ow wos the sailing up there yesterday guys? Nebbian? Haircut? Was the shore break enough for the 2.5 year-old Gestalt?

still working on the photos.... will write up some info soon....

did you stay overnight haircut?

I was there, had a great time. Did a couple of jumps, although didn't land them... one in particular had me halfway up the sail, not attached to anything, wondering what part of the board I would hit when I came down

It was really good to have an introduction to windsurfing in swell, some of the waves coming through were about a metre deep, with big pockets. Managed to catch a couple of waves in the shorebreak back into shore, now I've got some idea of what those surfers are on about...

One problem I had though was staying upwind -- I'd spend 200 metres just trying to get planing then head upwind, but after a splatt gybe and another 200 metres slogging, I'd get back to the shore a fair way downwind. If a gust came through when I was starting to head down the back of a wave then I would start planing, but otherwise it was slog city. Was told that perhaps my fin is too small, I think it's around 31 cm or so. Has anyone else had that experience when out in swell for the first time? I've got no problems staying upwind in flat water, but it looks like swell is a different kettle of fish... Also how much outhaul did everyone else have on? I had max down and outhaul on a wave 5.7 sail, 104 litre board, I'm 80 kg. Perhaps I needed a bit less outhaul?

Completely stuffed after doing the walk of shame a number of times, the last time I couldn't even get out past the (admittedly small) shorebreak! Well worth it though

i think that is called a planing tack......

i think you were in form on saturday haircut. it was great to watch...thanks for coming up. will be down your way soon...

at least i could take photos of you. every time i took a photo of vando all i got was a yellow blur across the screen.i think the gps boys should be very scared.....

Dont worry too much nebbian it was tough conditions and not a very encouraging introduction to open water sailing. Chop was running from several directions and I suspect there was a bit of a sweep up the beach (enough to affect the board but not very noticeable).

I did learn something- hypersonics and those conditions do not mix... at least I didnt make the walk of shame aye Pat?

Hi nebbian

I'm 60kg and was on an 85 litre board at suttons beach with a 5.5m wave sail. I also used a 75 ltr wave board for a while and had no problems staying up wind on both boards. I agree with Notwal that you were probably a bit underpowered. I always thought the flatter the sail, the better for doing upwind? I actually came in and gave my sail a bit more outhaul as it felt a bit full and hard to handle out further. I was then pointing no probs at all.

Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

quote:

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I did learn something- hypersonics and those conditions do not mix...

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I saw you heading out into the shorebreak, it looked difficult to get past the breakers with such a wide board!!

Perhaps mkseven has the right answer, when I was planing I was outpointing many guys, I'd sail way off upwind, there would be two or three guys well downwind of me, every time I was absolutely certain I was really really going to be OK this time, then after the inevitable fall in to gybe I ended up back on the beach substantially downwind. The couple of waterstarts I had to do on the way back in probably didn't help either

Not to worry, apart from one catapult 20m from a rocky spit where I was sure I was going to end up as shark food (sail was on the wrong side, really concentrated on getting that waterstart right!) there were no major incidents, I learnt a heck of a lot, and I'm looking forward to trying out Currumbin when the waves are small