How to water start in windsurfing! The easy way to get there.

In this video we will be looking at how to water start.
The water start is one of the fundamental moves for windsurfing, which when mastered will help you spend much more time on the board instead of in the water and will also help you save a lot of energy during your sessions. Because, lets face it, up hauling is a killer!
The main difficulty with the water start is that it can be extremely tiring! Especially when you will be attempting to firstly lift your sail in deep water, get everything into position and then get up on the board.
So in this video we will see a way of learning it that progressively gets harder allowing you to slowly get used to it. Although, this way can take longer it is usually much easier both physically and mentally!
Summarized, the most basic skills you need in order to learn the water start are:
1. A perfect beach start (Check out my video on that if you are not yet there)
2. Knowing how to lift your sail and position your equipment
3. Patience!
So, lets get straight into it!!!

[@jameskelley8317]

Great video. I've wanted to learn this for a long time but in the 80's when I was windsurfing, we had to either read a book or take a lesson. Yes I am a dinosaur but caught the windsurfing bug again and can't wait to work on my water start this summer. Efkaristo!!!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thanks! :) I hope it helps and you get it this summer! Keep trying and have fun

[@user-lm3hu9ng9g]

licking the finger in the water to check the wind makes me smile :D nice manual, tho

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thats the point! Glad you enjoyed it :D

[@paulfelix158]

Best water start tutorial on the YT! Congrats!! I subscribed to your channel!!!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! Hope this helps :)

[@tdoytchev]

Very good video. Actually the best I have found for water start so far. Wishing you success, man.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you very much! I hope it helps... Keep riding :D

[@piotrwojcik3742]

Til now best tutorial I have seen ,very easy and clear explanation of steps for beginers, thank you guys Wish to see turns in the water,changing directions thank you and wish you more subscribers, as me now

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Glad you liked it and I hope it helps you out! Good luck in your future windsurfing!

[@theylive1999]

Fantastic video!!!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! :D

[@bellmondouk]

FANTASTIC ADVISE

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thanks! I am glad you like it :)

[@bertrandc8207]

Tes vidéos sont excellentes, pas du bla bla ou de la frime comme d autres youtubers. Bravo et merci

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you for your kind words! :)

[@Frisbieinstein]

For me the key was using the board to get up, not so much the sail. Pull the board toward you with your foot, and push down on it. Don't try to pull yourself up with your arms, that happens by itself. The bigger the board, the easier it is to get the idea.

[@TheLindsay720]

Hey Kyriakos, Thanks for your excellent videos. I started windsurfing about 3.5 years ago and watched a lot of instructional videos at the time. I feel like I’ve gone backwards lately on a few things so decided to go back to basics and came across your videos. I wish I had them back when I started. You’ve done an epic job. Cheers, Lindsay

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thanks for you kind words! I hope you find what you are looking for in the videos and that I can help you with any future improvements with my coming videos! :)

[@yanismwachannel]

Εξαιρετικό βίντεο! Ευχαριστώ!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Εγω ευχαριστω! :D

[@m.barsgumusbas9689]

Thanks a lot my friend. One of the most helpful videos I have seen on water start. All best.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you very much! I hope it helps you! :)

[@luisaparecido5885]

Parabéns 👏👏.. ótimo trabalho 🇧🇷

[@fabricelabor2383]

Thank you very much.

[@haymolin]

one more very helpful video! especially for beginners like me!

[@anders_dahlberg]

extremely good explanation. Keep up the good work. This channel will take off!!!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@stelio37]

Great tutorial, well done

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! :D

[@gondwanalon]

Very helpful video. Thanks a lot!

[@erkaltarm2872]

Thank you very much for this nice explanation.👌

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Anytime! Glad you liked it :)

[@spyrosmargaris9215]

Ωραίος ο Κυριάκος,μπράβο σου

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you!

[@chrisisinthehouse1]

Great job on this one. Totally clear with lots of techniques demonstrated.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@timmorris2858]

Nice!!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thanks! Hope it helps! :)

[@jclaude8445]

Merci pour tes videos ,elles sont bien faites

[@CorsoInsegnantiYogaSamadhi]

Great video! so good the way you explain everything! Thanks

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@philiprideout8857]

Great video, I especially like the tip about flipping the sail, I've always wondered about that. (8:09)

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@cmcchan]

I like your vid. very detail for beginners.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@wadeseymour7706]

Great video, I've learnt something today, now to go try it out, thanks again!!!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! i am glad you liked it... Hopefully it will help you on your next attempts. Just remember the water start is super tiring to learn so be patient and keep trying! :)

[@mertentijsma6118]

I always had the problem where I didn't get pulled out of the water far enough. So I pulled in the clew to get power in the sail and started lifting myself up, but most of the time I would just fall back. I always thought it was due to not enough wind, but you are doing this with a 4.8 and are way heavier than me.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

The things you mentioned are the basics of getting up. but the trick to a good waterstart is in the details I mentioned. In your case it would be to really crunch the body as much as possible and try to get the boom over your head so your can apply your weight downward on the board through the mast. Also, take not of the lifting the sail up and forward while extending your front hand. The instant you make the move there will be a second of extra power you generated yourself. If you use that in combination with the other moves it will get u up nice a smoothly :)

[@claireverenicoll1483]

AcquaPlanet 4 learning to Windsurf at all ages; one of the most Wonderful Feelings of Freedom on Water 4 those of you who are fans of WaterSports. Summer isn't summer to me without Water Sports. Thanks Michel & Co for being so patient when I was Seriously Slow. The Algae on my head was particularly funny for James & Ed. The lake is Calm with no Whirlpool & the Canoeing is also really Cool. PS Eat some Prunes with Hippy Spoons, Say ' Way Hey Hey'' when a learner on a board wears Grey & Sing a Song with kids of Fish & Rabbits Hopping Along.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

very confused and slightly worried!

[@EuricoArrenda]

Great content. Thanks man. Ur grate prof.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

I am glad you enjoyed it! Hope it helps :D

[@an_ominus]

Gongrats my friend keep going!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I will do... Stay posted for more! :D

[@ophthalmol2009]

great great video.. thank youuu...

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@MR-dv6ms]

fantastic video thank you

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Glad you liked it!!! :)

[@jimransley4289]

Nice video thanks.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@stefanourbinelli1493]

Grazie....proverò, molto utile

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps :)

[@marcosgallodgp]

awesome coaching

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! :)

[@f2air]

Some great advice here. I haven't windsurfed in years but your video brought it all back. I noticed something you did but didn't mention (you probably do want to overload people with information), how you used the foot of the sail to control the board. A good example is shown from 7:10.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thanks! Yes you do use mastfoot pressure to control the board from the water... I have mentioned it in the start of the video shortly and also it is a big part of the beach star which everyone is prompted to know before they attempt the water start! But that is a good observation and a very important skill to learn in order to make you beach/water starts easier, during the learning process especially. (And yes trying not to overload people with information is pretty challenging! :D )

[@f2air]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind :-) I meant you used the foot of the sail (the trailing edge of the sail between the clew and the mast foot) to catch the rear footstrap (@7:14).

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

@@f2air Ah ok now I understand. Yes I do that, however I tend not to teach it too much as many people could over close the sail and mess up the position even more. If you can do it though and still keep everything under control then for sure it is a helpful tip! :) Nice observation!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

I do not recommend to skip any of the info in the videos but for those looking for something specific: Skip to 2:30 to go straight into practicing the water start (you will miss a little info). Skip to 4:30 for deep water practice (you will miss the progressive practice that makes it easier)! Skip to 5:55 for different ways of lifting the sail.

[@liliabrito8450]

Obrigada pelo video

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Your welcome! I hope it helps! :)

[@kagie4564]

Wow! So specific and detailed, thanks man! If I was looking for an instructor, I would check where you are located first :)

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! :) I hope it helps and maybe see you somewhere around the world! :D

[@reimop9595]

Efxaristo poli :) very good video!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Parakalo! I hope it helps :)

[@pawel7318]

I'm already doing it but sometimes it takes a lot struggling to clear the sail if it sink vertically. Now I now exactly what I'm doing wrong and what I need to exercise and improve. Thank you soooo much !

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thanks a lot! I am glad it helped! :)

[@blackberryfanscom]

surf4u guy Thumb up

[@hilaalonr]

I love your videos, explain in a great and simple way. Good job. Where do you guide in Greece? It looks like a great surfing site ...

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! :) I hope it helps! I have a windsurf station in Rhodes island, Greece! Its called Windsurfers' World. Check it out and come and visit us if you are ever close by. I personally believe its one of the best places to learn :D

[@iotarask77]

Great tip on moving the mast by swimming with the board around. I was always “turning the mast” which works but takes long and requires strength. With big sails the problem of submerging the clew is still tricky for me sometimes. The only thing which works is grabbing the mast and swimming a bit into the wind to flatten the sail, before attempting to raise the sail. Maybe you could make a 2nd video waterstarting big no-cam and cam sails

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Thank you! I hope it helps! That might be a good idea... I will see how I can explain it better for big sails and maybe get a video made on that! :)

[@pouPateRE]

Είσαι φοβερός

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Ευχαριστω! :D

[@DarKHumOuR3]

ωραιος!

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Ευχαριστω! :)

[@Morfs]

Para poly kalos bravo

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Ευχαριστω πολυ! :)

[@ttnandor80]

First let me say a big thanks for your tutorials! I've lernt a lot, cant waiy to go to the water and puting everything in practise. :) You said in a previous answer: "As long as your sail is a normal monofilm sail and the correct size you are good to go! :) "... what about a camber sail? How much more difficult is to beach or water start with a cambered sail? What differences are between the two sails? I have a 5.6 sm Loftsails Racing Blade and a 155l Patrick freeride board (254x80cm). Also I have an old 7.0 sm North Sails Tonic monofilm sail. I'm 178cm and ~90kg. Thanx for the reply in advance and keep going making and posting your videos :) Regards from Hungary

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Hey! Thanks a lot! :) Yes a camber sail is fine and will work fine. It wont be harder on the actual getting up part but it will be harder in the getting into position and out of the water part. Generally cambered sails feel heavier and less maneuverable. As for sizes this depends also on the wind speed and of course technique (the better you are the less power you need). But to put it in a simple way if you are out on the water riding and have enough power to get some speed you should be fine water starting with that sail! good luck! :)

[@djcosta2566]

καλό βίντεο, ευχαριστώ. I also have a question for you, would you recommend the Starboard carve 141 L for mastering the jibe. Is a 141l board a good size for progression?

[@f2air]

The Carve is a nice board. I have the 131 that I used to progress from a beginner board. Still have it for light wind days and big sails. My thoughts on a good size for a progression board is your weight in kg +50%. So I was 88kg, plus 50% (i.e. 44) = 132.

[@motsbane]

Thanks for the video. Can I ask how long is your mast in this video please? I guess it was 400, looks you were very easy.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Yes, that is correct. My mast is a 400. To be precise it should be 418 I believe. But the techniques shown are the same for big sails. of course the power needed should be more but generally nothing changes! :)

[@motsbane]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind Thanks for your reply. I am looking into 400 mast long termly. Much easier compared with 430 and 460 mast.

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

@@motsbane Good luck on your search! I hope you find what you are looking for but never forget, that practice makes everything easier! :D

[@ashton8367]

👏👏👏✌️🙌

[@ggem5775]

Hi Sometimes my rear boom is stuck 90 degrees in the water (happens with big sails), and i am fighting to make the sails come flat parallel to the water. I was taught in my youth to swim against the wind with one hand on tge mast, but sometimes not so effective. Have you experienced same thing ? Any advice when it happens ?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

If I understand what you are saying correctly, then the swimming upwind is the best. Also, even if you are already in the correct position keep your front arm extended into the wind. Dont let the sail go towards the back of the board. Sometimes, depending on your setup and situation if you are waiting for wind or getting in position, try to hold on to the back footstrap with your back arm and let the boom rest on your arm. This can help you keep the clew out of the water until you are ready. Doesnt always work but its a little tip that sometimes makes a big difference for some people. Hope it helps you.

[@Kresala1981]

Thanks for the video. Just a question: whats the wind speed I need to be able to waterstart? 145 liters board, 6 and 7,2 sails, 82kg windsurfer 😛

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

This really depends on skill level more than anything but maybe 15knots? cant be precise.

[@joakimyliruusi]

I have some questions. Would you recommend practising this first with a bigger board and smaller sail? When I try waterstarting I feel like I am very far from the board. When I lift my leg on the board it just pushes it away, turning it upwind. Any tips on this?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Hey! To answer you questions lets start off with the gear... Bigger board can help with some things but it can also make other things harder! For example a smaller board is much easier to control. So I would say stick with the best board for the conditions you are riding in even if that is your smallest one. And for the sail you simply need the sail with enough power to lift you. There is no point in taking a smaller sail to make it easier to handle if it doesnt have enough power to get you on the board. Now about your problem of the board turning up wind it is actually a very common problem. This normally happens because you are placing your back foot too much on the rail of the board. Your foot should be placed more towards the center line of the board and simply rest on it with our heel (not having you foot pushing against the board). Then when the time comes to get up (still using the heel of your foot) you pull your back leg in towards your body and this will make the board turn even more down wind giving you more power. Take not of my feet in this video to help you understand what I mean. You can also check out my beach start video where you will most probably be able to see my foot placement better: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfPg4eAjJVnb5Y I hope this helps! Good luck! :)

[@Aijse]

With stronger winds I often get smacked forward, actually ending up on the same side of the boad as I started, but with the clew forwards. Do you know what might cause this?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Hey! Most likely you are pointing too far downwind and/or overworking the back hand. Try keeping the nose of the board more upwind and slowly bringing it downwind until where you feel comfortable. If you are very overpowered you might not need to bring it downwind at all

[@Aijse]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind thanks for the quick and great reply. Now let's get some wind going so I can practice again!

[@jimcamel666]

Hi , where is it exactly in Bali ? In Sanur ? I have been in Bali for 13 times , but i do not recognize the place .. i mean the place where you teach in da water

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Hi! I think you are confused... This is not Bali and I never said it was! This is in Vietnam, Mui Ne.

[@jimcamel666]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind ok thanks , i was in mui ne once a couple of years ago ,, it looks familiar to me .. now i remember the spot ..

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

@@jimcamel666 The video is filmed in Surf4you station... the flat spot of mui ne :)

[@giorgosdek3944]

Τέλειο βίντεο φιλε Κυριάκο! Πού είναι γυρισμένο το βίντεο;

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Ευχαριστω πολυ! Το βιντεο ειναι γυρισμενο στη Βιετναμ.

[@jemand8462]

I always get instant cramps in my leg when I start pulling it with my hamstrings. How can I prevent that?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Hey! That is more of a fitness problem I guess but if I had to give you some advice I would say you are probably tensing too much... Try focusing on crunching your whole body to as small a size as possible (while maintaining the correct arm positions of course). Don't focus only on pulling in the board with your legs and give all the work to your hamstrings. I hope this helps somehow! :)

[@stef4753]

Is this posibel with a beginner set ? I want to know when i am ready for a lighter board

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

a beginner board will be absolutely no problem. It many times even helps you get started... As long as your sail is a normal monofilm sail and the correct size you are good to go! :)

[@stef4753]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind thx for the answer ! Mh sail is 6.2 fanatic topsail it is a oldschool because i dont want to spend to much for a beginnerset

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

@@stef4753 no problem! That should work fine... Good luck with your water starts! :)

[@stef4753]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind today i tried your tips and i almost made one! Thx, bur i have another question, my board is turning upwind when i have my sail in the midle and want to go straight, if i want to go straight i have to put my sail more to the front of the board, what can be the problem ?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

@@stef4753 That's great! Keep working on them and you will be water starting like a pro in not time! As for your question, I guess you mean when you are in the water preparing to water start right? If this is the case it is very normal for the board to start pointing up wind if you are just sitting there relaxed. So like you correctly said you have to constantly push you mast slightly to the front. Basically keep pushing your sail into the wind as you wait for the right time and you will easily see the board reacting and staying in the right place! If you are just sitting in the water with your sail up and you are waiting for something (wind, rest, etc) then another easier way that requires less work is to hold you back foot strap with one hand and the sail with the other. (Note: this is only for waiting in that positions, not to actually get up)

[@manup1156]

Is the Board a tabou 3s+ 117l? Thx

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Hi! No this is the Tabou twister 100lt. Although I the 3s+ is an awesome board! Do you need any information on Tabou boards? Feel free to ask

[@ioannisdamoulis5468]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind does the tabou 3s classic 117lt is good board to practice for improving non planning jibe and fast tack ? at the moment I'm using a goya volar 130lt

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

@@ioannisdamoulis5468 I think that for non planing the 117 is too small. You will find the difference from 130 very big! Also as a board in general I prefer the 3s+ I think it is much more all around while the 3s classic is more like a freeride board!

[@vascocostaantunes6826]

Where is this spot ? Tayland, Vietnam ? Or Grece ?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

This video was made in Vietnam. Specifically Mui Ne at Surf4You station

[@vascocostaantunes6826]

@@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind Thanks ! Your videos are very, very well and easy to follow!

[@janwyss7557]

on wich spot is this?

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

This was filmed in Vietnam, Mui Ne! Specifically Surf4You station

[@andreas49er]

ΤΗΧ Κυριακο

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Τιποτα! Ελπιζω να βοηθησει :)

[@jimkewley3790]

I like that you aren’t using a 200 litre board to demonstrate...

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

Gotta show it like it is! :D Also when practicing water starts its good to remember that small boards have a lot of benefits (plus the extra motivation for waterstarting :) )

[@emmayip8810]

looks easy...but hard for me...

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

No worries! The water start is one of the most tiring thing to learn! It will take time but to make it easier make sure you have a very very good beach start, enough wind and understand the controls enough to not struggle a lot after you have the sail out of the water! Good luck and keep trying! It really changes your windsurfing after you learn it :)

[@krzysztofwysocki40]

Please wers. Polish

[@kyriakosgiakoumaroswingandwind]

I dont speak Polish sorry! :D