So we are now able to windsurf in one direction, maybe even in both. If not yet, you can read up on how to turn in windsurfing. Now we want to know how to windsurf towards a specific point. Before we start it is important to clarify that we will not be using the terms right or left as this will change depending in which direction we are sailing in. We will be using towards the “front or back of the board” and “into/towards the wind” and “away from the wind”.
First we must understand why we move forwards in the first place. When we look at the windsurfer from the side and from the top we see this.
The sail has a general pressure point. The arrows are forces. The green one is the wind pushing the sail which is our propulsive force. However, if we didn’t have the counteracting force (red arrow) acting through the centre-board (and later on only the fin) we would just drift downwind. Since both arrows are in line, the board stays on course and only moves in the line of the blue arrow. However, if we were to incline the sail forward (or slightly towards the wind), the arrows are no longer in line. This causes a lever which turns the board downwind so that both arrows are lined up again.
The same thing occurs when we lean the sail back (or away from the wind). Only that in this case the board turns into the wind as the arrows are disalligned in the other direction.
Recap:
Incline the sail forward to turn the board downwind.
Incline the sail backwards to turn the board upwind.
Click to see image in full size
Now let’s get to the individual courses
- Close hauled: This is the course going closest to the wind. If we turn any more into the wind, we stall and lose speed until we stop completely and fall in backwards due to lack of power in the sail.
- Closed reach: This is anywhere between close hauled and beam reach. We are sailing upwind in any case.
- Beam Reach: Here we are sailing 90º to the wind direction.
- Broad Reach: This course includes any angle between beam reach and running. In any case we are going downwind.
- Running: This course describes going downwind or close to it. We are sailing in the direction in which the wind is blowing.
Knowing how to turn upwind and bear away are essential for when we want to tack and jybe (posts coming soon).
Let me know in the comments if this article was useful.
This is an extremely useful training series for newcomers to the sport. The diagrams, in particular, help in visualising what is actually happening when the sail and board are moved.
The associated videos provide excellent models for the learner to emulate.
Thanks for the kind feedback Brian! I really appreciate it! I hope you get to apply it on the water soon 🙂
My wife is the learner, but i am tempted even at my age…. 70 plus
Do it! 😉
Just bought a windsurfer for me. Almost 76 male.
Very motivating and usefull!!! Thanks a lot!!
Great material. I am in a group of 6 learning to windsurf in Australia with an instructor & everyone it wondering why I learn so quickly but the reality is I am kind of secretly cheating because I have been reading the lessons and reading the blogs. Thanks Arne.
Hahaha, that is the kindest thing I have heard. Brilliant. I am glad to help you cheat! 😀
Thanks !
You’re welcome 🙂
Really helpful! The diagrams are the best, NOW I get it LOL.
Hahaha. Thats great to hear. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Gracias por los pequeños detalles q hacen mucho mas fácil y rápido el aprendizaje… Sigo aprendiendo gracias a ustedes.
Me alegro saber que te es útil! 🙂 Me anima mucho a seguir creando contenido que ayude a progresar más fácil y rápido.
Hi very good material explain me a lot but I am still have a lot of problems to sail downwind in 6 knots plus wind I can not hold the sail….but anyway lookin into the theory and videos seems to be easy I am probably doing something wrong.
Thanks
Hey Luciano. I am glad you are finding this stuff helpful. Usually if you are having problems holding the sail it is because you are not leaning far back enough 🙂
Good luck!!!
I am not too sure which course to steer the board after a gibe: I assume that since we would be on a run or close to it, we would have to go into the wind with a broad reach or even a beam reach if necessary, by tilting the mast backwards as we do when we tack upwind .
In other words, after a gibe we would do exactly the opposite of what we do after a tack : here we bear off the eye of the wind to move into the new upwind sailing angle, while after a gibe we steer into the wind for a broad reach or a beam reach. Am I correct?
Franco
That exactly right. Of course it depends on where you want to go after the gybe. If you are far upwind and want to continue going downwind you stay on a broad reach. If you want to stay upwind you wamt to stay where you are you return onto a beam or closed reach.
This is really good to read. Thank you very much for this series of tutorials, it helps so much to get on the board quicker.
Couple of things. I somehow lost lesson 1 and 2 in my trash. Can you please start me at 1 again. I just went through how to steer, this is awesome. I just purchased a windsurfer after sailing a 34 foot boat for many years. I am happy to learn that other standing up and steering with the sail it is pretty much the same sailing terms etc. Of cours it is, wind and a sail!! Great stuff here. I am lucky to know so much about sailing already. Now I need to learn and practice technique. Thank you Arnie..