Hi
I'm looking for some hints on how to stop my board rounding up into the wind whilst I am preparing to beach start it in strong currents. I was trying to get started on the Pambula River (near the river mouth) last week when the tide was running in at something approaching 10knots. There was plenty of wind but as I set the board up to sail off the wind, the current rushing past the board kept swinging the nose directly into the wind (current and wind were from the same direction). I thought this might just be a particular problem for a specific sailing spot at a specific time but I was undone by the same phenonomen trying to get started at Inverloch when the current was running hard too. I was fine sailing when the board was moving but when holding it stationary, the flowing water kept straightening the nose. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Thanks

Get on faster. The same thing happens taking off on many shore breaks.

Push the board through water (jogging/running speed) slightly down wind where the board is happy to track, jump on and go. I sail on a point. The rip is punishing in stormies. Probably like everywhere else. You can't muck around in the shore break.

That is a very stiff current. What happens when the wind dies down. How are you able to swim back?

No evil one, current and wind same direction and fin washes down stream leaving you pointing up wind.

I used to sail in rivers with strong tides. It was always more difficult with the wind and current going in the same direction. The only real tip I have is to get going quickly. If the river you sail in is similar to the one I mainly sailed in, a weed fin like a delta would be of great benefit as a shorter fin would greatly expand the area of sailing over shallow sandbars.

I almost drowned in my sultana bran this morning. Got pulled in by a strong current.

eyeMhardcore said..
I almost drowned in my sultana bran this morning. Got pulled in by a strong current.

No wind around lately?