The selection of the mast is often overlooked when people start buying their windsurfing gear. However, it is a very important component for the correct performance of the sail. Therefore, when buying a sail you need to keep in mind what mast you are going to use with it, whether you already have it or if you are going to buy one. (more…)
When I teach beginners how to windsurf I usually have them grab the mast with the front hand first as this helps maximise their control over the rig. Then, once they get better and start really leaning backwards into the wind I have them change their hand over on to the boom.
From time to time I get asked how one should grab the boom: with the palm of the hand facing down (overhand), or facing up (overhand). Let’s start with the easy answer: (more…)
While the waterstart has a lot (and I do mean a LOT) of subtle details that will make an impact on whether you succeed or not, the actual getting up and out of the water can be summed up in 3 components of our body movement and position. Positioning the kit correctly, then getting the sail out of the water and putting our feet on the board are all part of preparing for the waterstart and there are a lot of little things that go into doing these steps correctly and in a way that saves energy. However, when it comes to actually getting lifted out of the water by the sail, there are only 3 things that, if ignored, will sabotage the waterstart. (more…)
Recently I read an entertaining article by Boards Magazine on the common mistakes windsurfers make. While all the things on that list are correct (board shorts have no business being worn over the wetsuit) I personally have a different list which I think is more relevant to windsurfing technique and progress. Here is my list of what I consider to be the most common windsurfer mistakes. (more…)
The correct windsurf boom position is often a source of long debates.
In the beginner phase it is a general consensus that the boom should be somewhere around shoulder height. Basically, when you stand upright next to it you should be able to put your arm on the inside so that it fits neatly under your arm pit.
When we progress however, things start to get a little more complicated. Some say put it high, others insist that you should bring it down. So what is it? (more…)
I wrote another article recently on how to buy a windsurf sail. In it I focused on what to keep in mind when buying a new sail. Now however I will focus on the things that you need to look out for when buying a used windsurf sail. There are a few which you might not have thought about or imagined had an impact on the sails performance if you saw them. (more…)
