WindsurfingUK issue 5 October 2017 | Page 53

51 From a kit point of view, setup is key at this level. Having mastered the basic skills of windsurfing, you’ll want to move onto boards without dagger boards. Your instructor will help you with this transition to ensure your equipment setup is right, such as footstrap size, position and setup, along with fin size and UJ placement, tuning harness lines, boom height and rig, all making the best of the conditions and assisting your learning. Tuning up and taking off If you’ve mastered blasting in both straps and want to push into different water states on smaller boards in mixed conditions then the RYA Advanced Course is the next step. As with the intermediate course this can be run over short periods but most likely several sessions over a longer period of time to help develop skills. Refining stance and blasting technique to suit a wider variety of conditions and kit as well as looking at tacking at high speed in stronger winds, waterstarting and the infamous carve gybe. Once you have mastered all the advanced core skills, instructors can take you through the techniques of jumping and advanced carving skills, adding some kudos to advanced sailors’ repertoires. What kit do I need to continue? As previously mentioned, an RYA centre will provide all equipment needed, especially the boards and rig. However as you reach an intermediate and advanced stage, it would be well worth investing in your own harness and wetsuit. If you go for a thicker wetsuit around 5/3 mm then this can see you making the most of conditions throughout the year. As a plus for RYA members, discounted suits and accessories are available from some top brands via the RYA’s member reward partners such as Wetsuit Centre, as well as third party windsurfing insurance. Many RYA centres offer intermediate and advanced level gym-style memberships offering access to a wide range of the latest gear. As with the RYA Start Windsurfing course, the RYA Intermediate course is accessible via a number of different routes They will also be best positioned to advice you or buying your own kit which will give you full independence. Where do I go from here? Visit www.rya.org.uk/wheresmynearest/Pages/ Directory.aspx#list/ to find your nearest centre. For more info on courses visit www.rya.org.uk/courses- training/courses/windsurfing/Pages/hub.aspx uk WIND SURFING