Having lurked on rec.windsurfing since getting the bug 10 years ago, i
think that i can finally contribute a couple of comments.
Small sails (under 5.5m) are usually easier to waterstart for a couple
of reasons.
1. they are smaller, lighter, and generally easier to throw about if
they are in the wrong position.
2. hopefully there is more wind ;-)
the method ive been taught and re-taught is to arrange your kit so the
board is nose into the wind with the mast at 90 degrees to the board,
with the clew downwind.
be in the water upwind of the sail, holding the mast just above the
boom, the other hand further up the mast (slightly more than shoulder
width). lay back with you legs under the sail, kicking to drag the
mast into the wind. if it starts to skew DO NOT push it back into
position, this will sink the clew!!! Pull with the hand that gets
things lined up again and the action of pulling "should" keep the
board nosed into the wind. Self preservation will mean your head is
still above water and the sail is slowly trying to submerge you....
keep your head up and as the mast gets closer it'll raise a couple of
inches catching the wind - if the clew is slightly submerged, again
pull the mast down and upwind. with enough wind (enough wind is a key
point) the clew will flick clear of the water and the sail is flying.
Reach your upper hand down to the boom (centre of the harness lines)
before placing your front hand. This should have you in a body-drag
which by changing the load on your arms will allow the board to point
downwind to a position where you can curl your back leg up onto the
board. I have (foolishly) been out too long and too cold to be able to
uphaul or hook in so it is possible to body-drag home from here if you
have to.
Big sails (for me at 150lbs wringing wet) 7.0-8.5 are harder. I've
developed a couple of cheats.
Cheat #1. If there isn't enough wind, uphaul.
Cheat #2. If the sail has sunk, lay across the board to lever the mast
and sail flat to the surface.
Cheat #3. Push the back of the board under the sail foot. Some suggest
propping the boom on the board which can cause the nose to get
airborne - if the board is even long enough. Picture a windsurfer
planing hard, with the foot of the sail laying (almost) down the
centre-line of the board. This is the position to rest the sail. If
you're lucky the foot straps will hold the sail in place while you
swim to the nose of the board, and then swim upwind with the board,
holding the nose. Swim this setup around until the wind is coming
halfway between the nose of the board and the top of the mast, then
walk your hands around the board and up the mast to the very top of
the mast. Sweep the top of the mast up and forward into the wind. The
foot should stay on the back of the board for as long as the sail is
in contact with the water. Once clear, walk your hands back down the
mast to the boom, start to body-drag, and away!
The biggest cheat was taught by the regulators of inland waterways
here in the UK - wear a PFD.
Personally I hate them because windsurfing is supposed to look
cool ;-) but they save a lot of energy when you are struggling, (none
of this is easy in waves) and like a helmet (which i also sometimes
use) let you worry less about getting hurt and worry more about new
moves and techniques.
Good luck, and enjoy
Ken
|
