Q&A #2 : Responding to your comments (6)
Henry: I windsurf with a JP super light wind pro 154. My front foot goes very easy into the front strap, but to get in the back foot strap I fail because of the speed, so when I touch the water my foot jumps out of it.
Will: I had a similar issue when I was using a JP slalom 132 because the foot straps were so outboard and I would just kick the water 😂 Two things that I did: just do it as quick as you can and early (don’t wait till your top speed before putting your foot in). Next is strange, lift your front foot up and try to dig in the leeward rail so the windward rail comes up slightly and the board away from the water.
Julian: Hi Will, your explanation regarding the front foot strap is very helpful. But when it comes to the rear one, I read and saw pretty much the opposite of what you say: getting weight off the back foot in order to move it you need to lean forward and into the harness which is easier when going slightly upwind, isn’t it?
Will: Hi Julian, thanks for the feedback. Getting your weight off the back foot is right and from speaking to different windsurfers both work. If you lean forward and into the harness like you say that will keep the weight off the back foot and yes you can head slightly upwind for this method. The way I keep the weight off the back foot is to increase the mast foot pressure by keeping the power in the sail which forces the front of the board down which allows me to freely move my back foot and put it into the strap, it also means that I don’t have to adjust my point of sail and means I can accelerate through the whole procedure. Hope this helps to clarify, let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts.
Peter: For the back foot, by mast foot pressure you mean “sitting” in harness? Or leaning the sail a bit forward so that you feel the pull and all the weight goes on your front foot and back foot becomes light for lifting and putting in the strap? Or a bit of both?
Will: You’re quite right with a bit of both those techniques. “sitting” in the harness will actually pull down on the boom giving you more mast foot pressure. Also leaning the sail forward will definitely increase mast foot pressure and shift the weight/force acting down more towards the front of the board. You hit the nail on the head there saying that your back foot becomes light and that’s exactly the goal. As soon as it becomes light its so much easier to move.
Pavel: I’m trying to learn the carve jibe. From your experience, is it better to learn in lighter wind using bigger gear or stronger wind with smaller gear?
Will: I would say given the two options “big gear and light winds” as the consequences are much less. However it depends on how brave you are as in strong winds with a smaller sail, if you have confidence it is slightly easier to complete the gybe as you’ll have power the whole time. TBH I felt most comfortable learning with a 5.5 in medium winds (20 knots) which gave me enough power to enter the gybe and a small enough sail to control the sail easily.
Lucas: If I try to get in the foot straps I’m luffing, how can i prevent that?
Will: More Speed. If you bear away from the wind you will gain more speed and more mast foot pressure so when you go to move your feet back you won’t sink the tail and screw up into the wind.
A1 GRAPH: Could you once explain difference between no cam and cam sails. What are advantages of both types?
Will: Really the main difference is the shape. With a Cam sail the shape is fixed and will perform a lot better in inconsistent conditions as the sail will be able to retain shape and will keep both the power and speed consistently. I personally prefer using no cam sails when I’m free riding as they are easier to use but when I’m going for max power and speed I’ll use a cam sail.
