Hi there to all!!!
My husband and I live in Perry Ga. we are thirty somethings and we are so ready to get on the water; however, we are not sure what kind of rigs and packages that we need.Can anyone out there recommend board and sail sizes for newbies? Do y'all suggest new or used for first timers. We can't wait to meet all of you, if you can imagine, there aren't too many windsurfers in our area. Can't wait to hear from ya!!
Thanks,
JJ and Darian
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Here is a good link to get you started.
http://www.whitecapwindsurfing.com/rental/05firstgear.html
Heck, I can't imagine that there any windsurfers in your area! Where do you plan on sailing?
lake Julliet, I beleive that is in Macon, about 30 mins. from us, and I plan on many trips to the savannah area. Have you surfed on any of the local lakes? And if so do you ever have problems w/ the water level and wind factor?
Oh, thanks so much for the link, it has been very helpful.
My wife and I have been windsurfing at Lake Juliette since 1992 (when I was a freshmen at college), so I know the lake very well. It is a great lake to sail on, but there is one big problem. The main launch area was converted to a campground many years ago. During the colder months (when we get most of our wind), the gates are locked. There is one sailor who is permited to let people in. That would be Jon Danovic. I don't have his number handy, but he is heck of nice guy, who would love to have more people to sail with though. When the campground is open, I think you can launch there IF you buy a season pass. Hopefully Alan (aka speedsailor) can give some more details on access since he sails there a lot more than I do.
I now live in Augusta, which is close to the best windsurfing lake in Georgia (when you factor in size, access, lack of boat traffic and year round temps are warmer than Lanier). We have had some serious droughts over the last 5 or 6 years and there has always been plenty of water for sailing. The lake where lack of water can be an issue is Altoona, but usually only in the winter.
I know that I saw Jon's phone number as a contact somewhere on the web when I was surfin the net for local info. And the website that I was on mentioned something about him having a key. I will search again.
TY
I'm heading down to Lake Juliete Friday, 7/14 to camp for the weekend and check it out. I've never sailed Juliette before. Lisa will be with me and Chris Pyron is also going to camp, I think, and Alan Sloman may camp or come hang out. I'll have my gear including my Bic Nova, which is a beginner board and you're welcome to try it. I'll also have my Kayak. I dont think we can count on wind, but it should still be fun. Everybody is invited.
If you do need to purchase gear, please consider my shop, WindSense which is located at Lake Lanier in Atlanta or WhiteCap in Augusta. We normally can at least match the Mail Order Shop's prices and we're available for assistance and advice.
Gene
WindSense Windsurfing
770-967-0104 of 404-735-4944
http://www.expage.com/windsense
http://www.expage.com/genesconsignment
Gene Mathis
JJ & Darian,
The best starter board is wide & short. It offers stability under your feet while you are learning to control the rig. The Starboard Start is a board that fits this category and Danny Johnson just posted an ad on this site with one for sale. It is the board I first learned to sail on and saved me years of frustration.
I also recommend the learn to windsurf clinic to get you started.
I have an upper rig for sale (mast, boom, sail, uphaul line) that I will sell for a first time sailor. Contact me if interested 678-597-7380.
pk
I will be heading to Florida on Thursaday, the day before your camping trip so I will miss y'all . I was born and raised in Clearwater, FL that is where I first got a taste or should I say, caught the bug for windsurfing. It is just now in my adulthood (second childhood) that I have come to my senses to jump in the sport head first. I can't wait.
While you are down that way (assuming you will are going to Clearwater) if it's breezy, head up to Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs - generally, someone will be out if there is any wind.
btw, I agree with PKirk on boards and the value of a lesson.
Give me a call anytime and i'll give you the 411 on Juliette
alan
404-878-2716
Hey there, JJ and Darian,
Chuck Hardin of Whitecap Windsurfing here. Sorry I'm getting in here this late on this thread. Thankfully, I see Chris Campbell covered my back by directing you to the "First Boards and Gear" page of the Whitecap website. Glad you found it helpful. I had a full class of students both Saturday and Sunday at the lake here near Augusta. (All of them from the Atlanta area.)
I do have in inventory a couple of those "first boards" and sail rigs, too. You've gotten a lot of good advice from the Atlanta area windsurfing tribe! I'm not surprised. You'll find that's a large part of the joy in the windsurfing lifestyle -- the fun, cool, lighthearted, interesting, and giving people you'll meet. It's weird, for an individualistic sport that's all about self-expression and has enough natural obsticles in it's pursuit that the challenge to learn to windsurf "good" can indeed become a metaphor for life. (A first -time student said that last part yesterday in my class. I liked it.)
Your messages remind me exactly of where I was 10 years ago, i.e., entering your second childhood, and KNOWING I was going to pursue this thing called windsurfing. No question about it. If that is accurate for the two of you, I suggest you consider buying new when it comes to the board. The START and some other similar beginner boards are just that - suitable for beginning only**, but in the last 3 or 4 years, the board shapers have learned to incorporate the positive beginner-friendly ingredients of a board into a higher-performance shape (in a more all-around way) that will serve you well much further into the intermediate aspects of the sport. On the other hand, a START at a good used price followed up months later, when you understand the sport and your inclinations better, with the purchase of a true performance wide board of a little less volume than the "first" boards is a good strategy, too. That's pretty much your two options. See, that's not so bad!
(** The responses to dispute this statement should be in a separate thread. I'll meet you there.)
Chuck Hardin
Whitecap Windsurfing, Inc.
c:706-833-WIND (9463)
Hey, guys! I'm new to the sport as well and would love to check out Lake Juliette sometime. It's probably easier for me to get there than to Lake Lanier since I can avoid driving through town. I live just inside 285 on the south side of town.
Good to "meet" you!
Melissa
Hi Melissa
Juliette is a awesome lake for new sailors! No big boat wake and plenty of parking. Gene, Lisa and some others will be at the campground this weekend. Me and some of the regular juliette sailors will be there Sunday also.
Come on out and join us if you can.
alan
404-805-2607
Melissa,
I'll have my Bic Nova beginner (lite air) board and sails of all sizes that you're welcome to try if equipment is an issue. As Alan said above, "join us if you can".
Gene
404-735-4944
Gene Mathis
I wish I could have gone, guys! How was it?
I'll be going to the clinic this weekend - looking forward to seeing some of you there, hopefully...but I'll definitely have to plan on going to Juliette very soon.
Do they allow dogs at the camp where you all went?
Melissa
Melissa,
Dogs are allowed and we did take Roscoe & Wally. We actually, for the first time, had Roscoe, Lisa, Wally and I all in the Kayak at the same time.
Also, dogs are allowed at Sun Rise Cove and at Vann's Tavern where the clinic is being held and Rosco and Walley will probably be there also.
Gene
Gene Mathis