New to area - tell me everything :D San Jose

[ShreddinEd]

All good suggestions. I would suggest rather than Shoreline where I learned to ws, go to Coyote on the inside on medium tide going low or Candlestick. Coyote and the Stick have way more consistent wind than Shoreline and are flat water, so good for beginners. If you get stuck at Coyote, you can walk back on the low tide. Make sure you can waterstart routinely before Candlestick, otherwise, you're swimming back. Also, make sure you're comfortable self-rescuing.

Agree wholeheartedly with Gerritt, thick wetsuit (imho a 4/3) is a must even if you think you don't need it. It's surprising how fast you can get cold if you're immersed for a period of time. Even if you break down and float out into the Bay, you'll have plenty of rubber to make it through the night (which has happened).

[gerritt]

Secret spot for learning water starts:

3rd Ave on low tide. The lower launch on about 2-3 feet allows you to stand up to nearly the channel. Beach (mud) start, go, crash, repeat, go further, crash, repeat, go further, turn around, beach start the other direction, crash, repeat…Eventually, your beach start becomes your water start.

Outgoing tide tends to smooth things out on the inside.

[gerritt]

[dllee]

I only mentioned Windfinder because I"m in the credits.
By that account, I should recommend Surfing California also.
Being really old has certain advantages...

[windyjones]

coyote point would be good too, probably an hourish up 101 from you... beginner friendly but has advanced level sailing outside. Easy to find a comfort zone and a good group/scene for someone that just got here.

[streetsailing]

I didn't read all the post but has anyone mentions this weekends swap meet at crissy Field in San Francisco? Come on down and join us and meet some of the many diverse windsurfers and kitesurfers in the entire bay. Sat. april 18, 9 till the wind blows.

[chris_4003]

[windward1]

So Chris,

Did you get out? Where and how was it?

W1