WindsurfingUK issue 4 July 2017 | Page 80

80 COACHING WINDWISE TECHNIQUE WINDWISE WARRIOR SKILLS TRAINING EXERCISES To increase your success rate in tacking develop your Warrior look, lean, lever, with these exercises. Warrior uphaul I’ve always suggested we need to change the way beginners are taught to uphaul. Standing feet next to mast base, across the wind, rig elevated at 90 degrees to the board, might work on a lake – but it is NOT a ‘secure position’ in breeze, lower volume kit or a moving pitch! Promise me you’ll use your Warrior stance and, just as importantly, turn the board more into wind, never, ever across the wind. You can also learn to hover in Warrior to catch waves or hold a position. Nose sink training Vision: Look forward and sail right into wind. Keep the rig away from you and angled towards the tail, edge the feet forward and sink! Quickly shift the feet back to save it. 1 3 uk WIND SURFING 2 4 Upwind downwinder tack ending If you have done our upwind downwinder training you’ll know that you can simulate the Warrior ending without actually tacking. Remember this simulates then ending NOT the beginning, where you need to be more upright. 1. Adopt a wide foot spread, look forward chin on shoulder. 2. Rake the sail back, drop into accentuated Warrior to turn into wind. 3. With hands right forward, imagine trying to get your harness hook in front of the mast, rake the rig back until the sail ‘touches’ your rear leg. 4. When contact is made, push out hard on the clew hand. You should feel the board turn downwind and the mast rise up into your hands to sail away.