BEACH START

Based on the results of the poll that has just closed, I've decided to bring beach and water start a bit closer to the beginners.

Standing on the longboard during a lightwind surfing session and getting the sail out of the water is a good way to start, but as soon as you begin sailing on stronger winds, you will notice that that is also one of the most exhausting manouvers if you try to perform it in a stronger wind (not to mention that it is a very difficult one if you are using a sinking board). Like most of the things about windsurfing, it's all about utilising the wind and letting it work for you, not against you. So to put it in a few words, why raise the sail and spend energy, while you can let the sail lift you out of the water, put you on the board and save your strenght? I'm gonna start with BEACH START first, so this if how it works:

- first of all you need a wind that is strong enough to lift you out of the water. The minimal amount of wind depends on your weight and sail size.

- beach start is performed as the name states - at the beach, or better said in shallow water. The shallower the water is, the easier it is to pull the start through, but think about your board fin! Consider the fact that the fin is very easily damaged, so make sure that the water is deep enough.

-Start practicing by positioning the board and the sail as shown on figure 1. The Board should be facing downwind, and the sail should be floating at the surface.

!!! TIP !!! Start lifting the sail from the top of the mast

Figure 1.

As you lift the top of the sail, and if you have everything positioned as it should be, you will notice that the wind is "filling" the sail and you shoul be able to lift it with almost no effort. Keep both of your arms on the mast, as you progress towards the boom. Make sure that the board keeps facing downwind.

Figure 2.

At this point you should be able to hold the mast with one (left) hand and the boom with the other (right). By moving your right hand closer or further from your body, you will notice that the sail gains less or more pull. That is called SHEETING IN or OUT. When you sheet in, the sail starts to pull, and when you sheet out, it loses the pull.

Figure 3.

This is the final step in the process.

- keep the board facing downwind

- get as closer to the board as possible

- sheet in as much as possible as you put your back (right) foot on the board first (1.)

Figure 4.

-If all is good, and all the conditions are satisfied, the sail should lift you out of the water. Put your front foot on the board (2.).

- As soon as you climb the board, make sure to sheet out, so you don't get catapulted.

- When you put your back foot on the board (1.), make sure you don't place it too close to the tail.