Hi there,
just wanting some friendly advice.
Backstory:
have only bought gear about 2 months ago, and have only headed out 4 times. don't have any issues tacking or jibing (occasionally end up in the drink if i come off the power too quickly though). i cannot water start.
Questions:
"What are some techniques to best get the feel for 'where the wind should be in the sail/where your weight should be/when the wind shifts' without just practicing for ages?"
I seem to have mixed results getting the right power in the sail and it often tends to feel like i am either:
- not putting my weight right on the board to allow it to get the nose up and start moving (i have a few times actually driven the nose/side i'm standing on into the water and gone "over the handlebars" a few times)
- not putting enough weight on the sale to get the forward power transfer through my legs
"What is the easiest way to sail up wind and still maintain decent power"
is it best to make many small runs and zip zag?
do you always Jibe instead of tacking to maintain upwind power?
Many thanks in advance!
Doug
"
Hi Doug,
when you go in the drink with the power off too qickly. this sounds like you have stalled the sail. The wind has to flow around the leeward edge of the sail. When someone sails into a lull they may sheet in to increase the power however that can over sheet and detach the laminar flow resulting in a stall and the sailor falling into windward.
it is best to anticipate the wind by watching wind on the water infront of you.
when the wind is decreasing crouch in and go a little forward. in the gusts extend out and back. if the wind is knocking or you are coming to a gust bearaway a little. that can also help.
you can avoid catapults by bending the knees a lot. for instance coming out of a gybe and as i sheet on i will be crouched right down to avoid going over the handle bars
The gear needs to be setup right.
you pull the high presure of the sail or centre of effort with your hands and push the high presure of the fin or the centre of lateral resistance with your feet. these two forces need to line up so you get spat out the front in a straight line. when everything is balance with the board and rig tuned to the conditions it feels the easiest and fastest.
when sailing upwind sail fast and then head upwind.
sail for a longer tacks and on the lifting tack. always do tacks when going upwind unless your on a tiny waveboard that is easier to gybe.
I hope some of that makes sense, i do coaching if you need.
regards Justin
