Forwards for over 50s

Love the understatement at the end... "I was quite satisfied" BrillianT

I'd like to see at least one event this year hold a comp for the best full forward on a 12'+race board...dust of the Mistral Equipe's and F2 Lightnings lads!

I pulled the trigger on my first forward last week in Maui. To prep for it, I spent the first few days just practicing really deep off the wind jumps and landings. The more I practiced those jumps, the deeper down wind (nose first I was landing). From doing these jumps, I could see and feel how the next progressive step would be to pull the trigger into a forward. One of my mates put some tape at the back of the boom which was where my back hand had to be (this was very useful)

I got me some one on one personal tuition, and the instructor was really good. Before we went out, he talked me through what I had to do and what to avoid doing. It really just comes down to commitment. My first two attempts were pretty p&*s week. Next run out, I thought THIS IS IT. As I sailed out I kept reaching my hand back to grab that tape. By this point I was really amped up, just kept practicing putting that back hand back. Finally, a nice little ramp came into view, pointed the board down wind, put my back hand on the tape and BOOM! Around I went. By committing to the move it all went really smoothly and I landed in the water. I was pumped at having finally done it, it's something I have been putting off for years. Now to keep practicing.