which both had to be ordered for delivery to my house. I'm waiting for the Ezzy to come) along with boom, lines, bags and bits'n peices. I also swapped my ripped Rushwind 7.0 for a secondhand North Natural 6.2 which I've been getting into while I wait for the Ezzy.

And....... here I am. I've had a great journey this far (some will say a slow one) I'm still an intermediate and I would have developed my skills quicker with quality tuition but in my opinion, there wasn't any to hand. I wish I new about the iwindsurf forum back in 2007.