The Ride-Along Guide to Waterstarts!

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How to water start!
The full and complete guide from Cookie and the Ride-Along Series.
Rig recovery, flying the rig & controlling the board, and finally how to actually rise up and sail away- all cover in this video!
As usual the Ride-Along session is brought through a combination of live on-board cameras and microphones, as well as some pre-recorded demos to add some clarification.
Make sure you subscribe to the channel for more coaching videos regularly!
Follow me @cookiesport on instagram for daily tips and updates.
Filmed in Vassiliki, Greece- join me here for a clinic!
Kit used... a mix of Point-7 sails, mainly the Spy, ACX and F1e.
Boards vary too, starboard tends to be my "go-to" for kit, but also RRD a lot too.
Audio recorded on InstaMic
Filmed on a mix of Insta360 OneR & GoPro Max
Mixture of camera mounts including Fly Mount and Sail Video System
Special thanks to Point 7 sails, Starboard Windsurf & Sungod.
#windsurf
#instaoner
#ridealong
#point7
#sungod
#starboard
#shorts

[@oliverolea9766]

Using this for my son. People like you are the reason a lot of people are getting into and enjoying this beautiful sport. Thank you for your time. I hope to meet you someday

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you thank you! I’ll be in Vass… hope to see you here!

[@marcosgallodgp]

one of the best tutorials on waterstarts I have ever seen! I usually end up using a lot of energy during the positioning and raising of the rig but now I will not! super helpful! Thanks a lot Cookie

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Marcos! Really appreciate your comment, hope it helps when you’re next on the water!

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

Things were so much harder 40 years ago - no helpful instruction from people like Cookie!

[@Cookiesports]

Haha- and slightly heavier kit!

[@TheJackCenturion]

This guide is phenomenal, massive thanks! I'd successfully done water starts before watching this video but my success rate hadn't been any good. Yesterday evening I watched this guide and today I had my first session where all my recoveries in the water were water starts. Your guide greatly helped me to identify the issues my water start had been suffering from (there are defo still some remaining but at least it appears to work for now). ♥️

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you! 👍👍👍

[@conallcorrigan465]

Extremely helpful, especially the section on rig recovery.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Connal!

[@jasonhausler8504]

@@Cookiesports Def awesome section on rig recovery...great for sailors who have been out of it for 10yrs or so & forgot the little things that make it easier !!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍

[@matthewfairman9865]

Hi Cookie, Just wanted to let you know, I was windsurfing today at Poole Harbour (Nov 3rd) . Windstrength was 21 kts gusting 27... Thanks to your excellent instruction on rig recovery I was able to Waterstart successfully...more than once! Thank you again for posting such clear, helpful advice....Best wishes Matthew

[@Cookiesports]

Hi Mathew, Thats awesome news, good for you! Glad the videos helped out!

[@samuelsmith5027]

I've been waiting for this one thanks! 👌

[@Cookiesports]

Hope it was worth the wait Samuel!

[@JeepWSurf]

Thank you so much Cookie. Shaking the rig and placing the hands further down the boom is what I was missing. Demons solved. Yay 😁

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍👍 Thanks Simon!!!

[@JABTV2008]

at last a perfect explanation so I can avoid gulping and gasping and drowning...so easy, so logical. Great video, mate.!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 🙌🙌

[@innovativepropertymarbella640]

Reallly love your videos. Much better than almost other videos. What I like best is that you talk while showing the action, without long drawn out introductions and the venue and sea is so beautiful that it’s a pleasure to watch. What is the location of this video?

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! This one was filmed on a trip to Keros, but I’m actually based in Vasilikí, Lefkas- an amazing windsurf spot! Come and stay!

[@kamilkutlay]

really a big effort to teach.. You are a great man. it deserves a lot clapping for Lovely wind surfing in your heart

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@dthack0]

I don't even windsurf, just stumbled on this channel out of the blue. Fantastic content!

[@Cookiesports]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching! I've got loads of fun videos you can enjoy!

[@LeroyYue]

Excellent! Can't wait to try it out.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@teoontube]

Thank you for all your excellent instructions. You have gotten me the confidence to learn from scratch to sailing and tacking and through planing and hang in harness and now water starts all by myself and your instructions. This year I went from my old equipment to brand new stuff and I really looking forward to this years progress in gybing. Hang loose 🤙

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! Maybe make it to Vass in Summer 24 for some coaching with me!

[@craigwalker5994]

Thanks Cookie! Very useful

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Craig!

[@timmorris2858]

Great Instruction!!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Tim! Channel only stated a couple of months ago so really appreciate your support!

[@emiroztrk]

Amazing tutorial again 👌🏻thank you Cookie

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@darpow]

Brilliant very helpful!!

[@Cookiesports]

Great! 👍👍👍

[@SeamusMcNeil]

This has to be the best tutorial I have ever seen. Talk about breaking this down into steps that are easy to follow. Many thanks and I shall be checking out your other videos. Cheers. Jim

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! Really appreciate the positivity! 🤟🤟

[@framesandstretchers9562]

Sooo good. Thanks for this. This is my next assignment. Master water start!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍

[@alejandrobarrio4517]

excellent video very clear

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩

[@carlesmicro]

Great video!!! After years waterstarting, most of your tips have completely improved this basic maneuver!

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear! Thanks

[@karolbiernak9282]

You did the hard work in this movie!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@redgum78]

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing you knowledge and taking the time to explain.

[@Cookiesports]

Glad you enjoyed it. Theres many more windsurf tuitional videos on this channel- and many more coming this summer! Or maybe you can make it out to Vassiliki, Greece and join one of my clinics!

[@redgum78]

@@Cookiesports I would love to come to Greece for some classes but for now I'll have to be content with with your KZbin tutorials. If I ever get there I will be sure to look you up.

[@aykuttakak]

i watched a lot of waterstart movies but this video excellent and this man know everything focus everything this man perfect instructor thank you cookie you opening third eye ours

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@chsciclismo]

excellent stuff!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍

[@karimelkasrawy9668]

Very clear, keep it on!! More more more videos please :)

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks, will do!

[@WadeVogt]

Exactly what I needed to get some consistency with my waterstarts! The rig recovery had always frustrated me, but the way you broke it down into a few simple steps made all the difference. Had a breakthrough session the other day where it all came together and I only had to up-haul one time after the wind died down and it was time to go in... and I fall a lot! Thanks again for all the great content!

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear it helped! 👍

[@pentiumcadiz]

Muy didáctico. 👍🏼 Thank you !!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@matthewfairman9865]

Really helpful video....thank you for the focus on the rig recovery....I think this is the hardest part of the waterstart....I kept catching the clew.. Your tip about not wasting energy and pushing the sail away if this happens is great..... Also it's interesting to realise that the board will drift downwind when you swim around the sail.... Also I wasn't fully aware of the 90 degree window, I thought the mast always had to be at 90 degrees across the wind?.... Can't wait to try these tips out on the water..... I guess to avoid the clew catching its best not to lift the sail to high too soon? Anyway, one of the best videos I have seen on the water start.... Keep the videos coming! 😀

[@Cookiesports]

Hi Mathew! Hope it works for you next time you’re on the water! 🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@slickvisualpoetry]

Interesting point about the front foot. If it is cranking I tend to place both feet on the board at the same time, with the front foot right in front of the front strap, so that I can slip in right away.

[@Cookiesports]

If it’s really pumping, you know the movements of the waterstart very well, and you’re very happy in the straps then I agree with your point... however from what I’ve seen in general people wanting waterstart clinics rarely tick all those boxes. As such the points I make about delaying the front foot as long as possible will really helpful to improving water starts!

[@phillipmorgan6822]

slickvisualpoetry I do this in all conditions and find it works really well even though I know I’m being naughty!

[@Cookiesports]

Nothing naughty about it if it works- a trick that works often becomes a recognised technique! 😜

[@JB-xd9dr]

Just come across your videos Cookie. They're excellent. Thank you. Really good camera angles etc. On this one - just one thing I think is worth adding (maybe you done later videos) it's that when the wind is really strong - then getting out (up) is more tricky since you only need to raise the sail very slightly out of the water before it whips you up onto the board (or over the top!). That was my experience at least - before I realised that, I was literally dragged up out of the water by the power of the wind! :)

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! I’m learning more and more on the filming and editing with every video I make… this one is old now- watch some of the newer ones you’ll see! Thanks

[@aeroegnr]

Thank you, this is good help identifying what I could improve. The wind here was finally good enough to waterstart on my 8.0, then my 5.8. I actually was overpowered yesterday on the 5.8 but I got moving That 5.8 is way easier to waterstart than the 8.0

[@Cookiesports]

Definitely easier to waterstart with a smaller sail, but same tips reign true for the bigger ones too- just need to be a little more precise with your movements!

[@mark.bailey]

I learned to waterstart about 35 years ago and even thought its something I can do, the 'rig recovery' phase for me has always been the trickiest bit. After watching your video I've picked up a quite few tips that I know are going to make a big difference to me. Many thanks for taking the time to produce and share this video. Ta, Mark

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching Mark, happy to help!

[@drdjnorg]

I was trying this today. I find that it is OK when I can touch the bottom but in deeper water it becomes impossible. I've worked my way out to chest height. Thanks for the tutorial and well done for the nearly 2k subs in a few months!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for the message Spiritln! It’ll come soon enough in the deep water, keep practicing at chest deep and it’ll happen! Thanks for the support in the channel, gained traction pretty quickly! 👍👍👍

[@carlkai9832]

you all prolly dont care but does anyone know of a way to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid forgot the login password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@markopanger412]

Hi Cookie! Again, one of the, if not the best series I've seen. I'm soaking each video :) Question: Isn't any sort of movement pushing from the mast towards the leech just going to sink the leach and clew. There are waves playing a role as well trying to sink the sail. Anyway, I need to master the WS as lack of this skill is really limiting my time on the water and is preventing me to try more in more demanding conditions, just because I'm afraid of uphauling in windy conditions.

[@Cookiesports]

Hi Marko! I understand your query, and if you were to only push the sail then yes the clew would sink, however it's the balance of the push and pull together that gets the sail into the right place and stops anything sinking. Waves make it harder for sure, if you can find a flat-is place it'll be such much easier to learn! Don't be afraid to uphaul, it works on smaller boards and in windy conditions too- just need to be quick at doing it as you'll drift a way!

[@vigolivenca]

Nice video, it would be nice if now you do the light wind version (hand on mast and sail)

[@Cookiesports]

Hi Renato, Nice suggestion, I'll add it to the list! Hope you've enjoyed what I've done so far!

[@iotarask77]

Very good video again, unfortunately some scenes are bit fogged. A good WS so important to increase the sail/swim ratio. Again catched more details from this one, in particular the push away the sunk sail, test the wind before making an attempt to step up, and not to drift away with 1 foot on the board. What helped me a bit also is to use a wider grip on the boom to control the power when rising.

[@Cookiesports]

HI! Thanks for the comment and really glad you enjoyed the video. I'm sorry about the mist on some clips, really annoying I know, managed to get rid of some if it but a few bits remain. Glad to be of help again!

[@joakimyliruusi]

Great tutorial! I have one maybe a bit odd request: how to uphaul a small board, like a sinker or semi sinker. Of course you are supposed to learn how to waterstart, but if the wind drops and you would like to sail back uphauling a small board is useful. Thank you!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Joakim. I'll add "how to uphill small boards" to the list. I also have "how to uphill large sails easily" on the list!

[@lizhecht9965]

Oh, if only I’d seen something like this when I was still windsurfing- 2006

[@Cookiesports]

It’s never too late to get back into it! 🙌🙌🙌

[@tris5458]

Great video thanks so much!! 👍 I find when I put my back foot on, often the board turns into the wind and I lose all power in the sail. Is this because of not rising up quickly enough after putting my back foot on?

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching. Your kind of right… to understand why the bird turning into the wind in a beach/waterstart you need to understand how to control the board with your feet. Try this- it’ll explain a lot…. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5e3ZmuugJumiMk

[@philiprideout8857]

When positioning the sail on the water into the correct position, is it ever necessary to flip the sail along the mast axis, such that the other side faces down?

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Very very rarely do I flip the rig like you describe… 99% of the time my priority is to get the rig flying, then get up onto the boards, once I’m up I’ll then turn around if necessary.

[@adamcharlesworth2504]

Water starting has got to be my next mission, when the wind gets up where I sail the chop is so bad I really struggle to up haul… how much power is going through the back leg to step up and how much is inertia from the sail going vertical and just hanging on the boom to pull you out of the water? Not sure my legs are strong enough to step out of the water….

[@Cookiesports]

It’s not about strength, it’s about subtly and techniques! 👍👍👍

[@ccarbon]

There is only deep water where I windsurf. Unfortunately I learned the wrong way and put both feet on side of the board and let the sail lever me up. I’m trying to correct my practice and put the back foot on and push up. I’m very small, I rarely manage to get the back foot where you say and even when I do, I can’t raise the sail high enough. Any suggestions? I can plane with a 3.5 in

[@Cookiesports]

As long as the back foot has contact with the board you’re ok doesn’t have to be in the middle, just in between the foot straps. 👍 If there’s enough wind to plane there’s definitely enough to waterstart!

[@diederikdepauw5237]

Can you do the same for waterstarting a foil kit?

[@Cookiesports]

Possibly, to be honest it’s 99% the same, just harder as you’ll be on such a small sail compared to the usual sail for that wind! ...and of course you have to do it all while avoiding the foil under the water!

[@darrenhumphrey8946]

If you have a direct wind on shore is it harder to do the beach start

[@Cookiesports]

Hi Darren, 100% harder to do in direct onshore wind. i think everything is harder in direct on-shore wind, apart from maybe getting back to the beach! 😉

[@Velcav]

👍👍👍

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@shmish]

Is there any particular reason why starting with the back foot? I’ve always used my front foot. I guess for good conditions it doesn’t matter. Maybe back foot is better for lighter winds?

[@Cookiesports]

Hi Doug, Not just lighter winds- all winds your back foot should be going first. Gives you much more control over everything- the rig counter-acting against your foot pressure. 👍

[@jemand8462]

how much do you pull the board towards you with the hamstrings while getting up? Do you actually use muscles there or do you just use the leg as the "anker" on the board?

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! Depends how much power you need... the more you pull the back leg in, the more the board will turn across - then away from the wind. If you're underpowered you'll need to do this, but if you have plenty of power you can do it far less

[@jemand8462]

@@Cookiesports thanks a lot! :)

[@timbudd4183]

Great video, Cookie. Thanks. Question for you though. As I'm doing this (either as a deep beach or waterstart) the board is simply too far away for me to get my heel on. It's like the boom is too high (it's not)... How do I get the tail of the board closer to me to get my foot on it?!

[@Cookiesports]

Video coming soon on exactly this… keep board upwind, arms high, head low… float your body to get vertical. 👍

[@timbudd4183]

@@Cookiesports thanks Cookie. I figured it wasn't to do with my limb length.... Not sure if this comes under the same heading or not... But going from deep start to water start, it seems like you need a) a strong treading water game and b) good overhead strength to keep the rig out of the water... Or am I simply not trying in the right conditions? Should the wind provide a lot more assistance?

[@Cookiesports]

@@timbudd4183 shouldn’t need to be strong… the wind should be pulling you up! Try chest deep, strong ish wind… fly the rig and feel it pulling you about and work on control.

[@timbudd4183]

@@Cookiesports Ah- A combination of not enough wind and too big a rig to compensate for aforesaid lack of wind. is the most likely issue then. (I also found it easier to do on an old (albeit stable) race board than a modern short board). Control, control, control!

[@natanabrams622]

I apologize if already asked: In waves/chop (let's say 0.6 meters or more), which one will consume more effort: Uphauling the sail or the water-start? (assuming the sail/board is not initially in position for water-start).

[@Cookiesports]

Depends on skill and layout… sometimes I’ll jump up and uphaul quickly because of the way it fell… but most of the time it’s water-starts

[@natanabrams622]

@@Cookiesports Thanks. Another question, if I may: I've got a 6m Serverne sail and a 159 litre Starboard Carve. Should I be able to waterstart in a 11 knot wind with chop as much as 0.6 meters? I can get planing in those conditions, but just barely.

[@Cookiesports]

@@natanabrams622 sounds like some pretty difficult conditions to learn to watersttart in!

[@mdorn8545]

How long does it takes to manage the waterstart? After one year of windsurf experiance.? Or if you master planing, it should easaly be done with some exercices? Or there is no answer? At the Moment I manage Beachstart, but waterstart it seems impossible for me. My Focus just now is learning planing. This already seems quite difficult for me. I started WS last August.

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for watching, hope you found the video helpful. To be honest the two skills (getting planing and waterstart) although linked do not have to be learnt in a specific order, and there is no time scale to them. I've had some mega weeks teaching beginners. We had little chance of successfully getting tacks or gybes, so we focused a while on water starting. Before they could really sail in a straight line they we getting the hang of it. Same came with speed.. these guys had little success trying to tack on large boards... so we switched kit and got them going fast! Focus on a skill ad get the right coaching, you'll get there in no time! Can you join me in Greece for a clinic this summer?

[@horsemadf1]

Just found this one. I have a wave board with a very narrow tail. It turns into the wind quickly. I have a habit of grabbing the back of the board to reposition it to help start or pushing the nose off the wind with my front foot just before to help waterstarting.. I'm wondering if this is a bad habit or??

[@Cookiesports]

If it helps, keep doing it!

[@adamcharlesworth2504]

After 2 years of trying to waterstart I’ve finally found success using my front foot first, I’m a 100kg sailor on a 145l board, if I continue with this technique is it going to hinder something in the future?

[@Cookiesports]

Yes. Back-foot first, all the time! Good on you for getting up though, likely some experienced rig handling made the difference- not which foot went on!

[@00243Shawn]

Is there another option to turn the board when it is pointing the wrong way? Pushing it under the sail sometimes isn't that easy.

[@Cookiesports]

Clew first/noes first water start! Or fly the rig first and spin underneath,

[@christopht.5649]

Where was this filmed in Greece?

[@Cookiesports]

This was on the island of Limnos, on a beach called Keros. This summer I’m back at my favourite spot- Vassiliki!

[@samueldacricketer]

What do you weigh? That would be relevant for the 135L you've got.

[@Cookiesports]

I weigh 70-80kg if that helps you! 👍

[@joakimyliruusi]

What would you say is a minimun wind strength a intermediate windsurfer can waterstart in? Let's say sail range 5.3, 5.7 and 6.5?

[@Cookiesports]

Kind of depends on your size of course. Large car needs a larger engine to get up a hill- same with us and sail sizes V windspeed! Some may well be good on a 4.5m in 20knots, for other people that may be far too much or too little! However, I suppose in a dream world you'll be on a 4.2-6.5m, in waist to neck deep water. Wind-strength needs to be enough just about get planning on whatever sail you're on- if you have no power on your 5.7m sail the it's not enough wind!

[@joakimyliruusi]

@@Cookiesports thank you for the answer, this means I have been trying in too light winds! Just have to practise other stuff on the lighter days.

[@Cookiesports]

@@joakimyliruusi If the wind is too light for actually water starts there are plenty of other things that'll help you practice... - Front leg drags, start with just the foot, then ankle, then knee. Aim for full gentle control and fluid movement's. - Beach starts into leg drags- not fully competing the standing up, just continue half way up! - Sailing on both knees, drop down and control whist on your knees! Great for ws control! - Extreme steering- steer directly into the wind, then with smooth hand and body movements steer back across/down wind. very similar movement to water starts - Slow speed sailing with one/both feet in the straps! Thats a few, but there are loads more you can do to practice without enough wind!

[@joakimyliruusi]

@@Cookiesports Thank you for the great tips, gonna try those. But one thing I don't understand is how to slow speed sail in the footstraps. I weigh about 71kg (without wetsuit and so), I have a Starboard Futura 122l board and let's say I put the 6.5 sail on it. There is no way I can even step close to the straps in slow speed without the tail sinking or the board tipping over to windward side. Is the board just too small or what is it?

[@Cookiesports]

@@joakimyliruusi Try this film, it's covered a bit in there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl6aYohrnbyBic0 Quick tips to get in the straps off the plane... - Learn of a board that doesn't have super outboard straps - Make sure you have a bit of power - Unhook - Head across the wind, or possibly slightly down. - Elbows down, pulling the mast forward and down. The channel of power stops the noes rising up/tail sinking/spinning into wind and falling in backwards - Front foot first (as always with foot straps). - Both knees flexed and weight forwards- again trying to to the inevitable spin into wind and fall in backwards.

[@samkalma8268]

doing this in a harbour mouth with strong tidal currents gets really confusing

[@Cookiesports]

Wind against tide can be tricky for sure- wind with tide is exactly the same though! Thanks for watching

[@stunzenasnojus9472]

What's the board in this video?

[@Cookiesports]

Theres a few used, bu the main one is a 122l.

[@stunzenasnojus9472]

@@Cookiesports do you remember the model?

[@Cookiesports]

Sorry, looking back it actually looks like a 155 RRD Evolution.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

Ahhh...now...on the other hand, a smaller board allows you to sink the board a bit, which stops you from sliding downwind. This also makes it easier to get your feet on top and get some drive from the sail. To counter the pivot into wind you tilt the rig a bit forward. This I got from a session with a 'sinker' that I built in 1982 that I took to Florida at 19 (with my parents, thank you, may you rest in peace), and got excellent tips from a Mr Mike Farnetti, a windsurfing pioneer and very nice chap! He was on a 6'11" thruster at the time... I don't disagree with your advice - just want to suggest that there are some things to be gained by getting on small kit and going for it (especially you young people!).

[@Cookiesports]

🤔

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

@@Cookiesports I did first learn to waterstart a stock Windsurfer, complete with teak boom...

[@Cookiesports]

Wow! Much easier for students these days with all the kit developments! 👍 Great for getting new people into the sport!

[@chrisisinthehouse1]

First video where Cookie gets the last bit wet

[@Cookiesports]

Hahah! There’s a few I’ve been in the water for! 😜 Keep watching!

[@CineSculptorr]

This is the first video where I've seen you get wet. 😂

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! I may have uploaded a few more now where I crash!

[@TheUffe1]

Very helpful, hope my future waterstarts will be less exhausting after seeing this. Less treading water and lifting the mast myself but use the wind earlier to get the sail out of the water.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! Definitely all about working with the wind!