Reading " how did you start windsurfing etc got me wondering what percentage of people got lessons? I never have but wish I did..I never knew they were available & the ones I know of now are too expensive..+ you have to have wind to learn ( a rarity these days! )
My lessons went as far as Dad telling me to keep the board across the wind when uphauling, after i got the sail uphauled for the first time it is all self taught and read out of articles in the english magazines
ahh.. the benifits of learning on sydney harbour.... once that ferry starts honking its horn and the drivers pointing to the orange triangle on the top (the one that gives them the right to run over whoever they like) driver[}:)] you
, you learn pretty quick how to up haul and get going!... no instructor required.
I took an intermediate lessons when I was living in Hong kong...communicaton was difficult, lets just say his english was better than my cantonese. However it was definitely worthwhile, I picked up a lot in 2 days, some things I wouldn't have learnt by myself. The guy was actually a very good teacher, obviously had been doing it for years, and he made it a lot of fun.
Having said that - isn't there also something perhaps more rewarding about teaching yourself stuff...i figured out harness & footstraps by myself and am glad I did.
Does anyone actually run lessons in Sydney? I'd pay ohhh at least 50$ if somebody can teach me to waterstart 
the last time it was windy enough to try I just got too tired after an hour or so, although I did manage a waist deep beach start.
Water starts.
Google easy up-haul, then tab the water start tab, then the video.
www.easyuphaul.com/waterstarter/default.htm
Other then asking a few questions and reading a thousand articles, I am 100% self taught. My second season I went to WA for 4 weeks, This is where I learnt to water start, ride a sub 100L board and handle winds Up to 40 knots.
I was not ready for WA when I went, By the end of the trip I was up to speed. Perfect conditions go a long way when it comes to cracking this sport.
That said I am sure I'm doing a lot of things wrong, I plan to go and do an Intuition course with Cribby next year...Money worth spending I think.
I am sure there is an advantage to having lessons from the beginning but unfortunately there is not many places to get lessons with ideal conditions for the beginner.
With that said, You can't go past your local windsurfing community. I have never had problems getting some advice from sailors regardless of where I've traveled to.
It's that type of sport where people are friendly and helpful, That's the reason why windsurfing will never die.
Cheers...
the last time it was windy enough to try I just got too tired after an hour or so, although I did manage a waist deep beach start.
As with everything I reckon a lesson or two gets you kickstarted faster than any type of self teaching. Yeah it costs a little, so what gear is included and your more likely to break stuff when your an absolute beginner anyway.
Otherwise for sure get a video, personally I'd rather be out on the water than on the couch watching TV; with a coach ironing out my bad habits from day one.
Had a few basic lessons when I first started in 1981 possibly, but when I picked up again in 1994, I just worked stuff out myself. I used the Peter Hart videos to work on my gybes and still recall them when I'm having issues.
I would love to have some lessons for freestyle or looping, but looking into it, I need to go to Maui or Greece, and that's gonna be expensive. Maybe next year. Maui seems the better option, but I hate the USA and I'm not sure I would actually enjoy Maui.
Realistically, I'll probably rely on youtube and take 10 times as long to get anywhere.
Cribb and Bartholdi :D
I would still be learning to waterstart without Cribbys core skills
2001 with downloaded instructions from the interwebby an old 8' f/glass wave board and original NP RAF sail the first bruises were received
the last time it was windy enough to try I just got too tired after an hour or so, although I did manage a waist deep beach start.[}:)]
Guys at my local taught me after laughing at me getting smashed on an old 80`sboard and even older sail .. think they felt sorry!!!
a big thanks!
the last time it was windy enough to try I just got too tired after an hour or so, although I did manage a waist deep beach start.
the last time it was windy enough to try I just got too tired after an hour or so, although I did manage a waist deep beach start.
, you learn pretty quick how to up haul and get going!... no instructor required.Nothing like a shark sighting to improve the speed of your waterstarts too..
I reckon if you enjoy spending TOW then you can't help but learn (Guy Cribb's video and all the stuff on the net as well - for me). The danger is you can get bogged down on some thing (e.g. waterstars) and get frustrated and de-motivated, when a few tips or a leson might sort out the problem/s. The lessons I took fast tracked me through some of the frustrating times and so kept me keen = more learning = more TOW = more fun.
I'd like to fast track my gybing with a lesson but first of all we need enough wind to really get up & go..
Ps - its pretty obvious when I'm at home 'working' as whenever I get a bit stuck on a painting I post an answer to a topic..
Bad girl.. get back to work!
I learnt to water start at Botnay bay in sydney, i tried for ages and ages with limited success then someone showed me how to flick the sail to catch the wind; 10 mins later im water starting. As someone else mentioned dont get stuck on trying one thing becuase its easy to get un motivated. I had this problem with gybing, i tried to do it for ages until somone gave me the greatest bit of advice ever " look where you want to go " bam first time after taking that advice. As for learning to loop by watching you tube i can only say ive tried it and it hurts.
I do know someone who gives private lessons in Sydney, he's a full on wave sailor ( even holds a record for english channel crossing ) i will try and dig out the number for you
I was self taught, which took longer back in the late 80's with the gear back then compare to now. I have taught a number people since and it is so much easier now.
The only lessons I had was about 1990, when I think it was Windsurfing Victoria had a racing lessons (i.e. long boards). From there I got into Windsurfer One Design Racing.
I believe it is always worth having lessons, being from a shop, mates or even from local sailors. Some of the trips the shops organize are really worth while to get more out our sport. Someone mentioned videos. These help too, even more so getting you pumped up when your at home. I still watch them after 25 years in the sport. I still get enjoyment out of the older windsurfing videos.
Surfed and sailed in my younger years and decided in about 1986-87 to combine the two. Bought a storm 8 and an Np 6.3 Raf and quickly learned to waterstart/ beachstart at Melville in W.A, did'nt see the need to uphaul.
Sailed for about a year then moved inland only taking up the sport about 3 yrs ago after we moved back to the coast.
Never had a lesson but would have improved faster given some intuition by someone in the know. Picking up some good tips on this site though 
the last time it was windy enough to try I just got too tired after an hour or so, although I did manage a waist deep beach start.
Hi agrelon. I've just PMed you with some questions on sailing in Honkers, hope you don't mind providing a bit of advice.
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I live/windsurf in Hong Kong now. How long ago were you there? Do you remember where you sailed?
I was there for a lot of years (probably too many) and moved to Sydney only about 6 months ago.
Used to go out at Stanley. Nice pic of you out there in 35 knots on a 5.8 in your profile 
. And another from St Stephens unless I'm mistaken. Damn...Makes me feel homesick! How you liking it?
Select to expand quotezippyblue said...
I live/windsurf in Hong Kong now. How long ago were you there? Do you remember where you sailed?
I was there for a lot of years (probably too many) and moved to Sydney only about 6 months ago.
Used to go out at Stanley. Nice pic of you out there in 35 knots on a 5.8 in your profile . And another from St Stephens unless I'm mistaken. Damn...Makes me feel homesick! How you liking it?
Well I started shortboarding here 2 years ago, definitely the less than ideal conditions teach you good technique fast with the gusty wind. I started out at St. Steven's, though the wind there is always less strong than in Stanley/Taitam bay, so now I only sail there.
The most recent pictures are off shore from Taitam bay, near Po Toi. Man it was rough out there that day!
When I sailed this summer in France, it was such a joy. The wind there was so much more stable. So yeh, Hong Kong's a good training ground, definitely. The water is definitely nicer to fall into in Sydney though!
started 20 yrs ago and returned 2 yrs ago and first used a hire board then self taught from there on in.
would love to know about a holiday spot that hires up to date gear and maybe even does some lessons.
I'm sure I was better than I am.
I took lessons a few years ago and continued from there. I have spent a lot of time looking for tips on technique on the internet.
I got stuck though on the waterstarts and in the end out of pure frustration I bought the DVD "The ABC of waterstarting" by Dasher in late November. That made a world of difference.
This combined with the advice from a guy to wear a buoancy vest got me to waterstart succesfully, well more often. Unfortunately the season kind of finished so I am now waiting until spring, hoping to progress from there.
I have now my eye on the dvd "The 12 Step Jibe" by Dasher.
