WindsurfingUK issue 11 June 2019 | Page 24

24 COACHING WINDWISE TECHNIQUE Upwind flat water wave ride in Warrior: Look (chin on upwind shoulder) and lean upwind over that heavily flexed knee, bring the hands forward to help rake the rig back to oppose the movement of the body. Downwind flat water wave ride in Warrior: Chin on downwind shoulder, looking and leaning over a heavily flexed front knee. Rig is leant over of the turn, pulling the clew hand in and down very close to the head. “Imagine you’re talking into a microphone, whilst pulling down trying to rip the boom off the mast!” Which is leant the ‘opposite’ way to counter balance. Warrior flat water wave riding planing On single back strap boards, be it flat water, swell or waves practice really carving hard upwind and downwind, lining the turns and accentuating your Warrior ethos and Touch Points. It’s one of the very best exercises you can do planing and teaches you all about your Vision, Warrior stance and opposing the rig. Summary You may ask why not just do a normal blast across the wind and then do a tack or gybe? Yes you can do that, but that is avoiding the exact skills that will change your windsurfing. uk WIND SURFING Sailing upwind and broad reaching back has a massively positive effect on your windsurfing. If you just reach back and forth you don’t actually sail upwind or downwind long enough develop vital aspects of your technique. Don’t be disheartened and keep gaining experience, increase the distance upwind and vary the length, number and style of runs, to develop your confidence, corners and ability to put the board where you want it to go. As ever, any questions or suggestions for Windsurfing UK features, fire away [email protected], oh and don’t forget to sheet it! SB