Surfing & Windsurfing/Expert Profile


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Expertise

Windsurfing expert. 20+ 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. 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.

Experience in the area

I have been windsurfing for 20 years.

What do you like about this subject?

The most exhilarating experience. Being swept along by the wind. When you 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.

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    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
John11/01/0910101010Thank you for the prompt response and .....
Lars10/29/0910101010Thank you very much for the quick .....
Gabor01/15/091010Thank you sir
Sasa12/05/0810101010awesome, many thanks, this was very helpful
Nick12/01/081010 

Recent Answers from Patrick Dean

2009-10-30 Do I need another board?:

Hi John, Your used board may have absorbed water and become heavier. This may be why it seems harder to sail, or you may have the wrong size fin on it as well. If you have a windsurfing shop in your

2009-10-29 Mast diameters:

It depends on where you are measuring. At the base of the mast the internal diameter is consistent across most mast makers since the mast extensions must fit inside. The outside diameter at the boom

2009-10-22 Board recommendation:

You should be able to uphaul a 125 liter board @ your current weight. This would be a good size for you to get a feel for a smaller handling board. It is not such and abrupt transition. You should

2009-10-19 attaching boom to mast bic 250year 1988:

Put the sail on the mast. Lay the sail and mast on the ground. Slide the boom down to the position you want it on the mast. Lay the boom back end in line with the top of the mast. Tie the boom onto

2008-12-31 Tiga 'speed' mast to board connection:

You can buy a replacement universal but any parts made specifically for that board will be near impossible to replace. No one stocks parts for old boards. You may be able to jury rig something to hold

 

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