As flatwater + wind are hard to find, what are the tricks for going fast through chop?
Obviously some decent wind is the first requirement!
Thanks

Great question Anita,
I'm not much good in chop, if it's really bad, the best I can do is to run dowwind at an angle where you are only just overtaking the chop, that way you don't bounce any where near as much, but it isn't a very fast angle.
Sometimes though the chop is bent a bit by the bottom contours, that way one direction is more downwind than the other, lets you go a bit faster.
I've done a high 32 out here on the ocean by doing this, the chop here really bends around, just sitting on top of the chop running parallel, is about 120/130 deg. It's very exciting, feels like another 4kts on flat water

Windxtasy I recall this topic was covered a year ago or so. Try trawling the forum.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Ultimate-High-wind-rough-water-Speeeeed-tips/?SearchTerms=chop
hi Anita

I asked Jesper the same thing last week...

His reply -> "stay sheeted in and smash through it!"

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Dippa said...

I asked Jesper the same thing last week...

His reply -> "stay sheeted in and smash through it!"

I'd probably say stay sheeted and fly over it.

I've found that it's just down to getting everything dialled so you're flying off the fin over most of the chop. Easy to say, but...

I play around with getting the balance between weight on the front foot vs rear foot. When it all comes together you can have a reasonably composed ride through the chop, the rest is all about TOW to improve your confidence in rough conditions.

if you're comfy with your rig go fast as you'll catapult more if you mow them down and not enjoy bouncing around in chop..I try to look ahead 5mtrs or so and visualize what to avoid either downwind or upwind..true it's easy to say than do but it's the only way

Given that it is chop that is rideable, 1 tip is to be very flexible with your knees and ankles so they work like shock absorbers, along with this keeping good board trim

I always keep my boom high as this lets your board ride higher. This promotes your board to fly like a magic carpet accross the top of the bumps instead of dropping down into the troughs and throwing you off balance. I also use a slightly longer fin to increase lift and to help with keeping your fin in the wet stuff.

And dont SHEET out

Close your eyes and think of PB's

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elmo said...

Close your eyes and think of PB's

love that reply!

So, is the aim to go straight and blast over the top of the chop, or to weave a line in the troughs between the peaks?

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Windxtasy said...

elmo said...

Close your eyes and think of PB's

love that reply!

So, is the aim to go straight and blast over the top of the chop, or to weave a line in the troughs between the peaks?

Depends on the angle of the chop, wind direction and whather you going downwind, tight/broad or upwind

when going hard downwind I tend to get the feeling like my nose of my board is digging in to the back of the wave infront and my whole board slows down a fair amount

I have a feeling its my board (jp freeride 268 55cm wide 2001 model) as my mates tabou rocket doesn't do it even though its 14cm wider (but a lot shorter i spose to).

In small waves i can control it but when i'm going fast and in big swell (LOC stuff) I get smashed.

Anything that can be done to stop this. Or is it get newer gear stuff.

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hardie said...

Windxtasy said...

elmo said...

Close your eyes and think of PB's

love that reply!

So, is the aim to go straight and blast over the top of the chop, or to weave a line in the troughs between the peaks?

Depends on the angle of the chop, wind direction and whather you going downwind, tight/broad or upwind

Please expand...
(I feel like an english teacher saying that)
This is what I really want to know.

downwind you'll be following chop, if relatively flat, chop should be small and closely spaced, your trying to trim the board so it is either flying over the top of chop or acting as if you are joining and touching the top of the chop with the bottom of your board (trust in gear and confidence in your ability impt here, the go for it Elmo attitude is required)

Across the wind or slightly broad, depending on size of chope and size of trough between chop, sailing in the trough in small chop can be fast, ocean swell chop, sailing on the top can be fast, then trying to line up so you go from one trough into the next. (Lots of concentration here picking your line/s, as is not one contimuous long trough, selecting the transitions from one trough line to the next)

Upwind, depends whether you are racing or just trying to get back upwind, the line of least resistance, lots of shock absorbing with knees and ankles

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Windxtasy said...

elmo said...

Close your eyes and think of PB's

love that reply!

So, is the aim to go straight and blast over the top of the chop, or to weave a line in the troughs between the peaks?

Haven't a clue, can't see a thing

The glass's I use are Joo Janta 200 Super-Chromatic Peril Sensitive Sunglasses

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wespyyl said...

when going hard downwind I tend to get the feeling like my nose of my board is digging in to the back of the wave infront and my whole board slows down a fair amount

I have a feeling its my board (jp freeride 268 55cm wide 2001 model) as my mates tabou rocket doesn't do it even though its 14cm wider (but a lot shorter i spose to).

In small waves i can control it but when i'm going fast and in big swell (LOC stuff) I get smashed.

Anything that can be done to stop this. Or is it get newer gear stuff.

Wes I've never ridden a JP but I wouldn't replace it, freerides love swell. Swap boards with your mate and see how you both go.

Me, I steer down through the swell crossing over at an angle, use your legs like a suspension so you don't get too much air. If you're hitting the back of the swell try going further downwind.

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firiebob said...

wespyyl said...

when going hard downwind I tend to get the feeling like my nose of my board is digging in to the back of the wave infront and my whole board slows down a fair amount

I have a feeling its my board (jp freeride 268 55cm wide 2001 model) as my mates tabou rocket doesn't do it even though its 14cm wider (but a lot shorter i spose to).

In small waves i can control it but when i'm going fast and in big swell (LOC stuff) I get smashed.

Anything that can be done to stop this. Or is it get newer gear stuff.

Wes I've never ridden a JP but I wouldn't replace it, freerides love swell. Swap boards with your mate and see how you both go.

Me, I steer down through the swell crossing over at an angle, use your legs like a suspension so you don't get too much air. If you're hitting the back of the swell try going further downwind.

that's Mr. Chops right there!