I tried to windsurf for the first time at Thompson Beach at high tide. As Glynn and Dwbh said, it's really a good place for beginners to learn. It is a clean beautiful beach. It has flat water, making it easy for beginner to practise basics.


It was the first time today I was able to hook in and out and did a bit blasting. However I was still unable to put my feet in footstraps. In addition, I had no problem doing basic gybe on a bigger board (with daggerboard) but found it hard after shifted to smaller board. Can anyone tell me, when doing gybing why:


1. my board stops turning downwind after bearing away with sheet in? When I tried to pull the rig further outside the turn, the rig dropped to the water or the rig-flip became too early.
2. its hard to balance when shifting my feet ?

* if you have time ,please give me a bit guidance.


Anyway I had a good time today. This is my new favourite windsurfing spot now. :)

Hi Winddraggon

Nice spot Thompsons when there is water I go there a bit in SE so might see you there. Would love to help you with gybe but just trying to work out the difference between gybe and tack. I am still doing both with the uphaul line.

Good to hear you had fun

Cheers
Morgan

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Dwbh said..

Hi Winddraggon

Nice spot Thompsons when there is water I go there a bit in SE so might see you there. Would love to help you with gybe but just trying to work out the difference between gybe and tack. I am still doing both with the uphaul line.

Good to hear you had fun

Cheers
Morgan

If we have a chance to meet each other next time, I can show you the tack and gybe. Tack is easier than gybe.

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Winddragon said..

...

It was the first time today I was able to hook in and out and did a bit blasting. However I was still unable to put my feet in footstraps. In addition, I had no problem doing basic gybe on a bigger board (with daggerboard) but found it hard after shifted to smaller board. Can anyone tell me, when doing gybing why:


1. my board stops turning downwind after bearing away with sheet in? When I tried to pull the rig further outside the turn, the rig dropped to the water or the rig-flip became too early.
2. its hard to balance when shifting my feet ?

...

Turning with a centreboard is different from turning without one. With a c/b you can turn downwind by sinking the upwind rail and lifting the nose a bit. Without a c/b if you sink the upwind rail you will carve upwind. If you are planing on a board without a c/b you sink the downwind rail and lean into the turn. If you are not planing then you rely on rig steering which is what you appear to be describing.

To rig steer downwind you just have to hold the board flat side to side, lift the nose a bit and hold the rig to the outside at arms length and counterweight with your bum/ hips to the inside.
For that sort of turn keep your feet near the centreline so you can unweight one without tipping too much. The board will come around pretty quickly and you have to be ready to step the inside foot forward to trim nose back down while holding the rig with the clew to the front.
When the board is flat flip the rig.

A small tip: when you flip the rig the board will want to turn upwind a bit so it's best to finish the gybe pointed a bit off the wind

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NotWal said..

...

To rig steer downwind you just have to hold the board flat side to side, lift the nose a bit and hold the rig to the outside at arms length and counterweight with your bum/ hips to the inside.
For that sort of turn keep your feet near the centreline so you can unweight one without tipping too much. The board will come around pretty quickly and you have to be ready to step the inside foot forward to trim nose back down while holding the rig with the clew to the front.
When the board is flat flip the rig.

...

Thk you NotWal.
next time i'll try to lean my bum/hips to the inside to see if it's better.
Is it that my mast hand/arm should keep extending outside and clew hand/arm bending until feet changed?

^ Yes mast hand extended and back hand controlling sheeting to stay powered.