Forums > Windsurfing General

Your number one tip

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Created by Homestraight > 9 months ago, 1 Feb 2016
Homestraight
QLD, 39 posts
1 Feb 2016 7:22PM
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Hey, what is your number one tip for someone that can rig up proficiently and sail at a good intermediate level? Am accumulating knowledge still and looking for refinements. Good topics would be weight movement, foot positioning, trimming. Just nice simple concepts that you can remember and put to practice on the water.

Zachery
597 posts
1 Feb 2016 5:29PM
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check your beers are stacked and chilled for after session rehydration recovery!!

seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
1 Feb 2016 7:38PM
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more downhaul

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
1 Feb 2016 9:00PM
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seanhogan said...
more downhaul


...and less outhaul.

jn1
SA, 2642 posts
1 Feb 2016 8:45PM
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Homestraight said..

Try all possible settings on a sail. You'll be surprised how much power you can get out of a sail. Freeride sails rig differently on different boards. For me: Slalom board: bagged out, boom low, bottom clew hole, centre of effort very low down, Freestylewave boards: flat sail, boom high, centre of effort high. Over time as you move out of intermediate to advanced you will use the sail differently, so don't forget to experiment occasionally when you become advanced.

P.C_simpson
WA, 1491 posts
1 Feb 2016 6:55PM
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Only do short runs so you gybe and tack more, they are the hardest things to master.

Never slow down to go into a gybe and lean forward, if your not about to be thrown over the front of your board and into your sail, your not leaning forward enough.

Tardy
5262 posts
1 Feb 2016 7:02PM
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Keep an eye on your mast foot rubber ,,if cracked replace ..
when using fins..big sails... big fins ...small sails... small fins
don't be scared to move your harness lines ..if uncomfortable get balanced .

sail in all conditions ..it will improve your sailing .


PhilSWR
NSW, 1104 posts
1 Feb 2016 10:25PM
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Move where it's windy...

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
1 Feb 2016 10:13PM
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Don't get married and have kids

Seriously though, a straight leading arm and leg if slalom or speed sailing will improve board / sail efficiency.

Mark _australia
WA, 23456 posts
1 Feb 2016 8:36PM
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The gybe is a K - it is not reach to reach.

The numbers on your extension are probably not correct as you can't downhaul to zero in most cases - learn how to rig by eye and feel (along with experimenting as above)


firiebob
WA, 3174 posts
1 Feb 2016 8:50PM
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Sail on crappy days, it'll make you better on the good days.
Don't let ** give you the **s, next time will be great.
As Zachery said, bring beer and share, oh happy days

GrumpySmurf
WA, 230 posts
1 Feb 2016 9:45PM
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Mast Foot Pressure.

remery
WA, 3709 posts
1 Feb 2016 10:58PM
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Always gybe when you come into the beach, even when you plan to stop. Otherwise you will only become proficient at gybing on the outside.

mattspoonersurf
38 posts
1 Feb 2016 10:59PM
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Many good suggestions above so I won't repeat them. My top 2

1. When you gybe really, really bend your knees and get your weight forward. Too many people have straight legs with bum hanging out over the back - just sinks the tail and stalls the board

2. See how many gybes you can do without falling - start with 5, then go onto 10 then 20, you will get really tired as the number increases, but it will improve your gybing

jusavina
QLD, 1489 posts
2 Feb 2016 7:39AM
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Race.

JazzyandJase
QLD, 92 posts
2 Feb 2016 7:46AM
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Mark I agree, get a ruler out with your extension and measure, think about how far it can physically downhaul, you never get it all the way to the bottom. I didn't have my set correctly last weekend, deep down I knew but went out anyway and it was rubbish, I kept getting pulled over.

joe windsurf
1482 posts
2 Feb 2016 5:47AM
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forget kiting
windsurfing is the BEST

SupsailDave
VIC, 104 posts
2 Feb 2016 8:53AM
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sausage said...
Don't get married and have kids

Agree with the above statement. You'll have soooooo much more time to get out and sail with out them. Hence your sailing will improve

AUS1111
WA, 3621 posts
2 Feb 2016 8:31AM
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Race.

Racing will make you improve way faster than sailing around by yourself. Racing forces you to learn to gybe and go fast in nasty water, in traffic and at uncomfortable angles, so when you get out on your lonesome again, it seems easy!

raggy
VIC, 564 posts
2 Feb 2016 11:54AM
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look where You want to go! not at your feet.

Don't chicken out 100% each sail every sail.

Make the most of the gear you have and HAVE FUN!

ikw777
QLD, 2995 posts
2 Feb 2016 12:15PM
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When gybing flip the rig much, much earlier than you think you should.

MikeyS
VIC, 1509 posts
2 Feb 2016 1:22PM
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Get professional help. I mean, do a course with any of the really good instructors mentioned on the site from time to time.

Increases your skill exponentially from what ever level you are at.

TAA
SA, 1236 posts
2 Feb 2016 2:26PM
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Zachery said...
check your beers are stacked and chilled for after session rehydration recovery!!






X2

sboardcrazy
NSW, 8238 posts
2 Feb 2016 3:15PM
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PhilSWR said..
Move where it's windy...


You've had a lousy season up there Phil..mind you ours hasn't been brilliant but looks good compared to up there.

sboardcrazy
NSW, 8238 posts
2 Feb 2016 3:16PM
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MikeyS said..
Get professional help. I mean, do a course with any of the really good instructors mentioned on the site from time to time.

Increases your skill exponentially from what ever level you are at.



What to get rid of the addiction?????????? Sacriledge!

N1GEL
NSW, 861 posts
2 Feb 2016 3:40PM
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Wear and approved GPS device

russh
SA, 3027 posts
2 Feb 2016 3:10PM
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Zachery said..
check your beers are stacked and chilled for after session rehydration recovery!!



I reckon you'd be trying to stop them from freezing

Long lines

Big foot straps

musorianin
QLD, 597 posts
2 Feb 2016 3:11PM
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These are my tips if (like me) you live a bit of a drive from the sea:

(a) Don't forget to pack all the essentials in the car -- e.g. masts (done that), mast base (also done, more than once), boom (yes, done that too)

(b) Do take as much gear with you as you can fit inside whatever vehicle you own and still drive it with reasonable safety, because you cannot trust and therefore should not plan what to bring on the basis of the weather prediction for the locality you are going to.

That said, as long as you did (a), even if you didn't do (b), still go out on the water, because you've driven a long way, its against to rules to arrive at the beach and not get wet, and you will learn something and even maybe still have fun.

PS -- if you didn't do (a), then still go for a swim or a nice walk on the beach

MikeyS
VIC, 1509 posts
2 Feb 2016 4:30PM
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sboardcrazy said..

MikeyS said..
Get professional help. I mean, do a course with any of the really good instructors mentioned on the site from time to time.

Increases your skill exponentially from what ever level you are at.




What to get rid of the addiction?????????? Sacriledge!


God, no. The professional help will only enhance the addiction, leading to higher highs and more impulsive kit purchasing behavior (as I'm now experiencing after too many years on the improvement plateau)

hargs
QLD, 634 posts
2 Feb 2016 3:45PM
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sausage said..
Don't get married and have kids




Yeah because it decreases your chances of getting to Maui with Hargs & Greenie & co. lol

albers
NSW, 1739 posts
2 Feb 2016 6:26PM
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With a two piece mast, make sure you gaffa tape the area where the two sections join (minimises risk of mast damage if sections not properly connected / reduces amount of sand entering with "mast stuck" complex).



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"Your number one tip" started by Homestraight