Windsurfing getting planning technique; to avoid going upwind

[@FranciscoNogueira]

Pretty simple and cool video. No fanciness; no unnecessary stuff. Straight to the point in one of the most clear explanations I've seen to date.

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

Thanks for a great comment

[@RainbowBelow]

Nice one! Very accurately described and explained in simple terms!

[@nunocarvalho5105]

Many thanks for this explanation, I have been struggling with this...

[@motsbane]

Thanks so much!

[@GerardoRodriguez-xb6pt]

Help me a lot, good simple education. Thanks!

[@motsbane]

Looking forward to that day!

[@andrasgefferth968]

Very important is not to look down at your feet while getting in the straps! You can look down for a moment BEFORE you do that. Especially with the back foot my trick is to put it right in front of the strap (after I stepped in with the front foot), so I can feel the strap with my foot. Then when I need to step in, I know exactly without looking where I need to step. The correct timing will also come naturally: there is a short moment when you feel weight is automatically lifted from back foot. That's the moment you have to step in. Whether to do it before or after planing: I found that it depends on the board. On some boards, mainly the larger and freestyle ones it is ok to get in the straps before planing, provided the wind is strong enough. Then you need to bear away (ie turn towards downwind) strongly. The board will accelerate, get planing. After that you can change your course to sail upwind.

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

Thanks Andras for your comment! I may remake this video one day because ive had alot more practise and i probably need to explain it again. The other viewers can read your tips aswell so thanks again for leaving the comments, cheers mate.

[@trexinvert]

The way a beginner or intermediate rides the board like a boat is very different from planing which is really like doing a "wheelie" on a skateboard or snowboard. At low wind, to practice you can basically go directly down wind with the boom directly across your body. Then yank back the sail and tip the nose up. This is the feeling. The control parameters is body weight lean fore/aft and pulling the boom fore/aft. However, now the turning when truly planing is all heel and toe like a true surfboard on a wave. Understanding this is the key. It's impossible to be in the footstraps in low wind condition where you ride on board like a boat. Imagine a speed boat going faster and tipping back on it's tail, now that's planing. However, on a windsurfing setup the rider has to force the nose up and then find the equilibrium with feet in the straps and riding on one edge of the tail.

[@loskiff]

I think there is an important step before sliding the back foot in, which is move the back foot towards the rail just in front of the back strap. This movement is very important because in the way you described it you will always end in a catapult since as you lift the back foot the sail is too much upright and will throw you out the front door. Better is to slide on the rail of the board, this let the sail to close and accelerate the board, now you can slide the foot in opening the sail a little to reduce the pressure on the back foot and allow you to lift it. Since you have accelerated is important not to wait too long to slide the foot in otherwise the speed will be too high and you won't be able to move your foot anymore.

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

Brilliant comment thankyou. I went out on the weekend and I had alot of trouble getting the rear foot in. I'll definitely try the sliding technique you are describing. Also, I noted your point about not leaving it too late because it gets choppy and more difficult to move rear foot. Thanks again and I really like your comment!

[@loskiff]

@@beginnerwindsurfer2589 yes timing is critical, especially if choppy, because the foot in the straps help you to amortize the bumps and to stay locked on the board. Watch this video, is very good to learn how to move the sail to get in the straps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl6aYohrnbyBic0

[@Lucas_Acoustic]

Thanks , great video!

[@paulosilva-dm1qb]

Really cool tip.....Thanks!

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

Very welcome

[@dhat1607]

Try to learn to sail sub-planing in the footstraps - well worth the effort to have this skill in the quiver. To be able to do this you need to hang in the harness with the sail forward as much as possible with fairly bent legs - get onto the plane by bearing off and pushing the board onto the plane. It also enables you to stay in the straps when coming off the plane in a lull, and it also avoids catapults so a good method if the wind is strong. It is fairly tiring so only do it shortly before you anticipate a gust or if the wind is strong enough. I am a heavyweight - 100kg and I sail a 120l Rocket and 115 3S in this way. It would be easier with more excess volume.

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

Thanks for your comment here and suggestion on the approach you describe. I find where I windsurf I'm sub-planing often in 15 knots or less so I'll give your suggestion a go thanks!

[@dhat1607]

If the conditions are marginal you will get very tired very quickly as it is a tool to get to planing in the straps or bridge two planing runs. It works better in stronger winds 17+. No harm in trying in low wind though ;)

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

@@dhat1607 No prob makes sense. Thanks for contributing here to the discussions, cheers.

[@Red-Door]

This is what's working best in gusty conditions. Where I surf it's always gusty so I'll always try to get in the straps a few seconds before the gust arives (not planing). The trick is to keep looking for the gusts all the time and to keep as much weight as possible in the harness. Also keep the board as flat as you can, push your toes down and lift your heels. Even bend your knees if you have to. (Although better if you don't) You'd be suprised how early you can get in the straps with the right technique. However, it can be very exhausting so use it wisely and only before a powerful gust.

[@dhat1607]

Update from a recent trip. Learn to waterstart in the straps. This will only be possible being slightly overpowered to fully overpoweree, but once you nail this it will make a massive difference to you entire understanding of how to control the board. I accidently learnt how to do this by falling in backwards still in the harness and footstraps and then was able to get up again immediately. Now I can do it all the time in strong wind.

[@Tony-lc7op]

Thanks !

[@M-art2224]

Can you explain a bit more how you avoid heading upwind when you take your front foot off. That seems to be my biggest problem. Thanks,

[@beginnerwindsurfer2589]

Hi Mark, Keep your feet out the footsteps until you are planning faster. Don't lift any feet until then, Cheers.

[@J3hudi]

the key is to put all weight on the front foot - while as much in the harness. when u get planinnig you can switch the weight to the rear foot and get into front footstrap

[@ninjan_11]

whats poppin milner