How to get from "OK" to "GREAT" with your windsurfing skills!

Thanks for joining the channel community and supporting my Patreon account…. / 57429315
EVERYTHING raised here will contribute to me continuing to make regular fresh content to help you improve your favourite sport!
Thanks!
/ ridealongcookie
Skills like gybing/tacking (and many many others) can have soooo many coaching points!
What also follows below here here is really special though.... the FULL breakdown of ALL the coaching points needed to complete the get back on the water for the summer successfully!
_________________________________________
This is aimed at general board control, gaining speed, power, efficiency and confidence...although many of these skills mentioned are very transferable to transitions (tacks and gybes) too,
VISION- look to the wind, head, shoulders, hips and front foot.
TRIM- a flat board is a fast board.
- Control the trim and board direction through you r foot pressure, and foot placement.
- IN-BOARD and FORWARD foot positions will keep the board flat, but you cannot hold the power or speed up.
- OUT-BOARD and BACK will allow you to hold power & speed up...but the board will turn up wind.
SO... foot pressure to steer the board...
- Front foot pressure (wherever you are standing) will turn the board off the wind, flatten the board off, and result in SPEED!
- Back foot pressure, particular through the heel, will turn the board up-wind & slow you down.
These actions can be done ON or OFF the plane, at high and low speeds, IN or OUT of the foot straps.
_________________________________________
Filmed on a 161lt Starboard Futura, and a 5.0m Point-7 Spy.
Wind was a changeable bft 3-5ish
_________________________________________
Follow me @cookiesport on instagram for daily tips and updates.
Filmed in Vassiliki, Greece- join me here for a clinic!
Kit used...
- Sails provided by Point-7; mainly the Spy, ACX and F1e. point-7.com
- Boards are kindly supplied by Starboard. windsurf.star-board.com
- Filmed on a mix of Insta360 Onex2- www.insta360.com/sal/one_x2?i...
- Audio recorded on InstaMic- instamic.io
- Mixture of camera mounts including Fly Mount and Sail Video System
flymount.com/shop/ www.sailvideosystem.com
- Eyewear provided by SunGod www.sungod.co/en-gb/?
#windsurf
#insta360
#ridealong
#point7
#sungod
#starboard
#sailvideosystem

[@markjagger6777]

I just need to say that I have progressed so fast watching your videos. Thank you

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear, thanks! Come to Vassiliki this summer… I’ll be running clinics throughout?

[@markjagger6777]

Heh. Sounds inviting but it’s a fair stretch from Christchurch, New Zealand :)

[@mikewhiting5707]

The camera angles, slow motion, repeated demonstrations do a great job at explaining... someday i will actually be able to execute on the water😊

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@tubinkaagent]

It's a genius intro tune you have there, bro! :)

[@Cookiesports]

Glad you like it!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@cobbiepalm6790]

Great reminder to take time to go back to basics every so often. Just wish I had the confidence to wear awesome sunglasses while blasting!

[@Cookiesports]

Just give it a go! 😜

[@louispowis]

Great video. Have done a taster session then one 2 hr beginner sesh. Ready to get involved!! These vids make it all make more sense. 👍🤙

[@Cookiesports]

I’ve got loads more beginner and low intermediate tutorials coming soon. In the meantime, maybe you can make it out to Vassiliki in Greece and I can give you some coaching!

[@cptea]

Can not wait to get on the water. Thanks.

[@Cookiesports]

🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@ned193]

I share your videos with the members of my windsurfclub in the Netherlands. This one is perfect for them

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear it- hope it helps!

[@mikewhiting5707]

Awesome content!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍

[@stephenkinns3723]

These are my go-to videos - many of which I watch over and over again as I'm improving through my intermediate journey. So I wanted to say 'thanks' for all the superb content.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Stephen!

[@Ash-cy7yw]

From this late age beginner, that was an outstanding video. Thank you!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@loums52]

I used to sail and surf quite a bit but recently decided to get back into windsurfing. Your videos have been great getting me ready. Fantastic camera work and technique demonstrations. Glad I found your site! Thanks!

[@krispykorn3237]

I am a "premium Beginner" and I've just learned in this video that it is possible to steer by foot pressure. Absolutely love this instructional video. Please do more.

[@Cookiesports]

Foot steering is super important as you improve! There’s a number of videos on this channel that’ll help you already, and more coming weekly!

[@jayoscar4441]

Very helpful thanks a lot.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@pierre-loicdestombes1702]

Thanks for your implication, all the camera's point of view etc !!! Wish you the best.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for noticing- gotta try to keep everybody happy! 😜

[@notyouraveragewindsurfer]

great tips! as always, clear and easy

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍

[@simonparker4992]

Another excellent video. Thank you.

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! 🙌🙌🙌

[@jeremycurry9217]

Great video. Thanks

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 🙌🙌

[@alanforsyth5821]

This is going to be so helpful- thanks for all your videos as they really do help and maintain my enthusiasm when life keeps me off the water!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching… hope it helps!

[@Djangoat68]

Thanks for all your excellent videos - by far the best I’ve seen in a while !

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! 🙌🙌

[@wrtlprmpft2]

Great video as always, Cookie! I really get so much out of your ride-along sessions. What do you think about a video about 'safe crashing'? Learning how to crash without hurting yourself badly is something rarely taught and it would be super useful for those (like I) that are at the point of getting comfortable with the harness and had their first planing experiences..

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for the comment. Interesting timing. In fact only a few days ago the team of instructors I train and I were discussing this… I think it’s important to know to how fall in, crash, get in a mess… and know that you can be safe and it’s ok to do it! I’ll have a think about how I can put this into a video!

[@mike6153]

Great video, thank you 👍very helpfull!!! 👏

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks!

[@18punto10]

Best windsurf teacher ever!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! 👍

[@jeroenbiesta2475]

This is really helpful tnx alot!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! Many more similar ones in the channel to help you!

[@constantinforst728]

This was the first video i have watched from you and i'm absolutely blown away. Really entertaining and a lot of high quality information. I can't wait to get out on the water again and try out all of your tips :)

[@Cookiesports]

Haha- blown away! 😜 Glad you enjoyed it… many many more on the channel I hope you’ll like too!

[@theylive1999]

awesome video!

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩

[@dylanmenzies3973]

Very helpful! Practicing in sunny Calshot.

[@Cookiesports]

Lovely Calshot…. I’m from Southampton way originally!

[@dylanmenzies3973]

@@Cookiesports ❤

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

The basics are so important!! These disciplines are really useful things to practice and get into your muscle memory!!

[@Cookiesports]

Fully agree! 🙌

[@weirdwilliam8500]

This is great. I'm fairly new, and I'm just getting to the point where I'm starting to notice and take advantage of how I stand and move on the board, and your descriptions are perfectly matching my suspicions and helping to solidify the concepts.

[@Cookiesports]

Happy to help! 🙌🙌🙌

[@simsarzo1]

Great video!! 🤙🤙

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍

[@dimitris2d]

This summer I had the best sessions of my life thanks to your videos! I finally corrected a lot of mistakes that I had not be able to identify. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear- thanks for watching!

[@rogerstoneadi]

Thanks Cookie, yet another well detailed tutorial. Keep up the great work. I’m over at the end of September and really looking forward to hopefully making some big steps in my ability!! (First timer to Vassiliki)

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! See you in Vass soon! 🙌🙌

[@cozer78]

cookie baba you are the best 🤙🏻

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 🙌🙌🙌

[@horsemadf1]

You are getting great videos with that insta combo now. Minimal distortion and nice and clear..

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! Been working on it! 👌👌

[@jameswinters3672]

Really good content, I have just started windsurfing and love it.one day I will get on the plane

[@Cookiesports]

Stick at it! It can be frustrating at times, but the reward is worth it!

[@jameswinters3672]

@@Cookiesports very frustrating but I can feel I'm improving.

[@williamtech4668]

Well this summed up all the problems i had haha, but thanks for the clinic in may Cookie, i did so many tacks the way you learned me that iam the tack king on my spot now haha. And boy my footwork improved ALOT! Thank you so much :) William.

[@Cookiesports]

Happy to help! 👍👍👍

[@MX-fo2nu]

Very good

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@walterl2006]

Thanks Cookie, it is very helpful to get conscious about how the foots help steering. I would like to know more about that to apply it and experiment. Thanks!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! Have you tried this video?… kzbin.info/www/bejne/hafKqHxtfs6Wepo

[@paddleboarddog]

This looks fun

[@Cookiesports]

🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@wit1nesky]

Couple years ago I asked about you making a video on how added sailer weight could change your instructions. Still hoping for more than just loose the weight and use a bigger sail. How about you put on a 30 pound diving weight and see if it changes the instructions. Bend knees more to compensate? I trust you could develop some applicable tips. Add another 10 pounds and see what happens. Knowing first hand what the not perfect body is light may help.

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Yes, I’ve been considering how to film it… 👍 I don’t think bending your knees more is the answer though.

[@claudiafrers8923]

Trim: Steering the board using Footwork and pressure Feet Inboard (forward and in centerline) makes it more difficult to hold the power To hold the power better -> Try Shuffling futher back and out Backfoot heel up & apply pressure with the front foot ==>board flattens, speeds up and goes downwind Backfoot toes up & heel down applying pressure -> board slows down and goes upwind Hands foward on the boom -> loose power but can steer upwind easier Hands back a little bit further on the boom -> gain power Wide hands -steer off the wind Narrow hands -steer back upwind

[@Cookiesports]

Simple summary! hope you enjoyed the video. Come to Vass and I'll coach you!

[@claudiafrers8923]

My backpack is packed and will see you next week. Your videos just keep getting better.

[@pprokop1982]

hey Cookie! Great video. I'm about to buy my first windsurfing board and I'm trying to decide between 152 and 162 Starboard GO> I'm 92KG and 41y. I just started planing in footstraps. Wanted to have also something that my wife could also start learning. There is a lot of people writing that you outgrow a big board pretty fast... Pleace where I sail is usually between 11 -18kts. Above 20kts -30kts happens but not very often. Until last year I'm been kiteboarding but dont want to go back when I first started to plane

[@Cookiesports]

Either of those will work very well for you and the wife- get whichever is available and in best condition! I love the Go

[@pprokop1982]

The thing is … Both are in stock and Both in the store. Ill be buying them new. Thank You for You reply!

[@pprokop1982]

@@Cookiesports I finally got the 162L GO with Severne Convert 6.7 I absolutely love it. Comfortable like a large family car. That's what I needed to learn all the skills

[@ghughes20]

Great content, as always. How fast do you think you were going in those few gusts?

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for watching! I’d guess about 20knots or so. 👍

[@stephenrepton890]

Thanks Cookie, These ride along tuitions are amazing… How you manage to plane so fast with your back foot out the strap, without being ‘thrown out the front door’? I’ll quiz you if I see you when I’m out in Vass next week. Ps, will I need to bring my harness? Or are they provided. I can bring mine, but it’s a pain squeezing it into my case. Thanks, Steve.

[@Cookiesports]

Planing with the back foot out is a key skill in progressing your windsurfing. Completely normal to be doing this on FSW or freestyle boards 90% of the time…until you’re going to do a manoeuvre. If you have a harness I’d advise bringing it… we have plenty to borrow from the cosmos but you’d need to fiddle the straps each time! Put it around your hand luggage/waist with the bar in your case. 👍

[@boydjohnson5062]

Thanks for your tutorials. Vassiliki looks great and I am planning my trip. There are several outfits along the beach. Which is the best for rentals, instruction and accommodations, in your opinion?

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Boyd! Come and stay at the Cosmos hotel- we have everything you need, including clinics by me! 👍👍👍

[@massimoruggeri2846]

Now I understand! I was quite confident with a beginner board so I passed to a smaller one ( 135 Lt.) thinking I'll be fine by using the same technique. The board keeps going upwind. When I pick up speed the nose lift , I struggle to control the board and my back leg hurts for the effort. So I was thinking am I too heavy on the back foot? I had no idea that foot pressure was so important. Your video is very helpful. Thank you!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! Foot control is super important… hope this helps you progress!

[@roygoodwin589]

Amy tips for keeping those quick release harness lines from releasing when you don't want them too I have the same point 7 lines

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! When they were new a caught and released them a few times… I found that when they are “locked” pull down hard in the yellow release cap, and pull the lines hard. That seemed to lock them in place and have never had an issue since! 👍👍👍

[@roygoodwin589]

@@Cookiesports Cheers cookie I'll give that a go! Enjoy the ski season 🤙

[@BillSands2112]

Loved your video very informative. Question I am 5 feet 4 inches and weigh 170 lbs. What kind of board should i get? I would like an all-around board, and what sail do you recommend? Thanks, you got yourself a new subscriber, too

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! Really depends on skill and use! If you’re solid in the straps, plying around in strong winds the a 90~ lt freestyle wave (like the starboard kode) would suit, or if you’re gaining skill and confidence, looking for cleaner freeride blazing then something like a carve or Go would be more suited. Sails- I’m always going to recommend Point-7 sails. The spy and ACX are a great mix of no cam free-ride and all-round freestyle wave! 👌👌👌

[@pacom2130]

Very detailed explanation...helps a lot... I was wondering. In the video you mentioned that you replaced the fin for a longer one..I am using the same set up but have the original fin...30 cm...how long is fin that you used to make it better setup?. Thanks...

[@Cookiesports]

Did I mention I replaced the fin? Doesn’t sound like me… I tend to ride standard factory settings without changes!

[@pacom2130]

My bad..you are right..I have a bic foil 160 and came in with a 30 cm. Fin.. I was advised by some of the experienced ones to get a larger fin.. I got a 44 cm..but haven't tried it...what are your thoughts on that?

[@huntroberto]

Excellent advise as usual. I'm seeing different opinions on fin sizes. Can you help by touching on this a bit. How does the fin size change the performance of the board ? Is the stock fin the best, or should i down size if use a smaller fin? These are the issues I'm having trouble finding answers for. Thank you

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching. So the Fin creates lift and stops the board going sideways. If you have a larger fin you can get more from Lift, which can make it easier to get planning. However too much lift and the board is uncontrollably out of the water. You can’t go far wrong with the standard recommended fin size- whatever comes with the board when bought new. You rarely will need to go larger than that, but it can be an idea to have a smaller option in case of a windy day and you are trying to stop the board flying too much.

[@benzonabendo1301]

Hey great vid as always. Do you use a cover for the oneX2. I read that it can't go in salt water without cover, I would like to have your feedback about that, Thanks.

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for watching! No cover on the camera ever- just check over the two doors/ports are closed up properly, and give it a good rinse in fresh water after! 👍👍

[@Spin90]

Great content (my brother taught there 30 years ago!). I struggle with getting my back foot in the straps when super choppy and initially feeling overpowered before my back foot is locked in. Can result in a catapult. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[@Cookiesports]

Get up wind first... it's so much easier when you're going up-wind to do it. Join me on the Patreon Walk-along's and I'll discuss it in the next week or two.... here's the link...www.patreon.com/Ridealongcookie

[@mangodophd4041]

Hey Cookie, love your Videos! I own a 120l Gecko and am currently planing to upgrade my rig. I really like Point 7, but I don´t know whether to go for a Spy, AC-F, or AC-X. What would you recommend to me?

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for watching! Tough to answer which sails are best for you- but at least you’ve chosen the right brand! 😜 I’ve got spy’s in my smaller quiver for higher wind bump & jump/freestyle wave conditions… the.man ACX for more more freeride blasting sails in 6.5 and larger. Can’t recommend them higher- perfectly balanced and expertly made! 👌

[@73smoo]

Been to Vassiliki twenty or so years ago. It still seems to be gusty there😅

[@Cookiesports]

Sure is! Still a great place to sail though

[@73smoo]

@@Cookiesports Of course it is! We had a lot of fun there!

[@adambotica6419]

I have starboard go 175 ( and weight bout 115kg). in regards to footstrap position do you recommend to start with the extra forward position? or is it only going to be something to relearn once I move them to the inboard normal position. (if that makes sense)

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for the message! The super-super far fwd and inboard straps are not needed when you’re learning to use straps. I call then “placebo” straps… might feel pretty good but do absolutely nothing! Use them inboard and forward, but in a “normal” position on the board.

[@jimmartin2640]

Hi Cookie. Great tutorials as always. Over the last couple of years I have returned to the sport after a 20 year break. I have 2 boards; 120 ltr freeride and a 105 freestyle board. However the problem I am encountering all the time is during the beachstart, the board always wants to turn upwind. it doesn't matter what I do, even pointing the board right downwind, or making sure there is very little backfoot pressure. as soon as I step on the board turns right into the wind. It then takes loads of effort to get the board pointing in the direction I want. any tips would be great. Thanks

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching James. As soon as you step onto the board with a beach start you have no option than having pressure on your back foot for a moment or two. This will naturally make the board turn into the wind. You do not need to go along way down wind to correct this, but you need to be Ready to adjust as you stand up… By adjust I mean simple stay at the board away from the wind using both rig and foot steering combined.

[@dhat1607]

I was in the same position as the OP a few years ago. What helped Me was to learn what happens when putting pressure on the mastfoot via the harness. The board’s nose should immediately move off the wind as you put pressure on the mast foot. To do this you need a high boom (shoulder) with long harness lines at least 28-30”.

[@Guystevenson86]

How does your cap stay on?!? Can you recommend which cap you wear as I keep losing them when they blow off with the wind.

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! My hair is so short it’s like Velcro! I use the Point-7 ones a lot, elastic and do up pretty tight!

[@Guystevenson86]

@@Cookiesports perfect thanks I’ll see if I can get one like that!

[@CFWPC]

As a. Beginner, this video is great. However, I wonder if the center Fin makes any difference with this video's instruction? I know you have a video on leg placement for center Fin vs not. Does this board has a center fin?

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching- appreciate the support! This board doesn’t have a centre fin in it (although that is an option on this board)… the centre fin doesn’t affect back/front foot pressure- but does affect what you should do heel and toe pressure. Eg no centre fin- heel edge pressure turns the board upwind. With centre fin- heel edge pressure will turn the board down wind!

[@CFWPC]

@@Cookiesports thank you

[@Kirmo13]

can you explain the theory behind front foot = away from the wind; back foot = steer into the wind?

[@Cookiesports]

Pressure and weight on your back foot is far behind the centre of lateral resistance the board has in the water, resulting in it tiring to windward. 👍

[@speedquestwindsurfing]

I think the next video should be "how not to get slammed".

[@Cookiesports]

Have you watched this one?…. “How to stop catapulting!” kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqGkp6FsfKypp7c

[@speedquestwindsurfing]

@@Cookiesports Perfect!

[@Str8representing]

5:06

[@Cookiesports]

🤔

[@markchip1]

"Comfortability" - also known as "COMFORT", Cookie!! Windsurfing, 10/10 English language, 5/10 Lol!!

[@Cookiesports]

🤣🤣🤣 I knew as I was saying it I had it completely wrong!

[@trexinvert]

Hey mate, you can't be an "intermediate instructor" if you got the harness on. You need to over power and use extra energy to understand the intermediate windsurfer. Especially, when your wrist begins to cramp. I remember back when I was still an intermediate, I enjoyed "not using the harness" and totally muscling the sail and board. That is until my wrist started cramping. Hey don't tease the beginners/intermediates with "planing" 10:10. That is a next level advance skill that involves "lifting" the nose up by leaning back so you ride on the tail or board edge. It's like doing a wheelie on a skateboard or riding on only one skate wheel. I have been using the harness for years and never considered doing that until recently.

[@kyledrake9750]

I'm not sure what you mean. I have been using the harness since about my second day on the water and that was on a board that was way too advanced for a beginner. By intermediate, I would imagine someone would be able to tack and jibe and even get in the straps. And definitely able to plane. I still consider myself a beginner (3 months) and can already do these, if not very well.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching… hope you found some good tips to go out and practice. I teach a lot of windsurfing, and generally I will aim to get people using the harness early on in their development- once learnt it’s much easier to control the power and then get the bird to speed up. Meriting a week or two learning I’d expect to get beginners to intermediate and start to get the board speeding up and planing. Remember a flat board is a fast board- your goal shouldn’t be to do “a wheelie” but drive off the front foot to keep the board flat and speed up!