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What to learn in high winds? (adv beginner/intermediate-ish)
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Joris00



Joined: 23 May 2013
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:22 am    Post subject: What to learn in high winds? (adv beginner/intermediate-ish) Reply with quote

I have a windsurfing trip this weekend and the forecast looks like 20-25 mph most of the time.

My level:
- relatively ok with harness though maybe I don't commit as much as I should,
- haven't been in the footstraps (so no planing),
- waterstart every now and then, takes several attempts.

I want to learn getting in the footstraps, but I think 15-18 mph would be better conditions for that. Some of the time the wind should be there, but when it's strong (23-26 mph) I want to make the most of my time and make some progress.

I'm thinking:
- get more comfortable with the harness,
- more consistent waterstart,
- try a smaller board (right now I'm on 110 at 140 lbs),
- [The same thing we do every night, Pinky] just do what I'm doing in lower winds (short runs with a tack), and try to not fall too much -- this would naturally include harness and waterstart,

Does that make sense?

What would you advise?

Thank you!
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dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Use a smaller sail.. around 5 meters for 13-18mph, 4.5 or smaller for 20-25, and certainly 4.0 for 21-27 mph winds.
Even in 15 mph winds, you can waterstart easier with a 4.5 than you can with a meter sail.
Stick with the 110 sized board for now, and try 3 waterstart attempts before uphauling.
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Trying to not fall in is sailing defensively. You have to commit in order to get better. This is especially true with planing and straps since having the power to plane but not being in the straps is how you get slammed.
https://youtu.be/yfTNYs1mBPg
https://youtu.be/WB30KgpTnZ4

Falling in is an excellent opportunity to waterstart, which is the gateway to sailing in more wind.
Likewise the harness was created to make sailing less exhausting and footstraps to add control. You need to shift from thinking of them as obstaclesto overcome and instead view them as tools to use.
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ctuna



Joined: 27 Jun 1995
Posts: 1125
Location: Santa Cruz Ca

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

List and show your equipment.
How much do you know about tuning your board
and equipment to make things easy or even doable.
Having the straps foward and inside makes it easier.
Don't look at the straps when trying to get in feel them.
You might want a big windsup to learn basic non planning
moves. At your weight a 110 should be pretty floaty.


Get a copy of trictionary three.
There are techniques for everything this book describes them
in detail and the common error's
Learn to do pivot jbes(low wind sail moves prep you for hi wind
sail moves)
and all the low wind sail tricks or as many as possible.

Vist all sites that have instruction video's

sam ross windsurfing on ytube
guy crib
boardseeker.com technique section
Jem Hall
Peter Hart windsurfing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB30KgpTnZ4
many more like the above from getwindsurfing.

Also where do you windsurf.
At 20 to 25 its work on your waterstarts and a planning in the
straps hooked in weather.

https://www.sideoff.com/windsurf-instruction

https://www.tricktionary.com/en/webshop/windsurfing-tricktionary-3-english
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Joris00



Joined: 23 May 2013
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

> try 3 waterstart attempts before uphauling.

Yes, that's been pretty much my strategy!

> Trying to not fall in is sailing defensively. You have to commit in order to get better. This is especially true with planing and straps since having the power to plane but not being in the straps is how you get slammed.

That's a very good point. I'll reconsider my attitude.

> List and show your equipment.

I'm going to a place where I can rent, there is a good selection of equipment, and it's fairly new (last 2-3 years).

> You might want a big windsup to learn basic non planning rules

I think I'm past that point. I've been sailing for 5 years (though not more than 10 days/year, and I've not been in the water this season yet). I started with a bigger board. Now I get in the harness every time, light or strong wind. I think grantmac017 hit the nail on the head: "having the power to plane but not being in the straps is how you get slammed". That's what's happening to me and deters me from doing anything in stronger winds.

> Get a copy of trictionary three.

Thanks! I've not looked into that.

> Vist all sites that have instruction video's

Thanks for the references again. I've seen a bunch of videos and DVDs (and I really like the ones from getwindsurfing). It's not the lack of resources and ideas. It's just that I am much more comfortable trying all that in 15 mph wind rather than 25 mph. But I do believe there's always something to be learned, it's just going to be different in 10 mph and in 30 mph conditions.
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westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're not used to higher winds, learning to sheet out is something you might need to work on. Back hand power control?
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windward1



Joined: 18 Jun 2000
Posts: 1400

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Joris00,
I do not think you said where you were going, but many places the wind just not "turn on". Usually there is a build in the wind to the 20 to 25 mph range, be it an hour or a half an hour. You might go early and get comfortable in that build using all of the advice given above and be 'more ready' when you attack the 20+ mph stuff.
W1
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NOVAAN



Joined: 28 Sep 1994
Posts: 1544

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Three things that are a must in higher wind sailing. #1 water start.
#2 harness. #3 foot straps. Its not magic, its time on the water. Rigging and tuning the proper size sail is right up there. Board size is nice but you can easily get away with a bit bigger board until you get comfy with the above. Get there early is great advice. Sail until it gets to be to much than watch and learn. Lots of places as the winds back off in the evening they get steadier. You can get a "golden hour" then. Speed is your friend. The faster you go the more stable your board gets and the less pull in the sail. To a point. over power sail can get to be a hand full. The major difference with higher wind and small sails is that things happen faster. Be Quick with your feet and be ready for the pull from your sail. Get the board off the wind and up to speed as you move back and into the straps. It will all come to you with time on the water and challenging yourself to try more.. Most of all have fun..
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Joris00



Joined: 23 May 2013
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, NOVAAN!

> I do not think you said where you were going

sorry, I'll be in the Corpus Christi area. Yes, the wind is definitely not as strong earlier in the day and I plan to take full advantage of that!
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ctuna



Joined: 27 Jun 1995
Posts: 1125
Location: Santa Cruz Ca

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do not underestimate what you can learn in low winds.
All the low wind moves translate into techniques you can use
in higher winds.
sail handling in lower winds will help your high wind skills, and it's
much easier to learn this stuff on low wind days. And it something
to do that can be fun when there isn't that much wind,
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