It is time to get ready for windsurfing! In a perfect world you would have 25 knots, the sun shining, the water clean and clear and all the time in the world to blast back and forth honing in your skills! Reality sometimes begs to differ so when you get the chance to hit the water, make sure you are ready to have a good time!
- Fitness first! People always ask how to keep in shape for windsurfing- the best answer for that question is windsurfing! Ha- there is nothing like it!!!! It works your entire body and even muscles you never knew you had! My real answer there is cardio. Get on the bike, do your runs or walks or whatever you can to get a base going. Jumping rope is also a good one. For the muscles, I like pull ups. They toughen up your hands and give the body a good workout. For those that want to follow a good program, check this out: Windsurfing Workout
- Check your gear before you head to the beach. It may have been sitting around for a bit and getting tired. The most important is your universal- make sure that rubber tendon is not going to fail you. The last thing you want is a swim in due to a $10 part that can easily be replaced. Inspect your sails for rips or tears that can easily be fixed. Get a roll of Session Saver sail tape and some Ding stick to have on hand, this will keep you going.
- Rig it right! Don't rush out to get on the water and do a half-ass rig job. Take your time to tune the sail. If you don't know, ask someone for their 2 cents! Most windsurfers love to be helpful. Check your foot straps making sure your feet fit in easily. The last thing you want is that big catapult right off the beach because you look down at your feet trying to get them in the straps! Check out this Rigging video for some refreshers!
- When you first step on your board, assuming you are doing a beach-start, make sure your front foot goes far forward (right next to the mast foot) with your TOES pointed to the NOSE! This little tip is one of my favorite nuggets of knowledge as it orients the hips and helps you stay upwind. You are naturally twisting upwind and able to see the wind/ water coming at you.
- Many of you know my ruling on harness lines...... Most people are using too short a setting for their lines. Your elbow should be able to go inside your line with the palm of your hand open under the boom. Measure the distance from your elbow to your wrist and that should get you close to the right length. For an in-depth discussion on this, Hit this Link
- Look where you want to go. ALWAYS! No matter if you are sailing in a straight line, upwind, downwind, sidewind or whatever- Look where you are going. Similar to driving a car. Can't find your footstraps, use your feet to feel for them. Look down = Go Down! Watch This
- Smile and Breathe! My favorite tip of them all. It also works really good for everyday LIFE.
