Every time I windsurf I wish I had realised rule #1 a lot earlier. It would have saved me a lot of swimming, fear and frustration.
"Don't let go"
Whenever it's possible and even when it's not, just keep holding on to your rig!
Example 1: You're learning to commit your weight to the sail and you keep falling off, pulling the sail in on top of you. Don't let go. If you hang onto the boom or at least grab the mast on the way down you'll know which way the sail's sitting in the water so you know which side of the mast to surface on. No more getting stuck under the sail under water.
Example 2: You haven't quite got your gybes nailed and you're stuffing up the exit. Don't let go. You'll know where you are in relation to your gear (with it), you won't have to swim, you know which side of the mast to surface on if you're under your rig and you're already in the waterstart position ready to go again.
Example 3: You stuff up in the waves / you get cleaned up by a wall of white water. Don't let go. Even if you think you can't hang on any more, keep holding on. The wave will pass before you run out of air and you'll be able to get going before the next wave eats you cos you didn't have to swim for your gear! You'll surface quicker and you'll waste less energy. If you're lucky you've been pushed in past the impact zone too.
Example 4: You're learning forwards and you stuff up mid manoeuvre. Don't let go. You're less likely to get hurt or break gear.
Ok, so there are some situations where you just have to push the Eject button or you're gonna get mangled. But if you're at that level you already know what they are. The rest of the time just don't let go 
quote:
Originally posted by Leech
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Example 3: You stuff up in the waves / you get cleaned up by a wall of white water. Don't let go. Even if you think you can't hang on any more, keep holding on. The wave will pass before you run out of air and you'll be able to get going before the next wave eats you cos you didn't have to swim for your gear! You'll surface quicker and you'll waste less energy. If you're lucky you've been pushed in past the impact zone too.
quote:
Originally posted by Leech
Every time I windsurf I wish I had realised rule #1 a lot earlier. It would have saved me a lot of swimming, fear and frustration.
"Don't let go"
Whenever it's possible and even when it's not, just keep holding on to your rig!
Example 1: You're learning to commit your weight to the sail and you keep falling off, pulling the sail in on top of you. Don't let go. If you hang onto the boom or at least grab the mast on the way down you'll know which way the sail's sitting in the water so you know which side of the mast to surface on. No more getting stuck under the sail under water.
Example 2: You haven't quite got your gybes nailed and you're stuffing up the exit. Don't let go. You'll know where you are in relation to your gear (with it), you won't have to swim, you know which side of the mast to surface on if you're under your rig and you're already in the waterstart position ready to go again.
Example 3: You stuff up in the waves / you get cleaned up by a wall of white water. Don't let go. Even if you think you can't hang on any more, keep holding on. The wave will pass before you run out of air and you'll be able to get going before the next wave eats you cos you didn't have to swim for your gear! You'll surface quicker and you'll waste less energy. If you're lucky you've been pushed in past the impact zone too.
Example 4: You're learning forwards and you stuff up mid manoeuvre. Don't let go. You're less likely to get hurt or break gear.
Ok, so there are some situations where you just have to push the Eject button or you're gonna get mangled. But if you're at that level you already know what they are. The rest of the time just don't let go
