Learning to Windsurf from a FEMALE perspective

alap · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 156

"teaching your wife" no matter what, windsurfing including ... is an oxymoron and may be dangerous. How about teaching her good driving habits...

Jokes aside the very floaty vest plus the helmet (again for flotation) will definitely help, but I am sure she already wears those. I think that Dashers waterstart DVD should be good - I watched it well after I learned this trick just from curiosity. Also as everything in wsrfng it is not about strength but timing, balance and technique. Waterstart specifically being bendy and allowing to position your center of the mass closer to the board should be easier for girls.

Another thing I may guess is that you may be giving her a board that is too big for her - the one that it is easier for her to uphaul and sail. I would try to give her the smallest board you have with the idea to get this waterstarting trick and dont sail too far and repeat. It will be easier for her to maneuver the small board for this starting position and it only will help her if she be able to submerge a tail even if only couple cm. Also try to move the boom a bit higher - again for waterstart will be easier

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

subtle thing about SDM masts. they float better. thus they are easier to water start.

lots of common mistakes seen over and over. people pull with their arms and push with their feet. one has to pull the board under the butt, with arms straight. also, people seem to think it is okay to put both feet up on the board. that only works when it is howling.

notice i said people, not women.....

Goodwind · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 323 Location: On water

If you can't travel to lessons or no local lessons, vast and Waterstarter will help.

https://chinooksailing.com/index.php/windsurf/booms/boom-parts-accessories/waterstarter.html

https://www.dakine.com/en-us/sport/kiteboard/kite-harnesses/surface-vest?source=search&utm_source=google_shopping&m=configurable_scp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--DLBRCNARIsAFIwR27iHugrKcm_nOQyW-PPyXFzLj5be_-iEly0ukqazM_rXm68R2IwqswaAjqXEALw_wcB

mamero · Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Posts: 380 Location: Vancouver, Canada

mamero · Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Posts: 380 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Thanks for the information and tips everyone. A lot of great ideas here so far. I will pass this on to my wife. Ideally, I will get her directly involved in this thread so she can ask questions and offer her thoughts as they directly apply.

In the mean time, please continue with any other tips you can. Any lady windsurfers out their who can chime in?

mamero · Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Posts: 380 Location: Vancouver, Canada

PS. Her and I agree completely with a dedicated windsurfing trip. We are considering a Windsurfing Bootcamp to either Prasonisi or Dahab sometime next year. Currently it is not an option however.

Ideally her and I are looking for ideas we can implement presently and locally. Thanks.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

dmilovich · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 99

+1 on Da Kine vest (that one specifically). My girlfriend loves hers and it was very useful during waterstarting practice.

I tried a Waterstarter some years back. Seemed like the weight of water it took on when wet and its own weight made it not so useful. But maybe for large (6.0+) sails it might work.

+1 on SPI or similar - no question it makes a huge difference being able to stand to get organized.

Also - be sure that she can rest the boom on the tail of the board to get organized. Lots of new boards have mast track pretty far back. Also, booms too high make that hard as well. Lower boom in general makes it easier to waterstart.

nw30