At some point we need to turn to get back to where we came from. So let’s get down to explaining how to control the windsurf board with the sail from the T-position:
By pulling the sail to the left or right we are able to turn the board clockwise or anticlockwise (when looked at from above). The sail will always try to position itself in line with the wind so when we shift it to the left, the board will turn clockwise so that the sail can continue being in line with the wind. Another way of looking at it is to think of the sail as a stationary object which we are holding on to while we turn the board with our feet: we ca either pull with the left foot and push with the right foot to make it turn anti-clockwise, or pull with the right and push with the left to turn it clockwise.
Sail over the front vs. Sail over the back
Sail over the front
This method is easier as we do not need to move our feet around the mast. We only need to turn over our own axis. The downside: we drift downwind more.
Sail over the back
This way is a little more complicated as we need to move around the mast with our feet while the sail is pulled over the back of the board (where we were standing a moment ago). The advantage is that we do not lose much gained reach.
Initially I recommend to pass the sail over the back of the board since if we pass it over the front, the board will point downwind and we will lose some gained upwind reach. Once we consistently hold the closed reach course (more on this in the next post) we can sacrifice a little gained reach by passing the sail over the front.
Click to see image in full size
A small tip: Always position your feet so they are facing in line with the mast. If you ignore this little detail you will fall in more times than necessary.
This technique is only for turning on the spot. Later on we will replace this type of turning with the tack and the jybe. However, for this we need to know how to steer the board with the sail.
Very informative and clear blog/diagrams and videos. Very helpful thanks. Would appreciate if you could also post a video for basic turning so it’s more clear to differentiate between it and tacking/jybing.
Thanks for the feedback 🙂 I am already editing a video for the basic 180 degree turn. I just haven’t gotten round to it yet. I hope to have it uploaded next week 😉
I hope you have this turning video soon. I learn by seeing and it would be very helpful. I’m a little confused by your tip so seeing it I would catch on much quicker. Thanks, and I enjoy watching your other videos.
I learn a lot from your courses. They are very well received because they are well written with easy to understand paragraphs, pictures and videos.
I recently started windsurfing and youe blogs will definitely help me improve.
Thank you.
Wow Nirmit! Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly helps to keep me motivated to continue putting out this content. Thank you!
Easy to follow and clearl explained , I’ve had a few lessons and this is a great refresher ,thanks for taking the time to do this .
I’m beginner, just started to get interested in windsurf.
I don’t see the difference between the regular turn and tacking. Could you pinpoint that for me please ?
preferible hacer el giro en movimiento para evitar caerse con las olas o corrientes, y los mas rapido para retomar en nueva direccion