AHD Type F 75 127 Liter

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 952

I guess.....
Because I'm a little guy trying to go fast, a hopeless idea.
Lately, some guys my size with full slalom kit going a hair faster than me with my 10 year old sails, rec (Rainbow and TruAmes) fins, and freeride boards from the turn of the century. Not happy.
Been playing with track position for the last 2 years, and still no definitive answer. Theory, in this case, does't always jive with reality.
I do have a set of Tectonics slalom fins for my 2 slalom boards ('99 and '07), but they're not definitively faster than my freeride kit.
I guess more skill is the answer, but I already sail around 30 miles a day in 1.5 hour sessions, so you'd think I get plenty of practice.

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 130 Location: Montréal

hey LeeD

not that i am a guy in the know ...
it sounds like you are doing all the right things
have you tried wearing a weight belt ??

lotsa luck

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 2060

there's no limit to what TOW does for one's skill levels if one actively pursues as much knowledge as one can. having a longer set of limbs helps even more, methinks. if i had the same body proportions as an orangutang, i think i could be a world champion.

but, alas, that opportunity is not likely to happen. as i've gotten older and wiser, my carcass has become a bit slower and stiffer.

zirtaeb · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1764

Yeah, older doesn't help the reflexes, the eyes, the footspeed needed to go quick and fast. It helps the knowledge, but what good is knowledge without the resources to apply it.
Used to use normally 25 lbs of weight in a HiTech water vest for speed trials. No weight for slalom, because acceleration is more important than top speed.