Thursday rest day and packing for Elanda point.
Friday - Afternoon session at Elanda 7m sail -Initially a feeling of anxiety about concerns over repeating my success Id had earlier this week - performance anxiety?
- Progress +++ Wahoo

Initially light winds with some short runs - getting into the front foot strap. Then........
Storm front came through - OMG - This is living Flatstrap hooked in -committed- occasionally snuck the back foot in. Crashing Whoosh - Whoosh - Whoosh over the chop.

I ended up way out in the middle of the lake when the front passed through - light fading - wind gone

A long schlog back in - I could see everybody heading in.

Another storm cell came through - Stronger winds - 7m sail was feeling reaaly large - water starts were instant.

A long high speed run back to shore - mostly in control - no catapults - pulled up at mill point absolutely estatic - this was my day
Jack pulled up behind me (he had stayed out also) and we shared the STOKE - congratulated me on my progress - thanks Jack

Spent the remainder of the evening light blasting while the wind was up. Sometimes I was at my limits just keeping the board bearing up wind as the strongest gusts came through and then relaxing and bearing away as the wind eased.

There was something howling/screaming on the board (rig or fin) that I could initiate as I beared away in the stong wind - I found I could play with the frequency of the howl by altering the pressure on the toes of my rear foot.

What is this?? Is it good??

Jack and I came in as the last of the light was fading and the wind was gone. I was too tired to attempt sailing off the wind, so I just sailed untill Elanda was in sight and then bum sailed with my legs on the back of the board directly downwind into the beach.

A great day - felt I did my team of supporters proud. THANKS

Cheers Jeff

Well done Jeff. You're on your way now. There hasn't been many day's not sailing, over the past couple of weeks. I imagine your feeling as sore as me.
The noise that you're hearing is probably the fin. Some can do that.

Hi Jeff! So cool to find you over here in this forum.

This thread has been a great read and I congratulate you on getting in the straps, hooked in and planing!! What a buzz! Not too mention the learning curve to get to that point. It's an amazing feeling that you never forget(even after a 25 year break). Well done mate, I look forward to reading more reports.

Eric

@dag. Yep feel the genie is out of the bottle Sore? . Boom bruises on the hips, took my bruised and battered body back to yoga class this morning for some 'restitution' practice with the ladies

@ezza.Welcome- Hey posting in the same forum - never thought I'd be chasing the wind forecasts like a DS junkie. I see 500mph record was broken - I'm hoping for 20knts. Soon you'll be sticking a wave sail on that Sup of yours!

Saturday was windwanders clinic with the two peters. Not such extreme wind events but I did get some decent blasts. I felt like the naughty student at times.

The idea was to stay close and get feedback, however when the breeze came through I was off into my own world blasting :-). Did spend time working on my stance and initiating planing process. With the variable light breezes and gusts I must have initiated planing 50 times accelerating downwind but loosing it as I turned back across the wind.

Don't know if it's a stance or technique problem - I'm getting a pain in the but on my rear leg as I constantly apply pressure through my toes to the rear of the board. I'm thinking it's a fitness thing - my but is burning like when I do the 'Jane Fonda' leg lifts in pilates :-). More reason to master the back strap!

Cheers Jeff

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jirvin4505 said..
Saturday was windwanders clinic with the two peters. Not such extreme wind events but I did get some decent blasts. I felt like the naughty student at times.

The idea was to stay close and get feedback, however when the breeze came through I was off into my own world blasting :-). Did spend time working on my stance and initiating planing process. With the variable light breezes and gusts I must have initiated planing 50 times accelerating downwind but loosing it as I turned back across the wind.

Don't know if it's a stance or technique problem - I'm getting a pain in the but on my rear leg as I constantly apply pressure through my toes to the rear of the board. I'm thinking it's a fitness thing - my but is burning like when I do the 'Jane Fonda' leg lifts in pilates :-). More reason to master the back strap!

Cheers Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I was not at the clinic but did manage to plane down to Elanda Point from Boreen Point on Saturday afternoon. It was a good run down but the wind was light and flukey a lot of the time. Without the assistance of apparent wind from being on the plane, my trip back up the lake was slow as I had to point high into the wind most of the way. I was on a 6.7 sail so I was regretting leaving my 7.2 in the car. I say this because it may be the reason why you kept falling off the plane. Five extra knots may have made the difference. Anyway, it was good to see all the sails out down your way. I didn't want to gate crash, but got close enough to see some of you guys moving along at good pace.

Hey Jeff,

Yes I did buy a 6m sail and put it on the SUP last weekend. Hence I was trolling around in here and found your thread. We had a ball sailing around, with the whole family having a go. Its a huge SUP that I was just about to sell. I'm definitely keeping it now. We were on a small lake with mild winds just cruising around. We were all so sore the next day.

I think I'm hooked again. I just picked up that Kode 102 in the buy/sell section.

I have to say the boards and sails are so much lighter than the stuff I used to sail back in the 80's/90's.

Eric

Select to expand quote

jirvin4505 said..
Thursday rest day and packing for Elanda point.
Friday - Afternoon session at Elanda 7m sail -Initially a feeling of anxiety about concerns over repeating my success Id had earlier this week - performance anxiety?
- Progress +++ Wahoo

Initially light winds with some short runs - getting into the front foot strap. Then........
Storm front came through - OMG - This is living Flatstrap hooked in -committed- occasionally snuck the back foot in. Crashing Whoosh - Whoosh - Whoosh over the chop.

I ended up way out in the middle of the lake when the front passed through - light fading - wind gone

A long schlog back in - I could see everybody heading in.

Another storm cell came through - Stronger winds - 7m sail was feeling reaaly large - water starts were instant.

A long high speed run back to shore - mostly in control - no catapults - pulled up at mill point absolutely estatic - this was my day
Jack pulled up behind me (he had stayed out also) and we shared the STOKE - congratulated me on my progress - thanks Jack

Spent the remainder of the evening light blasting while the wind was up. Sometimes I was at my limits just keeping the board bearing up wind as the strongest gusts came through and then relaxing and bearing away as the wind eased.

There was something howling/screaming on the board (rig or fin) that I could initiate as I beared away in the stong wind - I found I could play with the frequency of the howl by altering the pressure on the toes of my rear foot.

What is this?? Is it good??

Jack and I came in as the last of the light was fading and the wind was gone. I was too tired to attempt sailing off the wind, so I just sailed untill Elanda was in sight and then bum sailed with my legs on the back of the board directly downwind into the beach.

A great day - felt I did my team of supporters proud. THANKS

Cheers Jeff

It truly was your day Jeff!

You were flying, and I enjoyed sailing with you and seeing you fully locked into the straps & harness and a huge smile on your dial! You have to live with the addiction now you've tasted the fruits of sailing fast. I've sailed in many different settings over the years but that evening was surreal with the heavy rain flattening the water, and it was so dark our main point of reference was the streetlights at Elanda camp ground. It was the closest I've come to night sailing! The guys who went in "early" missed something special (mind you, the bull sharks were probably just starting the night shift when you and I eventually came in).

Congratulations again Jeff! See you on the water. Jack.

Jeff
Now that you are planning on a reasonably regular basis, a large part of progressing forward is choosing the right sail for the current wind speed. If the wind is over 13 kts stay on your short board and reduce sail as the wind gets stronger. Ask what sail size, experienced sailors around the same weight as yourself, are using and use the same size. Reduce fin size as you reduce sail size. When the wind is less than 12kts use your long board.

With more TOW you'll be looking to buy a smaller board by the end of the season

@jack. Thanks for the support

@john. Yep sail size is something I'm learning. Turned up to go out with Darren this arvo. I reckon that it was 8.5 wind but in my heart knew Darren would say 7 :-)
What did he say ... Well it took quite a while to settle on a size as the wind slowly filled in during the arvo. I rigged twice - went out with the 7. It was enough for planing before the wind got too gusty

I must take more time to work on turning around. Sometimes my sail selection is based on easy water starting - I fall off a lot turning around. Must say my starts are improving - had a lot of practice last 3 weeks.

Hoping for some short board development on the south side this Sunday

Cheers Jeff

Pick your chin up mate. We all had to work today. Very Very Dirty Gusty "AND" Flukey wind!!!
Rig for the gust's, on day's like this, and between them - concentrate only on slogging to windward.
I've had a couple of raised eyebrow's there over the past few week's regarding sail selection.
Today, I was on 5.8 again. (We know the maths there).
Jeff - The biggest development that I was most proud of today, was before you hit the water. "One board on the car".
The second - Just now, reading about jibing (turning around).
Congratulations my friend - you are approaching the next step, (jibing).
When there isn't enough wind to water-start.........stand up.

Cheers
Darren

P.S. Tomorrow is looking like a "don't miss".
If ya can con work, ya can con the Missus ha ha!!!

Anyone heading to Turners this morning? Would not want to miss it

Select to expand quote

Pat2me said..
Anyone heading to Turners this morning? Would not want to miss it

Mid - day sometime mate. Myself, one or two locals, and are you in Jeff?

Did gym this morning - must return to work this arvo. I've had txt from pat he's going with Tony

Enjoy lads

I'm in for some sailing before work Sunday morning

Cheers Jeff

Ive read this thread with interest and enjoyment as I'm one of the Turners Camp locals(Pete) and have sailed there

almost exclusively on my own for the past few years. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jeff, Darren, Tony and

Steve all in the last couple of weeks and have witnessed Jeffs rapid progression during that time.

It it is a frustrating thing, this windsurfing business and overcoming the learning plateaus and barriers sometimes

seems impossible. The choice of sail size, board, fin to suit current wind and tide conditions is difficult even for

experienced sailors -we never always get it right first time much less in changeable conditions and trying to learn at the

same time makes it really interesting. Jeff, you've done well!!

Some more development this week
Monday at turners with the gang. Strong gusty winds - overpowered at times on the 7m, seems conditions are conspiring to get me use to sailing in choppy overpowered conditions. Session ended when the storm cells came through, the lightening show was fantastic. I was tempted to go back out during the lull between storm fronts ??. Darren said 'unwise', tony did the coffee run and then another front hit - relieved that I wasn't on the water.

Tuesday- Curtailed an after work blast when Darren rang and said storm fronts again.

Wednesday - organised again for after work blast with Pete. Arrived to find Pete had left a sail rigged so I could get out quicker. Thanks Pete. Left work at 3 in brissy and on the water before 5 at Bribie (road works on the Bruce ). Where was the wind?? So a gentle afternoon sail - done some tacks and practiced getting the shortboard upwind.

Off Friday looking forward to a classic Se day at Sandstone - txt from Darren suggested it was going to be big!!!! Arrived to showers and very light winds - off course I had pulled all the big gear out of the car

Darren and Mark staring bleakly at the ripples I decided to retire to Petes place and share his passion for expresso coffee and fine hifi . Knowing that energy saved would soon be used given Saturday's forecast.

Saturday awesome day at Sandstone SE winds. Met up with tony, Pete and John.

Didn't bring s small enough sail so rigged my 5.9 and followed suggestions on winding it well down and floppy. Lots of anxiety before I hit the water.

It was only 4 weeks ago when I was totally trashed at Rq beach in similar conditions. Well proud to say I've had a very demanding and useful time on the water.

Not very pretty but not totally out of control. Things became more demanding as the afternoon developed. Spitfire was showing 20k + with significant gusts
Lots of short sessions, Pete offering suggestions getting more committed.

Decided to call it quits when committed equalled seeing the air between the board and water as I bounced over the waves. Decided it was just a little too sickenly wicked for me and I didn't want to break anything. A little bruised - only one major catapult - got a corker of a boom strike on my thigh!


All in all a great week on the water - thanks to the team for encouragement


Off to Elanda point next weekend for the Xmas school hols - really excited to see how things go

Anybody planing for Cootharaba this school hols?

Cheers Jeff

Epic day Sat, 5.2 no worries
feeling my age though, the days of bump a jump just to see how much air I could get are sadly over, that's what getting to pension age does for you. Anyone interested in a rubber tail Drops 99 litre bump & jump board?
just cruising around for me these days
Jeff and Tony provide all the inspiration I need to see that the sport is in good hands, I can't wait till you guys get so much air that when you look down you go "oh ****"
something you never forget, Jeff, Tony, just try to land downwind on the right side not too steep nose first....

Jeff,

Sounds like you have achieved a major breakthrough. Follow up with TOW and continuing to push the limits.

Short board development has relocated to Elanda camping ground lake Cootharaba. Van set up at 'Jeffrey point'

Packed less gear this time. A collection of training gear, short boards and the phantom longboard not to forget a kayak for Jane.

Looking forward to the SE winds predicted over the next few days

Some sailing mates are already here and more due on Sunday. Denton coming in the new year. Tony Nowork is on holidays and ready to come up if the wind blows.

All in all it's going to be a very social windsurfing holiday.

Goals
Shortboard
more consistently into the back strap
Improve tacking and gybing ,,, getting off to turnaround is starting to wear on me.
Staying on the plane longer in the lulls

Longboard
Downwind sailing
Tacks and gybes

Cheers Jeff

Hi Jeff

Going downwind on the longboard on the plane move the mast track to the very back and go down on an angle say 120 degrees. Dont go dead downwind whilst planing you will end up out running the wind the sail will depower and the board will drop off the plane. Then as your speed drops the sail will load up again and pull you over the front.

If you find your over powered you cant sheet out to release pressure, that doesn't work downwind you have to do exactly what I just said not to do that is head deeper downwind so the sail depowers as explained above. The trick is to find the angle that keeps you planing without being over powered often that means constant adjustment to your course.

Blasting downwind on long boards is great fun just remember to move the track back centreboard fully retracted and keep your weight towards the back so you don't bury the nose into the back of the chop. If you have a adjustable outhaul let it out rule of thumb is the sail can be touching the boom from the clew all the way to the harness lines. Letting the outhaul off gives you more power and makes it easier to manage the sail at the same time it is definitely worth doing every time you head downwind.

In light wind track forward centreboard fully retracted and the angle doesnt matter dead downwind is fine.

To me going downwind is a bit like a roller coaster you slog uphill then when you round the top mark its like taking the first drop on the roller coaster you just commit and enjoy the ride becsuse there's no way you can slow it down.

Thanks Cammeron for the detailed guide - gives me something to aim for. Some low wind days coming up - will be good for the longboard

Saturday. 2 sessions on the water to start the holidays.
Promise of early wind faltered somewhat

Before lunch session some short runs on the plane - managed all my tacks without falling - progress

After lunch wind lifted a couple of knots. More constant evidence of fluffy crests on the chop
Planing consistently run after run

Able to make upwind ground - didn't get to practice turning around as I was happy to hop off either end and allow the adrenaline to settle. Just simply blown away with the whole experience. Foot in front strap - standing uncomfortably on the rear strap - dooh!!

Still upsetting the boards trim as I try to sneak my back foot in plus keeping looking to find where my feet are - my bad!

Having some comfort issues - feels like once I get powered up and going the back leg is doing all the work?
Front foot feels like it needs to keep lifting/floating in the front strap to control the trim and direction of the board. Early days still

Some more windsurfers arrived today. Going to be a great holiday.

Cheers Jeff

Only just found this thread as the title didn't really show me what it was about. Enjoying reading it.I think the most importrant thing with windsurfing is to be a persistent bugger..I used to fall of and @#!@#!! I'm not letting this thing get the best of me! and go again..
Mind you these days there's a lot more info around than there used to be so make the most of it! Much easier getting the right habits from the start rather than trying to get out of bad ones years down the track. Bad habits will show up as the wind and chop picks up and gear gets smaller!
Have fun!

Select to expand quote

jirvin4505 said..
Thanks Cammeron for the detailed guide - gives me something to aim for. Some low wind days coming up - will be good for the longboard

Saturday. 2 sessions on the water to start the holidays.
Promise of early wind faltered somewhat

Before lunch session some short runs on the plane - managed all my tacks without falling - progress

After lunch wind lifted a couple of knots. More constant evidence of fluffy crests on the chop
Planing consistently run after run

Able to make upwind ground - didn't get to practice turning around as I was happy to hop off either end and allow the adrenaline to settle. Just simply blown away with the whole experience. Foot in front strap - standing uncomfortably on the rear strap - dooh!!

Still upsetting the boards trim as I try to sneak my back foot in plus keeping looking to find where my feet are - my bad!

Having some comfort issues - feels like once I get powered up and going the back leg is doing all the work?
Front foot feels like it needs to keep lifting/floating in the front strap to control the trim and direction of the board. Early days still

Some more windsurfers arrived today. Going to be a great holiday.

Cheers Jeff

Hey Jeff & co!
I'm feeling a bit left out these days.
Tried to get on a board in New Caledonia but ran out of time.
Good noreaster this arvo and I'm in the virgin lounge waiting for a plane (the other sort)
see you at turners camp soon, maybe tomorrow?

Welcome back Pete

I'm back up at this the lake for 4 more days.
I've had a great day just before Xmas 5 hours total on the water planing my heart out ??

Wind has dropped off so it's been long board development.
If the wind looks better in next few days I'll head down - keen for a session at golden beach with Morgan

Cheers Jeff

Cootharaba short board update,.
I've had some development days with long sessions on the water.
Windsurfed yesterday until I was legless!

Slow - age induced- start to the day today took a lot of coffee and Xmas cake to get moving :-)

Big afternoon on water. Got skunked and missed main afternoon blast. Boys planing on 7.5 sails. Went out as the wind settled to 9.5 breeze however it had settled so much I only had 2 planing runs :-(.

My mate got stuck way downwind on a 120l board.

I practiced pumping sail and getting board almost onto the plane - bloody exhausting work!!!!

Came in a 5:30 ready to derig - wind came back up while I was rehydrating. Ok said my mate lets go back out - well if I have too!

It was the best lightwind afternoon session. Pumping onto the plane with gentle gusts - hardly any hint of whitecaps. Long planing runs once you get the board going - it's magic

3 firsts -Pumping onto the plane :-)
- 2 full runs with both feet in the straps
- managed to spin the fin out 3 times by ? overloading ? it too soon as I'm accelerating early in the planing process. Rear of board skids away at 45 degrees - can't seem to bring it back in??

A big afternoon - wahoo!!!

Nice one Jeff

Haven't had much luck with the wind where we are or were but all light wind stuff too. Accept for the one day the wind came up with a puff early last week at Golden beach nothing has happened since.

Well done both straps mate and getting onto the plan in lighter days - I have tried to pump the sail phew!! don't want to do that too much lol, as you said exhausting.

Like you, mate I still had fun everyday accept for yesterday first day off the water - we went down to Wello and it was like a millpond but just after a squall came in and one of the locals caught the wind and had a 36 knot blast. Something for us to look forward to Jeff

Cheers
Morgan

Se winds . Midday high tide

Doesn't get much better

Had a great session yesterday in the Bic techno 283 with 7m Ezzy lion sail

Difficult to make rigging decisions early as the rain showers kept sucking out the wind. At one stage, while waiting we were going to put up our big rigs.

Waiting waiting.... Redcliff registered 11knots

Then - it's on!!! Wind is here. - Redcliff showing 17-19knts

Out on bic 7m. Gusty +++++++. Hardwork initially

Wind settled had a great time. Steve from Bribie is stoked really enjoying himself.

Steve was on Bic techno also with 6.8 up. He is getting back into short boards after many years of racing longboards
First time to sandstone for him

Mainly concentrated on handling the gusty winds and managing the chop. Didn't get settled enough to concentrate on getting the back foot in the strap.

Learnt a little more a it sail trimming.
Intially went out with lots of downhaul and outhaul. As the wind settled and dropped I had trouble getting upwind ground when on the plane. I found as I let the sail off I was able to make headway and get away from the wind shadow area close to the beach.


Enjoyed the coffee and pie on the way home

Back for more today

Cheers Jeff

Higher winds today. Organised to meet up with Darren and Steve.

A mixed day. Decided to give a small board a go. A Naish freeride Titan 125l with a Duke 5.9 sail

Only got going a couple of times, overpowered and had difficulty handling the gusts.

I had one really good run and that felt like progress is being made - PB of 18knts (my first time out with GPS :-) )

Down sized to an OLD 5m retro sail and really with the holes in the wind couldn't make it work on the Naish or the Bic

I think Ill put the Naish away until I have some more modern small sails for the big days. Just didn't want to die wondering

I made my first GoPro windsurfing video...






Thanks to Darren and Steve for their company today.

cheers Jeff

Hey Jeff, I'm just south of you at Godwin beach. Had a marathon session on Friday, and a big session on Tuesday too - my hands are so sore!

I've got a bic techno 263, no, it's a 283 - I've got almost the exact same board as you - and an izzy infinity 7.5 as my "good" gear, but I really prefer it when the wind is more than enough so I can pull out my 20+ year old "Air Action" wave board with a no cam 6.0m sail. Not liking the cams at the moment, and the wave board seems to like the flat water okay. I had to come back in and rig up my retro 5.0m sail on Friday, and that seemed just about right.

You may have been suffering from being in the wind shadow of Bribie - it was a little bit gusty/patchy where I was, but not too bad.

Yay Jeff good on you! I was willing your back foot in or the strap during that clip

Select to expand quote

jirvin4505 said..
Higher winds today. Organised to meet up with Darren and Steve.

A mixed day. Decided to give a small board a go. A Naish freeride Titan 125l with a Duke 5.9 sail

Only got going a couple of times, overpowered and had difficulty handling the gusts.

I had one really good run and that felt like progress is being made - PB of 18knts (my first time out with GPS :-) )

Down sized to an OLD 5m retro sail and really with the holes in the wind couldn't make it work on the Naish or the Bic

I think Ill put the Naish away until I have some more modern small sails for the big days. Just didn't want to die wondering

I made my first GoPro windsurfing video...






Thanks to Darren and Steve for their company today.

cheers Jeff

dont worry about the old sail they still work just check how its rigged