Hi There,
Just bought a used O'Brien Excellerator. It had been 20 years since the last time I tried windsurfing... but the price was right.
Anyway I've been out 4 times and can now successfully go on a dead run and broad reach when on a port tack. Close reach seems to escape me always ending up with the board directly into the wind.
Starboard tack is nearly impossible. I *think* this is because my muscle memory is really poor when switch footed. (I finally put my failures together with my really weak fakie when snowboarding ... I'm just not comfortable balancing like that)
Here are my specific questions:
1. For safety I've been staying in a cove with light wind... is it easier to pick up the sport in stronger winds?
2. The guide I've been following shows footing position with forefoot on the center-line pointing forwards and rear foot on and perpendicular to the center-line. There is barley any space between the mast and dagger-board and if I'm wearing booties, even less. If I move the mast forward, this makes up-hauling more difficult and the board tends to spin more (I can't remember which direction). I don't have particularly large feet (small side of average actually). Trying to keep feet shoulder width apart puts my rear foot directly on the back side of the dagger-board. If I step any further back, I start to pop-o-wheelie and sink the stern. What's going on here?
3. What is it that I'm doing that would cause the board to constantly end up nose first into the wind, particularly from a close reach?
Thanks for any tips!
Christopher
look at some diagrams about the centre of effort, which is the point in the sail with the most pull. If this point goes backwards, then you head up into the wind.
Push away with your front hand, keep your back leg bent ( to absorb any gusts ) and don't sheet in too hard, use the back hand like your accelerator, pull in a bit, then a bit more. Don't lean the sail back ! Even when going up wind don't sheet in too much.
People that are going fast can learn their sails back because the point that is the centre of resistance on the bottom of the board moves back too as your speed increases. But for now, use the sail like in the picture but not in the foot straps.
^^^ what Madge said, but to answer your question numerically:
1. its a good idea initially to learn in lighter winds. Provided theres enough wind to fill the sail and give you something to counter your weight. As you progress and get proficient in sailng along in a straight line, then head out into the stronger wind. You need to be out in stronger winds to learn planing.
2. You want your back foot on the centerline, the front foot you can have slightly to windward. Not too far from the centerline, but it doesn't need to be on it. Shoulder width apart is a good starting point, but you'll find its more stable If you keep your feet slightly closer together. Windsurfing involves a lot of foot steering, i.e weighting your front or back foot will change board direction downwind or upwind (nextime your out, get a feel for which foot is carrying your weight when you move the rig forwards/backwards. By the sounds (as per Madges answer), youre more than likely carrying too much weight on your back foot, which results in you rounding up into the wind.
3. this pretty much is answered in 2. Too much back foot weight. Eventually foot position will come naturally, you won't have to think about where to put them. Once you start planing the dynamics of foot position change quite dramatically, but thats for another thread 
Select to expand quoteChronoFish said..
1. For safety I've been staying in a cove with light wind... is it easier to pick up the sport in stronger winds?
No, and yes.
Definitely start in light winds, as you have been. What you'll find though, as you get better, and very quickly, is that in light winds you hold the sail up, and in stronger winds the sail holds you up. You'll soon find the sail holding you up much, much easier.
Then, as you get better and learn to hook in the sail will start to throw you. Whoo-ooah ...Bang! But that comes later.
Being in a cove might give you unstable, shifty winds, that start and stop a lot, and move around a bit. The easiest wind to sail in is a steady, constant breeze from one direction.
Practise body dragging, from time to time. It's exactly what it sounds like. This will teach you sail control and water starting at the same time. If I could go back this is what I would tell myself to practice more.
Enjoy! I reckon years 2-3 of any sport are the most "fun".
Also... "The Season" is coming. The best sailing is in summer when consistent, warm sea breezes come in off the ocean in the afternoons. From about September through to February. Now is the best time of the year to start learning.
