Anyone at the event site see me thrashing around sat?

mchaco1 · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 645

Im sure someone here saw me and shook there head and had a hundred ways you would have done it right Very Happy

So please share... I was on the big old white Protech 187L race board with the 1 size too big 5.7 Neon yellow windwing over by the sandbar with the beginners. Basically relearning beach starts on a narrower board than Im used too, and having a few planing sessions with some early exits and generally going the wrong direction. Anyone?

ericandholly · Joined: 20 Jun 1999 Posts: 292

Well, I didn't see you, but as I am sure you know windsurfing is a difficult sport to learn and master. The fact that you are willing to thrash around and post up for advice is a pretty clear indication that you have what it takes to be very successful--patience, fortitude, and a sense of humor.

So many rewarding milestones in windsurfing: water starts, hooked in and plane, hooked in and plane with both feet in, first jibe, etc. Enjoy them all!

Good Winds,
Eric

ldhr · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 121

take a lesson. it's money well spent. you can learn more in a 2 hour lesson than you will own your own in 100 hours of thrashing about.

River-Lizard · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 188

mchaco1 · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 645

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

First of all, use the right sized sail.
Do you think everyone who learned on '80's EQ actually needed modern gear to learn? All that old stuff is fine for learning. Windsurfing is a balance sport once you always plane. If you need the width to stand up, you aren't learning balance.

mchaco1 · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 645

dcfordo · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 30

I am not sure what your problem was in the original post, but keep going whenever you can. Push yourself to try new things as you advance. Pay close attention to how others do things. And finally you don't have to take lessons, but I would at least get a few instructional vids. They can be a huge help.

Larrew32 · Joined: 02 Aug 2011 Posts: 1

Here's some free online videos I saved long ago...

http://www.boardseekermag.com/technique/the-beachstart-147.html

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Good rule of thumb is, if you have the same kind of sails, company and models, for every 60 lbs., one meter difference. That's just a rule of thumb, as some guys +60 prefer .6 difference, some 1.5 differences.
So for 30 lbs., half a meter.
Most important is to sail with a sail you can handle, and learn to waterstart and jibe with a sail you can sail with.
If you're 205 lbs., you need a 6.0 to waterstart in winds from 12 to 30. Some 205 lbs guys can waterstart in 12 with a 5 meter sail, but they've been at it a while and usually are good sailors already.