Just got back from what I would call a pretty self-gratifying sesh in about 12kts! Full-on being the fact that if I hadn't have tried to 'pump' to the plane, I wouldn't have had one plane for the whole arvo...instead I managed to have a reasonable sail, and even managed a couple of half decent 'chop-hops'.
I just thought I'd share for those of us that have been out in light conditions without planing once (Vics especially). I reckon the 'pump' is fairly underrated, and should be mentioned more (for those of us who don't get those 30kt seabreezes), as once armed with the knowledge of how to get to the plane in sub-planing wind, a non-planing session can be turned into a planing session quite easily...and it's funny that once planing, the speed that you can pickup is amazing!
Anyways, although the sesh was very tame, I had a good workout (forearms cramping), and feel pretty good with the fact that I came a little closer to learning something else that improves my skill and my enjoyment of this great sport!
but I had my biggest (7.5) with not much downhaul...my point being even if you're rigging your biggest sail, smallest amount of downhaul, and everyone else says there's not enough wind to plane, you can if you can first 'get to plane'. Pumping will get you there, and it's very satisfying knowing that otherwise you'd be slogging...
WHat kit were you on hack?
I really like a good marginal session too as the waters not so choppy.
) and a 7.5 Gaastra GTX. This is my original setup I bought new when starting out a few years ago...and I still love getting out the big gear on light days!
