From floater to sinker?

I have spent basically the last 5-6 months exclusively on sinkers (below half and at half body weight now) have got the technique pretty much dialed. Here is where I'm at regarding them.

if you have consistent wind, riding in well known territory, with decent water exit strategies then the true sinkers are awesome and well worth it.


but . I just spent a week down at Esperance and before that Albany l, doing relatively unknown downwinders and shore wings .. In as you know super sharky waters and honestly by the end I had the very life , confidence sucked out of me not trying to fall off.


one because at times we were passing through territory with cliffs etc and no exit point and others where the wind would become shifty and even drop below easy sinker start wind speed - although at the start it was fine. Not to mention some of the swell lines become well over head high plus as we navigated outer islands. Plus some of the entry points were through shore breaks with cross off wind. So for a lot of the runs I was just holding on for dear life not trying to fall off and by the end of the trip I was riding like a scared beginner. It truly messed with my head.


it has happened to me at home as well - as you go downwind on the long runs the wind changes and again you dare not fall off and you are pumping like a madman to near exhaustion to stay up.


which brings in another aspect some might not consider. You tend ride more conservatively overall. For example have down many DWs riding / pumping swell lines with a very decent winger who will push his pump, turn and link game much further because if he comes off the foil - he just drops off - dogs it for a bit and off he goes again. I'm always having to moderate how long I stay on a swell - how long I'm willing to pump and link - because of changing conditions where starting again has become a challenge.


so in summary if you are going to push yourself into unknown territory wing wise and / or you are winging hectic wave spots / changing wind spots - you kind of need more volume



need two boards is my conclusion.

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airsail said..
I'm guessing that people riding true sinkers are riding fairly powered, just to get going. I like riding the smallest wing possible for my 80kgs, my 2.5 wing gets me swell riding in 18 knots on a 78ltr board. I think I would need a bigger more cumbersome wing to get going in the same wind strength on a sinker.

Definitely need a bigger wing compared to a non sinker. I can get away with a 3.3m in 15 knots average with my 57L North Seek but it's hard work to get going with a 4m with my 37L Cabrinha Autopilot in the same conditions at 70Kg. Little sinkers are awesome for wave riding and big floaty jumps but a terrible idea if you aren't already nailing all your transitions or into freestyle.

Thanks for the advice, and also for the warnings! basically 50% of your body weight should be a good rule of thumb, so for me aprox 50l.To start with, it will be an extra board, no replacement.I keep my current boards, the lake I wing in wintertime when it is around freezing can be very gusty with sometimes luls where there is absolutely no wind. For there I,m really happy to stay floaty on my 2022 Fanatic 5.8x125l At the sea where the wind is pretty constant I love my AK5.8x90l and that could be a one board quiver for most of the times except lightwind wintertime :) The new one will just be an extra toy to keep learning, pushing myself and progressing....when it suits the conditions

Does anyone has experience with the small sizes Smik or Takuma boards?