Hi Everyone,

I used to Windsurf all the time in the 80's & early 90's & want to get back into it slowly.

I live in West Footscray VIC & want to get used to it all again.

I used to be able to Windsurf in the surf & was a lot fitter so I'm looking for some flat water near where I live to get back into it.

Can anyone give me pointers to the nearest flat water Windsurfing location to Footscray & what's possible to hire until I want to buy a rig again?

Thanks for any ideas/advice/suggestions

Gear has improved out of site since the 80s, you'll love getting back into it

Depends on what you want to spend.
But you can pick up pretty good modern gear (+5y old) for a bargain.
with the experience you have a Freestyle Wave board would be best or a Freeride board
If you can water start, +30L above your weight should see you fine
6m and 7m sail. 5.5m for the windy days.
look around for sails to match the mast style and one mast to fit a few sail sizes (430mm should be best)

Thanks everyone for your great advice.

See you on the water soon. : >

Imax1 said..
I would buy an old complete longboard . Buy the biggest one you can.

I don't agree with this. He said he used to be able to sail in the surf, so he was reasonably accomplished. No reason he can't go straight to a reasonable size short board. I'd say it will only take one or two sessions to get back into it, especially if moving to flat water sailing. The biggest hurdle is working out the correct gear to buy. Probably something 40L above his weight, then he can add a smaller board for the 'good' days later on.

i tend to agree with Harrow...long narrow boards are hard to turn ,carry .hard to get parts for etc...
wide boards will give more stability...lighter....

returning or not - litres are still flotation
120 is okay for 160 pound/~70 kg sailor returning to W/S
suggest 160/80 cm for 220/100 kilos though
and depends on local conditions too

I am returning to Windsurfing also, in the 80's I raced Windsurfers, Dufour wings and a Crit D2. Enjoyed wave sailing too and I weighed 80kgs. Since the 80's I have raced dinghys and cats.

Now I weigh 88kgs and a couple of months ago 2 Windsurfer O.D's appeared on my local Gumtree complete for $50 so I bought them as they had been stored inside and where in great condition with loads of extra bits and pieces.

Recently the weather has improved so I have been teaching myself to windsurf again, I found my skills where rusty but quickly came back. Today I was practicing sailing around a race course, I think I can do it and I am going to give it a go sailing triangles with Pacers and Opti's at my local club.

Enjoying the challenge, loving planing again on a board and was reminded of the correct technique for a successful catapult today while bearing away.

RedThumb said..
I am returning to Windsurfing also, in the 80's I raced Windsurfers, Dufour wings and a Crit D2. Enjoyed wave sailing too and I weighed 80kgs. Since the 80's I have raced dinghys and cats.

Now I weigh 88kgs and a couple of months ago 2 Windsurfer O.D's appeared on my local Gumtree complete for $50 so I bought them as they had been stored inside and where in great condition with loads of extra bits and pieces.

Recently the weather has improved so I have been teaching myself to windsurf again, I found my skills where rusty but quickly came back. Today I was practicing sailing around a race course, I think I can do it and I am going to give it a go sailing triangles with Pacers and Opti's at my local club.

Enjoying the challenge, loving planing again on a board and was reminded of the correct technique for a successful catapult today while bearing away.

Good stuff! Where are you sailing the Wally?