Windsurfing Learning Curve

Windsurfing at Wello before the storm - was a good day on the water I do like it at Wellington point flatish water and shallow. A couple of photos later have to go

Got there around 3pm and in the water by 3.3o I rigged the 7.5m Neil Pryde as the promise of wind was there and some had 6's and 7.8's so 7.5 seemed a good choice for me on the 259L Rio Long Tail plenty of buoyancy for a big fella. Most of the guys were coming in saying it had died and if I'm going out I should be rigging my 8.5m Loft switch blade.

I had a good time out there with what I set up - did seem to get up on the plane and clocked a 13.51kts top speed - which for me is ok at this point - keen to go faster but working on that. Here is one for the books - I didn't struggle with turning up wind in fact I was struggling to actually head up wind, huh - go figure. I had forgotten the new fin :-( and the centre fin - oh well still had fun.

Hit another milestone made it to the rear foot strap position for most of one run. What happened - I was travelling fairly well pace wise and dug my feet into the straps and hung low off the boom and accelerated - felt like I needed to move back on the board so pulled my feet out and placed them behind where I have the straps set atm. looked down to see where they were and yep right on the expert windsurfer foot strap location. They are in the intermediate position currently - does that mean I am actually starting to get it....... phew slow learner (I'm oldish - my excuse).

Jaye was at his brother's place and finally made it into the water at 4.30ish no wind at this point and a fairly fierce storm brewing over Wellington Point. He was hoping for some wind from the storm. Which he got but it had swung around to the south something like a sse - Phil one of the local windsurfers said he shouldn't be out there so off I went for a walk along the disappearing sand bank to tell him to come in - Man that boy can have attitude sometimes - what is it with teenagers grrr.

Today I have the new fin already packed and the centre fin - although having just had a look at the weather not looking good for a sail today at all.. mmmm will see - how is a learner supposed to improve without wind.....frustrating. That sux as I was catching up with Simon from boardcrazy for some pointers. Next weekend then.

Ohh we did get majorly caught up in the storm packing up - we just had the sails packed in their bags and BANG!!!! Jack and us huddled around the toilet block getting pelted by cyclonic winds with marble sized hail and the wind changed again so ran around the other side of the toilet block to get away with it.

Anita thought she got away with not getting wet as she was walking to the car to avoid the rain the wind came up and blew everything everywhere so we all scrambled to grab what ever we could. It was surreal for a while there we couldn't even see the water the rain/hail was intense. Rinsed the gear really well so didn't have to when I got home - one cancellation.

See you out there

Cheers Morgan

Windsurfing Clinic and blast Saturday 7 February 2015

Saturday was a great day for windsurfing full stop. Max Wojik the Aus RSX coach held a free clinic at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for all comers. Jaye and I were there with bells on, along with five or six others, plus a few kids doing the regular Saturday free junior clinic put on by RQYS to promote the sport.

It all started with rigging - as improvers we had all set our sails with a little too much down haul for the conditions. I set up the Loft Switch blade 8.5m on the Rio Long Tail, Jaye set the Neil Pryde 7.5m up on the RSX. So we all adjusted our rigs and Max went out in the boat to meet us on the water. The wind was probably 8 - 10 with 12 knot gusts.

All good he set a couple of markers that we could all race around so for a hour or so we did kind of figure of eights with one hand so lots of falling in. Gybing and Tacking and then more gybing and tacking. Then we had a series of 3 small races which was pretty funny plenty of falling off for all Max was keen on us using one hand - our back hand - front hand behind our back. First race I was off and going really well first around the top marker and Max called out one handed from here on Morgan, so lots of falling in and I think I came last but I made it mostly with one hand behind my back.

Anita chose to take photos for the day and not to get wet - probs with mast - hers broke and we haven't got a replacement yet. I did set her sail up on a 430 mast last week but didn't like that. This week Darls will get it sorted for you

The clinic went for a couple of hours and was great fun for all - thanks Max and RQ for putting it on - we will be at the next one for sure.

In the afternoon we went out for a blast and the wind had come up a bit maybe 14 knots did seem to be up and planing. I clocked a 17.18kts (creeping up slowly), Jaye a 19.04kts bugger I thought I had him on Saturday.

Managed to put my head through the sail as I was carrying it up from the beach at the end of the session.

Another great day of windsurfing
See you out there

Morgan

Heading to RQ Beach this afternoon to do the clinic with Max - see you down there

Last minute decision at the shops at Capalaba at 9.30am doing the right thing and find out Jaye is not coming to the clinic at RQ in the afternoon. mmm what to do? I would really like to get to the free race – asked the boss if she feels like a drive. Yeah ok why not – besides it is Valentines day – no Jaye = naughty romantic adult night on the coast as well as free race woo hoo. Ah the best layed plans having been given the go ahead – str8 home to pack and get on the road.

Fastest we have ever packed and we were home, packed and on the road by 10.40am should have time to stop for lunch – NOT…. Had a hearty breaky and besides nothing an iced coffee wont fix lol. The trip took just over two and a half hours from home phew just in time to get rigged up, register and the briefing.

Now, I have this – White and Green flag means practice, Green means racing and no flag means race is finished – I am pretty sure I have that right now. This is how it works – I go out and go for it for half an hour like last time which I achieved a massive 1.43. My previous record to beat of 1.45 nautical miles completed in that time. I am pretty sure I am fitter that I was last time so asked if I could race in the hour one (should have stayed in the half hour – would have won lol) Smashed it with a 7.5 nautical miles in the hour. Also clocked 18.5knots top speed woo hoo and back straps I’M EXCITED

Sure enough i lasted the hour – wind was around 15knots in spots and plus that in others and around 5knots in others so a variety of sailing all in one and a bit hours on the water.Mark get set …………………………………………………….GO and I was off lol with only half an idea of where I was going to head and ended up just having some fun everyone headed in all different directions so who to follow there was a small group heading for the north east corner of the dam so I am off after them til I got about half way the wind dropped in a lul – thought I better start to head back. My board of choice again was the Rio Longtail. I now think I can get into the back straps so had moved them from the middle position to the rear position, during the week not knowing that I was going into a race (good idea to leave the other front straps in) On the way back there was, I figure, what Jack refers to as bullets. I was doing ok and the wind dropped to about 5 seemed like no wind and then GAME ON – nearly through me – hang on for grim life itself and woo hoo how good is that!!!!! The 8.5m Loft Switch blade is now officially my favourite sail. Just head downwind a bit and whooosh up on the plane and ended up in the back straps twice, the third time just as I was placing my back strap in …. gone! Over the handlebars.

One thing that did happened puzzled me a bit – when I was at what seemed like to me full speed and had just got in the back straps, the board got up what I could only call the speed wobbles the front of the board was going from left to right for some time til I dug the windward rail in to settle it down a bit. Oh and hooked back into harness – it came undone when I stepped into the back straps. Managed to hang on to it though pat myself on the back – did cross my mind to bale – but didn’t..Lake Cootharaba is a really great place for windsurfing – we ended up having a great day at the lake with the crew from Wind Wanderers again – thanks guys for organising fun events for us all to enjoy Even Anita got wet and had a sail and enjoyed it.

Valentines day – check, Romantic night on the coast – check, just have to find a nice hotel somewhere on the way home – Cotton Tree no Vacancy – Mooloolaba – no Vacancy – Caloundra either no vacancy or no one in attendance so head home but not before a romantic Valentines dinner out at BP Burpengary by 8.30pm with a feast of KFC – normally we don’t eat but after not having any lunch we were hungry and enjoyed it. Home by 9.30pm Phew what a good day.

No wind Sunday so chores and cut Anita’s hair. Brownie points or what…….Here are a couple of photos

Hi Oldgumtree - It is a great sport with a lot of really nice people - it's not a sport you can learn quickly - it has challenges with every step in the windsurfing learning curve journey - sometimes when you are out on the water you just want to cry because nothing is going the way you think it should be at your level and other (most) days I just literally yell "woo hoo this is what it all about".

The worst days are Sundays after a good session, because it is going to be a week before you go out again.

It is a sport that isn't easy to learn and takes some time - especially if you are over 50. I remember the first time my board sounded a bit like the experienced guys as it slapped across the top of the water - I was sooooooo excited.

One of the best things I like about the sport - I have a fairly high stress job and when I am out on the water blasting or even struggling to get going - there is no stress and my focus is out there on the water. Good for the mind - body and soul..................

My 50c worth of advice for a beginner start with a stable high volume board that has foot strap positions to accommodate your learning levels as you pass through them. You will inevitably end up with more than one board so start with the big one. I am currently on a Starboard Rio 259L - I am 105Kilos and need a bigger board. I am finally learning how to windsurf with my feet in the straps - in the harness - planning and smiling. A large board will always serve you well on light wind days you would like to go out and have a sail. Get out there and have a couple of lessons with Simon from Board Crazy and you are more than welcome to join us anytime you see we are out. I usually put up here where we are going, there are a few of us improver's who like to sail together.

Looking forward to seeing you out there

It's not looking like we are going to get out this weekend

Cheers
Morgan

Good Idea or not - maybe not.....

Jaye and I went to the southern side of Wellington Point. Anita was a no show stayed home

Jaye - set up a 6.6m Avanti sail on his F2 sunset 104L. "I don't like the board Dad - I'm not having fun anymore". I just said go back to the shark - he thinks the F2 is a little too advanced for him. Not a good day to be making decisions like that I think. In fact I suspect that we were overpowered for the conditions. Jaye should have had his 4.7m Simmer - no mast though atm.

Me - set up a 7.5m Neil Pryde sail (lots of downhaul but not so much out haul - maybe should have been more) on the Rio Long Tail 259L - I came out feeling a bit the same as Jaye and MalJ - not sure it was the location or just us. It wasn't a very nice session - everything seemed to happen too fast and I struggled the stay on the board and to hold onto the sail. I did get going a couple of times but didn't once feel comfortable on the board. Uphauled 10 times - hooked in - even struggled to pull the sail close enough to get into harness, once in, felt like I was getting pulled from pillar to post. Was a little nervous about hitting the Jetty came far too close a couple of times and even picked up one fishing line on my fin (sorry buddy) he was yelling at me oops. I forgot to put the centre fin in - I was able to upwind enough to get myself out of trouble.

I have two sets of front straps on the board - intermediate and advanced settings and one set of back straps the rear position. Got into the rear ones once and the rest of the time the from intermediate straps (I am going to put the back strap on for intermediate - look like an old school board)

Spent all night thinking about what went wrong with my windsurfing today - whilst I thought I was reasonably fit now - I struggled after the first run.

Glad I went out but........................................ all goes down to experience

Don't beat yourself up. The wind was coming from the south, which are usually very gusty, and it was really windy on sunday, so I reckon you are right in that your sails were too big. In that direction is does help if you get as far east as possible to get better wind ( a touch more consistent)- think cleveland / viccy point. Manly is horrible in southerlies, and Wello is only a touch better. Overall it is a really crap direction for our location.

In those conditions if I'm desperate to sail, I tend to rig a smaller sail and run a bigger board, it allows you to get going but still have some float for the lulls. As you progress, you will start looking at the wind direction more critically, and your rig decisions will get better.

Sounds like a good day for all Morgan

I'm stuck at work trying to get some joy out of the weather predictions for next week

It will be a good week in your home with everybody having s good day on the water.

Cheers Jeff
Looking forward to the lake at Easter

Was looking good for Wello this afternoon - will still head there around 2pm with the 9.5m Neil Pryde and see what happens.

See you down there

Yep a big sail, flat water can be a lot of fun for us large size improvers. Well done morgs

Great work on the gybes jay

Camping show ? Any upgrade for Elanda at Easter???

Cheers Jeff
3 weeks to go

Morgan,

Glad you've discovered the joys of marginal wind (around 10kts) a big floaty board, large sail and flat water - I.E. Grooving in the smooth!

Woo Hoo 19.95 Knots a new record for the Morg’s slowly making my way up there boys 21.79 for Jaye here we come lol.

Another awesome day windsurfing and racing and this time I didn’t come last woo hoo had to happen some time and special bonus for me – I smashed Jaye for the first time and probs the only time.

Well they turned up from everywhere for this Free Race – Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, NSW and even Brisbane. Representatives from all over – great to see Dean from NSW it is always nice meeting great people

Jaye firstly set up the 6.6m went for a quick blast, No, then set up 5.4 Ka old favourite on his Naish Nitrix and went for a spin. Meanwhile I had set up the 7.5 Neil Pryde sail Game on!!!! As I was entering the water Jaye said “Boy it is a washing machine out there and I wouldn’t be going out with that sail Dad, I’m changing to 4.7 Simmer”. OK then I grabbed the 6.6m Avanti sail ‘Good Idea’ went for a preliminary run. Phew – made it out and back without falling off but got some serious pace for an improver.

Anita became the official Flag Bearer and chief photographer… Nice one

Jonesy indicated that we all start from the same place – seemed like a good idea the race commenced at 1pm and we were off. I managed to get the jump on Jaye and that was the last time I saw him – I thought he was out with the rest on the other side of the lake. I made it about half way across the lake and got absolutely smashed and thrown over the handlebars big time and out of breathe already – dam puffer was empty oh well see how I go. Headed back in and considered pulling the pin but had a rest and back out – same thing SMASHED, this time broke my sunnies – back to the beach after falling off twice trying to uphaul phew!!!! Out of breath once again just hoping I make it in without falling in again, seriously considering calling it quits. Man this is only my second run…….

Took my sunnies up and back into the water – bit more of a rest – ok one more run. All the time thinking of the different way Jaye and I stand on the board from the photos and decided I have to lean back more towards the back of the board. Now that seemed to go ok front foot – back foot between the two sets of back straps – stuck with this a run or two and got thrown big time. Have to get back foot in so stuck with the intermediate straps and lean back – everything started to work and no more getting thrown – woo hoo how good is this….:-) Seemed to give me time to have a break whilst on the board so lasted longer between breaks. Two things I think needed adjustment – the boom may have been a touch low (seemed easy to get into harness lines) and the down haul needed another centimetre. All part of the windsurfing learning curve

Stats for Jaye - didn't want to talk about it

Me – Beach starts 98%, water starts 0, tacks 50%, gybes 0, Foot straps 85%, Technique getting better

Thank you to Andy (Windsurfing Gear Hervey Bay), Kelly for the numbers :-), Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club for all their help and Freerace Queensland for putting on the event.

Great stuff Morgs.. Not a bad speed for the choppy conditions! Can you post the pics bigger?
I know I got lousy scores for my freeraces..always seemed to come back in and rerig or something halfway through..Deans keen!

Thanks Greg - its a buzz just being able to get going and locked in

Game on Jeff lol

Sboardcrazy - some bigger photos