I used to be able to carry the gear on my head 20 years ago but a break from sailing + a crook neck has me hopeless these days. I think the neck will be up to carrying the smaller kit but I've forgotten how to get the gear from the ground up onto my head.. Any diagrams , videos etc will be great..
I remember I used to line the nose of the board into the wind upside down with the rig on top mast away from the wind then get under it and lift it up.. here's where I come a cropper these days..That technique was to start to carry the board up Nobby's in NE. I think I used to stand the opposite way to go back down..??
Too old and unfit for the surf these days but I sail at Canton and there is a 30' wide patch of deep weed to negotiate to get into the water. Weed gets hung up on everything so carrying the gear on your head in & out will be better. I'll have to get it up there from grass though whereas before it was on sand and I could bury the nose in a bit as I lifted..
Tip:
You should somebody else have it done for you.
If that doesnt work I have another tip...
Unfortunately he isn't around when I need him..
Mind you I like the sense of autonomy you get when you carry the gear your self.. Thanks .Bit rusty so Ill have to get someone to show me I think. I'm also a bit worried about damaging the sail window from my head ( helmet on).
7a is where I start having problems. ( take the fin out from under the boom and lay the board on top) lifting it up to go on my head.. I suppose where I sail there often isn't a lot of wind on the shore to help..
This how I used to carry it when I got it up on my head.. ( 20 years younger and fitter then.
).
technique is the same as 20 years ago. DOnt worry about your helmet damaging the sail. same pressure on it as your noggin.
For what it's worth, I've tried to learn this a couple of times and given up. Too much strain on the neck lifting it all above my head and never worked out the angles or perfect conditions for the wind to help - and a high risk of damaging stuff if you drop it. Don't know whether its because I'm a shorty? Have resigned myself to two trips now
Select to expand quoteMike105 said..
For what it's worth, I've tried to learn this a couple of times and given up. Too much strain on the neck lifting it all above my head and never worked out the angles or perfect conditions for the wind to help - and a high risk of damaging stuff if you drop it. Don't know whether its because I'm a shorty? Have resigned myself to two trips now
I'm putting down my trouble to age and lack of fitness..? I know once its up I'm ok..It just seems a lot heavier than it used to be..
Although I used to carry a 86ltre epoxy board and now have a 95ltre modern ( c 7-8kgs) but I doubt that would weigh much more?..
Select to expand quoteboardboy said..
technique is the same as 20 years ago. DOnt worry about your helmet damaging the sail. same pressure on it as your noggin.
I was wondering if modern sails can handle the pressure..
Connect board to rig
Lie the sail down with the mast foot facing into wind, wind about 45 degrees over the foot / mast
Turn the board over and either rest the tail on the boom at the boom head, or tuck it under the boom with tail touching the mast
One hand in front footstrap, other on underside of boom and lever it up, with the board nose and boom tail still on the ground
Move under the whole rig and either lift above your head or rest the sail on your head and stand up.
Keep hold of footstrap by reaching around the mast and hold either boom or foot of sail (like in your photo) with the other hand. Scratch first because now you have no spare hands.
Walk with the wind coming at about 45 degrees over the front of the board / mast.
Don't turn around, don't let the wind get under the nose of the board, don't let the top of the sail hit a fence / tree / car / dog / small goat
Stagger along like a drunken fool with a large weight on their head towards the ocean in a round about route
To drop it off put it down with the board nose and boom tail resting on the ground and step out from underneath or - turn away from the wind and get slammed to your knees then climb out, or into wind and get flipped over breaking several body parts in the process.
Now go see a neck specialist and take severel weeks off the water
Alternatively.... just make two trips
And on both trips laugh at all the fools slammed under their rigs / with sprained necks / trying to pull a sail off a fence / staggering backwards towards a large transvestite dog
Repeat 100 times until you work out two trips is quicker than one and hurts a lot less
Select to expand quoteCarantoc said..
Connect board to rig
Lie the sail down with the mast foot facing into wind, wind about 45 degrees over the foot / mast
Turn the board over and either rest the tail on the boom at the boom head, or tuck it under the boom with tail touching the mast
One hand in front footstrap, other on underside of boom and lever it up, with the board nose and boom tail still on the ground
Move under the whole rig and either lift above your head or rest the sail on your head and stand up.
Keep hold of footstrap by reaching around the mast and hold either boom or foot of sail (like in your photo) with the other hand. Scratch first because now you have no spare hands.
Walk with the wind coming at about 45 degrees over the front of the board / mast.
Don't turn around, don't let the wind get under the nose of the board, don't let the top of the sail hit a fence / tree / car / dog / small goat
Stagger along like a drunken fool with a large weight on their head towards the ocean in a round about route
To drop it off put it down with the board nose and boom tail resting on the ground and step out from underneath or - turn away from the wind and get slammed to your knees then climb out, or into wind and get flipped over breaking several body parts in the process.
Now go see a neck specialist and take severel weeks off the water
Alternatively.... just make two trips
And on both trips laugh at all the fools slammed under their rigs / with sprained necks / trying to pull a sail off a fence / staggering backwards towards a large transvestite dog
Repeat 100 times until you work out two trips is quicker than one and hurts a lot less
Thanks I've printed this to refer to and to make me laugh if I take it too seriously.. Sounds pretty well what I remember except I didn't need a neck specialist in those days..I will now..
..At 500m + each way Nobby's was easiest to do in one but it was the hardest part of the day just getting up to the start.. I'd die these days.. Canton will only be c 40' each way but with weed monster snatching at your body as you launch.
Select to expand quoteCarantoc said..
Connect board to rig
Lie the sail down with the mast foot facing into wind, wind about 45 degrees over the foot / mast
Turn the board over and either rest the tail on the boom at the boom head, or tuck it under the boom with tail touching the mast
One hand in front footstrap, other on underside of boom and lever it up, with the board nose and boom tail still on the ground
Move under the whole rig and either lift above your head or rest the sail on your head and stand up.
Keep hold of footstrap by reaching around the mast and hold either boom or foot of sail (like in your photo) with the other hand. Scratch first because now you have no spare hands.
Walk with the wind coming at about 45 degrees over the front of the board / mast.
Don't turn around, don't let the wind get under the nose of the board, don't let the top of the sail hit a fence / tree / car / dog / small goat
Stagger along like a drunken fool with a large weight on their head towards the ocean in a round about route
To drop it off put it down with the board nose and boom tail resting on the ground and step out from underneath or - turn away from the wind and get slammed to your knees then climb out, or into wind and get flipped over breaking several body parts in the process.
Now go see a neck specialist and take severel weeks off the water
Alternatively.... just make two trips
And on both trips laugh at all the fools slammed under their rigs / with sprained necks / trying to pull a sail off a fence / staggering backwards towards a large transvestite dog
Repeat 100 times until you work out two trips is quicker than one and hurts a lot less
I agree with everything you say except the bit about not letting the sail hit a small goat. They don't actually make any difference.
Nah, I'm only kidding!
Here's my best pointer:
lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+carry+windsurf+gear+on+head%3A+guy+cribb+pdf
Click on the first link after following all the steps on how to use this amazing google quest machine..................... 
Durr. Don't know why I didn't think of that I use Guy's tips for everything else.Maybe because it's the first time I had a question re wave stuff and I've only thought of him for flatwater ( although I know he does waves).
Basically that's the way I do it .I think I just lack the strength to lift the gear..The sort of tips I was after was if there's a way to let the wind do the work or any other tips people use to lift the board up onto there head..Mind you as most of you are probably strong males you probably don't have any trouble..
Select to expand quoteWindWarrior said..
Alternate approach
I've never seen this one, looks tricky. Depending on wind direction it will pose a good challenge.
am i missing something here? It really is not that hard.
Wave gear is a walk in the park. No issues doing this with my large slalow kit either.
Never been slammed, flipped, lost a sail over a fence or up a tree. Its a windsurfer after all, not a kite.
Select to expand quoteboardboy said..
am i missing something here? It really is not that hard.
Wave gear is a walk in the park. No issues doing this with my large slalow kit either.
Never been slammed, flipped, lost a sail over a fence or up a tree. Its a windsurfer after all, not a kite.
I didn't have any trouble when I was your age either.. 20 years on and bigger sails and it's an issue.
My problem isn't carrying the gear.. It's getting it up onto my head first- that's the part I was hoping for tips on.As I said males probably don't find that an issue as you are so much stronger.
Any female wavesailors that can give me some tips on how they manage?
Select to expand quoteWindWarrior said..
Alternate approach
Hmm looks like it might be worth a go except in strong or winds that are flukey..
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..
As I said males probably don't find that an issue as you are so much stronger.
Yes we are
If we ever sail at the same beach, ill carry your gear for you. Problem solved
Select to expand quoteboardboy said..sboardcrazy said..
As I said males probably don't find that an issue as you are so much stronger.
Yes we are
If we ever sail at the same beach, ill carry your gear for you. Problem solved
You never offer me that
Sue, age has got nothing to do with it!! If you know how to do it properly its like riding a bike. You should be able to carry a big multi cammed race sail and slalom board because you use the wind to do all the work for you. Thats why it was invented out of necessity all those years ago.
We use to carry wave and slalom sails from the top car park at Long Reef to the water (approx. 150 meters) down walk ways. It does help if the wind is blowing in the right direction but the principle is the same.
At some where like Canton its the perfect place to learn. Im sure you can picture the following as its where and how we launch.
the wind is dead onshore or slightly from the left, you face the board dead into the wind, the sail you pick up from the mast until its upright and the wind is helping you, dip your head under the mast and place it approx. 2/3rds the way up the sail between boom and board. Bend down, place your left hand just under the boom and with right hand pick up board using your legs to save your back. Use either the front strap (easier) or back strap (better when walking away from the wind) and lift both using the wind to help you. Then simply walk into the wind (truck loads easier than trying to get down the bank with rig and board underhand) until you get where you can drop board into water. Come out from under sail, the rig and board are usually positioned in the right spot. Hop on, sheet in and your gone.
Word of warning, don't drop the sail heavily onto your melon, after awhile it will split the stitching on the luff.
Hope this helps.
Select to expand quoteka43 said..
Sue, age has got nothing to do with it!! If you know how to do it properly its like riding a bike. You should be able to carry a big multi cammed race sail and slalom board because you use the wind to do all the work for you. Thats why it was invented out of necessity all those years ago.
We use to carry wave and slalom sails from the top car park at Long Reef to the water (approx. 150 meters) down walk ways. It does help if the wind is blowing in the right direction but the principle is the same.
At some where like Canton its the perfect place to learn. Im sure you can picture the following as its where and how we launch.
the wind is dead onshore or slightly from the left, you face the board dead into the wind, the sail you pick up from the mast until its upright and the wind is helping you, dip your head under the mast and place it approx. 2/3rds the way up the sail between boom and board. Bend down, place your left hand just under the boom and with right hand pick up board using your legs to save your back. Use either the front strap (easier) or back strap (better when walking away from the wind) and lift both using the wind to help you. Then simply walk into the wind (truck loads easier than trying to get down the bank with rig and board underhand) until you get where you can drop board into water. Come out from under sail, the rig and board are usually positioned in the right spot. Hop on, sheet in and your gone.
Word of warning, don't drop the sail heavily onto your melon, after awhile it will split the stitching on the luff.
Hope this helps.
Will it harm the sail doing this wearing a helmet? Have to get you to give me a demo next time. I was keen to have the whole lot on my head but I suppose that method will work for the short distance needed- actually since they have cleaned out the weed it's not that big as issue launching.
I assume if the wind is very light ( < 10kts ) that method will be hard too?
yes I used to carry the board and rig on my head down stairs back in the 90's
Sue,
I don't carry sails on my head anymore because my helmet (Gath) has a rivet like object poking out of the dead-centre top of it and I have put dimples in some of my older wave sails from this. So I carry board in windward hand by front strap and sail by leeward hand placed on boom. Stand in between board and sail. OK for short distances like Canton.
Longer distances, take board down to beach (@ Umina) first and sail second. Then connect the two and do as above.
Select to expand quotewbailey said..
Sue,
I don't carry sails on my head anymore because my helmet (Gath) has a rivet like object poking out of the dead-centre top of it and I have put dimples in some of my older wave sails from this. So I carry board in windward hand by front strap and sail by leeward hand placed on boom. Stand in between board and sail. OK for short distances like Canton.
Longer distances, take board down to beach (@ Umina) first and sail second. Then connect the two and do as above.
Thats how I carry them now.It was just when the weed was 50' wide on the launch beach and I thought I'd like to try another way.. Plus I suppose I wanted to prove I could still do it..
yes I think I'd be worried about my head wrecking the newer big cammed sails. I suppose wavesails are made a bit tougher so my smaller ones might be ok.
Select to expand quotedan berry said..
I think we have hit rock bottom
Not quite rock bottom.....
I like to float my gear down to the beach using yogic energy but its a little tough on the knees and lately I have been using Casimir forces and some metamaterial to transport the gear without messing up my hair.
"There are two plans to turn the Casimir force into a repelling force. Researchers at St. Andrew's University believe placing a metamaterial between the objects will produce a negative refractive index, repelling the plates away from each other. "
Solved it! 
I got someone to watch while I tried yesterday and I was just standing too far down the mast away from the board so not at the pivot point. Once I moved up close to the sail foot it was easy!
Now I just have to remember how to put it down gently. I just walked out to windward and laid it down but I seem to remember I used to move through the eye of the wind and flip the sail and be able to put the board down gently while holding the rig?.. I'll have to practise in the water. I used to often be placing it on the sand while now it will be grass so I'll have to be gentle.
Don't think I'll try and carry the big gear but anything less than a 5.8m sail + 95ltre board will work.
