How to Tack (back-winded!)- the BEST way to tack!

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/ ridealongcookie
The classic "Fast-Tack" has it's strengths, but most solid windsurfers use this style of tack most of the time!
This skill is and ideal progression to learn for intermediate and advanced windsurfers.
Key points...
- The Preparation and entrance is the same
- The big change is at the transition.
Do the following actions just after you go through the wind:
- The ORIGINAL FRONT HAND pulls the mast hard from one side to the other. (NOT the NEW front hand reaching round and pulling it!)
- This does a few useful things...
- Stops you break counterbalance and pulling the sail close to you.
- Creates space on the new side of the board that you can easily step into.
- When done with a strong dynamic movement it turns the boards a few degrees more through the wind.
- The sail then becomes backwinded, turning the board more, and keeping you balanced and upright!
- When backwinded keep the sail low to the water- the clew in particular.
- Push with the NEW back hand.
- When ready return the sail to the balance point and return the wind to it's normal side.
- Smile and sail away dry- and hopefully well up wind of where you started!
Follow me @cookiesport on instagram for regular 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
#windsurf
#instaoner
#ridealong
#point7
#sungod
#starboard
#shorts
#vassiliki

[@marketa_k2197]

The repeated slow-mos are super helpful....really gives me the chance to see how it's done and understand the technique .Thanks Cookie for another fabulous piece of windsurfing knowledge!! 😊✌

[@Cookiesports]

Glad it was helpful! 👍👍

[@gregoryschreier6378]

excellent video with all of the perspectives. thanks for posting!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! Hope to see you in Vassiliki!

[@philippebeaudoin9051]

great video, thanks!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@tomhanf9274]

Great video, thanks Cookie

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! A new tacking video on the way soon, sure it’ll help you more!

[@JavierMorellColl]

Thanks for another splendid video. They are quite unique and helpful. Please add some windfoil videos before the end of the season. Still missing the high speed windfoil from last year.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! I’ll try to get some windfoil videos together. 👍👍

[@zytigon]

I recommend the Philip Köster tack which you can see on Philip Köster youtube channel video from 2014, "Windsurfing at the step" in Tenerife at 1 minute 10 seconds in. Going through transition he does back hand ( one nearest clew on boom) to mast then front hand goes to new side of boom at harness lines. For tacking where you are heading straight into the waves this way seems more robust and simple. One advantage is that while holding the mast for a second the sail can swing around neutral, doing its own thing. Don't be too quick even to grab the boom until you sort of stabilized on the new side of board. Can help to grab boom fairly near mast and push backwinded a little for a second or two. A sharp pull on back hand before going round can help. It is still tricky to judge the exact moment to go around in relation to how the board is pointing to the wind direction.

[@Cookiesports]

I see what you’re saying- looks like we’re in agreement- the tack PK does is almost exactly what I’m coaching here! 👍👍👍

[@janzarzycki9856]

Very interesting. PK grabs the mast with the ex sail hand and then seems to use mastfoot pressure to transition to the other side. Basically using the mast to spin around it like a pole with both feet off the board.If you look at it image by image you can see he does not do the usual two footsteps to transition to the other side. Both feet stay separate, both feet are in the air while the body spins round the mast and both land at the same time. And he does end up completely backwinded initially. Cookie have you tried this way of transitioning to the other side of the board? it does look like it might help with balance in more extreme conditions - small board and non flat water. Not relying on the board for support, only on the mast.

[@Cookiesports]

@@janzarzycki9856 so it sounds like we’re all in agreement here then! 👍👍👍 Apart from the term “mast foot pressure” 🤮🤮….. not once have I referred to that… nor will I ever! I’ll explain more about why experienced instructors and coaches never use that term in another video.

[@janzarzycki9856]

@@Cookiesports yes total agreement with your method which is made crystal clear in your two tack videos! Also just after hitting send to my first comment I thought the term "mast foot pressure " wld not go down too well 😀... as i do remember one of your past videos explaining that focusing on that concept can for instance lead students to prevent the board from releasing and get on the plane and just remain stuck over the board. Regardign the tack transition, I am still interested to know if you think there is any merit to the footwork variant shown by PK where all weight is taken of the feet by hanging on the boom or the mast itself and the two traditional steps round the mast to get to the other side of the board are eliminated. I might be as clear as mud😀

[@Cookiesports]

@@janzarzycki9856 I think it’s worth noting that the clip in question through this chat is PK having fun and playing for the camera… not demonstrating how to improve your advanced tacking skills. I encourage you to make a swift foot switch; bumping heel-to-heel as you replace the old- to-new front-foot wrapped around the mast- but a jump like you see here is not necessary and a fair chance you’ll land in the wrong place and fall in! PK also makes the transition before passing through the wind- as it looks cool for the camera below him…. Much harder to control that (as I encourage) you pass through the wind before making the switch.

[@dairyairman]

I've been working on the back winded tack for a few months now after a friend tried to explain it to me. I really appreciate your explanation and demo of it, which is much better than my friend's! I've gotten to the point where I can do it pretty well while going from starboard to port, but not from port to starboard (for some reason i don't understand). Maybe this video will help!

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear you’ve found this helpful. Let me know how you get on! 👍👍👍

[@richym2020]

Great video and extremely fast manoeuvres!

[@Cookiesports]

Thank! Il be running clinics all summer in Vassiliki if you can make it!

[@richym2020]

@@Cookiesports Thanks for that. I've taken a look at your website. Do you have more information about the courses you run, i.e. How many people in a clinic, what dates and pricing, plus recommendations for accommodation in the area?

[@Cookiesports]

@@richym2020 Hi! so, if you're coming from the Uk look at Neilson holidays. They run package holidays to the Cosmos hotel. Included B&B, flights, transfer, equipment and tuition from my team. You can the book priv/mini group clinics with me- I run a mixture of options depending on who wants what and when- all bespoke as tailored to the group/individuals. Clinic prices vary deepening on what we plan when you arrive. If you're traveling from outside the UK the contact the Cosmos hotel directly- when you're staying in the Cosmos you can then rent kit from us and we'll arrange the clinics same as above. Hope to see you there!

[@Floatnride]

Hey cookie was smashing the back handed racks today about a 70% success rate. Challenge is the sail for me 7.5 race sail full cambered. Though the tactics you have presented worked well. Will keep the practice up as I can get unwind quicker. FYI strap to strap turns coming on nicely as well.

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear! They should work pretty well with cam’ed sails… the shape of the sail helps keep it up. Don’t pop the cams until really late, once you’re actually ready to sail away and re-power.

[@Floatnride]

Thanks for showing on smaller wave board.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@Jhoekstra]

Man, I wanted to learn this so bad. I’ll have some practice in Morocco!!

[@Cookiesports]

It'll transform your tacks! 👍

[@maikelvantures3660]

I'm on to tacking now in the mornings, when i have the Bay for myself. The advice you gave about going trough the wind just a little, helped me a alot. I feel its getting better with each session. Hopping from 1 side to the other.

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear it! I’m just working on another tacking video that’ll really guide you though it more. 👍👍👍

[@maikelvantures3660]

@@Cookiesports I have a qeustion. When is the time you put the footstraps more outwards. Cuz i feel very confident riding along in the harness now. But they're still in the most inner position. On my JP magic ride 111L

[@Cookiesports]

@@maikelvantures3660 are you using the straps as they’re currently set up? If not… it’s not yet to move them. If yes- great…. It’s time to move them when you can’t keep the heel edge (the windward rail) down and wind keeps making it lift up…. And/or your really struggling to get upwind when blasting. 👍

[@maikelvantures3660]

@@Cookiesports aaaah that explains alot 👍. I often need to put my weight totally to the front in the harness and really dig that front heel in to get it upwind.

[@maikelvantures3660]

@@Cookiesports I set the straps in a more outer position now. Had 2,5 hours of fun. But like WOW what a diffrence it is to sail upwind so easy. The only thing what happens now is sometimes i feel like driffting, it feels like that the back is snapping away. Do i need more back foot pressure?

[@lucamuller4121]

Wow! what a great Instrunction can't wait to try this out. I have been struggling to stay dry during tacks i hope this way of tacking will get me consistent tacks without falling. Does the backwinding make it more stable or does ist have another purpose and could you do a video about heli tacks? Thanks

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! The backwinded moment massively helps stability, always as deliberately Slowing down the tack- a moment of pause to increase chance of success. 👍 Hello-tack video = on route!

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

Brilliant timing as always!! I have just been thinking I need to man up and do more tacks!! So this is great, thanks for this incredibly straight forward instruction. I notice you stay low as well, crouched almost, I feel this is probably key to keep balanced? I am one of these guys that likes to sail way upwind of everyone else, I'm very good at going to windward, even on my Severne Dyno 85 with the tri-fin setup, but I feel the tack is going to add something very useful to my arsenal!! Can't wait to get out and try this!!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Kev! Staying low will help your balance for sure- good spot. I'm 100% with you about being up-wind of everyone- as long as I'm not the furthers out or furthest downwind I'm pretty happy! Slightly confused with you comment on the tri-fin... these set ups should be easier to stay up wind, and get in/out of the straps. Extra leverage and lateral resistance in the water- easier to do most things, but slower top speeds.

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

@@Cookiesports Ah thats interesting what you say about the tri-fin. I just made an assumption there, this setup is new to me and as a guy sailing mainly Slalom boards with big fins, I found I had to adjust my technique a bit, as in not leaning on my back foot so much (basicallly being lazy), when I first sailed the Dyno I found it easy to spin out, so just assumed this was the case. I can sure get it working nicely now though, and what you say makes sense as I can head to windward very well on the Dyno. I have clocked just over 28 knots on the Dyno, so they can get moving in the right situation. Thanks for the reply!!

[@matthewfairman9865]

Another great video!... Is the backwinded tack something that "evolves" from doing lots of ordinary quick tacks?... I have my quick tacks dialled in quite well now... also I can sail back winded before doing a heli tack... Nb Would love to see a video where you compare light wind heli tack versus high wind heli tack....Thanks😀

[@Cookiesports]

I’ll get on the heli-tack soon. This tack doesn’t just evolve naturally, but with a little practice it’ll happen in no time. Thing with all manoeuvres I think is having a selection of variants that you can choose from or blend together depending on what’s going on- like a step or strap-2-strap gybe! 👍

[@meuryniorwerth5897]

Hi Cookie, great video as usual. Discovered the channel a few days ago and as whetted my appetite for my june 2022 Vass holiday - delayed from 2020 due to Covid. On a separate note, what is the weather/wind like in mid May in Vass as I may be able to as I may be able to squeeze in another holiday then? Meuryn

[@Cookiesports]

Hope to see you out in Vass S22. May is a good time, just slightly cooler water!

[@BuderChristian]

Could you make a tuto on the heli-tack?

[@Cookiesports]

Yes!

[@fertysurfer]

Perfect bit of filming. Do you find it easier to grab the mast low with the old back hand on the transition rather than boom to boom? I was practicing these last Sunday on the lake after watching you and popped my shoulder which oddly enough was brilliant news as I'd been suffering pain and loss of mobility for a year after popping it practicing heli tacks on the beach. Must have been a trapped nerve or a slight dislocation. I'll credit you with my miraculous recovery. Thanks.

[@Cookiesports]

New front hand… doesn’t matter- whichever feels best! But do not “power up” the new side until you have two hands in the boom. I’ll add “miracle healer through videos” to my CV! 😜

[@oceannesailor]

so I'm the 400th person to like this video, AND the 70th person to comment. Do I win an all-expenses paid trip to join you for a week in Vassiliki!!!??? woo-hoo! Thanks, Cookie! for that - and for the videos and tips! 😁

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! Great comment! When your in Vasilikí for coaching the first round is on me! 😜

[@cameaston5632]

Thanks for the video! I found sometimes when going for a tack if I come around the mast too early before I’ve gone through the wind I back wind and instead of continuing on with the tack through the wind I find I go the other way and kind of end up gybing ? (Not sure what you would call it) Is is possible to keep the board moving through the wind from the back winded position? I’ve tried moving sail forward and back but I find it pretty confusing sailing on the wrong side did the sail!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching. To help: make sure you’re through the wind before the transition. over-sheet the sail and drive off the back foot in the second before to go round the other side. 👍👍 Backwind practice- light wind, big board!

[@selbalamir]

Yes go early but - Throw the sail towards the back of the board and look at the back of the board when you transition. If you throw the sail at the front you’ll fall in on your back. Practice sailing back winded. This will help. Learning to do this tack isn’t a couple of hours work. Lots of YT tutorials make it look like you can just master this in a session. This puts people off when they can’t. It’s going to take many hours to master this so just keep practicing.

[@claudiafrers8923]

@@selbalamir Good point. On Cookie’s No hands tack video, which contain very similar moves it is really clear to see where his vision (back of the board) is. Also, I struggle with timing ie. when to switch to the other side (too early or too late - not good). The one minute short no hands video clearly shows where the wind is on the transition ( on his back) and I find the small wriiten notes super helpful. Perhaps we can hope for a light wind backwind practice video from Cookie someday as that is probably a good starting point.

[@claudiafrers8923]

How much power in the sail is needed for these manuveurs to be successful? Does practicing in light wind conditions say under 10 knots make any sense at all or do you need to be powered up and going upwind?

[@Cookiesports]

Light wind practice is super valuable to help develop these skills. In my clinics we’ll go out in all wind strengths and work on techniques like this (and many others).

[@prospermatkovic5559]

Which part of this is different from the fast tack? Is it going through the eye of the wind before making a transition? Is that a moment a sail gets backwinded (like for a heli tack)?

[@Cookiesports]

Generally a "classic fast tack" would not involve any moment being back-winded. Going through the eye of the wind is a good coaching point for both fast tacks, back-winded tacks, and heli-tacks.

[@larsvonvelsen5865]

🤙

[@Cookiesports]

🙌🙌🙌

[@mommomom6501]

How big was that wave board?

[@Cookiesports]

Tha majority of the video is on a 5m point 7 SPY and a 146 Fanatic Gecko. A number of the clips (including one of the opening ones at 00:50) is a 5m SPY and a 96lt RRD FSW. (It says this on the screen! 😜)

[@mommomom6501]

@@Cookiesports its a nice board

[@styntissink454]

Why call it a 'backwinded tack'? You're not backwinding at any point in the tack, all you're doing is just over-sheeting (which means sheeting in past the center line of board). Also starting the tack with your front hand on the mast doesn't make it better, I only really find it helps when on a small sail & small board. Edit: I see you backwinding after stepping around and that's a bad habit that kills speed through the tack and the only time to do it is if you're falling towards the sail and need to recover balance. Normally leaning the sail slightly forwards a little bit and sheeting in hard will allow you to lean back instead of forward and keep your speed up and if you're lucky you could plane through the whole tack.

[@rcggijzen]

Hi Styn, I think what you are describing is the regular 'fast tack', which is indeed cleaner and faster IF you can make it stick. I think the brief back-winded moment introduced here is intended to improve the succes-rate for those that find themselves often not quite for enough through the wind to turn the board all the way once on the new tack. I agree that front hand on the mast only really has added value on small sails and RDM-masts. Above 8m2 and SDM I find it hard to grab the mast and the clew of the sail tends to stick in the water if I drop it too far back.

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for watching, I hope you’ve managed to see a bunch of videos on this channel? Few points to answer here… If you can show me a fully planning (fin) tack I’d love to see it! It’s not possible! Quickly back onto the plane- sure- as demonstrated here, but fully planing- no! Front hand to the mast, widely accepted (by coaches and NGB’s worldwide) as the best way to enter a tack… brings you further up wind with each manoeuvre, and make the transition far easier. These points- all covered in other videos… key bit for here is the “back-wind’ed bit”- just after the translation from one side to the other. Gives you a moments pause to settle things, ensure balance, create space increases the chance of staying dry! It slows the tack down by a fraction of a second, sure, but as proven in numerous demos in this video; it is still a quick tack! Try it- numerous students I’ve taught over the years- transformed their tacks for the better! 👍👍

[@joakimhansson1322]

True, your tip to hold the mast in a video about a year ago has increased my success rate to 8 out of 10. I normally use 6.5 and 7.8 freeride sails. Also, the wind is sometimes not enough for ”tack and hang” so the mini backwind after transition to the new side helps avoiding embarrassing butt dip with sail falling on your head.

[@myfelicidade]

I don't get why you call this a backwinded tack, given that you pass the wind before stepping to the other side...

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching! It’s a backwinded tack because I’m back winding during part of the tack… doesn’t matter which point of sail this happens on. This is the easiest way to do it, and makes for much more successful tacks in general. 👍👍👍

[@selbalamir]

If you’re finding this difficult you might find you have more success going back winded by tacking BEFORE the wind as opposed to after. Make sure you throw the sail across the centre line and not at the nose. Look at the back. Feels good.

[@Cookiesports]

Nooooooo! 🤯 Terrible advice! Trying to go before you go through the wind is far harder! It’s much easier to drawer the board through the eye of the wind, then go! 👍👍👍

[@selbalamir]

@@Cookiesports Sorry dude, as much as the good tips you give on your channel this is just wrong and the backwinded tack is hard enough as it is. if you go after the wind the mast head will be more pointing into the wind and you won’t be able to back wind the sail at all. If you go before the wind then the luff will be pointing into the wind and you will be able to go back winded. That’s just basic backwinded sailing. If you’re going to tack AFTER the wind it should be a helitack. Also worth mentioning is that if you are riding a large freeride sail say 6m or over or definitely one with cams - you probably do not want to do a backwinded tack as the weight of the sail and the skirt of the sail will make it much harder. It’s much easier to tack a large sail by keeping it upright and probably going boom to boom. But on small gear you should always tack like cookie has shown you. Except go BEFORE the wind The better you get the earlier you can go. ;) One of the best proponents of the backwinded tack is Anton Pain There’s an example at 28:45 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpXdfK2DaZh6oZY Anton goes BEFORE the wind and then carves through the wind to repower the sail. Practice sailing back winded too.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks again for your comment. Really enjoy getting to the details of moves, skills & coaching! So many points to dissect and discuss here in your comments… where to begin!? 🫠 Big point you say is “the better you get the earlier you can go”… on this point we are in agreement… which is why I’m explaining in this video you should go through the wind (late) not before the wind (early)! 👍👍 On your other points… do what you think is best for your development - but please please don’t teach this advice to people! Come to Vass and we’ll have a few beers and talk techniques and coaching all day!! 🤙🤙🤙

[@selbalamir]

@@Cookiesports Ha ok - couple of things - I like your tack, it’s quite unusual. But it’s the air bouncing of the water from the super exaggerated throw that back winds the sail - imho - it’s not the wind. Secondly a great teacher will really help you master and get inside the tack . Graham Ezzy taught me to tack. But anyway- the point that I made in my original comment was “Hey if you are finding that going after the wind is not working for you then perhaps you could try before the wind”.

[@defenderoftheadverb]

I'd call that a garden variety fast tack. In a proper "Backwinded Tack" you step around before you turn and you carve into the wind while on the lee side.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching, hope you enjoyed this, and maybe some other videos on the channel! In a "garden variety" fast tack there would not be any moment of back-winding the sail... thats when it becomes a back-winded tack! (clew is in the name! 😜). It doesn't matter when you step around in the turn- before, during, or (as I advise in this video) after you pass the wind- it's still a "back-winded tack" if you back-wind the sail! BUT, as I explain in this video- this is my go-to tack 99% of the time! Doesn't make it a classic fast tack, but is a sold and stable way of tacking! 👍👍👍👍

[@defenderoftheadverb]

@@Cookiesports Back winding the sail in a fast tack is normal practice. A back winded tack is a quite specific maneuvre. As I said, that is NOT a "back winded tack". If you really must give it a special name find another one. That one's taken. Although on second thoughts maybe it's just under-cooked. Pretty good tacking anyway. This what I'm talking about kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpXdfK2DaZh6oZY That's Anton Paine at Coros. See more at 29.08 29.55 32.14 32.34