Watching the Alan Cadiz video, has anyone tried the traditional windsurfer water start as he demonstrates around the 2:40 mark and had any success?

Having spent many years windsurfing, it seems like the way to go in decent winds. Note, I haven't tried to appreciate the differences or the difficulties of using a wing to water start. I'm currently doing knee starts on a 100 L board but looking hard for something around the 40 L mark.

Great topic all. I am 85kg and knee start my 54l prone no probs but was too much volume to sink. Great for lower wind days but realised I could likely get a sinker and get up fairly easy on this also. had been considering the new 4'10 39L or 4'5 FG Armie 34L and decided on 4'5. Hopefully will have in about 5 weeks. Am wondering though if the 4'10 will be better but have heard these ride or feel like they have more volume than they have. Hopefully I am not making it too hard on myself.

love to know if anyone else is getting one of these boards or thoughts one these sizes.

Capt.Gumby said..
Watching the Alan Cadiz video, has anyone tried the traditional windsurfer water start as he demonstrates around the 2:40 mark and had any success?

Having spent many years windsurfing, it seems like the way to go in decent winds. Note, I haven't tried to appreciate the differences or the difficulties of using a wing to water start. I'm currently doing knee starts on a 100 L board but looking hard for something around the 40 L mark.

I have pulled off e few of those waterstarts on my 80L with ripping winds. They were more tiring than the knee start, mostly because it took a bunch of tries in big gusts. The trick for me was while sitting in position in straps, to use the rear most handles on the wing and project it straight up into air to catch the most wind and create the most effective hinge to pull me out. I also squat as much as I can and let it roll me ontop of the board. Being grossly overpowered on a medium size wing seemed like the only way to do it. Its probably easier on more of a sinker. I was using a Slingshot Dart which does all kinds of weird and magical things that I can't do on regular wings. Good luck!

dave101 said..
Great topic all. I am 85kg and knee start my 54l prone no probs but was too much volume to sink. Great for lower wind days but realised I could likely get a sinker and get up fairly easy on this also. had been considering the new 4'10 39L or 4'5 FG Armie 34L and decided on 4'5. Hopefully will have in about 5 weeks. Am wondering though if the 4'10 will be better but have heard these ride or feel like they have more volume than they have. Hopefully I am not making it too hard on myself.

love to know if anyone else is getting one of these boards or thoughts one these sizes.

Hey Eppo. I actually did the exact same thing. I locked in a 4'10 then the more I thought about it and based on some people riding them...one in particularly at 82kg...I ended up changed to the 4'5. What was your weight? I still have my 5'3 54L prone for low wind days and for small prone waves. It's always good to have goals and something to progress to. Well that's what I am telling myself .

Capt.Gumby let us know how you go on your 40L.