beginner

[kenxon]

hi, i just took up a windsurfing course, but i still cant sail, whenever i lift up the sail, i will fall, i've been doing this for ten over times during the course.

i'm not satisfy with it, i'm thinking of going to east coast to try. but im afraid that the current will drift me far away and i cant return. how? will anyone help me? must i bring my phone out so i can call back to base? and how much i have to pay for that?

[<george warren>]

Whatever happens, dont give up !!!
I dropped the sail 835 times before I went forward more that 6 feet !
The courses and equipment are 100 % better than 10 years ago.
Sukhdev will no doubt update you better on the other courses there.
We are a friendly bunch so if you are concerned about your position, wave your arms above your head and somebody will come and help.
Better still, there will probably be a rescue boat nearby.
You are starting something that (hopefully) will grab you and hold you until we all meet on the big wave upstairs !!!
K-21

[kenxon]

thanks.. anyway who is Sukhdev..
is there any beginner windsurfer around.. maybe can go windsurfer together.. cos i have no friends doing windsurfing.. heehe..

[sukhdev]

quote:hi, i just took up a windsurfing course, but i still cant sail, whenever i lift up the sail, i will fall, i've been doing this for ten over times during the course.

Where did you take the course? If its at PastaFresca (beside hawker center), make sure you are using the wide blue boards (Starboard). The narrow stuff might look cool but its MUCH easier balancing on a wider board.

If you are falling in when pulling up the sail these could be the things to watch for :
 

[*]keep the front foot just in front of the mast foot[*]keep the rear foot about 40cm or so behind the mast foot[*]both feet should be aligned close to the centre line of the board[*]bend your knees, use the power of your upper thighs to pull up the sail by leaning back against it[/list]Take a look at the video link below and watch how the uphauling (pulling up the sail is done). Pay attention to the position of the feet and the overall posture.
 Click here for Starboard START Windsurfing Video
   

quote:i'm not satisfy with it, i'm thinking of going to east coast to try. but im afraid that the current will drift me far away and i cant return. how? will anyone help me? must i bring my phone out so i can call back to base? and how much i have to pay for that?

Both PA and Pasta Fresca do rentals and both have pretty good rescue. As far as I know you don't need to pay as long as you sail within the designated sailing area. They keep a reasonable lookout. If you are in distress, sit on the board and wave your extended arms in an X over your head back and forth and they will come get you back.

Hope all this helps.

Just remember that its a sport where everyone has to look uncool (fall in etc) at first in order to look cool.

Welcome to what hopefully might become a life long sport.

[kenxon]

i did my course through saf yacht club at changi..
thanks for the tips.
i'll be going down to PastaFresca or pa soon..  

[doulian]

hi..im also new in this windsurfing craze...however i managed to sail out successfully but my prob is sailling back..keke...i asked robert and he suggested to make a run...gonna try tis sun....  

[kenneth]

Hi guys,

Follow this link to the star-board forum, u will be amazed how much u will learn and improve just by going thru Roger Jackson's advice ...

http://www.star-board.com/Forum/school/forum.asp

Sukdev has also been a great help.

Happy surfing ...

[kenxon]

hi.. thanks all im now able to sail in and out of PastaFresca. im sailing the the big wide blue Starboard and 4.5 sail... i have no prob with  basic jibing now but.. still cant figure out with the tacking haha...

[Shuddup]

Hi, i'm pretty new at this too, took the course at the now defunct SAFRA place up the road from PA sea sports club

was wondering if any other newbies are interested in  going out too coz i ain't any good, keep failing into the water, thnks =P

[<denis>]

quote: hi.. thanks all im now able to sail in and out of PastaFresca. im sailing the the big wide blue Starboard and 4.5 sail... i have no prob with basic jibing now but.. still cant figure out with the tacking  

Contrary to what they teach you at beginners' classes, jibing for beginners is much easier than tacking.  The reason is when tacking, you turn your back to the front of the board and the direction you are going.  This upsets your orientation.  Also, when tacking, you have to tilt the sail a great deal to the back of the board to make it go around.  Most beginners find this upsets their balance and they often fall while doing this.  Jibing is more intuitive.  So when you are at the beginner's stage, jibe the board when you have to go around.  After you have gained more confidence and have become more proficient then practice tacking.

[79manz]

Hi everyone

I'd just completed my begineer Windsurfing course at fesca last Sunday. Well, to be frank, all the theories about jibing, tackle... it's all behind my head now. I can only naturally react to the situation. Really looking forward for another round of windsurf next saturday morning. Anyone interested? Really looking forward to know more surfers dudes outthere!!!!