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

I use the bottom of my sail hooked behind the rear footstrap until ready to go , then move quickly

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

Thanks - I'll try both, - appreciate the replies.

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.

Commitment, if it's a really strong sideways current, or if I'm surrounded by rocks, I just keep ahold of the board and rig above the water until the right time comes, then drop the board, jump on and go, takes about 4-5 seconds once I decide to commit.
Practice.

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

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Hoadles said..
...the current rushing past the board kept swinging the nose directly into the wind (current and wind were from the same direction).

Confused.

If current and wind are running same direction the current will swing the nose away for the wind, not into it. Ya?

As an aside sailing current and wind in same direction sucks . You have to sail upwind all the time, and no ramps.

Pambula looks a very pretty location. Just be sure you don't get carried out to sea. As mentioned above if you can't swim back don't do it. Expect the worst; **** happens.

Especially don't sail in offshore winds near a river mouth that has a current going out to sea. For many reasons.

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

(Obviously I don't sail tide/current and wind together much.)

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.

Thanks everyone- it's really encouraging to get some feedback and suggestions. Looks like I need lots more practice.

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

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

Have you tried fruit loops?

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

No wind around lately?

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sboardcrazy said..

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

No wind around lately?

Plenty of wind, all internally developed