Mast-Foot Pressure is a BAD thing!

"Mast-Foot Pressure" I hear blurted out from people near friends learning to windsurf, or from instructors who aren't quite sure how to correctly describe the point they're trying to make.
It's not something a windsurf can "create" - pressure the the mast of the mast- without likely upsetting something else that is likely more important!
Shown in the video here is a classic error where people are told "you need mast-foot pressure" to get planing...so the pressure is mast through a vertical mast, and a harness pulling up to ones' sternum... the pressure is there... but it's defiantly not helping!
In this video I'll break down better ways of trying to get the points across without simply shouting "MAST-FOOT PRESSURE" at the poor students!
Three areas I focus on here are...
- Getting planing
- Water/beach start control
- Mid-point in a gybe.
The same ideas also work for planning/blasting control- which I've talked about in a number of other videos already.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
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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!
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Filmed on a 103lt Starboard Ignite, and a 5.0m Point-7 Syp.
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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
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#sungod
#starboard
#sailvideosystem

[@LetsCopter]

I am glad you got this off of your chest cookie, the term mastfoot pressure was a confusing thing to me aswell especially when I was told to simply apply it during my gybes. I feel honoured to have witnessed your temperament in this video which basically means you really care for all aspiring Windsurfers to imagine and understand the physics better. You have been a great coach to me in the last year's and thanks to you I am one of the only guys pulling of smooth disco gybes ( which in turn improved my regular carve gybe massively ) on these waters - Greetings from Fehmarn in Germany

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear I’m helping you! I really do want people to improve and hope this clarification of a miss-used phrase can help that a little!

[@sorinseptimiucoman523]

You’ve got really excellent explanations 👍

[@Cookiesports]

Thank you!

[@amitbashaan]

Very accute distinction and extremly clarifying and helpful!!! Big Big THANKS🙂!!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍

[@Dennis-bg7zo]

Thanks a lot man!! Because of you my windsurfing has been massively improved so I can fully concentrate on the joy rather than the struggle of windsurfing. Please keep up the good work. 🤙🤙

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! Appreciate the stoke! 🤩🤩

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

LOL.....I hear people touting this expression about the place, I have no idea what they are talking about!! Now I do, and now I know it has no relevance in the world of windsurfing!! An enjoyable episode!!

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩

[@Westcoastwindsurf]

Awesome video, thanks for clarifying!

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Jhoekstra]

Excellent point Simon! Especially for those who are beginners and hear a lot of windsurfing ‘slang’. The chance of misinterpretation is huge. This video makes it all clear. As always 😀. Keep it up mate!

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks Joal! 👍👍👍

[@dimitriskakalis4703]

Thank you very much...your video is so helpful for me.... I have completle understand the in back and down pressure and is awesome... I have tried in my last session and i have corrected a lot of my mistakes...

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍

[@bicboy49]

Thank you cookie this is just what I needed

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍

[@benbhand]

And I thought this was a family channel lol ;) All joking aside, such a great video and sorely needed!! This term has never made much sense to me (other than thinking about it from the standpoint of the sail fully sheeted in and your body in the "super 7" position sort of looks like the mast is pushing down through the UJ forward but physics-wise that was nonsensical to me, as well). This is so much better and relatable. Nicely done, Cook!

[@Cookiesports]

Sorry, not sure what came over me at the start! 😜

[@frankmoonen5390]

Clear explaination !!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍

[@cobbiepalm6790]

Excellent! This is also a disease one can get when trying to keep the board from turning up wind as a beginner.

[@Cookiesports]

🤦‍♂️👍👍

[@proletariosx]

so helpfull!!! i was wondering for a long time with that term when i was trying to get planing...nothing was happening, actually looked so diffrent with what everybody was doing and succesfuly get planing... i looked stupid by trying to acheieve mast foot pressure... when i stoped giving a damn about mast-foot , fun started

[@Cookiesports]

yes, yes, yes!

[@jonmullet5739]

This does indeed clarify things.

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩

[@anthonystanden5073]

That makes great sense I have been doing some of those things , thanks time to change

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@idanfarkash8080]

this video is gold

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@pl3841]

Thanks Cookie ! Mast foot pressure is the handle for exit through the front door.

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩

[@02vLxcZF]

Hi hi. That part where you desperately hang vertically from the boom with all your might, in a desperate attempt to apply "mastfoot pressure" to get planing, looks a lot like me....

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! 🤣 you and so many other people…. Hence the video!

[@Alex-jw7mu]

Being an antiquated windsurfer this video has been the most difficult for me comprehend having been taught about using MFP some decades ago. I now understand why the term is no longer used. Good technique by pushing on the front foot, body position, sail trim, extended arms etc. is the primary goal and although it may lead to increased MFP - it is not the primary aim for planing. As Cookie has demonstrated, our primary goal should not be MFP as it will not be productive. Many thanks. I hope I understood correctly!

[@Cookiesports]

Kinda correctly… there is definitely force going down the the mast and driving the board forward- there has to be-- but the term MFP is just thrown about now, when what we’re really talking about is how to effectively channel the forces of the rig in various occasions. Thanks for watching! 🤟

[@PeterS123101]

That was helpful!

[@Cookiesports]

Glad you think so! 😎

[@davidonsify]

Thanks a lot! I really love your videos 😍 I am starting to get used to harness and doing my first planings I am still using a 1.75 board with a daggerboard. Would like to know how to transition into a smaller board

[@Cookiesports]

Stick with the basics… learn about foot steering, make sure you’re having fun! 🙌🙌🙌

[@lukasz3tabis]

I wish you would coach me some day! Great movie. Thank you.

[@Cookiesports]

Come to Vass, I’d be happy to coach you! 👍👍👍

[@lukasz3tabis]

@@Cookiesports this year its impossible but I’ll do my best to visit you next years 😎thank you

[@henrikandersson2031]

Maybe a incorrect input.. But i relate to ”MFP” as driving/putting preassure to your foot closest to the mast, trimming the board.

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! Hence the reason we should be avoiding the term MFP!

[@prostecom]

very good tutorial btw

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@timnewton7422]

Nice one. I’ve always thought MFP is an over simplification and an incomplete explanation for -what is “really” channelling windsurfing energy. Downforce in the boom through a straight front arm inevitably helps with flattening the board but my thoughts are that the straight front arm also powers up the abs and channels sail energy down through the body-dropping low with a straight front foot just makes more sense to actively change the angle of force from both mast and front leg. There obviously a lot going on. and then there’s the back leg driving some energy through the fin. But I can’t help thinking this video is going to rake some hot coals.. 😂

[@Cookiesports]

It certainly started some discussions! 😜

[@wisecoonie]

I’m sorry not to join the others in their praise and elogy… ok, if MFP is a bad bad expression, please! Tell the Windsurfing world what you would call it! Because of course, this term was coined by want of a better word. Not 1 instructor ever told me that MFP was the ONLY thing to apply during a waterstart or in the middle of a gybe. Of course this won’t work. Just like beginners only raking the sail back without getting back and down won’t help getting planing. Both waterstart and gybing are complex manoeuvres and require a sequence of different techniques done right at the same and exact time. And sometimes, you need to give the technique a name. So please, humour me and tell me what better name you would give it? Because each time when I’m in the middle of a gybe and i think MFP! I take my weight forwards, push down on the boom and control the board throughout the turn. Without forgetting (obviously) to lean into the turn, do the foot change afterwards, or to look were I want to go, or to flex my knees. But when “MFP!” is not on my mind, well! I tend not to engage enough, keep my body back, get lazy and miss my gybe altogether in the end. I get what you’re saying, but hell, change the misleading title to “I really hate the term MFP! Can’t stand it! I want something else!” Because the idea behind the term, is sound.

[@Cookiesports]

So much to pick apart here… next time you’re in Vass we’ll have a beer and chat through it! 🍻

[@Red-Door]

Fair point. MFP works fine for me as well. Of course MFP does not work on itself (as shown in the clip) You have to combine it with the correct stance, course and sail pressure. On the other hand, It is good to realise that not everybody understands clearly what MFP is supposed to mean.

[@wisecoonie]

@@Red-Door i suppose that downforce, as used by Guy Cribb, is a much better term

[@Red-Door]

@@wisecoonie downforce sounds fine, but it does not tell you where to apply it? Might put it on the backfoot... MFP at least hints where to put the pressure Maybe refer to the goal of MFP instead? To keep the board level and prevent the nose from lifting and/or the tail from sinking.

[@dampchimp]

Hey cookie, tell us about going upwind - seems related, I remember seeing the technique of hanging off the uphaul, and leaning forward imagining touching the nose - are these also outdated concepts in your opinion?

[@Cookiesports]

Have you seen this one?…. I’ve done a couple of videos on upwind sailing…. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnuVmquZmN2hi80

[@khadanse-DJ-KHA]

Thanks for your videos! Question regarding steering with the foot pressure. concerning the backfoot I get the result by giving more weight on the backfoot. (right technique ?) but regarding the front foot I often do not get the board bearing off. When I put weight on the front foot I loose stability, and when I try to put pressure by leaning a bit back I pull too much the sail towards me. may you have an advice for me?

[@Cookiesports]

I’ve made a cheeky video of foot-steering that’ll answer your question… plus a new one coming out soon… Improve your gybes, tacks & blasting control through your feet! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hafKqHxtfs6Wepo

[@horsemadf1]

The bit about the "mastfoot pressure" mid gybe versus you're explanation was good. Pity it will be a while before I can try it. Ps - How much do you weigh so we can get an idea of how many litres above your weight the boards are..

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! I weigh 80kg, I’ll often use a ~100lt board for general all-round flat water blasting… larger if wind is light and in teaching improvers…. Smaller if it’s windy/waves!

[@horsemadf1]

@@Cookiesports I guessed about that. Thanks it gives me a comparison with what I use.

[@ROCKETRICKYH]

In a gybe, I would say put a LITTLE weight on the boom to keep the board gliding and avoid sinking the tail. My friends and I recognised this/figured this out many decades ago as the way to keep the board moving through the transition. We had never heard the term "mast foot pressure"...

[@Cookiesports]

Agreed… it IS definitely necessary to pull down slightly through the boom mid-gybe. 👍👍

[@KompletterGeist]

I think the main problem with "mastfoot pressure" is that once you did it right and experienced how it feels (in all these different scenarios), you know what everybody is talking about....but before that, its a very bamboozling term. Similar to "driving the board off your front foot" although thats not quite as bad

[@Cookiesports]

Agreed… so as instructors and coaches who know “the feeling” it’s important we find ways of describing how to get there- without just shouting “MFP!”

[@Phil-ry2ux]

Too bl00dy right! Also, I used to hear/read 'pinning the nose of the board down (with MFP)' when people were on about fast slalom/freerace boards. I've always felt that above 20 knots speed there isnt much pressure on the UJ. There is an old video on youtube with Nik Baker demonstrating the North Shox system. At the start when not planing, it looks compressed, but at speed it looks the opposite, a bit extended, although the video isn't the clearest.

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩

[@mikewhiting5707]

Saying it this way is good- i think by not getting my sail back is my mistake so the board isn’t scooting forward under the pressure of the forces acting in the direction it has been given..

[@mikewhiting5707]

The adjustments seem so little but have big effect

[@Cookiesports]

🤩🤩🤩

[@michelcote]

What your are saying, is that mast foot pressure is too vague. We understand that mast foot pressure is variable in direction and force, it's a vector so different orientations produce different behavior. Now it's time to find more precise words one for each uses cases

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍

[@allagreta9990]

I when waterstarting … i just sail the sail from the very beginning of this maneuver . by doing so i sail it towards the position where im supposed to be when nicely gliding. PERIOD

[@Cookiesports]

🫡

[@foobar1013]

Good explanation, the term is overused for sure

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@rossdavies7162]

Teaching someone simple movements is not a repeatable (in all situations) and understandable way to solidify fundamentals ("in, back, and down") ("pushing up, pushing down"). The "action" is understandable of course but the physics behind it and why it works are not. If one is actually taking the time to give details and check for understanding with students, one can teach mast foot pressure correctly. It doesn't simply mean to stomp on the board either, as I'm sure you know, it is a driving force PARALLEL to the water surface slightly downwind (same direction as front foot). The goal is to counteract weather helm and keep powered as you and the sail rake, back getting onto a plane. Concerning beachstarting and waterstarting, it absolutely is the right term. The pivot point of the board (center of lateral resistance) is between the mast foot and the footstraps on most boards. When one applies mast foot pressure, the board bears off. When one pulls with the front hand, the board heads up, all because the mast foot is fore of the pivot point. I don't understand how this could possibly be detrimental to someone's technique or progression. I do however agree that MFP has no place in a conversation regarding a gybe though lol. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks! Ross

[@timnewton7422]

I think there’s been numerous ways of describing this energy transfer. Guy Cribb used to call it “downforce” accompanied by getting low. Also do you remember early planing is faster achieved with an upright mast and hanging off the boom “missing link” both of these rely on a low straight front leg and the abs driving energy through the front foot. Or have I missed something? LOL

[@Cookiesports]

There is so much to unpack here! Next time you are in Vass we’ll have a beer and discuss!! 🍻

[@PebblesChan]

MFP is what makes windsurfing windsurfing & not wing, kite or plain sailing. When windsurfing was invented its universal joint comprised of 2 interlinked ring bolts so that any 3D translational mast or sail force applied would create contact pressure between the 2 links (Anyone who’s had the misfortune of pinching their hands or toes between them can attest to its presence!). These days a flexible ligament is used thus these forces either compress or stretch the ligament thus confusing what MFP means. To avoid any confusion why not use MFT as the acronym for Mast Foot Tensor then all is kosher again.

[@Cookiesports]

I suspect you didn’t watch the video did you! 😜

[@PebblesChan]

II watched your vid in full & I suspect you didn’t understand my response!😜 In every one of your examples MFT is used - Your’e just explaining the steps to accomplish the desired MFT & foot motion/positions to accomplish the nominated manoeuvre. For powering up the sail and to move forward, you’re applying MFT in combination with your feet to drive the sail & board to move horizontally forward, for waterstarting you’re applying horizontal MFT to move the board into your desired position & for gybing you’re using MFT in combination with your foot pressures to trim and carve your board. One can even use MFT to carry their board to & fro to the water’s edge.

[@Cookiesports]

@@PebblesChan Great! Thanks for watching agreeing with my points! 👍👍👍

[@kjellhenninghansen8885]

Mastfoot push maybe? 😁

[@Cookiesports]

🤔