THOU SHOULD KNOW THUS
BEFORE ENTERING THE WORLD
OF WINDSURFING - should make your efforts much more comprehensive
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If windsurfing bug has you restless, here are some important suggestions prior to taking lessons. The more you comprehend of the basics before you enter the house of mild panics, I think you could reap great benefits. You may even enjoy it right from the start.
1. Lower expectations of early success, it is hard work in the beginning and learning a new environment (board instability, manipulating the sail, etc) does not come easily to most.
2. Practice in advance to recognize the wind direction, everything you will
do relates to wind direction. When your sail luffs (flag flutters) that gives
you your wind direction. Wind is named for its origin. Wind out of the East
is easterly.
3. If your board’s direction is within 50 or so degrees either side of
wind direction your board will come to a standstill or start to back up. For
rescue see 5. This cone shaped direction means to all sailing vessels: “you
cannot point your sailing craft into those headings and make headway”.
Have someone explain the significance of this. If your board seems to be non
responsive you are probably there. This is a very common occurrence in the beginning.
4. To hoist the sail out of water you should 1) straddle the mast while pulling
onto the uphoul to 2) position the mast perpendicular to the board before you
3) summon all of your energy to upright the mast.
5. Main function of the mast (one of them) – determines the direction
of travel! Tip the mast toward the bow (front of the board) and the board will
rotate away from the direction of the wind. If the mast is tipped toward the
stern (back of the board) the board will swing into the wind. More tipping faster
turning. Someplace in the middle you are reaching (going across the wind). Some
joy stick! How simple can it get!
6. PANIC: When panic or general instability sets in, you should hold onto: a)
mast, b) up haul line, or c) boom near the mast. All else is almost guaranteed
failure. It is instinctive by many novices to grip the middle of the boom to
hold up the sail, if you do that you will become a better swimmer not a windsurfer.
7. While holding the mast upright or by using an up haul or by holding by the
boom close to the mast, you can rotate the board with your feet (the sail will
remain parallel to the wind). Good place to reverse direction. This is the beginning
to learn how to tack (reverse sailing direction).
8. The boom – its primary function (now) is to control wind’s power
(gas pedal?). With the mast upright (or close to it) and the boom is held with
both hands, your arm closest to the stern (back) acts as a power lever. Pulling
it toward boards’ center is “sheeting in” (more power), the
opposite is “sheeting out”. This corresponds to the use of an accelerator
in a car. If you let go of the back hand you are “idling”. Whenever
unexpected gust is encountered you should “sheet out”, meaning,
extend the trailing arm or let go completely with the trailing arm completely
to ride out the sudden surge of the wind.
9. Just holding the mast upright, the wind will brush against the sail and if
you extend the mast into the wind and off center to the board, the board will
rotate correspondingly. (With the mast up right you have to rotate the board
with your feet, with the mast held off center and into the wind, the wind will
rotate the board).
10. Try to imprint your new found knowledge. While sailing, tip the mast toward the bow (front), the board will start turning downwind. Bring the mast upright; the board should resume its earlier direction. Tip the mast to the stern (back of board) and the board starts to turn into the wind. If you keep it there longer you will head into the wind, then enter the “no go” zone. Do a tack and head into the opposite direction.