Hi,

I was hoping I could get some advice here, I am a complete noob from the UK, so may use incorrect lingo, apologies.

I am visiting my brother in Perth in December/January and would love to improve my windsurfing. I say improve because I have joined a local club and have been out once a week all summer (when conditions are appropriate), so far I've been out about 6 evenings from 6pm to about 10pm. I am sailing in the sea in an inlet (voe), so we are pretty much surrounded with land (which seems to make the wind change direction). I am using a medium starboard start and I tend to get given the 4.5m sail although others in my group use smaller sails 3m and 3.5m and 4m, I think its a small club and there are only a couple of each size. I also noticed there isn't any foot straps or harness things. I can up-haul and get moving and I can turn (I cant remember what its called, stand close to the mast and move the sail over the back of the board and walk round). I am trying to learn how to gybe but keep getting it wrong I just cant listen and stand up at the same time!!! I apparently keep doing a circle gybe from time to time but I have no idea what it is so cant replicate it. We have gone over the theory behind beach starts but there is never enough wind to do them. I have also been learning to go upwind but find this very difficult.

I was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations for lessons, schools, locations, hire shops or just any advice on what to do n where to go when I get to Perth. I don't think I will improve much more this summer as we seem to only go out on no wind Wednesdays where we spend most of the time stalling!

Cheers

Check out wsp windsurfing perth who advertise in h for sales these guys know how to and were to sail in Perth a quick visits to there shop would and they would point you in a posative direction

Thanks for all the help so far. Tack - thats the one - yea I can tack!! Just cant gybe yet, far too many instructions get shouted at me n I just fall in! I think I need some instructions on paper first so I can have a clue about what I should be doin! I will have a look at that website above and in the for sale section.

I thought about asking in the WA bit of the website but I also wanted to ask about kitesurfing and surfing as I quite fancy giving these a go too!! And I thought most forum members prob check this section too???

I was wondering what you would consider cheap for lessons as I think I get a really good deal here at home - I pay about $30 per season for insurance and use of boating club (hot showers!) and about $8 an evening for group tuition (3 instructors 2 rya trained and one awsum windsurfer and 6 beginner students) it also covers equipment hire including choice of 6/5mm or 5/4mm wetsuit, board rig and speedboat to get to the beach (and to rescue you when you accidently head out to sea!!)

Decrepit I agree with your downside especially since its about 10°C - 14°C and I believe the sea is a equally as cold! I think I will not want to come home after being so warm, can you recommend any proper sun cream brands that are waterproof, Im guessing I would need something like factor 50?!

I think he may already be back in the UK(Voe inlet?)
maybe its time to buy some gear on fleabay, any recommendations for a beginner

Try these websites with plenty of info about what you're after:

windsurfwa.com/index.html

www.windsurfing.org/wa.htm