best advice i can give you if possible go into your local shop . How long are your harness lines ,what height is your boom. Are you in the straps. cheers

ask someone who's a similar size at your local beach to have a go on your kit and let you know how it's set up

catapulting is normal for a little while but you'll be over it quickly

thanks for that advice can't wait to get a new board!!! by the way is it easy to unhook the harness in the sail falls on you and your in the water

yeah i reckon they would help because when i get a strong gust of wind all my weight moves onto my toes. thanks for the advice

thanks for all the advice. one a different note what would be a good board for me to buy. i'm open to anything under 2,000. it needs to have enough control for me to begin with as this will be my first short board, but i also need something that i can progress on as i don't think i'll be getting another one after this anytime soon

If your were just starting people might suggest wide beginner boards like the Starboard "Go" or "Start", but from what you've said, sounds like you gets tons of time on the water and are progressing nicely. I would suggest go the smallest board that you can still confortably uphaul. So obviously much will depend on your weight. Eg. at 90kg a 130litre board is super comfy to uphaul, while a 110 is possible but frustratingly shakey. This way as your skill increases you won't be left with an overly large board while wanting to go into more challenging conditions, it will allow you to take your time learning to water-start while still having the security of being able to uphaul. Eventually you may even want to go smaller but this board will still be excellent for light to medium wind days so will never be obsolete.

As for type of board, look for the word "freeride". Names like JP x-cite, Starboard Carve or Futura (heaps more by other companies but I am not that familiar with them). Freeride are pretty much your all round short board, they are good at everything but masters of nothing. They are the best board for just hoping on and having fun in the most conditions. Good for just blasting, chop hopping and small wave riding and jumping. To begin I suggest avoid pure wave, slalom or formula boards.

No doubt the others will be able to give you other good boards to research. Check out the websites and read some reviews. Oh I also suggest buy 2nd hand. You'll get more for your buck and the likelihood of you smashing the nose of your new board is extremely high with all the catapulting so may want to invest in a nose protector or glue an ugly pool noodle on the nose.

Good Luck.

PS. Might want to let people know your weight and what conditions you normally sail in, eg. choppy, flat, gusty, etc.
Nvm I see Easty asked those same questions 10 mins before me

Would recommend getting some longer lines to start with - definitely out towards 30 inches... even if you borrow them for a bit. Should give you a bit of time prior to catapult. 24s are a bit short to be learning with in my opinion.

For boards, Wind Surf N Snow in Sydney have a large range of second hand boards that they post - I've bought from them before and been pleased.

www.windsurfnsnow.com.au/test_site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99&Itemid=103

Now, I'm not an expert at all on the brands listed here, but I think you want something that is about 110 litres and nice and easy to sail.

My pick from this list is the Bic Techno 112 - does anyone else have any recommendations?

i've just looked at the fanatic range and i'm thinking the 09 modle of the shark or the eagle because there 25% off, has anyone got/tried these boards love some info and which one is better because they're the same price

i as thinking shark would beat eagle any day, being that ahrks are very good in the water.

but then realised that eagles catch fish with their tallons.

so i changed my mind and now i think eagle.

my apolgies in advance for being a smart arse but my neural firewall is dissabled.

My second board was a Fanatic shark 145L, and it was and still is an awesome board. Don't use it much these days as I crave high winds and small boards as you will soon...but I can still use it for a light wind cruzer. I had my first board, a 180L Fanatic Viper for about 3 months before I moved to the Shark. The move to the smaller board with no dagger board was not that hard and I picked up heaps really quckly, All the basics like foot straps, harness, gybes and catapults were perfected on this board. The Fanatics are good boards and very strong, mine survived many catapults with no major damage. 3rd season in I still have Fanatics in my quiver, both freestyle wave boards, 113L and 95L and i'm looking for an 85L to complete my quiver. You will be looking for something smaller than a 145, I think at your weight 120L will still be big, see if someone will let you have a go on their 90-110L board and see how you go....Go with the Fanatics you won't be sorry.

If you want to know anything else about the Shark PM me and i'll give you a full run down...Cheers Jase.

Given your size and age I'd say learn to water start on your current board and get comfy using harness and footstraps then get something about 100L and over 60cm wide. It'll be super floaty at your weight and you'll progress faster than on a huge barge. Get something cheap and second hand because you will be putting plenty of dings in it.

Scully said...

+1

I dont know as much as most guys about the sport, but i do know handing a brand new board to somebody that has just discovered catapualting is not the smartest idea.
CarveGybe88, catapualts can damage your board, some new footstraps are not going to be a quick heal to this problem. The only way your going to prevent catapaulting is buy learning from your old catapaults.

So i would say, dont spend the extra $500+ on a brand new board, find a 2nd hand board thats ruff on the edges but will do the job. And wont give you a headache when you destroy the nose.

Wise words.

I think 30" harness lines will be too long. Its a good idea to get some lines that are adjustable, not necessarily "on the fly" adjustable, rather the ones that tie off through a cringle so you can make them shorter/longer with a bit of fiddling.
Like these ones - http://shop.windfanshk.com/cgi-bin/hk/cart.cgi?action=show&product=63

As far as fit is concerned current received wisdom has the boom height between clavicle and chin height when mounted on the board. The actual height though depends on your harness hook height and arm length. The goal is to be comfortable blasting along relaxed and as far from the booms as your arms allow while hanging a lot of weight in the harness.

Guy Cribb has some fit tips that may suit you -
www.guycribb.com/windsurfing_technique_holiday_DVD_0076v01.htm

Scully said...

+1

I dont know as much as most guys about the sport, but i do know handing a brand new board to somebody that has just discovered catapualting is not the smartest idea.
CarveGybe88, catapualts can damage your board, some new footstraps are not going to be a quick heal to this problem. The only way your going to prevent catapaulting is buy learning from your old catapaults.

So i would say, dont spend the extra $500+ on a brand new board, find a 2nd hand board thats ruff on the edges but will do the job. And wont give you a headache when you destroy the nose.

Sorry to hijack this thread but Im just about to get a new board & since Ive been trying the guy cribb more upright sailing style I tend to catapult a bit & Im paranoid about destroying the thing..how do you avoid damage cheaply.. ( ok smartasses dont say dont catapult..)

if you would like to demo either we have both in the shop

well there good for long distance runs