Got a very tweeky 85 ltr Tabour Da Curve board, which rides very nicely in the chop and swell, feels sharp and very quick to turn, but can be a b1tch to water start in the swell with decent wind because it always gets thrown around so easy.....
Any tips with water starting in swell / chop?
My board kept flicking over once I was ready to go.... I spent ages trying to get it in the right position, getting pushed around.. trying to move around in the current..... then the wind got funky as the swell lump rises behind you to meet the sail as you go to push forward to water start...... I am starting to guess you need to get the start done really quickly... and focus on wave timing, rather than leisurely "at your own time" water start.....
One guy yesterday said to make sure the board faces directly into the wind, and get a leg on it as soon as you can.....
Anyone else got some tips so I don't have to drink so much salt water..........
It's a bit of two steps forward, one step back..........
As mentioned, lay a foot on it whilst flying the rig. Point it downwind then round-up when you're in the position to waterstart. Also keep swimming toward it whilst working the rig up will keep the leeward rail on the water.
In saying that, my 'small' board is a 109 and only really gets flipped when it's howling.
The quickest way to learn is to just hum the music in that film from 30 odd years ago.
You know the one! What was it called???
durrr dum, durrr dum,
dumdum dumdum dumdum
That's how I learned to hasten the process of getting back on the board 
As you feel you are close to fall in, try to fall in so your gear is set up in the right direction to go back.
You can also slow down before the turn just dip in while holding your rig above, so it will be faster to turn around.
Practise water starting with your back foot in it's strap. if you can do this easily it makes board control much easier.
Unfortunately most of this stage has to be worked out from practising, seeing what does work and doesn't, but i drape one foot with just the heel sitting on the board to stop it flipping, the most important part of the process is once you have flown the rig is holding it in the right spot (practice), it will hold the board down and be effortless if in the right spot, think of it as flying a wing and getting in the most effficient spot, fly the rig with board pointing into chop (practice for breakers) and then let the nose come around and step up. Good luck i'm sure it wont take u long to get as your already doin it in flat water!!
What I find also helps is more mast foot pressure. When you are in the water getting ready to water start, find a more powerful neutral position. The minimum neutral position is enough power to keep the sail up (assuming you have a PFD to float yourself). Power up slightly more from that minimum neutral position such that you feel a lot of pull on the sail (but not so much that you are lifted up). This way you'll be hanging off the boom and applying that mast foot pressure that'll keep the board down.
My 93L FSW gets flipped easily in heavy winds and I found this helped.
