Take a year off college and learn to sail port tack would be my advice. Otherwise Melbourne or the Gold Coast would be your options. Then you just need to consider if you prefer sub tropical or cold climate.

Never heard of the Tack model in the Starboard range... where does it fit between the evo and the nuevo ??

That's an interesting observation Mark. Is that the whole of ocean windsurfing too ? (or just wave sailing).

For me, most of my ocean sailing is in summer on port tack. The only places I am starboard tack is Ardrossan (summer) or North Haven in a winter northerly.

European wave sailing is crap .porttack or the way.

Hi Guys, thanks for the feedback. I am in melborne at the moment but it's to cold for my liking. Having spent ten years plus in 30 degrees plus everyday but a distinct lack of wind. I prefer warm weather and I have the chance to move anywhere in Australia with in reason. My plan is not to move anywhere I regret. Melbourne is very nice but too cold. Everyone says it's better in the summer. JP does hail from Victoria so it must be quite alright!!
My port tack riding is so poor it's unenjoyable for me unless there is plenty of onshore in it then my backside riding ain't to shabby.
I am stuck in my ways coming from south coast of England and to be honest some of the most talented windsurfers don't do the PWA simply cuz it's all port tack. A great respect for people who can sail both tacks confidently and as explosive on each. I just ain't goofy enough!!

Scatty said...
My port tack riding is so poor it's unenjoyable for me unless there is plenty of onshore in it then my backside riding ain't to shabby.
I........................ I just ain't goofy enough!!

Just to clarify. So you want a starboard tack wave spot. That means port tack waveriding. Yes?

Mark _australia said...

Scatty said...
My port tack riding is so poor it's unenjoyable for me unless there is plenty of onshore in it then my backside riding ain't to shabby.
I........................ I just ain't goofy enough!!

Just to clarify. So you want a starboard tack wave spot. That means port tack waveriding. Yes?


Hi Mark, the only thing confusing with windsurfing left lol. Starboard jumping port tack on riding is what I am into. Maui where it all began is known as starboard tack venue. Sorry I am stuck in my ways. When it comes to normal surfing I really have no co-ordination at all in a goofy foot setting!!
Another question for everyone is where is the best place to buy equipment. The secondhand market is extremely small here. Understandable when you have only a handful of people windsurfing compared to Europe.

Scatty said...
Hi Mark, the only thing confusing with windsurfing left lol. Starboard jumping port tack on riding is what I am into. Maui where it all began is known as starboard tack venue. Sorry I am stuck in my ways. When it comes to normal surfing I really have no co-ordination at all in a goofy foot setting!!
Another question for everyone is where is the best place to buy equipment. The secondhand market is extremely small here. Understandable when you have only a handful of people windsurfing compared to Europe.

Still unclear... do you want port-tack waveriding or starboard-tack waveriding ?


Torquay is port-tack
Corro is starboard-tack

Toowoon bay on the central coast of NSW is good for port tack riding. Some good spots in a nor Easter too, but make sure you get a floaty board and take up cycling for the many days we don't get to sail... Please don't come to Toowoon bay for kiting. There are enough of those already.

Starboard tack is the tack of kings lol. Back in the day when windsurfing was cool. It's made a bit of a come back but it would be great to see more starboard jumping venues on the PWA. Be good to see some PWA here. Do not fear although I have dabbled in the dark side kiting never had me hooked. If you can windsurf properly there is way more of a high than kitesurfing so for sure I will not show up with a wake board and a huge lilo flying in the breeze to get in the way. Gone are the times of hobie cats are cruising out of control headed straight for ya

Do what BRIEN said but go to maui. Stay there til they deport you then go to school. Perfect

Scatty. kbay used to be my semi local. Working in Blandford and living in Poole. I loved that place and still would take it over 90% of the sails I have here. The only trouble was the consistency was the killer, that's why I moved. Then spent a year and half at the mecca, all star board tack. Met Brien on this thread actually. He was a well good sailor. How are you Brien ? Then moved to WA where it was all back to front for me. So I was the same as you. never really touched port except the odd easterly we got on the south coast and the odd day at gwithian.

I know exactly where you are coming from. I kid you not, I used to get sea sick from sailing port tack wave sailing at first as everything felt so uncoordinated. I often had to come in and sit down on the beach. funny now when I think back. Then after a few months, years, you forget that its any different. especially on the wave sailing. I reckon it was though at least 5 years before just a usual lofty jump felt ok the other way round. It felt incredibly sketchy as I was always lifting the wrong feet. rotations felt fine as they were more deliberate, but just a normal floaty jump, no way. But give it long enough and it all comes good. I would say, use the chance to learn port tack as well. After a few weeks, or months, the riding will click, but the jumping takings a lot longer, or did for me. Then sure enough, if you do find your self back in the UK or Europe, at least Gwithian and your canaries travel spots will be way better.