As flatwater + wind are hard to find, what are the tricks for going fast through chop?
Obviously some decent wind is the first requirement!
Thanks

Windxtasy I recall this topic was covered a year ago or so. Try trawling the forum.

I asked Jesper the same thing last week...

His reply -> "stay sheeted in and smash through it!"

if you're comfy with your rig go fast as you'll catapult more if you mow them down and not enjoy bouncing around in chop..I try to look ahead 5mtrs or so and visualize what to avoid either downwind or upwind..true it's easy to say than do but it's the only way

I always keep my boom high as this lets your board ride higher. This promotes your board to fly like a magic carpet accross the top of the bumps instead of dropping down into the troughs and throwing you off balance. I also use a slightly longer fin to increase lift and to help with keeping your fin in the wet stuff.

And dont SHEET out

elmo said...

Close your eyes and think of PB's

love that reply!

So, is the aim to go straight and blast over the top of the chop, or to weave a line in the troughs between the peaks?

when going hard downwind I tend to get the feeling like my nose of my board is digging in to the back of the wave infront and my whole board slows down a fair amount

I have a feeling its my board (jp freeride 268 55cm wide 2001 model) as my mates tabou rocket doesn't do it even though its 14cm wider (but a lot shorter i spose to).

In small waves i can control it but when i'm going fast and in big swell (LOC stuff) I get smashed.

Anything that can be done to stop this. Or is it get newer gear stuff.

downwind you'll be following chop, if relatively flat, chop should be small and closely spaced, your trying to trim the board so it is either flying over the top of chop or acting as if you are joining and touching the top of the chop with the bottom of your board (trust in gear and confidence in your ability impt here, the go for it Elmo attitude is required)

Across the wind or slightly broad, depending on size of chope and size of trough between chop, sailing in the trough in small chop can be fast, ocean swell chop, sailing on the top can be fast, then trying to line up so you go from one trough into the next. (Lots of concentration here picking your line/s, as is not one contimuous long trough, selecting the transitions from one trough line to the next)

Upwind, depends whether you are racing or just trying to get back upwind, the line of least resistance, lots of shock absorbing with knees and ankles

wespyyl said...

when going hard downwind I tend to get the feeling like my nose of my board is digging in to the back of the wave infront and my whole board slows down a fair amount

I have a feeling its my board (jp freeride 268 55cm wide 2001 model) as my mates tabou rocket doesn't do it even though its 14cm wider (but a lot shorter i spose to).

In small waves i can control it but when i'm going fast and in big swell (LOC stuff) I get smashed.

Anything that can be done to stop this. Or is it get newer gear stuff.

Wes I've never ridden a JP but I wouldn't replace it, freerides love swell. Swap boards with your mate and see how you both go.

Me, I steer down through the swell crossing over at an angle, use your legs like a suspension so you don't get too much air. If you're hitting the back of the swell try going further downwind.