VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I live in Sooke by the basin and want to start windsurfing as a new hobby
I have a lot of surfing experience but looking for an off season sport and windsurfing is really interesting me lately. Looking for a cheap package with everything to get out on the water. I have a wetsuit stuff already.

What do you weigh and what kind of windsurfing do you see yourself doing?
Keep in mind beginner boards are something you generally move on from pretty quick.

Hey thanks for responding,

I am 170lbs. see myself ripping around sooke basin for a little bit until i get the hang of it, and for the off surfing season. Then potentially and hopefully surfing on a windsurf eventually. Id keep beginner gear for my kids once i move past it. But just sailing and and cruising around sound pretty fun right now, while i see the wind on the water everyday

There is a complete beginner set on marketplace for about $1000 which looks decent in the pictures. Probably worth looking at.
At JR quite a few people use SUPs which can take a sail since it's not particularly windy a lot of the time.

Thanks I saw that. I'll check it out!

niksurf wrote: Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:36 pm I live in Sooke by the basin and want to start windsurfing as a new hobby
I have a lot of surfing experience but looking for an off season sport and windsurfing is really interesting me lately. Looking for a cheap package with everything to get out on the water. I have a wetsuit stuff already.

Keep in mind this input is coming from someone who used to (from age 8 until 50!) live and breathe windsurfing, was a huge proponent of encouraging people to learn it, kited as well, and now primarily wing foil and surf-foil: Windsurfing is hard, requires a ton of time to get good at (like surfing), but is amazing and rewarding. Carting the gear around sucks, so does travelling with it. You're blessed to live in a windy area. You should totally learn it.

BUT...

Wingfoiling and other foiling has replaced windsurfing for me and many others and I NEVER EVER thought it would be possible. Probably like you seeing a body-board and someone saying "Hey, this is going to replace surfing for you". Not a chance, right? There's a reason why John and Nathan Florence foil when the surf isn't great and don't windsurf even though the windsurfing would be epic where they live. What you see is not what you feel when it comes to foiling. And I get more time on the water now in lighter wind as well as strong wind.

So, learn windsurfing, enjoy the hell out of it, but know that foiling is waiting to blow your mind for you despite any preconceived notions you have currently. This is assuming you haven't already tried foiling of course!

Unsolicited input over.

Great response and thank you.

Honestly I'd like to learn both. I even enjoy the sponge sometimes haha. Great for shore break!

I am lucky to be on the water and surprised no one else is utilizing the area, so I'd be a lone wolf.

Foiling looks awesome. Look expensive for even used. I just can't stop imagining how free it would feel to just be powered by the wind. I also hate crowds haha

So did you sell all your windsurf gear, Chris?

KUS wrote: Sun Jul 20, 2025 2:56 pm So did you sell all your windsurf gear, Chris?

No, I can't seem to let it go! If I lived at CB, Tofino, Oregon, etc, I'd still be windsurfing a ton. I miss jumping, looping, and smacking the lip a lot. My brother may take my windsurfing gear and put it to use.

I ended up picking up a package deal for free in Sooke, however it's old school as hell. An wayler from the early 80s. I determined to make it work lol until i find something else

Not recommended that’ll slow that learning curve big time ….thought you might find something cheap in the beyond 2000 vintage, since then not much has happened lol

Thanks, definitely looking

I have some good Windsurfing stuff.. Board, 3 sails and 3 masts. Only seen fresh water.
Give me a call. Brian 250 812-9720
Saanichton, BC

Hey I’m in the sooke basin aswell! If you want gimme a holler 250-508-488one or text me.. I can probably help out.. I go by sunny shores when I’m in a hurry to get on the water or just test some gear otherwise I likely go to Gordon’s or Ross bay ..