SURF REPORT #1

Since I started wsurfing, considering the number of days that were windy enough to enjoy a good wsurf session, this year was definitely the worst! Last two days were a exception to that rule. The bura we had, was not too strong, but it was a real refreshement. I used my 6.6 m2 sail with 134L board, and it was just enough to plane.

Too bad I had to work, so I could not arrive at the spot sooner than 5 P.M., but I still pulled a solid 2 hrs session. Here are some shots of bura I made with my cell. in the morning before going to work.

At that time the wind had a speed of 40-50 knots, but it fell to 30 in the afternoon. The thing about bura is that it never blows with constant speed, rather with strikes that last for couple of minutes. So even if the wind grows weaker, you can still hope for a bright moment.

A tip for the newcomers: when trimming a sail, always consider the strenght of the wind! With correct amount of downhaul, outhaul and other "rope pulling", you can fine tune your sail, and optimise it for the wind conditions you are facing at the moment! A good tuned and balanced equipment can save you a lot of headache!

WINDSURFING TIPS

I don't want this blog to turn out to be too technical, so I intend to write more about those little things that could make a beginner windsurfer's life mutch easier.

Let's assume that you have already mastered some basic skills. By that I mean getting the sail out of the water, "catching" the wind, surfing in the desired direction and returning to the location on the shore where you started from. By my opinion, these are all the necessary things a windsurfer must know, before he even attempts to wsurf on stronger winds. When you decide you can handle the real action, keep in mind these tips:

- Surfing on a stronger wind requires a different technique and a different type of equipment.

- The most important thing about windsurfing is balance - balancing your own skill and weight, size of the board, sail and the fin, against the power of elements of nature - wind and water.

- Don't ever allow yourself to underestimate the wind, especially if you are surfing on a spot that is not your local and you are not fully familiar with the climate.

- Start watching the weather (wind) forecast

- Keep you eyes open! Always check out what equipment setup (sail size) other windsurfers are using, and don't be ashamed to ask for help.

- Use short 5 minutes breaks during a session. That way you will definitely be able to endure longer on the water.

- There is always a possibility that some part of your equipment could break, so keep in mind that someone should always know where you are (stay in the line of sight).

That's enough for now, time to go practicing!