ripcurlchick here are your pics....

[el_timmo]

welllllllllll it depends! There are so many different things you can do in windsurfing. You can just blast up and down a lake or flatwater spot and have loads fun, or you can do freestyle and have even more fun or you can sail in waves and have LOADSA fun, or you can get into the formula racing with MASSIVE boards and sails (not so much fun), etc! I find surfing helps with your balance, which is important, and also being able to read how the wave is going to break is also a plus. I enjoy windsurfing because you can get massive airs off chop or waves and then if you turn around and go the other way, you can ride some nice waves coming back in. I did notice that some of the best windsurfers have a wave style very similar to surfing, but there are still a few differences.
I'm not a good surfer, so maybe as (or if!!!) I get better at surfing, I may notice mor similarities.

But, give it a go. The feeling you get is great, and when you get good enough to ride the waves, the stoke you get is just like surfing, even though the technique (and rules) may differ. Most of all, like surfing, enjoy what you're doing at whatever stage you're at.

[tomcat360]

a guy that has a house near us has a board that he doesnt use any more he has offered to let me use. those boards seem really small, what are the dimension on them?

[el_timmo]

windsurfing boards go normally by litres than dimensions, though dimensions do play an important role. My shortest board is 245cm x 65cm at the widest point and is 105 litres. My smallest board however is 251cm x about 57cm and is 78 litres. although it is longer, it is thinner and much much less floaty. If I stood up on that one I'd sink without a good bit of wind pushing me.

A modern beginners board tends to be very short (can be around 260cm) but very wide (75cm) and very floaty (around 200-225 litres) This makes them much more stable and makes learning much more enjoyable. Anyway, beginners boards vary. If you can't stand up on that board that your mate is lending you without it sinking, it's definitely too small to learn on. Remember you have the added sail weight on top of that!

I think the best way to learn these days is to get instruction. Windsurfing isn't exactly a hard sport, but learning by yourself makes it VERY hard! Find out what kind of board it is and let me know. I may be able to tell you whether you can learn on it or not. Alternatively, you can ask on a windsurifng forum from people who know more about it than I do. I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to post another forum here, but I'll try anyway. The forum I use is www.boards.co.uk There are quite a few very good windsurfers there.

http://www.mistral.com/standard.xml?vpID=19&productID=4
http://www.star-board.com/products/start.asp

those are typical entry level boards, but I do not suggest you buy them unless you plan on teaching your girlfriend/wife (not recommended) or kids or friends. You will soon outgrow it and will then have to look at getting yourself a board more suited to your ability and style.

hope it's helped!

[tomcat360]

the guy has his sailboard at his house, which is rather long, like 8 feet, quite possibly more. he said that the windsurfer he had at his parents had two sails to it (no clue of the size) and that you could stand on it without any wind.

there aren't any lessons nearby, but maybe I can give the guy a 6 pack and bribe him into helping me learn. I think I can catch onto it pretty quick, but I really have no idea. If I get stuck, I'll annoy you with some PMs

[el_timmo]

ey no problem.... you can send an email... if you click on the msnm tab I think it gives the email address, so you can email any questions or whatever