Hi there I got some good advice from you guys on water starts a while ago and it's safe to say that I have managed to crack them, some of the time anyway I'm sure I'll get better. Thanks to those who gave advice. Anyway I've spent so much time trying to waterstart that I've realised that I cant sail for **** and am really struggling with the harness. It seems that whenever I hook in I either end up turning up wind or i go ass over. I look around and it seems as though i'm doing the right thing. Has anyone got some fundamental tips for me on this? Or would someone be willing to give me some advice on the beach? I've got alot of "dumb" questions, I don't even know if my lines are set up right. PM me if you can help! I want to keep it up but I'm starting to get frustrated. Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks

Are you planing?

When you're not used to it, it's pretty difficult to sail in the harness for any length of time if you aren't planing.

Windsurfers are a helpful bunch. We've all been there and know how frustrating it can be. Just ask anyone at the beach who looks like they know what they are doing.
Where do you sail?
To see if your lines are in the right position, stand up your sail on the beach and hold the sail by the harness line. If the sail is balanced in the wind the lines are in the right spot. If the sail spins away move the lines in that direction until it balances. I find about a hand width between the lines works well, and for length, put your elbow in the loop and grasp the boom with your hand. That is about the right length, though you may need to adjust it according to conditions. I like adjustable length harness lines.

Agree with DL. You do need to be planing before you hook in. Hook in, lean back, front foot in the strap, then back foot and you should be flying!

Sometimes I'm planing sometimes i'm not. Maybe i'n hookin in too early?

I sail at Lucky bay.

I sail 99% of the time in the harness, even when slogging. The only time I'll unhook is to gybe, or if it's really really light (< 5 knots).

Sounds like you just need more time on water Eggy! It will come with practice.

There are lots of helpful people at Lucky Bay. I sail there too.
Ask the middle aged guys. They love to help.

I haven't had much luck with hooking in and staying in control when I'm not planing.
Nebbian, how do you manage that?

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nebbian said...

I sail 99% of the time in the harness, even when slogging. The only time I'll unhook is to gybe, or if it's really really light (< 5 knots).

Sounds like you just need more time on water Eggy! It will come with practice.

ignore this comment....
tis true.. once you know how to sail, you can get away with being hooked in 99% of the time, dogging along, hooked in WITH both feet in the footstraps.. if its windy enough you can even waterstart hooked in with both feet in the straps.. however certainly not how you learn.

dont worry about the harness until you are planing along nicely. keep one foot just ahead of the front footstrap toward the mast track - work your way down the board with your feet towards the back strap - (depending on how hardcore slalom your board is the straps may be hard to get into) so either go for the straps first and then hook in, or hook in as you are almost there into the straps. (be careful as this is catapult time, when your back foot isnt in)
too much weight over the back of the board will turn you up into the wind.. try running a little off the wind (downwind) as you pick up speed and move your feet back as you pick up speed. hook an as you move back and grab those straps. should turn slightly up into the wind and be heading in the right direction.

keep practising and maybe get someone to sail your gear, check that its not too far out in the setup. and keep practising.. once you get it sorted youll realise its the best sport in the world

Hmm... I was in the harness 99% of the time well before I'd had that first magical planing experience... I don't mean feet in the straps, I mean harness lines in hook.

Different strokes, different folks. There's more than one way to do it, that's all