In all fairness I don't think a lot of people bother going out in those conditions...

Welcome to the world of Aussie downwind/cross winders , good to get practice in that as you probably will race in it.

Shift your feet slightly more to surfing stance on the side you paddle most change your stroke angle a little pulling the away at the back helping push the nose around.

Grit your teeth and focus on the horizon........good luck.

Change your diet..

DJ

laceys lane said...
determine which way the swell is running( any bit of angle to the beach will do) and go that way. stick real close to the surf line. you can use the surf swell and the back sides of them to get a bit of help.

LOL it is Perth, hasn't been a swell in years. Bloody great island in the way.

Premiere surfbreak in perth

Gday AK, I think there is a technique trick that can help a little - or at least is worth trying. I guess in your case if it's blowing from the east most of the time you are paddling on the west side of the board, as you stroke depress the west rail of the board a little, let the power of the stroke and the steering created by depressing the rail constantly steer you back to the beach. And as Lacey says, if there is any swell try and work with that and time the steering effect with push from the swell, the surfing stance thing really helps too. Standing further forward on the board lets the steering by depressing the rail 'thing' work better too.

You could also put the fin as far forward as you can, loosen the board up so that all the tips have a better chance of working, maybe even try a smaller fin if you have one.

We have the same problem with down winders where the wind isn't right behind you and every swell just wants to push you off course.

You didn't ask about rudder steering, but yes it's fantastic !!

For general touring, will you get a fair bit more speed/reward from other boards, like the 12'6 Surfrace, The New, The Catalina, and those styles of boards.

There is minor set-up time with some OC1's, attaching the outrigger. SUP's are drop & go.

You look like a man with a few boards.... Can you afford another? Because I can tell you that I really enjoy my 17, and if it was a 16, or 18, you'll still have loads of fun !! No matter which brand. The Unlimited Class gives you so much stability and speed in the open waters. Plus rudders help you when conditions are not right, or when conditions change.

But, with your 12'6 you can go pretty much everywhere a 17 will go, but nowhere near as quick.

The unlimited boards are brilliant tourers, whether it be open water, coast runs, island hops, inland waterways, lakes, rivers, swollen wetlands..... I doubt I will ever sell mine. Plus I see loads of different stuff on it every week. You can take them out in a pretty big range of conditions too, and feel comfortable.

akhawk said...

JonathanC said...

Gday AK, I think there is a technique trick that can help a little - or at least is worth trying. I guess in your case if it's blowing from the east most of the time you are paddling on the west side of the board, as you stroke depress the west rail of the board a little, let the power of the stroke and the steering created by depressing the rail constantly steer you back to the beach. And as Lacey says, if there is any swell try and work with that and time the steering effect with push from the swell, the surfing stance thing really helps too. Standing further forward on the board lets the steering by depressing the rail 'thing' work better too.

You could also put the fin as far forward as you can, loosen the board up so that all the tips have a better chance of working, maybe even try a smaller fin if you have one.

We have the same problem with down winders where the wind isn't right behind you and every swell just wants to push you off course.

Hi Jonathan, If you paddle on the west side and weight the west rail, wouldn't that steer the boards west?
Are you coming back over this way next month?

Exactly as Lacey said, standing in the middle the Cruiser will do the opposite turn thing, it's pretty subtle but if you can get the timing right and depress the rail as you paddle it will certainly head to shore! After a while you won't even have to think about it and it is also a good trick for steering the board on tiny runners when you are downwinding. And yes I'll be there for the Doctor, really enjoyed it last time

laceys lane said...

hilly said...

laceys lane said...
determine which way the swell is running( any bit of angle to the beach will do) and go that way. stick real close to the surf line. you can use the surf swell and the back sides of them to get a bit of help.

LOL it is Perth, hasn't been a swell in years. Bloody great island in the way.

Premiere surfbreak in perth

oh well sorry. but hey it's often pretty small in those conditions here. any little bit makes a difference

so hilly, most of the stuff you guys get around town is wind chop
cheers
ps there was no mention of perth that i can see till now
pps looking at the photo, that is still what i would do

Yep all we get is wind chop with small cross swell. Was not having a go at you Mark thought the idea swell in Perth where Adam paddles funny. Especially this time of year.

Adam just do downwinders in the arvo. Just came in from a fun one.

JonathanC said...

akhawk said...

JonathanC said...

Gday AK, I think there is a technique trick that can help a little - or at least is worth trying. I guess in your case if it's blowing from the east most of the time you are paddling on the west side of the board, as you stroke depress the west rail of the board a little, let the power of the stroke and the steering created by depressing the rail constantly steer you back to the beach. And as Lacey says, if there is any swell try and work with that and time the steering effect with push from the swell, the surfing stance thing really helps too. Standing further forward on the board lets the steering by depressing the rail 'thing' work better too.

You could also put the fin as far forward as you can, loosen the board up so that all the tips have a better chance of working, maybe even try a smaller fin if you have one.

We have the same problem with down winders where the wind isn't right behind you and every swell just wants to push you off course.

Hi Jonathan, If you paddle on the west side and weight the west rail, wouldn't that steer the boards west?
Are you coming back over this way next month?

Exactly as Lacey said, standing in the middle the Cruiser will do the opposite turn thing, it's pretty subtle but if you can get the timing right and depress the rail as you paddle it will certainly head to shore! After a while you won't even have to think about it and it is also a good trick for steering the board on tiny runners when you are downwinding. And yes I'll be there for the Doctor, really enjoyed it last time

Thanks Jonathan. I'll give it a try and will be good to catch up with you again next month. Are you doing all 3 races?