QLD
235 posts
does anyone have any tips on dealing with easterly almost crosswind and swell when doing downwinder. did about 12km on east / southeast wind and did not paddle once on right hand side of board, apart from being ****ed from paddling same side for 1 hour can't stop thinking there must be an easier way, only new to trying downwinders help would be apprecieated
QLD
692 posts
Get a board with a rudder
NSW
188 posts
Turn around and go the other way. Or get a board with a rudder.
VIC
17570 posts
I've found that there are a few tricks to making it easier.
Stepping back and trying to carve or steer the board while doing wide sweeping paddle strokes doesn't do much.. and it's hard work.
You're better off moving forward on the board and always make sure the board is pointed the direction you want to go before you even start paddling.. Stop and back paddle if you have to to get the board pointed the right way.
Sometimes you can paddle for ages with the board pointed the wrong direction and even with wide sweeping strokes the board will just go the wrong direction and you will be just paddling it that direction.
Learn to surf the board the way you want to head when on runners.. even slight runs can be steered across.. Sometimes using the opposite rail will make the board rail up and turn across a runner better than trying to carve it across.
Practice makes perfect.. It will just click for you one day.
DJ
