Re: Recommend board for learning waterstarts

On Apr 18, 4:29=A0pm, Glenn Woodell <lets...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:47:02 -0700 (PDT), Dan Weiss
>
> <dwus...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >Placing the booms on the tail of the board is NOT the way to learn to
> >waterstart, though this ability certainly is nice once the water
> >starting skills develop. The reason for my view is that resting the
> >booms on the tail prevents the sailor from controlling the angle of
> >board directly through mast base pressure. =A0The best way, IMHO, to
> >lean to waterstart is to practice the basic beach start.
>
> I agree that one should not go straight fromuphauling to waterstarting
> without first learning to beach start. I disagree however about the
> tail of the board being used as a crutch. My opinion of course after
> 14 years of waterstarting.
>
> I tend to dislike the newer boards because they have no tail. My main
> board is a 1996 Mistral Electron. It's only 88L but the tail is just
> long enough that at my boom height I can use the tail if I need or
> want to. When I'm getting tired or tossed around I often use the tail
> to help clear the sail, especially in marginal winds with a big sail
> (6.5). In other conditions I usually don't need it. Get caught once in
> marginal winds and you'll appreciate being able to pish the tail under
> the boom thereby letting the boar do the work for you.
>
> This thread goes to show that there is no one best method and you can
> adapt to whatever works for you.
>
> >By beach starting, the sailor can practice rotating the board upwind
> >and downwind using sail pressure, and can practice clearing the sail
> >independent of board motion. =A0Separating these elements really helps
a
> >sailor understand the what's involved in flying the sail, and how to
> >do it without relying on the tail to keep the sail flying.
>
> Good advice. I use the tail to clear the sail only but not to fly it
> unless I'm in really light winds, waiting for a puff.
>
> Glenn

Hi Glenn:  Please understand my question is made with all due respect
but, to put it directly, do you think your super-leg changes your
ability to tread water with the same force as others?  I ask out of
blunt curiosity, but also with tremendous awe that you sail far better
than most under cir***stances that suggest you've adapted your
preferences to suit your needs.

-Dan