Great explanation. I'm keen to go - who else has registered?

I'd be keen to do the practice run with you. I have a 7.5 ncx but would need to get my hands on a slalom board

jbdusty said...
I'd be keen to do the practice run with you. I have a 7.5 ncx but would need to get my hands on a slalom board

Do you have a freeride board? Should do the trick and may be a little easier in the chop. My slalom board has a lot of v in the bottom so it's great for the bay, but I'm guessing I'll need to watch the low nose doesn't plough into the back of the swell if the wind is strong.

I did the Ledge to Lancelin on a Carve 111 with a 7.5 and I'm glad I was on something that user friendly.

I think the general rule with a downwinder is to choose a size larger than you'd usually sail on for a regular in and back session.

Sailing off the wind means your apparent wind is lower so you should be ok with a larger sail. It'll also help you point further downwind before feeling your sail depower as you run ahead of the wind. I'm not sure of the Across the Bay course (are there markers we need to go around?) but I'm assuming being able to point further downwind will be an advantage.

The other thing I learned from the LOC was to have your back foot straps as inboard as possible. This helps with control in the chop and reduces the pressure in your back leg - which will almost certainly be cramping at the end of a long powered up 5km downwind run!

Anyone keen tonight to sail from Dendy street to St Kilda west at 5pm (up from the Zoo)? Let me know if keen. Winds look ideal practice around 20 knots S/SSW.

Cheers,

Cameron.