[nikasp]

Hi,

I will be here between January and the end of April 2007. I took a windsurfing course over a week in Greece this summer and would like to continue if possible while I'm here. I took the skill level 2 out of 4 course so I know how to get from A to B and anywhere in between. I do not manage water starts and we had to light winds to learn beach starts but I think that should be my next "win"

1. Is it windsrurfing season all year around here?
2. I need to rent ALL the equipment including wetsuit etc. Possible?
2. Where should I go? I live in Central but am not afraid of a long commute on a weekend.
3. I have heard that I might need to take a course to prove that I am able to surf. Where do I find that? Link(s) please.
4. Anybody who wants to join a 35 yr old male from Sweden on this activity?

/Niklas

[Lammarite]

The best place is on Cheung Chau where there is a centre run by Hong Kong's gold medal winning olympic team.
There are also a few places in Stanley though I'm not sure if you can rent a wetsuit there.
Fortunately you only need a wetsuit really in Nov/Dec/Jan and possibly Feb, the rest of the year is shorts and sunblock!

[Peachstyle]

Hi there,

It's definitely windsurfing time right now. The only question I have about your current qualification is whether the HK centres will accept it. You're probably best of phoning the watersports centre in Stanley (better English?) to check this (http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/watersport/en/contactus.php). If they don't accept it, you'll need to spare two days to take a course (very cheap though - HK$130).

Once you can prove you have a qualification, it's easy to reserve a space at a watersports centre and, yes, you can hire everything you need (except boots). Total cost for a three-hour afternoon session is cheap at around HK$70.

Check out http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/watersport/en/index.php for general info.

http://www2.lcsd.gov.hk/cf/search/le...g=en&type=crsp
for info on upcoming courses (there are some spaces left in Jan, but be quick!)

and then http://www.esdlife.com/ga/leisurelink/eng/default.asp for booking the windsurfing sessions after your course.

Good luck! Send me a private message if you need more help - my boyfriend and I go out every couple of weeks now, so would be happy to meet up (though we're beginners).

Bye for now

[nikasp]

Thanks for all the info! I am sort of a newbie too. I did some selt taught windsurfing when I was young(er) and had a short break of about 17 years Now I feel old...

The course I took this summer was a blast. I do not manage any super quick tacks or gybes but I can usually go from A to B as I like. One day was very windy though and I got to look real cool a few times, but almost died doing it. I was totally bruised up on my chins but it was worth it.

I'll check in later when I feel I have a Sat/Sun to spare. I have read they can be quite tough about the course before you're allowed out on the water. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Peachstyle]

Cool, keep in touch - we took our course at Tai Mei Tuk watersports centre in HK. Very straightforward. Didn't manage to show most of the moves though, as there was very little wind, but they gave me the pass anyway.
Good luck!