| Windsurfing Forums
|
| Author |
Messages |
|
sailorboysteve
Posts:23
 |
| 10/01/2007 9:49 AM |
|
Dear Waggie,
I'm guessing you've done something like 15+ of these races, so might have some further knowledge to impart on us mortals. Any further suggestions for a first timer doing the race? I'm an intermediate of sorts sailor, waterstarts not a problem but gybes don't happen that often.
Now the conventional wisdom seems to be carry as much sail as you can handle for the start whre it's windiest. That's cool if you're planning on taking 20mins in your '07 kit. But for us hackers who expect a longer race, does the sheer physicality of hanging on a boom for so damn long without a rest not become a serious issue? Assuming we've got 20kts (as the guru currently tunes us), what size sail would be ballpark?
Also, start time must be seriously cluttered, would do you do with 50+ string puppets bobbing around. As we're reaching, I'm guessing you'd want to try and stay above them?
Am I just being paranoid, or should I bring the brown wetsuit?
Anyway, looking forward to it as a first windsurfing race ever it's good to be doing a classic. |
|
|
|
|
ianm
Posts:1
|
| 10/01/2007 1:48 PM |
|
I’m also an intermediate who spends time perfecting my water starts because of my bad gibing… anyway I tried the dash 2 years ago and the only words of advice I can offer is to definitely wear the ‘brown’ wetsuit ;) … seriously what you might want to try is getting used to sailing down wind… this might sound trivial but heading downwind for a long distance definitely feels different to normal sailing, remembering that a times you are going at true wind speed and there are ‘weird’ moments where there is no pull in the sail. Also watch for the swell, which can be quite big in the middle of the bay, so depending on the wind speed, a massive board might be difficult, but not too small as there are lulls. Theoretically there are only 4 or 5 gibes but depending on how well you adapt to sailing downwind you might have to attempt a few more. Saying all this there are plenty of rescue craft picking up the tail-enders so if you have had enough just wave one of them over. I’m sure that Waggy will have some interesting points but that is my 5c from a newbie. Good luck. Cheers Ian |
|
|
|
|
WAggles
Posts:317
|
| 10/01/2007 4:57 PM |
|
As mentioned by "ianm" down wind sailing is a different ball game.
My advice to a mere mortal is the following:
Board:
Pick a board that you are really comfortable on. A freestyle/wave or Super X kind of board would be the best. Set the board up with one foot strap at the back which will give you the control that you would need. The fin that you choose on the day would depend on the wind strength and the direction of the tide. The mast track should be set a little further back than the normal setting.
Sail:
Select a sail that you know you can finish on. I other words a sail that is the right size at the end. Set your harness lines a little forward from the normal position. You can also use harness lines that are longer than normal. The closer the lines are together the better so that you can feather the sail easier.
Harnes:
Use a waist harness. This help you sail in a more upright position.
As you sail down wind. Go as deep as possible and then point back up a little to get the power in the sail back. If you look back at your wake you should see an “S’. Use the gusts to go deeper and point up in the lulls.
Waggy |
|
|
|
|
WAggles
Posts:317
|
| 10/01/2007 10:16 PM |
|
I missed one thing with the sail. Bag the sail, give the sail room to breath. Keep the downhaul tension as per normal and pull minimal outhaul. If you have an adjustable outhaul, let it all out.
Waggy |
|
|
|
|
WAggles
Posts:317
|
| 15/01/2007 10:00 AM |
|
| So.... What happend.... lets get some feedback. Waggy |
|
|
|
|
Matthew
Posts:160
|
|
Matthew
Posts:160
|
|
sailorboysteve
Posts:23
|
| 15/01/2007 1:41 PM |
|
umm, ja, well.
The advice of carrying a large as possible a sail was proven correct beyond wildest expectations. Big volume boards are also cool.
When you're not planing, you're not windsurfing. 5.5 rig was just not enough, and really struggled once I got past the iron ore jetty, going low enough and trying to stay on gusts for as long as possible. But hey, got round the course and a hunter's never tasted so sweet. We had a race within a race amongst mates at the back, and cane funnels are still to be consumed. The start was also quite an experience, and I think they should charge spectators to sit on that first keelboat!
quite a cool event though, despite the swearing, I'm pretty sure I'll be back!
|
|
|
|
|
SteveM
Posts:28
|
| 15/01/2007 3:27 PM |
|
I think better advice would have been to double your sail area, and add string..
5 windsurfers in the top 30 kinda tells the story.
My experience was a bit like doing the Midmar Mile ten times in a row, while dragging my kit behind me.
I`ve had more fun at the dentist..
|
|
|
|
|
Naish
Posts:201
|
| 15/01/2007 11:56 PM |
|
Hi Guys
Personaly, taking part is the best advice. Really doesn't matter where you place, just as long as you get wet. Best advice is after the race! Extra Cold, or Ice Cold beer!
Taking part on a board or kite will provide the best input to your hands and head.
Rob |
|
|
|
|
Rudolph
Posts:12
|
|
SteveM
Posts:28
|
| 16/01/2007 12:03 PM |
|
Yeah my first message on this was a bit harsh, but I swam-gybed every mark, and after the second turn I battled to waterstart, so I was almost dead last from then on. I had a good dice with a kiter all the way out to the end of the ore terminal, was great while I was planing, a bit scary leaping over the back of a wave and nose-diving through the next trough, but it was better than the non-planing holes I found all too often. I had a 5.9 sail up, my 6.6 got damaged on Thursday afternoon, too late for a repair, and I could really have done with more sail area.
Next year can only be better.
Then again, we could do the whole thing again this weekend, the forecast for Saturday looks promising..... |
|
|
|
|
WAggles
Posts:317
|
| 16/01/2007 2:04 PM |
|
Well done to all that started.... Next year I will be on the water......
Waggy |
|
|
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
|
|
ActiveForums 3.7
|
|
|
| Windsurfers Online
|
 |
Membership: |
 |
Latest:
philhorrocks |
 |
New Today:
1 |
 |
New Yesterday:
1 |
 |
Overall:
392 |
 |
People Online: |
 |
Visitors:
0 |
 |
Members:
0 |
 |
Total:
0 |
Online Now:
|
|
|
|
|