wheres a good place to get lessons around brisbane
a friend of mine wants to learn to windsurf
when i last looked there was 2 main options in brissie- surf connect and boardcrazy.
my girlfriend and i went to a group lesson with simon and julie from boardcrazy. it was the cheaper option and suited us better as we live in manly. i have a vague recollection though that they might only do the group lessons until march or april.
We do lessons 7 days a week James. If you are under 19 you can also consider joining the State's Sailboard Training Program, all standards including total beginners welcome. Next State's training is next Friday (Good Friday), then Easter Monday. Details: www.seabreeze.com.au/Events/QLD/Windsurfing/2440225/Sailboard-Squad-Training.aspx#2440225. Cost: $20 for 3 hours.
Other than that, we are open 7 days a week and we run individual as well as group lessons. Not sure what is happening, yesterday we had 3 private lesson bookings, 2 today (but cancelled due to weather). Is windsurfing coming back? We normally get 50 kite lessons to 5 WS lessons per week.
Any questions feel free to PM or email me at: padi@surfconnect.com.
Padi
Boardcrazy 38916470 - definately the way to go. The number of new racing sailors that have gone through their program has been great to see, and the level these guys and girls are achieving in such short time is fantastic.
Common sence information and equipment is modern and user friendly. Unlikely there are any better teachers out there than Simon and Julie.
And they are great supporters of your local sailboard club.
Darryl
Secretary
Do a google and you'll find tons -
www.google.com.au/search?q=windsurfing+schools+brisbane&hl=en&cr=countryAU&start=10&sa=N&gws_rd=ssl
Just make sure instructor is qualified and insured! Some guy down here twisted his ankle whilst learning and sued the hell out of the poor instructor which we have never seen since!
to be fair, from what i understand the state sailboard squad also includes complete novices and is yachting qld's initiative to promote windsurf training and competition amongst youngsters (including those that have never tried the sport)
Reckon he must be on commission. Posting first as Bayside Club Secretary (where the guy he recommends is the club president rofl), then disguise himself and make second post as DAM71 (Darryl Meares). Them two must be good mates or something sounds doggy here
Ignore the interpersonal conflicts above (not helpful guys).
I'm sure either store will be great. Simon has always been helpful me and others around, and I've seen Padi working with the state squad a few times and they look to be progressing well.
So it's probably a question of who can teach when. Give 'em a call and see who has the most suitable times for your friend (you have warned them it's very addictive right? 
).
Good winds
H
).
Dear Windykid,
Well done for bringing more folks to windsurfing.
Here is the underline to H's post.
I know both Darryl and Simon as part of the Bayside Sailboard Club (BSC) Committee and I know them both as friends (that should cover disclosure).
Whilst Darryl probably should not have posted in an official Bayside capacity with opinion, his intention was never to deceive, but it was based on his good experience with board crazy.
Your request was for a "good" place to learn to sail. Having seen first hand the huge amount of unpaid effort (not on a commission, thanks webbie and gestalt) that both the committee of BSC and Simon personally put into running BSC events and developing windsurfing here in QLD, I believe that Daryl's post was correct.
It is in no small part that the amount of effort put in by the committee and the other helpers that has made the BSC one of the largest windsurfing organizations in Australia currently.
You might also note that whilst Simon does run a shop, and his sponsorship has meant the survival of a number of events this year, Church and State are separate. You just try and buy some stuff out of the back of his van on race day, see how far you get!
Those with a prominent profile in the QLD windsurfing community should probably take every opportunity to promote those doing good in the sport, rather than grasping at chances to burn anyone putting in the hard yards. As H said, "Not helpful guys"
We should certainly capitalize on every chance to ensure that Rookies get the best experience when entering into the sport and keep coming back for more, and more importantly, make some great mates along the way.
Windykid, bring your mate down to manly or wello on a windy day and have a chat with the folks there. You won't find a bunch of sailors quicker to help out with a tip or two or a handy hint.
Although I would avoid gybing tips from Darryl as he is ****house.
Simon Tribe AUS 325
I stick my nose anywhere I like mate. This is a public forum 
Maybe you too get commission? You must be in the same gang - doggy gang wait, boardcrazy.... boggy gang?
You guys are far too serious on the east coast. Chill out guys [}:)]
A fifteen year old asks for a simple bit of advice to help a mate and he gets all this crap......shame.....
To quote Mr L in gear reviews "Egotistical Tossers"
(oops sorry I sound like one of those HBay whingers)
Congrats to Simon and Paddi for not entering this one.....shows strength of character from both. I would pick whichever of these two teaches closest to you...but then again I am known as a lazy bars****. [}:)] (By the way , I am the Treasurer of Bayside, unsponsored, but open to offers. )
liar liar, pants on fire.
Get an initial 2hr session for the basics, then teach yourself.
(HTFU)
Sorry guys, come from a bit of a surfing background where lessons were, well
... lessons?
To be honest I would go with a lesson to start of with. There is a lot to learn and it will make the first few times on the board a lot easier. Also don't be afraid to come up to a fellow windsurfer and ask for a few pointers. On the water everyone is usually super friendly. O some good sailing spots are listed here http://www.windwanderers.com/Locations.html
An other good reason to have lessons rather than going it alone that the schools have very good learner boards and rigs. These are not easy to get second hand and once you get the hang of sailing, You will probably want different gear.
Scotty,
im going against the grain on this one! I reckon the best way to learn is to buy some second hand gear (preferably of me!) and then just suck it up and get out there and do your time on the water!
Mainly because this is what I did and I want others to feel the pain and humiliation I felt for the first few days! But then I look at the standard of sailor I am today and I know it was the right decision.
ps it is also important to consider your sailing atire.
pss get some lessons!
Hi There bud,
HAving taught myself i would highly recommend taking afew lessons becuase its easy to get into bad habbits and although they will get you out there quicker they will also hold you back when you try to improve . After a couple of years just being happy to fly up and down, tack at both ends i decided i wanted to be able to do the carve and duck jibes. So to get into these i have had to jump back on my big old trustee 160 ltr board and learn some core skills. I have to say it has improved my board awarness and skills immensly ( although i still cant carve jibe yet ).
Get it right from the start would be my advice, as for gear my first board was a 160 fanatic shark, im only 70kgs so this is a pretty floaty vessle, in hindsight i wish i went for something around 140lts to start with but atleast i have a board for those large sail days when all the others that use sinkers are sitting on the shoreline.
Ive since brought a jp 120 and i love it, great board and a great tution base to learn new skills.
Once i move up from NSW later this year id be more than happy to give you a few pointers
