Well this has been a long time coming and the frustration was getting to me, but this morning went to South Rickets and basically said no more to uphauling.
Positioning the board. I always had trouble with this. This time I decided that I would rest the mast on the tail of the board and then swim the nose around till it was pointing into the wind. Then grabber the boom and pushed the board with the foot, vuola! The sail is flying and the got my back foot on the board.
Flying the sail was the thing that was messing with me the most but somehow i tried someting different today and bang got the sail flying. Also when it was getting a bit choppier and the clew was sinking on me i cleared the sail from the mast tip and got it flying. I was suppried how easy this was. I had tried it before but they we half hearted attempts. This time i really lifted the mast tip with everyting i got and all the sudden the sail just popped up. Got the board positioned and just slid my way down to the boom.
Then worked on positioning the board took some practice but getting in the sweet spot whilst flying the sail was easier than I thought. Maybe it was the months of failiures that got me through it.
Then up and away. 5/10 times this resulted in a catapult. But then instead of getting straight up I stayed low and just let the board build up some momentum. Then I just gradually got up hooked in and planed away.
I was supprised how much can change in a short session and how it all just clicks all the sudden. My previous waterstarts were just flukes now i can consistantly got up and away. Man that feels good and the 20-25 kt constant wind helped me hugely.
It all came at a cost though. Blew a panel out of my 5.7 and broke my clew. Jury rigged it whilst out there but seemed to hold so there was no sence of stopping.
What a day!!!!
Awesome news Jez!!
I remember going from fluke waterstarts to the real thing and how satisfying the whole trip was! I still carry an uphaul though, even on my wave rig. You just never know when you'll need it.
Stoked for you man
Did a similar thing to get my waterstarts...sacrificed a couple of hours one arvo and instead of sailing, decided to work on my waterstarting.
I even taught myself to do clew-first waterstarts as practice, but because I've never needed them, when I tried one the other day I got thrown over the handlebars.
Your arms and back will thank you for the invesment of time spent getting your waterstarts working.
^^^ 1) can do, 2) no probs...3) not a chance! I can Jibe most times, which includes a point where the board comes off the plane or stalls whilst I flip the rig, but carve jibe??? That's a whole different kind of beast!
When the wind gets better we should fire up those informal clinics. Last weekend I thought about it, but was a bit too windy and choppy at some spots.
I found rickets south a good spot. No sore break and reasonably sheltered.
Goto watch the reefs though.
Rickets is great sailing spot, but not a great spot for a clinic. You need a spot to drop in next you and have chat about how your sailing. I find you need a spot to sail next to each other and watch each other's moves. Just like we do at Inverloch From there you can see how to do it and how its been done. Mount Martha on Sunday was a good spot and would recommend for a future sailing sessons. Elwood is another spot and Bonno for light SW and northerlies. Plus Parkdale for SE winds. etc
Well Done. I am a late starter to windsurfing and I remember reading that someone found it a humbling experience learning to waterstart over forty years of age. It was 2 weeks to my fortieth so I went to SHQ for a waterstart lesson. It was 35knts with gusts beyond. I know what doesnt kill you makes you stronger but.....
That was a little while ago. I can waterstart quite well now: other windsurfing skills quite poor.
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