Adequate Equipment for Beginner (and other questions)?

[Mike]

I have just started windsurfing and have gone about six times this
year both in SE PA and the Outer Banks. In the past I have sailed
Lasers which I thought was an extremely responsive boat but is nothing
compared to windsurfing.

I am using an O'Brien Elite that is about five or six years old and do
not know too much about the board except it was new when I bought it
but I never got around to sailing it. I have already replaced the fin
this summer with a more modern version.

The board seems alot more "tipy" than the training boards that I have
used. I have a few questions.

1) Does anyone have a suggestion for me regarding the suitability of
this board for a beginner?

2) What is the best windsurfing magazine?

3) What is the best windsurfing book? I have the Zen of Windsurfing
already.

4) I have signed up for the 3 day ABK sailing school this fall. Is
this a good program? It is the only one that I have seen advertised
for the mid-atlantic states.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mike

[Richie Sprosen]

Mike wrote:

I hang around with, and get trained by Barbara Kendall (olympic
gold&silver, and top female wave sailor), and a few more professionals.
They all say the same thing...Start on something like a Mistral One Design
(official olympic board), then go into short boarding, starting on a 300,
then 280...270...263. I started on a One Design, and denied the chance to
start short boarding because i enjoy racing too much.

P.S. New Zealands the best place for sailing.

[sailquik (Roger Jackson)]

>I have just started windsurfing and have gone about six times this
>year both in SE PA and the Outer Banks.

Cool!

> In the past I have sailed
>Lasers which I thought was an extremely responsive boat but is nothing
>compared to windsurfing.

Very true!

>
>I am using an O'Brien Elite that is about five or six years old and do
>not know too much about the board except it was new when I bought it
>but I never got around to sailing it. I have already replaced the fin
>this summer with a more modern version.

If you sail in Pamlico Sound (Hatteras) I hope it was a weed fin.
If not, you will need one unless you sail up near Nags Head.

>
>The board seems alot more "tipy" than the training boards that I have
>used.

Yes, it has significantly lower volume, a fairly small daggerboard,
and is quite a bit narrower than a Revo (like mabe 4")

>1) Does anyone have a suggestion for me regarding the suitability of
>this board for a beginner?

Depends on your weight. If under 175 # it's doable, if over 175,
something with a bit more volume witll serve you much better.

>
>2) What is the best windsurfing magazine?

Windsurfing/WindTracks/NEWJ/ Windsurfing (British)
All are good and do a great job in their particular area.

>
>3) What is the best windsurfing book? I have the Zen of Windsurfing
>already.

No idea.! But if you are sailing and have had a lesson, why do you
want the book.
If you can uphaul, tack, and return to where you left the beach, you
need time on the water, not books.
Some of the Peter Hart videos (avail from Sideoff @aol.com) might be
far more beneficial!

>
>4) I have signed up for the 3 day ABK sailing school this fall. Is
>this a good program? It is the only one that I have seen advertised
>for the mid-atlantic states.

Absolutely! Probably the best instruction available, and you will
come away with a much better knowledge of what gear you will
want/need. Also they have alot of fun while they learn!

Hope this helps!
sailquik (Roger Jackson) US 3704 Ph. (301) 872-9459
Cert. Level 1 WS Instructor
F2 Thommen; North Sails/Rigs; True Ames/Rainbow Fins;
Email= sail...@mail.ameritel.net

[mcle...@epix.net]

Mike wrote:
>
> I have just started windsurfing and have gone about six times this

> year both in SE PA and the Outer Banks. In the past I have sailed

> Lasers which I thought was an extremely responsive boat but is nothing
> compared to windsurfing.
>

> I am using an O'Brien Elite that is about five or six years old and do
> not know too much about the board except it was new when I bought it
> but I never got around to sailing it. I have already replaced the fin
> this summer with a more modern version.
>

> The board seems alot more "tipy" than the training boards that I have

> used. I have a few questions.
>

> 1) Does anyone have a suggestion for me regarding the suitability of
> this board for a beginner?
>

> 2) What is the best windsurfing magazine?
>

> 3) What is the best windsurfing book? I have the Zen of Windsurfing
> already.
>

> 4) I have signed up for the 3 day ABK sailing school this fall. Is
> this a good program? It is the only one that I have seen advertised
> for the mid-atlantic states.

I went to an ABK camp last year at Dewey Beach. A tremendous experience.
The instruction was excellent, and the food wasn't bad either. I highly
recommend it. I would find that throughout the next year pieces of
instruction that I couldn't assimilate right away would come to me, and
help my sailing (which could still use a lot of help).

My wife is going to attend this year, and then I plan to take another
clinic the following year. Although it is well worth the money, we can't
both afford to go the same year. Also, they have some very reasonably
priced videos at the clinic. I got one on tacks and gibes that I review
when I'm having a technique meltdown.

> Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Mike

Mike Lester

[Jim Titus]

spi...@voicenet.com (Mike) wrote:
>
>I have just started windsurfing and have gone about six times this
>year both in SE PA and the Outer Banks. In the past I have sailed
>Lasers which I thought was an extremely responsive boat but is nothing
>compared to windsurfing.

>

>The board seems alot more "tipy" than the training boards that I have
>used. I have a few questions.
>
>1) Does anyone have a suggestion for me regarding the suitability of
>this board for a beginner?

ZI don't know that board, but the board I bought was a bit more tippy than
a beginner board, I got used to it after two or three times.

>
>2) What is the best windsurfing magazine?

Windsurfing

>
>3) What is the best windsurfing book? I have the Zen of Windsurfing
>already.
>

I sailed sunfish, similar to lasers, for 10-15 years before windsurfing.
The book you purchased should suffice, until you get a short board. By
that time, a year or two of back issues of Windsurfing will probably cover
everything else you need.

>4) I have signed up for the 3 day ABK sailing school this fall. Is
>this a good program? It is the only one that I have seen advertised
>for the mid-atlantic states.

I did not take that program, but I would emphasize that the most improtant
thing is to get yourself out on the water. I recommend Long Beach Island
for your location--lots of shallow water and close. You really should
try to sail at least once a week during the warm season for all this to
become second nature.

[William Fragakis]

In article <5vehu8$p...@winter.news.erols.com>, Jim Titus
<jtitus.REMOVE.THIS...@erols.com> wrote:

> >4) I have signed up for the 3 day ABK sailing school this fall. Is
> >this a good program? It is the only one that I have seen advertised
> >for the mid-atlantic states.
>
> I did not take that program, but I would emphasize that the most improtant
> thing is to get yourself out on the water. I recommend Long Beach Island
> for your location--lots of shallow water and close. You really should
> try to sail at least once a week during the warm season for all this to
> become second nature.

I have and recommend it highly. It will keep you from spending all that
time on the water in the next year trying to figure out what ABK can teach
you in one weekend. You won't be perfect after the clinic but at least
you'll have a solid foundation.

No sense in repeating the same mistakes over and over until they become
bad habits.

Best Regards,
William Fragakis