I had an absolute blast at Dorans yesterday. My fifth time out on my shortboard and the first time that I spent a significant amount of time above the water! Thanks a lot to the guy that suggested I rig a 5m sail instead of my usual 6.6 that I had started rigging up . I was so keen to get on the water that I promptly managed to forget your name....

I had some pretty spectacular crashes (well they felt spectacular to me), including some rather painful headfirst catapults into the mast. I'm thinking of using my whitewater kayaking helmet next time -- any reasons against using this as opposed to forking out for a windsurfing helmet?

I haven't started using footstraps yet and noticed yesterday that they were getting in the way as I was often standing on them, so at least my feet are in the right position. Given that I feel completely out of control is it safe to start using footstraps? I saw a few youtube videos that looked a bit scary with the sailor stuck in the footstrap after crashing and lying face first in the water...

It was an exhilarating afternoon yesterday, I'm just a little concerned about damaging myself given how exciting and out of control it feels at times! Thanks again to everyone that's helped me get to this point!!!

Hello xarvia, I would reckon it would be safer in the footstraps rather than out of them. The front one shouldn't be too difficult at the very least. If you are planing, take all your weight on the back foot, you should be able to just about wave your front foot in the air with abandon and just ride along on the back foot. Just slip it into the front strap and off you go. By the way, the back foot should be toward the centre of the board otherwise you will not be able to keep the board level in the water and you will round up into the wind.
The back foot isn't quite as easy, just get the front one sorted at first.

Yep foot straps are safer and u will caterpault way less.
Leave your foot straps loose and you won't get stuck

And you'll go faster feel way incontrol.

Good onya keep it up

Thanks for the advice! I'll give it a go next time I'm out... Mid next week looks promising.

Select to expand quote

xarvia said...

I had an absolute blast at Dorans yesterday. My fifth time out on my shortboard and the first time that I spent a significant amount of time above the water! Thanks a lot to the guy that suggested I rig a 5m sail instead of my usual 6.6 that I had started rigging up . I was so keen to get on the water that I promptly managed to forget your name....

I had some pretty spectacular crashes (well they felt spectacular to me), including some rather painful headfirst catapults into the mast. I'm thinking of using my whitewater kayaking helmet next time -- any reasons against using this as opposed to forking out for a windsurfing helmet?

I haven't started using footstraps yet and noticed yesterday that they were getting in the way as I was often standing on them, so at least my feet are in the right position. Given that I feel completely out of control is it safe to start using footstraps? I saw a few youtube videos that looked a bit scary with the sailor stuck in the footstrap after crashing and lying face first in the water...

It was an exhilarating afternoon yesterday, I'm just a little concerned about damaging myself given how exciting and out of control it feels at times! Thanks again to everyone that's helped me get to this point!!!

Just go for it Xarvia. The fear goes away once you get used to the feel, doesn't take long.

Hey Xavia, I just bought a really good Bell helmet from Cyclingo bike shop in South Hobart for $50 size M.

Steve, is that a hard shell BMX helmet?

Go the gath, proven and tested, many diff styles and support an aussie company.

Yes mate it is.

Select to expand quote

Captain_Morg said...

Go the gath, proven and tested, many diff styles and support an aussie company.

I totally agree Morgan, def worth a bit extra cost!