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Expertise
Windsurfing expert. 25+ years windsurfing experience. I can give advice about learning to windsurf, the best places to learn and the best equipment to learn on. I can also offer advice on what equipment to purchase based on your skill level, weight and sailing location. Ask me before you buy. The boards made in the last 5 or 6 years are so much easier to sail and learn on. An advance word of advice: stay away from buying old boards unless you know exactly what you are buying and know that all parts are there. I get so many questions about how to set up old boards that usually end up being broken or missing parts and it is impossible to buy parts for these old boards. Remember, it is impossible to find parts for old boards. Try not to buy a board that is more than 5 or 6 years old. As boards age they begin to absorb water. Once that occurs the board is toast and it happens with a lot of boards over 10 years old. When you ask questions, please let me know what part of the world you are from so I can tailor the advice to your location. DO NOT ASK ME WHERE TO GET PARTS DO NOT ASK ME WHERE TO GET PARTS
Experience in the area
I have been windsurfing for over 25 years.
Education/Credentials
School of hard waves :-)
What do you like about this subject?
The most exhilarating experienc; being swept along by the wind. When you get to the level of experience where you can get your board to plane, it feels kind of like slipping on a bar of soap except you don't fall, you just keep on going, faster and faster.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
There is no limit to what one can learn. Every session is a progression forward.
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:
One of the best forms of exercise. Windsurfing in challenging conditions gives you a much better and prolonged workout than running, aerobics or any other type of exercise and it is much more fun!! It works just about every muscle in your body. Also helps older people maintain their sense of balance.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David | 10/10/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you. |
| Tom | 09/13/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | excellent advice, I really appreciate this site ..... |
| Andrew | 09/07/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Fantastic! |
| Andrew | 09/07/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Could not be better |
| Will | 08/24/11 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Recent Answers from Patrick Dean
2011-12-13 Best beginners board:
A board with a centerboard will definitely give you the ability to get upwind in your case where you need to point very high to get out to a wind line. An SUP can plane in enough wind. I sail with guys
2011-12-12 Best beginners board:
You are correct in saying this board may need more than 15 knots to plane but that would depend on your weight and the fin and sail size you are using. I have a 145 liter Gun board. The Tabou rockets
2011-10-16 Which first windsurf board:
230 liters is basically a learning board. 180 liters is good for very lite wind only. You would likely grow out of these quickly once you become more proficient. Based on your weight you would be better
2011-10-16 Which first windsurf board:
I need to know what the volume in liters of those boards in order to give you the best advice. Find out how many liters each board is and get back to me.
2011-10-09 Sail rigging:
It serves a couple of purposes. If you use the top hole it will allow the bottom of the sail to get closer to the board and "close the gap" which will give you more speed. If you rig it higher it will
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