Do you specifically select a local spot depending on the tack?
How about when traveling?
Personally, I'm a terrible port tack rider. How long would it take me to be comfortable at Pozo? Would I ever?
Were you a starboard specialist who later turned into a port tack master?
Sailing various spots is said to improve ones level substantially!
Wind direction determines.
Most people don't live on a small island.
Only takes a handful of days to solidify your bottom turn/otl combos.
Jumping and landing well, maybe the same.
Of course, assuming the basic skills were already attained.........beachstarts, fotstraps, jibes.
I reckon your natural stance has a fair bit to do with how long it takes to learn. Spent years as a kid on my skateboard which locked in my stance. I'm right handed/natural footed so Stbd tack wavesailing comes pretty easy ie same as carving a skateboard on dry land. Port tack is easy now after many years living in West AUS but took time to dial in as I had to sail the wave goofy.
Opposite is the case for jumps, Port tack heading out is just like old times riding my skateboard, Stbd tack am a total kook when taking to the air.
it's all side-on Port tack riding here. Feels weird jumping on Port the odd time that lines up and I'm sure riding on Starboard would also be strange.
I'm very goofy footed on all boards so its surprising that I find riding swell left foot forward to be comfortable but it makes sense that jumping right foot forward feels right.
Living in Florida it can be starboard on Monday and port on Tuesday. I can't tell the difference anymore.
Just be careful jumping on the opposite tack if you've never done it before, start with small jumps until you figure out the landing. I put myself on crutches for several weeks, the first time I went for a jump on the wrong tack. All the controls were reversed, went into a power dive instead of a nice floaty landing
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
Just be careful jumping on the opposite tack if you've never done it before, start with small jumps until you figure out the landing. I put myself on crutches for several weeks, the first time I went for a jump on the wrong tack. All the controls were reversed, went into a power dive instead of a nice floaty landing
The few opportunities I've had to send it my brain was like "nope". To be fair I'm not a huge jumper either way.
Do you feel like riding is faster to adapt than jumping?
Even on a lake I find there's often a slight tack bias.
I remember having a preferred jibing side.
So who here has quick access to either tack?
I know riders in Brittany do, possibly ireland too?
my sailing is quite asymmetric, you just have to look at my harness lines. I think it's a right arm bias, it wants to take most of the load.
Gybing is also different, strap to strap going in on port, step going in on starboard, and I get better alphas going in on port with strap to strap.
