About a year ago I put up a post asking for tips for my freestyle progression and this is an update. Check out the video.




I've finally cracked the vulcan (yaa) and I'm usally getting at least one clean ride away per session. I also got a really nice duck gybe on video as well.

Do any of you have any tips to improve my success rate? What should I be trying next? Spock? Grubby?...
(Pro tip if you pause the video and hold shift you can move through the video frame by frame with the arrow keys)

Hi Windykid,

Well done. Thats a really hard move. I am no expert and on my best days get about 50% but these things helped me....

Come in over the board and bend your knees before take off. Way more than you think. It keeps your weight low and centred.
Try to "step" the back of the board around rather than jump the whole board in one go. More like your second one than first one.
Fast hands

There is a youtube video by "sam ross" which is really good.

Try a forward loop next if you can't do them already. Technically easy, psychologically hard.



I personally wouldn't do grubby's until you can forward loop. The action is very similar and it might mess up your progression.
Forwards way more fun anyway.

Keep going!

Martin

Whew, firin' your laser. I can't do any of that stuff.

Willy skipper is supposed to be easier than the Vulcan and it's the classiest way to get to fin first so you can ride ride right up to the car park at Thompsons at low tide just like the kiters.

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NotWal said..
Whew, firin' your laser. I can't do any of that stuff.

Willy skipper is supposed to be easier than the Vulcan and it's the classiest way to get to fin first so you can ride ride right up to the car park at Thompsons at low tide just like the kiters.

Haven't given the Willy skipper a go yet. Might have to try that one out next time it's windy. Forward loop is on the list but need to get past the mental barrier.

I reckon I'll try some spocks as well, I some times find myself over rotating my vulcans and it shouldn't be to hard to keep rotating the full 360.

Awesome effort Windykid-the Vulcans are coming along really well. If you are looking to get the spocks happening, you have all the fundamentals sorted, pop the Vulcan, then as you start to slide backward and have switched hands, pull the mast across into the wind and keep leaning on the front foot. This pretty much automatically spins the whole rig and board into the full rotation and then it's just a matter of being ready for the sail flip and turning your head to speed it all up.

I have personally found the upwind rotations like the Flaka and Shaka the most annoying-took forever, so the earlier you attempt them the better-get the upwind 360s dialled and move on from there.

Also so start working on the sail ducks (this open a whole world of new school moves) and sailing switch, these are fundamentals of freestyle that just take practice to get dialled, and open so many more moves to try-well worth it.

Also, as Batstone said, forwards are one of the easiest to land, and are so much fun to do in lots of conditions. Just sheet in!!!

Good luck-keep us updated!

Will

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Willaus0001 said..
Awesome effort Windykid-the Vulcans are coming along really well. If you are looking to get the spocks happening, you have all the fundamentals sorted, pop the Vulcan, then as you start to slide backward and have switched hands, pull the mast across into the wind and keep leaning on the front foot. This pretty much automatically spins the whole rig and board into the full rotation and then it's just a matter of being ready for the sail flip and turning your head to speed it all up.

I have personally found the upwind rotations like the Flaka and Shaka the most annoying-took forever, so the earlier you attempt them the better-get the upwind 360s dialled and move on from there.

Also so start working on the sail ducks (this open a whole world of new school moves) and sailing switch, these are fundamentals of freestyle that just take practice to get dialled, and open so many more moves to try-well worth it.

Also, as Batstone said, forwards are one of the easiest to land, and are so much fun to do in lots of conditions. Just sheet in!!!

Good luck-keep us updated!

Will

Thanks for the advice. I've been working on my upwind 3's but I find I always get flicked off the board when the sail catches the wind. I think I need to center my weight more as the sail passes through the wind.

My tips based on the video:

1) pop and landing are all good, nice and forward with the weight
2) Your hand change needs work, practice it on land maybe, try going to the mast, helps you get more forward
3) Learn to sail switch stance on the tack you land on, if you do this you will be able to sail away from about 50% of the crashes in that video, practice waterstarting switch stance
4) Is there anywhere flatter to sail? looks like a lot of short crested chop lol

For your next learning, I would recommend:

1) On the tack you do vulcans start trying grubbies and spocks
2) On the other task start learning switch, and start trying to pop switch (Feels v awkward at first)
3) Start trying the flaka on both tacks, and see which one feels more natural then progress there
4) Get really good at upwind 360, and switch upwind 360 on both tacks (can do this in light wind)

Good luck!

I finally (barely) landed my first vulcan recently at the end of my last session. It took me forever. I love freestyle even though I am way too big for it (6'7"/110 kg) and old as dirt. I am happy to get any constructive help from windykid or a master freestyler like albentley!

Sorry, the video is not well edited, so my best attempt is @ 1:40 and final at 3:27

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wsurfn said..
I finally (barely) landed my first vulcan recently at the end of my last session. It took me forever. I love freestyle even though I am way too big for it (6'7"/110 kg) and old as dirt. I am happy to get any constructive help from windykid or a master freestyler like albentley!

Sorry, the video is not well edited, so my best attempt is @ 1:40 and final at 3:27

Awesome stuff! It feels so good when you get that first one.

It looks like you are having the same problem as me were I push the sail away from my body through the pop and rotation. What I found that really helped for me is to try and swap hands while I'm in the air.

Keep up the good work

Thanks! Yep, ugly as heck, but I felt like I won the NBA Finals when I finally sailed out of that last one! My body felt pretty beat up the day after, but it was so worth it. I can't wait to get back at it again. I agree, I am pushing the sail hand, you can see the sail backwind. Thanks for the help!

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windykid said..
What should I be trying next? Spock? Grubby?...

The forward loop comes easy to some, and is very hard for others. The "mental thing" can get in the way, even if it does not keep you from trying. The Grubby is a bit less scary to get started with. I know several good freestylers who all got the loop when trying to learn the Grubby, so I maybe try a few to see how it suits you. Everyone is different - many need years to get the Flaka, but some get it within a few weeks.
According to the guy who invented the Switch Kono, it's a real easy move if you know how to duck the sail to switch stance. That, of course, is definitely not easy, but it's something you can also learn in light wind.
If you have someone else where you sail who does "basic" freestyle moves you can't do, try these. It can be a big advantage just to have someone to copy. If he gives you tips, even better. If there's no other freestyler in your area, plan a trip to Bonaire .