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Windsurfing Techniques
- By Marc Fredmen
- Published 08/5/2009
- Surfing
- Unrated
Windsurfing as a sport provides excellent combination of skill, technique and pure fun. It is this unparalleled combination that makes windsurfing such a popular activity. However, before beginning to surf it is essential to follow a few important instructions to maintain safety.
Vital Windsurfing Techniques
1. Once you have completed assembling the gear in a rig, ensure that the booms are firmly secured to the mast. They must be secured to the mast in such a way that they must not be higher than your collarbone.
2. While surfing, ensure that your back is always facing 12’o clock position and the sail is always on the 6’o clock side of the board. Remember that while turning, the sail remains constant in its 6’o clock position and only the board turns.
3. Raising the sail: To raise the sail, first get on board by placing one knee on either side of the mast base. Then gradually reach out to the uphaul and grab it. Then with the help of the uphaul, slowly stand up by placing one foot on either side of the mast base. Ensure that your back remains straight and knees are bent while standing up. Now start raising the sail from the water. As the water recedes from the sail, it becomes lighter and it is possible to position the mast in an upright position.
4. Before starting to surf, get the board in a neutral position. In this, you hold the mast with both your hands while the board is across the wind and the sail should be positioned such that the clue end points at 6’o clock.
5. To start surfing, keep the position of the mast and the front hand constant and only move the backhand. This would allow the wind to enter the sail and the board would start gliding over water.
6. To stop surfing, the best way is to release the boom from the backhand allow the sail to swing back to neutral. This would stop the board instantly.
7. Especially while practicing beach surfing, learn the turns – the upwind turn (called a tack) and the downwind turn (called the jibe). The speed and precision of turns depends upon the size and volume of the board, the sail size, the wind speed and your weight.
8. While surfing, remember not proceed to the destination directly. You must plan your route precisely to reach the destination.
9. Do not venture out surfing when there is too much or no wind. It is recommended, especially for beginners to surf when there are steady wind conditions.
10. Remember to check the position of the board, the position of the sail and your position before setting out to surf.
11. While surfing if your mast is tilting over the 6'o clock position so far from the board that you have to bend from the waist with your butt jutting out, then you must stop immediately. This is the wrong position to surf and can cause back pain. To regain the correct position, get the mast in straight position and start again.
These are a few instructions that can especially windsurfing beginners and move on to the next level.
Vital Windsurfing Techniques
1. Once you have completed assembling the gear in a rig, ensure that the booms are firmly secured to the mast. They must be secured to the mast in such a way that they must not be higher than your collarbone.
2. While surfing, ensure that your back is always facing 12’o clock position and the sail is always on the 6’o clock side of the board. Remember that while turning, the sail remains constant in its 6’o clock position and only the board turns.
3. Raising the sail: To raise the sail, first get on board by placing one knee on either side of the mast base. Then gradually reach out to the uphaul and grab it. Then with the help of the uphaul, slowly stand up by placing one foot on either side of the mast base. Ensure that your back remains straight and knees are bent while standing up. Now start raising the sail from the water. As the water recedes from the sail, it becomes lighter and it is possible to position the mast in an upright position.
4. Before starting to surf, get the board in a neutral position. In this, you hold the mast with both your hands while the board is across the wind and the sail should be positioned such that the clue end points at 6’o clock.
5. To start surfing, keep the position of the mast and the front hand constant and only move the backhand. This would allow the wind to enter the sail and the board would start gliding over water.
6. To stop surfing, the best way is to release the boom from the backhand allow the sail to swing back to neutral. This would stop the board instantly.
7. Especially while practicing beach surfing, learn the turns – the upwind turn (called a tack) and the downwind turn (called the jibe). The speed and precision of turns depends upon the size and volume of the board, the sail size, the wind speed and your weight.
8. While surfing, remember not proceed to the destination directly. You must plan your route precisely to reach the destination.
9. Do not venture out surfing when there is too much or no wind. It is recommended, especially for beginners to surf when there are steady wind conditions.
10. Remember to check the position of the board, the position of the sail and your position before setting out to surf.
11. While surfing if your mast is tilting over the 6'o clock position so far from the board that you have to bend from the waist with your butt jutting out, then you must stop immediately. This is the wrong position to surf and can cause back pain. To regain the correct position, get the mast in straight position and start again.
These are a few instructions that can especially windsurfing beginners and move on to the next level.
Marc Fredmen
The author Marc Fredmen is an experienced windsurfer and has been practicing windsurfing for several years. He provides online guidance on windsurfing at basic windsurfing. Check out more freestyle windsurfing instructions here.
View all articles by Marc Fredmen