Have been getting more adventurous and trying a bit of sailing from local beach. I always come away wrecked as it's much more physically demanding; probably because I'm falling in more, and wondering if a different board would make a significant difference. Also, should I be focusing on improving my jibing to higher proficiency first?
After a few goes I usually try to save energy and just plonk the sail in right position for a water start rather than stuffing a jibe and having sail flipped the wrong way.
Currently I have a 165 Lt JP super lightwind and a 125 Lt Tabou Rocket. On Superlightwind, flat water, I can plane into and gybe about 90% of the time now.
On the Rocket, flat water, that would drop down to about 30%, and in the ocean, well, close to zero :)
I found the Rocket very cumbersome yesterday trying to get out across waves in 25 Knots, getting knocked off a lot, it felt like a tanker.
Would a smaller, different size board make that much difference or am I better off waiting another season to get better before busting a gut with this stuff?
If I did go for a board, at 85KG what would be a good option style and litreage wise?
A freestyle wave board will be your best friend
friend. I was in the same position as you a little while ago, sailing in rough ocean swells. I found a wave sail also helped waterstarts as they are generally alot flatter than conventional sails. I've had dozens of instances where I struggled to waterstart in those rough conditions but I persevered and now I don't even blink an eye about doing it. The same thing goes with gybing, if you practice in more challenging environments you will get more proficient quicker.
Refering back.to your question, a freestyle wave board, somewhere around the 100l mark will be ideal.
90 - 95L would be fine in 20 - 25 knots.
100L quads are alright cos the turn well but a 100L fsw might feel just as bulky as the rocket.
Definitely a 80 - 90L ish FSW.
Anything bigger and anything freeride is just too hard to hold down in even small waves.
IMHO you need to learn to sail the smaller board (which is not small, just smaller) competently and gybe it 90% etc and then head out in surf.
(That may sound hard, but it is not - it is easier to gybe a FSW than a freeride (or wave board), especially in bumps)
Your weight on a Rocket 125L in surf is insane!!
I would not agree with Stu, pure waveboards are loose so nice to turn, and then the tail sinks / it slows greatly at the end of the turn. FSW waaayy much easier
Consider a SUP for learning wave sailing in light winds. Put a small wave sail on it.
Sounds lame. But worth trying. It's loads of fun
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll keep my eye out for 90 ish Lt FSW style board.
And thanks Mark I don't feel like such a gumby now. I'll take that advice and work on gybing first.
gregob
I'm at a similar point as you are in regard to giving the waves a go. Just bought a s/h fsw 109ltr as my 93ltr just feels very small for me (86kg). My jibes and tacks need a lot of improvement but I just don't want another season to come and go whilst I practice them.
My immediate goals are to just survive getting in and out so something that planes and jibes and tacks easier seems like a better option than a smaller board that surfs better. I Just joined the Qld Freewave Association this week and I'm going to the State of Origin comp at Ballina on the weekend to meet the wave sailing crew and see what I can learn.
