How to get planing when you're UNDER-POWERED windsurfing!

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A few little tricks and techniques can make the difference between being under-powered and left behind, on nice planing across the bay.
Equipment
Filmed on Point-7 ACX 6.5m
- Boom high
- Tune sail carefully to ensure maximum power. Minimum downhill, although you still must have a loose leech. Minimum outhaul, but careful the sail does not crease across the boom.
- Larger board if possible (I’m using an iSonic 67 (113l).
Rig tuning tips…
• Common rigging mistake...
Tactics
- Start close to the wind.
- Test the wind to see how much power it has.
- Select gusts carefully before you near off and start to head downwind.
Tactics V Technique
• Tactics or Technique- ...
Technique
- Vision, look for the wind. Chin on your leading shoulder. When it’s time to try to get going, change your vision to look across, or even downwind.
-Trim, keep the board fat and fast by pressing through your front foot. Don’t rush to get back and into the straps as you may upset the trim and turn the board into the wind or stop.
- Counterbalance, Keep the rig forwards and slightly towards the wind. Oppose the movements of the rain with your hips in the harness.
- Power, Channel the power of the rig by pulling slightly back and down through the harness. Insuring the harness lines and further back will really help this.
- Stance, a straight & stiff stance is the efficient. Lock your torso with a narrow hand and feet spread.
Filmed on GoproMax & InstaOneR360
Audio recorded on InstaMic
Various mounts used included, but not limited to, FlyMount and SailVideoSystems.

[@Vok250]

These videos are getting me through winter!

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear it! I’ll be back on the water in a few weeks too! 🙌🙌🙌

[@DudeWillem]

Now I know how to steer! I always end up upwind to kamikaze speeds and faceplanting badly in the water. Thx for the tips!

[@Cookiesports]

New videos coming soon- it’ll take your steering to the next level! 👌👌

[@jamesdougall2886]

talking of tactics...assuming right board and sail tuning...my favourite way to get planing if slightly underpowered is to pump a couple of times while going down a wave-front...works every time and is huge fun!

[@Cookiesports]

Wave assist to get going! 👌👌👌👌 Great tactic!

[@matthewfairman9865]

Really like these videos...lots of great tips to try out😀👍...

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍 thanks!

[@lefterislef5630]

Another great vid Simon! In my place in Crete it's always so so gusty it's ridiculous! We always complain about it because it's hard to learn stuff and see through your own errors when the conditions chance so much. However, one thing I've practiced a lot - I feel - is this efficiency. Trying to get the maximum of the marginal winds, while going upwind, keeping the plane as much as possible when the wind drops etc. Hell, I've found a way to control the waves to help me go more upwind after they leave my board, instead of letting them push me downwind (in really low wind conditions). It was great to watch what we should in those conditions. Thanks again!! :))

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@hoppertje71]

Great video (again) 👍 . Also for the progressing windsurfer, who often go out in conditions around 15-20 knots (though being a gusty/wavy 15 knots at my location). Can't wait to go back on the board again.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@VincentVisee]

I've surfed all day and was searching for a video who might show me some tricks to improve my performance for tomorrow. Funny thing is, I'm in Vasilliki at the moment

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! Maybe we crossed paths on the water today! Pop into the Cosmos and say hi!

[@mattk.8453]

Awesome awesome awesome video. Thanks! Heading out tomorrow forecasted 10knts on my biggest sail (a 7.5) which hopefully will be big enough (looked at buying an 8.5 but with a new boom abs mast needed was out of budget for this year) anyway - just wanted to say thanks for another awesome video and will be putting the techniques and tactics to use all long weekend here in sunny Canada.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@Vini.OliveTree]

Thanks for the video, as always full of practical tips. In general the conditions of the spot you were last year seemed much better than this one.

[@Cookiesports]

I would pick Vass over Keros every day of the week… problem is this year I’m back to full time work running a school- I squeeze in filming and playing sessions whenever I can, in whatever conditions I happen to get!

[@klokan5000]

You already know I had to be first to watch it. Notification gang is here. Another great tutorial Cookie. Thx as always 💪🏼

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 🤟🤟🤟

[@jamesmann7411]

This is a helpful video. Thank you. If it is marginal planing conditions I take a bigger sail to get going. Then when I get planing the feeling switches to being overpowered. I hope that following your tips I can plane more easily on smaller sails.

[@Cookiesports]

Change those stances! 👍👍👍

[@horsemadf1]

Great to see some crappy wind. More like my sailing. Some great tips..In lockdown for at least another 5 weeks so I'll have to rewatch this one once I can sail again.

[@Cookiesports]

I was thinking the conditions were too perfect in recent videos so went out when it wasn’t quite as good! “Real world conditions!”

[@horsemadf1]

@@Cookiesports Love it!

[@TheMartinchostar]

That's my life!!! Cool tips 🤙🤙🤙

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@marcosgallodgp]

another great one Cookie!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks!

[@cwright1971]

I like it. I like it a lot. Thank you.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@gadc5829]

Best tutorials Cookie !

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks!

[@rcard23yb]

Heyyy Buddy. If you dont get planning in light wind with a 146lt board you must weight like 300 pounds. For example i can get planning in a 107lt isonic carbon board and a 7mt sail in 11knts

[@Cookiesports]

Not quite 100% the point here, but I understand what you mean! Thanks for watching!

[@tonewreck1]

I have been following your videos for a while and they are really awesome. You can't beat filming and talking through things on the board. Truly great stuff! Follow up to this video please...? How to stay on the plane when the gust dies...whats is the best technique to try to survive for as long as possible waiting for the wind to fill up again? Thanks a lot.

[@Cookiesports]

Good plan, I’ll add to the list! 👍

[@abiliodinis746]

@@Cookiesports hello. +1 about keep planning, i think the name is “stance”? Thanks for the videos!

[@Cookiesports]

@@abiliodinis746 try this to help your stance.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3q8qGakiJ2Kr8k

[@cobbiepalm6790]

Cookie you have been tremendous help! I am in the Philippines and this was helpful as all your videos! Interested to know about after a day out in salt water. How do you pack up? Let sail dry and roll up? Roll up wet? Rinse with fresh water and roll up? No one is helpful here. Can you give guidance on your best practices to keep sail and kit in best condition. Thanks!

[@Cookiesports]

I do a full thorough rise once a season. Pack away dry if possible, but not the end of the world if you dry them later.

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

Excellent advice as always!! I will have to use my imagination at the moment as in New Zealand we are completely locked down with (yep you guessed), so no windsurfing allowed right now! Can't wait to get back out again and put all these things into practice. Thanks for the great video!!

[@MrSquinker]

ow man, New Zealand is insane with these lockdowns...hope u can surf asap.. like cojona would grab u when windsurfing xD

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

@@MrSquinker I know it just ridiculous, and very frustrating…..

[@Floatnride]

Feel for you windsurfing classified as "exercise here in Sydney"

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

@@Floatnride you guys are lucky !! Of course for the last weeks we have had some epic wind just to make it an even worse torture!!

[@chucky882]

New Zealand is one of the places I would like to windsurf. Any advice which locations? I dont do wave sailing, just good ol flatwater with a bit of chop will be great 😁

[@giulian0o]

Thanks for this new video! I mostly get out in marginal conditions because it’s often all we have here in Puget Sound, so thanks for picking that topic. I’m wondering what qualities to look for in a board for early planing (knowing I’m only starting to feel confortable in the straps). I presume weight is important (and so volume should not be too big as that will increase weight). What about width? The wider the earlier you’ll plane?

[@Cookiesports]

Wide=stable. Large fin will help early plane. Larger volume can help too despite weight as the float more out of the water, a smaller one will sit on a lower waterline.

[@mommomom6501]

Great video, I was woundring what the best position was to place the harness line?

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! General rule... a few inches back from wherever they are! Generally I find people have both their lines and hands too far forward!

[@jamesdougall2886]

nice one! do you always recommend an SDM mast to aid getting planing in lower winds? cheers

[@Cookiesports]

Not necessarily… if you can simply use whatever is recommended by the manufacturer as the “best mast”.

[@abiliodinis746]

Thanks again for the videos! why you dont “pump” the sail and dont push the board, the tipical pumping… not worth? Your technic will save our energy and will do the same work ? Another idea is if you can do a video comparing freeride or freerace boards vs slalom boards… like freerace with freerace camless sail will go on planning earlier then a slalom board with a 3 or 4 cam sail :) many thanks

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Pumping is a whole different skill... with this technique working well you can get planning well- trouble with many people pumping is that they power up the sail & board, then immediately loose the power/slightly back wind and stall! Like you say- this technique will save energy and do the same thing- with higher chance of success! Good idea on the freerace/free ride for next summers series! 👍

[@markstelson8582]

The Bear Grylls of windsurfing

[@Cookiesports]

Hahah! Thanks! 🤣

[@BuderChristian]

Thanks for this great technical informations. Could you say something on the relation between sail and board. For example: is it possible to go planning with a 185 l board? What is the maximum sail for a big board 185 l? I use a 185 l board but I have problems to go fast with this 16 kg board. With my 5m2 sail - even in strong winds 21-26 kts the board doesn't fly. Is this only a problem of my surfing technic? Or should I change to another - lighter - board. Best from Britany

[@Cookiesports]

Most boards will get planing… including your 185. You can use huge sails with huge boards- no limits! Unless… the board is letting water in and is heavy! Get some coaching- you’ll find out the issues in no time!

[@BuderChristian]

Thanks for your answer. I try to find a 6,5m2 for my big board. @@Cookiesports

[@matthansen3665]

What do you think of a 1 cam sail in those conditions for freeriding ? Does it go through the Lulls better than the no cam?

[@Cookiesports]

Depends on the sail v wind tbh. In these conditions my single cam F1e would have been too small even in the gusts (it’s a 5.4, the ACX filmed on here is a 6.5)

[@elliotstevenson-smith5032]

I’m often underpowered on 6.4 sail, 17-20mph, 156l gecko. Over 20mph no problem. Both straps, blasting etc. Without using a bigger sail, would a smaller FSW board plane earlier/in less wind? I’m 85kg. How small/big FSW will plane in 15mph with a 6.4m sail (Ezzy Zeta). Or do I need 7.5m sail? Thanks,

[@Cookiesports]

I’m afraid it’s not as simple as that… water state and technique can affect the ratio. However… it’s worth considering that large boards will plane very quick as easy- easier than a small board… eg a 150~ freeride board can get going on X size sail quicker that a small 100 fsw… they float higher in n the water and will take less power to accelerate! 👌

[@hangloose2925]

🤙

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙

[@02vLxcZF]

Tx for the tips! Is 15-20 knots really undepowered though ? I struggled during my entire vacation this summer with 12-15kt conditions and 8m sail. Was really frustrating. I'm pretty sure I wasn't in that straight position you indicate, but it's hard to make adjustments when you are on your own 😬

[@Cookiesports]

It’s a tough sport to develop without coaching. We’re other people around you going? Maybe you were just a little too under-powered and even with good technique you still didn’t have enough!?

[@02vLxcZF]

@@Cookiesports the conditions were definitely borderline, with many people slogging, but you had always the same few that always managed to get planing.

[@bermenb]

I had exactly the same - 80kg me struggling to plane on 125L and 8.0m sail in 10-12kt. But I got going on nice plane with just 2kt more. If my sail would be 9.0 I would plane too in 10 to 12knots. I like to hang from boom on harness lines to remove weight from board - it helps plane in gust too if its really marginal gust.

[@02vLxcZF]

@@bermenb Thanks Bermen B! I find that when I hang from the boom in the way you describe, this has the tendency to shift the rig upwind. I think that you also need to "drive from the front foot" while hanging from the boom in order to keep more down wind. Don't find that so easy while keeping that "straight position".

[@horsemadf1]

I love 15 - 20kts! Superpowered up..5 - 12kts is our underpowered..

[@matthewfairman9865]

As you drop down to get planing should you twist your hips outwards as well so that your hips are almost facing forwards?..... i .e in the direction of travel?....

[@Cookiesports]

Yes! This is part of VISION, top of the list in the Elements… head, shoulders, hips and leading foot all turn! 👍👍👍

[@Redheadred1111]

Thanks. All I get is gusts. I noticed longish straps. I suspect that I know the reason. What length do you use? I actually have two sets on the same boom to help with lulls vs the gusts.

[@Cookiesports]

I use adjustable QR 28-36. On a fin I'll have them 30-32ish, on a foil fully short at 28. Do two pairs of lines not get in the way? I've seen the odd foil racer use them, but it's not a standard practice!

[@Redheadred1111]

@@Cookiesports Ok. 28-36 is longer than what I have on but it makes sense because you are putting the boom a bit higher (which I am going to try). The second set does not really get in the way but they are back and a bit shorter. It helps with that back arm not needing to pull as hard. Some of the speed guys say it helps with body position when you are locked it. Not convinced but they dont get in the way. The conditions are so up and down (sailing with an 8.2) its a non-optimal solution.

[@Cookiesports]

Ah you have them fully behind the first set!? Ones I’ve tried go either side. Still, seems very specific and not something you see often at all!

[@Redheadred1111]

@@Cookiesports kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX_MiWijathgoZI Yes. It NOT ideal. Its just to cope with gust/dead air/gust/dead air/gust......If the wind was more consistant I would have one set the way you do it hands down.

[@patrickpuyet9969]

Great vidéo but ils difficult for me to understand all the tips you give due to my poor english. Thanks

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!! I hope the visuals, subtitles and graphics help solidify the points I’m trying to make!

[@maxvangelder2301]

How far is your fronthand from the head of the boom?

[@Cookiesports]

A long way! right by the front harness line. Generally I find people have both their lines and hands too far forward!

[@user-xz5wl3bc1b]

I've been windsurfing for almost 40 years and the last 4 have been a nightmare. In 2017 I purchase two boards of the newest design with a considerably shorter length than my old boards. My problem is that I cannot figure out how the new boards up on a plane. I've read articles and watched Cookie's videos but I continue to struggle. Any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[@Cookiesports]

Come out here and I’ll give you a lesson!

[@garrykoop7298]

@@Cookiesports Greece would be amazing. You should come visit me here in the Columbia River Gorge USA

[@Cookiesports]

@@garrykoop7298 I’d love to!

[@Westcoastwindsurf]

Also a larger fin would help.

[@Cookiesports]

Very true! 👍👍

[@abiliodinis746]

What do you mean by larger? More heigh or more fat/area ??

[@paulosilva-dm1qb]

The key point is..either u have enough wind ( 10 knots plus) or nothing..

[@Cookiesports]

Agreed- there is for sure a minimum winds needed!

[@11ingham]

As ever - windsurfing technique advice appears contradictory !. The previous video, ‘The easiest way to get into the footstraps windsurfing ’ recommended a squirrel stance out of the harness to create mast foot pressure, this video recommends a straight 7 stance hooked in - confusing !

[@Cookiesports]

I’m not sure it’s contradictory… the previous video was about “the easiest way to get in the straps”… and a key point to do the was you need excess POWER. With extra power you can change the technique. This one is about not having enough power. Think about getting a car moving… if it’s pointing down-hill clutch control is easy… if it’s pointing uphill you need more power and skill to get the car to move. Hope that makes sense!