QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I'm new to windsurfing. Unlike the Juno Alaska newbie, I only like warm weather windsurfing. I started last year in Aruba, I was there in June, about three weeks. I'm in good shape just not as young as some(48yrs old) 5'4" about 135 lbs. I would like to buy my own equipment, but I'm not sure about what to get. I would like to purchase because I can't stay out all day or at least for any length of time. So 2 hour rentals a day isn't cutting it. I need to go out, come back hang, go out again.
The last board I was using was 140 board (What does that mean?) And only up to a 3.7 ,3.9? 4? I can't remember. Winds were 25 to 30 knots. I was able to just get around. I started to use a harness, then I had to go home.
Can you recommend a brand name of board? Short or Long again I'm not real sure what that means.
Also if you know of any other warm weather places to windsurf, aruba is great just not real close to california.
Lindy
ANSWER: Hi Lindy,
We definitely have the warm weather thing in common and by the way you are younger than me so don't ever let that deter you. Ahh Aruba, I have very fond memories of sailing there many years ago; 1990 to be exact. I bet it has changed a lot.
Let me give you a little more background info about boards.
140 refers to liters of volume. If you were to put a board in a long trough filled to the top with water and push the board down so it was submerged; 140 liters of water would be spilled out of the trough. So volume relates to the board's displacement or how much flotation the board is capable of regardless of whether it is short or long. This is important because if the board is too low in volume it would sink when you stood on it. However volume is not good when you are sailing in high wind. When you sail in high wind really fast the board planes up which means it rises up out of the water when you reach a certain speed and literally only the last 1/4 of the board and fin are in the water. This is the most exhilarating part of windsurfing. That which all windsurfers aspire to achieve and you probably experienced this when you were in Aruba. It kind of feels like slipping on bar of soap but you are in control and can keep sliding. Your weight is the single most important determining factor in buying a board, next to that is the amount of wind you will be mostly sailing in and also the type of water you will be sailing in. Also important is whether or not you can waterstart rather than standing on the board and pulling the sail up out of the water (uphauling). Water starting is an important technique to learn if you haven't yet. It enables you to get up and going on the board without standing on it and uphauling which would be impossible on a short small volume high wind board in steep chop. So to summarize, please tell me the following:
1. what are the wind conditions in your local area where you plan to sail most? what is the most common windspeed that you will be sailing in?
2. What type of water is it; salt or fresh, ocean, bay, lake or river?
3. Can you waterstart?
4. Can you jibe? (fast turns heading downwind)
5. Can you sail well upwind?
If you can get back to me I can give you a better idea of what you should be looking for in your first board as well as what would be good as your second additional high wind board once you progress.
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QUESTION: Well I love windsurfing in Aruba, and I love warm water. So lets just say long Aruba vacations for a while, the next couple of years at least. Maui was over my head as a beginner. So unless I find another great place where I can stand in the water and its 80 degrees everyday. I'm looking for equipment for aruba.
1) So the winds in June and July run 18 knots to 28?
2. So its ocean water, salt.
3)I haven't figured out how to waterstart yet. I will be asking for that lesson this year. I couldn't get the board my feet and the sail all in the right place this year.
4. Not really I know how its suppose to go.
5 Yes, upwind is okay.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for the time and advise.
ANSWER: I'm not sure I understand...do you want to buy a board and rig and bring it with you on a flight to Aruba? I was under the impression you wanted to sail in your local area in Ca. Packing equipment for that type of trip is rather complicated and also very expensive. The airlines charge enormous fees and may not even allow you to bring a board and check it to Aruba. When traveling, renting makes a lot more sense than bringing your own equipment. My best advice would be for you to find places near where you live that you could sail. Give me an idea where you live and I may be able to direct you to the best places for you to sail in Ca.
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QUESTION: Okay, renting it is. I currently live in Sacramento. So anywhere somewhat warm would be nice. I also have family in the LA area if thats better.
Thank you
AnswerI have never been here since I am a Northeast US windsurfer but I have heard much about an area between San Francisco and Sacramento called The Delta. It is a vast inland water area that eventually ends up in San Francisco Bay. The Delta is probably about an hours drive south of Sacramento and there is also a Windsurfing Store where you can buy or also rent equipment. Here is the website:
http://www.deltawindsurf.com/events.html
Here is a quick run down from the website:
Known as The Delta, Sherman Island, or Rio Vista (Rio for short), the entrance to the Sacramento River Delta, near the town of Rio Vista, is the most popular sailing site in the Bay Area for sailors looking for strong warm wind in the summer. If the Bay is fog-in with the Golden Gate lost in clouds, think Rio Daze and head to the Delta for warm air and hot sailing! On an ebb tide Sherman offers steep 3-6 foot chop / swell with great starboard ramps. The reaches are short so the action is intense and in your face. A great place to watch the local grommets rip it up! During floods or on lighter wind days there is fast slalom sailing to be had.
Check it out, it sounds great and it could be your spring through fall wind fix. Drop me a line and let me know how it turns out. If you decide you want to buy equipment to sail here it would be best for you to visit this area and talk to the locals about what they think would be good for you. I can also offer you more advice once you get some local input. My direct email is
[email protected]. Hope to hear from you in the future.
Good Luck and Good Wind
Patrick Dean
