Hi All, I've been windfoiling for about 6 months, steady flights and the occasional gybe so still on the learning curve. My go to option when I'm being overpowered is to point upwind but how do you make it back at the end of the session?
I came unstuck on the weekend when I found myself a long way upwind from where I headed out due to the increasing wind. I usually sail to the conditions but got caught out on this one, when I headed out it was around 20-30knts but increased to 30-45 during the session so I was pretty well lit up - probably should have headed in earlier but was having a blast 
.
The issue I had coming in was I needed to put more wight on my back foot as I headed downwind which made me breach, my more usual "balanced" position felt like I was about to "go over the handlebars" at any moment and ended in a few spectacular catapults (1.5ft wind swell probably contributed a bit too).
Any tips on how others manage to go downwind in strong winds would be appreciated.
Cheers
for survival conditions I just get off the straps , move my feet in front of them and plane back home without trying to foil
What size sail were you on? I've never been out on a foil above 30 because those winds are quite rare here.
I've been in a few survival situations where it was gusting up to 30 and I was still on a 9.0, and it was extremely tiring and uncomfortable be do anything other than just commit to the foil. If I got out of the straps, even the front, there was enough speed to get up on the foil, especially sheeted out, when going downwind, and I felt like I had no control over the foil, but don't take that as 100% as I'm still quite fresh.
You may be able to stay on the foil and just hold the mast, essentially, or just "idle" the sail dead downwind, with wind that strong. It'll be more comfortable than dealing with the waves and the floatation fighting you as long as you control your height. Usually I just go as deep as I can downwind, which is sometimes quite deep, and still stay up on the foil and have my hands on the boom. If you had a small rig you may just be able to do that and use the 20mph or so of apparent wind to get rid of the big gusts. Just steer deeper in the gusts. It is definitely a bit scary though.Also, check out this video, it's been out a few days and it immediately gave me better control with their hip movement.
Doesn't really help but I have found a slightly longer mast 101 to 91 makes me feel more comfortable staying hooked in and going fast downwind.
With my 91cm mast I would generally unhook, move back foot out of the strap and keep turning downwind until the power is manageable (this is often a long way off the wind)
Im back on the beach watching when it goes over 20knts on thr race gear. but the few times ive been caught out, needing to go downwind ive found out of both straps, unhooked, forward on the board, feet apart (wide stance) sort of works.
Its probably best to try stay foiling above the waves (the wide stance, forward on the board really helps with that). Hitting chop slows you up enough that the apparent wind swings back round to hit you from behind again. Not really ideal on the foil, hooked or unhooked.
Normally if its 35+ you can just flag the sail out, take your back foot out of the strap and cruise back to the beach. It is tricky if its over 40 and you'll need to put more pressure on our front leg...if you lean back its more or likely orbit time.
Also body weight helps, if you're light guy you may struggle to keep the foil down??
Have not been in conditions like that, but in 20+ knots I go down wind by letting the sail way out, unhooked, and leaning off the board on the windward rail with arms straight and holding the boom close to the mast. Basically letting most of the wind slide off the sail towards the clew, and using my body weight to balance the remaining wind pressure on the sail. Actually takes very little effort to stay on the foil when doing that. I suppose with long enough lines I could stay hooked in, but in those conditions prefer not to.
I hate getting stuck upwind.
Head waay deeper than just downwind.
Back foot out and on downwind side, sheet way out, ready to flag out quickly, partial foil and plane riding windswells, but not overtake.
Select to expand quotePanno said..
Hi All, I've been windfoiling for about 6 months, steady flights and the occasional gybe so still on the learning curve. My go to option when I'm being overpowered is to point upwind but how do you make it back at the end of the session?
I came unstuck on the weekend when I found myself a long way upwind from where I headed out due to the increasing wind. I usually sail to the conditions but got caught out on this one, when I headed out it was around 20-30knts but increased to 30-45 during the session so I was pretty well lit up - probably should have headed in earlier but was having a blast .
The issue I had coming in was I needed to put more wight on my back foot as I headed downwind which made me breach, my more usual "balanced" position felt like I was about to "go over the handlebars" at any moment and ended in a few spectacular catapults (1.5ft wind swell probably contributed a bit too).
Any tips on how others manage to go downwind in strong winds would be appreciated.
Cheers
The best way I've found to downwind when it's proper windy is to sheet-in, both feet in the straps and go as fast as you can. It takes the right gear and practice - heaps of crashes until adjusting ride height becomes mostly subconscious.
It's superfun
Downwinding in the vid below at 40s and 1min 50s. 30 to 35+ knots. 3.7m Blacktip. SS Infinity 65 wing.
Thanks for all the sound advise and tips.
I think if had a little more commitment when bearing away, holding on through the extra acceleration of the broad reach, then headed further down wind I might have have not looked so clumsy on my return. I'll add this to the (long) list of things I need to work on. As always more time on the water is probably the key.
Cheers
Select to expand quoteazymuth said..
The best way I've found to downwind when it's proper windy is to sheet-in, both feet in the straps and go as fast as you can. It takes the right gear and practice - heaps of crashes until adjusting ride height becomes mostly subconscious.
It's superfun
Downwinding in the vid below at 40s and 1min 50s. 30 to 35+ knots. 3.7m Blacktip. SS Infinity 65 wing.
Thank you, awesome. Very good to see the knee motion and movements with how you get downwind like that. It looks like you stay clear of the harness on downwind like that.
