Still sailing the river but been getting out on the ocean recently which has been heaps of fun. Turns out its a little more challenging though going over swell, larger chop etc. Biggest i've been in so far is about 5/6 foot swell some of it rolling some of it peaking. This is what I have found:
1. Board slides out a bit, appears to be an air pocket getting trapped. I have been bearing down wind and popping which seems to get me in line again
2. Coming out of my harness bouncing over swell and having to do a fairly dodgy looking crouch thrust to get back in
3. Way more intensive on the legs from constant readjustment
4. Reading the swell and trying to decide when it is going to peak so I can decide where I want to be is sometimes hard. I have had some prime jumping opportunities but so far only done jumps to about 5 foot so lacking the bo**ocks to go for it and take off as not sure how to control bigger jumps.
I have a JP Freestyle Wave 112l Pro Edition and have been using a Neil Pryde Excess 5.4 with a 32cm Supersport fin.
Keen to hear any tips............
Thanks
practice lots and try not to go alone.
try relaxing your legs a bit to take the shock of bumps etc. ive also found the sail setting will influence the level of spin out. less out haul and more downhaul helped me.
ocean sailing is more about control and timing than speed which took me a while to figure out.
What you will find is your ankes and feet where the straps go will get sore bruising across the feet if your thinking about jumping i would recomend on larger swell to unclip harness. after about 2 hours your arms will be dead This will challenge your fitness.
there has been alot of discussion in the past about jump and bum saliors I think what you are talking about differs us from the freestyle and wave and gps slalom who are chacing speed with flat water waves etc.....+
1)gear set up im run 34 weed
2)rasie the boom a touch mabe but you will need to unclip easily
3)hope you have good ankles and knees strong feet.
4)unharness and smash it! fast as you can Sometimes if your board is to big the wind will grab it and force you downwind-board choice.
most importantly!!!
WEAR A GAFF HELMET
could i ask where you are sailing i am looking for a wa to ease myself into ocean sailing
thanks
Max
mandurah.
i tend to stay clipped in when jumping. not sure if this is a bad habit though.
speed sailing i used to have more of a habit of pushing down harder on my back foot and took a while to stop doing it in the opwn water.
Get a smaller board assuming you weigh under 95 kg.
Pull your back foot back under you if you spin out. Curl your toes up under the foot strap and rip/pull the board back up under you with your back foot.
Drop your shoulders, stop the death fear grip, bend your knees and relax.
Foot steer through the chop.
Its all about technique not strong ankles knees etc, and if your arms are dead after two hours your not using your harness properly.
Deano
I would also definitely recommend getting a smaller fin if your attempting to ride waves or swell.
