Caught the windsurfing bug and looking to get some gear. Some people say just hire for a season and then buy. best option??
It seems there are few beginner boards out there (eg Starboard Rios) so thinking about buying new and trading in later. If buy say in UK I wonder if cheaper (on a Virgin flight back so cheap to bring back) than say buying here......anyone had any experience
Cheers all
the uk would more then likely be cheaper, they have a pretty big market of secondhand gear, but even if you are flying virgin, i doubt you could bring something as big as a starboard rio on the flight.
A rio would be fine on virgin, they are lighter than 23kg! But your not going to save much, if any. Hardly worth the hassle, unless you get a good deal on 2nd hand board that is hard to come by on the 2nd hand market. My 2p
it will be cheaper in the UK...
just make sure it comes back in one piece and that there's nothing wrong with it... returns would be pricey
buy in Australia and help the industry keep going, that way in 10 years time , if youve still got the bug, you wont have to mail order from the last remaining shop in the country
given all that , Ive just set up a beginners boad with 2 complete rigs, all secondhand for only $50.
Things are cheaper in the uk for sure, you only have to look at boards magazine and do the maths. I shipped my two boards over a couple of years ago only becuase they were new and i didnt want to leave them at home. Beginners boards are rare as rocking horse **** but you can find find them so keep looking in Aus because shipping over a board especially 2nd ones is a bit of a hassle.
Keep the Aus windsurf economy going. Check shops in Perth or SEQ for gear, you can find some real bargins there.
Having said that, if you can hire decent gear to begin with maybe stick with that until your good enough to buy something smaller becuase you will have many more options .
Elviento,
That's an interesting one... With new boards there really doesn't seem to be a very big difference in price anymore. Certainly not enough to justify the extra hassle and expense on a plane.
It's a bit different when you are talking custom made boards from the US. However, the biggest gain there is due to exchange rate fluctuations rather than the gear being cheaper.
Try and call a few shops (eg. Windsurf and Snow here in Sydney, there are several in WA and Melbourne as well) to see if they have some second hand gear in stock. They might also know of people selling the kind of kit you are after.
Personally I would probably buy used to begin with. You'll find that your progress in the first year or two is really fast. Once you progressed to the point where you can sail comfortably from a to b, attempt to do a tack and come back to a as well as starting to use a harness and perhaps even attempt to water start you can start thinking about buying a new boards.
At that stage it will pay off to have a good relation ship with your local shop. They will be able to hock you up with some demo gear before committing to a specific board size. Something you can't do when you buy overseas.
Sage like advice guys
Got an email overnight that says if I buy new I can reclaim the VAT (like GST) and my net cost is $1500 (Virgin will transport it for virtually nothing). Its very tempting as I am restricted to one beach at the moment for hiring. But then again if I can progress quickly is it worth it?
Decisions, decisions,...... keep swinging one way then the other....(only in windsurf decision territory!!!)
will take some more time to think it over
thanks guys!!!
El Viento
About 12 years ago I worked in a windsurfing shop and when unkown people rocked up to a shop with a warranty problem on an imported item, (sail, board, mast, boom, fin etc etc) we helped but at a cost and really never gave it the same priority a frequent customer would get.
There aren't may shops around, but you'll find that they aren't there to rip you off. Rock up with a budget in mind and they'll sort you out with litterally the best for your buck. There aren't many windsurfers and the shops will go out of there way to ensure you come back. Find a local shop, stay loyal and you'll reap the rewards on deals, trade ins and priceless advice.
Customs taxes only apply to posted/shipped items, not stuff you bring with you as luggage excess or normal.
, after using it I guess they can't say its new and requires GST, surely they can't charge GST on a used/2nd hand item.
Save your bucks mate, there's plenty of good value used gear that will cop a hiding in its first year of use. Once you've got some time on water and spoken to a few sailors then you will find there's alot more to board selection than what you see on a website. But glad to hear your keen to get up and running.
ps elviento.....your login name would suggest you speak spanish ??
, after using it I guess they can't say its new and requires GST, surely they can't charge GST on a used/2nd hand item.
Don't forget to factor in your travel costs in the UK. i.e. don't plan on taking the board on the train to the airport etc... You can on some trains though [you need to do your homework], not a problem if you got a car etc. Not to put you off, Its definetly doable.
THX !!!! this forum is top notch 
I speak a little Spanish as half South American - Half Pom (yeah dodgy combo ) so thats why chose El Viento as already have a nickname as Windy because I am into windfarms as a job
I figured out if I go 15 times hiring a board over the next few months that will cost me $1200. Thinking that stings a bit given there is no board to then trade in. But then again I have not factored in cost of second hand boom/sail etc.
still no closer to decision yet
moved to vic about 8 mounths ago from the uk. sold all my gear on ebay before the move thinking I could get gear here at a simler price how I was saddly wrong most of my gear was 2007-2008. Here I am lucky if I can get 2003-2004 gear if you can find it.(the only bad thing of the move) I have been looking at the windsurf mag from the uk loads of good deals on kit at the moment. if you buy say 2008 kit on a deal and second hand gear bags from ebay slightly worn then customs cant say the gear is brand new.
good luck
seems like a 2009 model or even second hand from UK could be the way to go then. Keep hiring for a while then April find me first chariot 
