Using a flexible fin will dump the power in the gusts helping to keep the board down.

A curved tip fin helps with this too.

Boom height a bit lower especially if the wind is strong.

Rail the board up --- meaning get the windward rail higher than the far way rail.

You do this by digging in back foot toes while lifting your heel.

Then in the lulls---pull back in the harness for further lift. In the gusts you do the opposite--- you push your upper body forward to reduce lift.

All the while----- maintaining that back foot pressure with the toes.

Might not be the orthodox or correct technique but it works with a bit of practice.

I have no brains ---- used a 5.5 in 12 knots

petermac33 said..
Using a flexible fin will dump the power in the gusts helping to keep the board down.

A curved tip fin helps with this too.

Boom height a bit lower especially if the wind is strong.

Rail the board up --- meaning get the windward rail higher than the far way rail.

You do this by digging in back foot toes while lifting your heel.

Then in the lulls---pull back in the harness for further lift. In the gusts you do the opposite--- you push your upper body forward to reduce lift.

All the while----- maintaining that back foot pressure with the toes.

Might not be the orthodox or correct technique but it works with a bit of practice.

Petie, the occasional bit of ferry wake rolling through the Melville Beach shallows does not constitute "really rough water"

The boards seemed so strong in those days!! I use to do horrible things to my sputnik 270, bic electric rock hardly a scratch. I did destroy a Tiga 270 in one season on the Port Phillip bay though! Can't they make the boards out of the old construction in a new shape for rough water sailing!! Market there, anybody???

This is choppier!

Trousers said..

Nice vid! The master at work. I would have watched RIP on crusty VHS a dozen times when it came out, but those highlight clips are the only bits that stayed with me. I thought Naish stacked it hard at the end of that ocean run where he's being followed by a low-flying choppah but maybe I got it wrong.

Yes he did stack, he was pushing it hard, I suppose she was only about 20 when the video was made? A bit of OT wavesailing to sit through, but this clip shows the stack right at the end.

When you are making an Omelet you have to break some eggs

Haggar said..
When you are making an Omelet you have to break some eggs

Yup, and you've made more omelettes than most Glenny-boy!

The regular chop at our surf slalom spot

And this how the boss makes it looks like

Ok it was only the second day but still decent chop and he makes it looking too easy...

My tips: stay focused and concentrated, but don't get afraid, that is the beginning of the end
Choose a larger board with a smaller sail.
Search for comfort first, then work on the speed
~shinobi