Lesson learned..Don't paddle too far out with an off shore wind..

These things don't like wind..even 5-10 knots can be difficult...Down wind is a different story..but even down winding can be tricky to start with.

I think you need to pick your days to start with..Once you get better you will know what to do..Sometimes it's best to kneel down and paddle into a headwind.

A couple of weeks ago I did a downwinder with a couple of friends and one of them was a girl that had only done it a few times..As we headed downwind we needed to head off on a slight angle to make the point or we would be heading towards Tasmania next stop..

She could not get the angle thing happening and was drifting too much in the wrong direction..The wind was getting stronger (25 knots) and I paddled over to her and knelled down and told her to do the same (even tho I was fine standing).

She was still finding it hard going with the homemade paddle that she had..and I was getting a bit worried..I had my Carbon Naish paddle and I swapped paddles with her hoping it would make it easier and give her more power..and it did.

Once back on coarse and certain to make the point I couldn't wait to swap paddles and get my paddle back..even tho she'd loved to keep using it..[}:)]

Anyway...We live and learn..and look back now and laugh about it...I hope your girl does the same..btw..Make sure next time it's glass..

DJ