I want to learn - clubs or schools - advice, please

[oldlady]

hello everyone, as the name suggest, I'm past the spring chick stage. I want to learn to windsurf and need a teacher with lots of patience. Maybe I'll book a vacation for the summer. I'd prefer to go to the Okanagan, as it's closer to where I live than the coast. But, I'll consider other spots. Any help greatly appreciated, and have a great Christmas

[KUS]

Any large lake, preferably Nitinat in mid summer with a newer style beginner board. Lotsa friendlies with more than enough free advice and an older crowd to hang with. You can also book the motel if you don't like the rough camping aspect.

In your area consult the sailing sites listed under the pages under this site's links. Your area has the Morewind site and they may have leads to instructors locally. Just reading learning site posts and watching locals sail you can pick up enough info to get yourself going.

[Crabbman]

www.strongkites.com For schooling 2005 .

[guest]

www.strongkiteboarding.com

[strongkiteboarding.com]

CHeers and Happy New Year

[Guest]

umm did she not say windsurfing?

[clown boy]

Actually, Kelowna-Penticton might not be a bad area to learn as the winds are light. I don't sail there but I've been told that the lakes have a fairly consisitent afternoon thermal in the 10 to 15 mph range. This is just about right for learning quickly. Nitinat is usually too windy. You would get out in the morning, but as soon as the whitecaps showed up you'd be overpowered until things settled down in the evening. I know there are sailors there and I think there's a local shop. Contact them and you'll probably get set up. I would suggest a modern "wide style" board like the Starboard Go. Good used ones seem to run around $1000. Start out with a 5 meter sail then go bigger to 6 then 7 and you'll have a nice light wind quiver that you'll use for years. You may be able to get a reasonable brand new package deal (rig and board) Then, when you're crankin' speed on the big stuff you could get a 9 foot slalom board for wind in the 20 mph range. Then go to nitinat. Then get an 8 foot six wave board and a 4 or 4.5 meter sail so you can ride the nuclear winds. So that takes care of the next 3 years. I like the Exel watersports guy in Victoria and they have package deals for learning on good equipment. You shouldn't need a lot of lessons as one learns a lot just by doing it and there's lots of lessons on the net and many friendly people on the beach. Unlike surfers, windsurfers are kind and always accomodate learners. You've chosen to embark on a great adventure; congratulations and have fun. Oh yeah, and surf safe.

[Unlike Surfers?]

Stay out of my water Clown Boy. I'm a surfer and I'm big, bad, and MEAN.

[clownboy]

I'm too fast. You'd never catch me.
Maybe i shoulda said unlike SOME surfers. Sorry. But have you read any surfer forums lately? What's with you guys? Jordan River sounds like a hellhole. I've always admired surfers and I love to watch a good ride but jeez! What gives?

[downwind dave]

clownboy there is no need to start ruffling feathers with your generalizations. An internet forum is not representative of anything in real life, if you think so you need to get out more.

[clownboy]

Too true Dave. I do need to get out a lot more. I've never managed to hit JR on a good day; but then I've never had BWD's reports to check out either. Maybe I should get out THERE more often. My daughter and I have been threatening to learn to surf (as if windsurfing and kitesurfing aren't enough) for some time and JR would be much easier for us to work than Long Beach. I've been wondering if it is realistic to expect to learn there (on a smaller day) or do "local conditons" exclude strugglers. I had dinner with a surfer who lived out that way and was surprised, no, shocked to learn he had basically quit on account of the "dark forces" there. Then I read their forum a few times and, well, I guess I formed an impression. As you can probably understand, I wouldn't want us to have a bad time on a fun trip.

[Clownboy]

Hey Clownboy did you know there are about 1 750 000 Man eating sharks in the water. Some on these sharks are 15 feet in length and swim
50 knots. Watch out it is not the surfers you have to look out for.
Its the sharks.

[dwd]

try learning in front of Shakies when the tide is low and and the rivers not pushing too hard. have a great time. no sharks, giant squid though.

[clownboy]

cool, thanx.

[Guest]

umm did she not say windsurfing?

Is this a ad site ? can I sell shoes here?