15
Common Mistakes
Q. I’ve heard you can pump through the legs to un-stick
the board?
A. You’ll see elite level racers on large finned boards, ‘pushing’
through the legs. However, unless your rig pumping
technique is timed to perfection, pumping through the legs
or bouncing the board usually ends up with people over
weighting the tail, stalling and killing any benefit.
Q. Why does the board stall when I try to get planing?
A. Too sheeted out, back foot too far back or over weighted.
It’s quite common to stand too far back on the board and
try to bear away to get going. A ‘flat’ board sailing across
the wind with feet forward will get planing quicker than a
sunken tailed board heading downwind.
Simon says
Early planing and pumping does require effort, the
problem is that it’s often misdirected. Your summer will
seem windier if you follow the wise words and photos
we’ve highlighted here.
Simple summary
Vision:
Trim:
Look forward.
Feet forward and remember your opposition
mantra.
Opposition: Rig forward body back to get planing. Rig back
body forward after hooking and getting in front
straps to keep planing.
Stance:
Tighten that torso for early planing acceleration
with a super light narrow grip on the boom.
Q. Why does the board come off the plane after getting
into the harness or straps?
A. This is usually down to flexing the front leg and mast arm
way too much. Pulling on the arms excessively and very
often not opposing the rig with the body so the tail sinks.
Try to adopt a stance like the photo in Loving Lulls!
We’d love to help you with your early planing and every
other aspect of your windsurfing. Check out our 2019 UK
tune-ups and overseas Windwise experiences. As ever if
you have any technique requests, questions or suggestion
please send to [email protected]
Make your move in 2019 www.windwise.net
Kit Wise
Is it you or your gear?
1. Flat rockered and or wide boards
help early planing, which is why
you’ll see freestylers whip a 100L
board along on a 4.7m when
others are on 6m 120L Freewave
boards.
2. Is your fin big enough? If the
board is slow to go, finning up
slightly could make the
difference.
3. Set a slightly higher boom to
unweight the feet and promote
early planing.
4. Correctly placed harness lines!
So make sure you can touch your
rear harness line with your rear
hand.
5. Is your sail too flat? Excessive
downhaul and especially outhaul
hinders early planing.
UK TUNE-UPS 2019
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summer dates announced!
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engaging sessions for your level!
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