I believe there is a need to have a sticky topic here dedicated to answers for stopping spin out and recovery.

perhaps we can all add our thoughts and knowledge to a topic so that when someone new to the forum gets on and asks this eternal question, all the answers are right up there at the top.

after enough info is gathered the moderators can put it into a quick and easy to read point form.

so to start.

1. I believe the main culprit for causing spin out is sail tuning. A correctly tuned(enough down haul) sail has its draft well forward which in turn moves the thrust vector forward and thus sail power drives you forward. Not enough down haul and the draft is back and the force of the sail is more sideways. This sideways vector overloads the fin (stalls) and you have spin out. So first thing to check is "Do you have enough down haul?".

2.

Sail trim is very important, not just downhall but also outhall, but it's not the only factor. Side foot pressure on the fin is also very important.

I spin out when
- I'm trying to point, especially in light wind
- landing a jump, if I don't tuck in my tail to windward on landing
- trying to close the gap between the bottom of the sail and the water

These all put increased side pressure on the fin. However when my sail is properly tuned, I find I am less prone to spin out under the these conditions.

I employ the following strategies to avoid / reduce spin outs:
- use a good quality fin - the right size for the sail
- maintain the fin by removing any obvious dings with sandpaper
- tune the sail properly for the conditions
- look ahead when sailing and adjust for chop, lulls, etc
- sail with my back leg bent

John340 said..
...
- sail with my back leg bent

Definitely. A rigid back leg will be jarring on the fin. You can have plenty of pressure on the back leg (slalom), but it has to be a shock absorber.

Steve Stratfold suggests that some high performance slalom fins have quite a sharp leading edge and that slightly rounding that edge can make the fin more forgiving.

shear tip said..

John340 said..
...
- sail with my back leg bent

Definitely. A rigid back leg will be jarring on the fin. You can have plenty of pressure on the back leg (slalom), but it has to be a shock absorber.

Yeah, but being too bent can make you spin out even more.

I find that when I get really powered up and reaching , bear offs on my 78ltre Tabou Pocket wave using an 18cm weedie I often slide out diagonally and do my PB's diagonally..
I eventually get it back together but it's really off putting..Not sure if it's the small fin or my technique..

Practical applications of freestyle #2: Weed on the fin causes spin out. Some people have the uncanny knack of popping their board off the weed while sliding.