During the off-season, I got into surfing and SUPing and it's helped me out with my wavesailing.
The spots that I go to are usually starboard tack spots. Just to make sure that I have it right see below
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As the season is looking a little crappy, there is more opportunity to go surfing and SUPing. I was thinking of changing my stance to regular in hopes that it would make my wave-riding feel more natural.
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Has anyone else done this before? Is it a worthwhile thing to do?
Learning how to surf and be able to switch on a wave is way cool, it's good thing to try whilst still in the "learning" phase before all the muscle memory gets hold. Good respect being able switch between goofy and regular on a wave.
How applicable it is to windsurfing wave riding is IMO is questionable as different mechanics with foot straps and boom in the equation. But cant do any harm.
Great thought, but I think it probably works better in the opposite direction. Having to wave ride ambidextrous in the straps, probably helps you on a surfboard.
I'm a goofy, and all the places I sail are left-handers, so I've never had that problem, but I can certainly turn the windsurfer faster in goofy stance. I think it's got something to do with back foot pressure.
I think it's certainly worth a try.
Some people find it much easier to switch feet than others. You may not have a problem, but you may find it too hard, give it a go and see what happens.
I was going to find a nice flat day and take the sup out. Paddle it up the coast in regular stance and try to get comfortable. Usually I can find a few little waves, even when it's flat. If I am capable then I will catch a few little waves and build up from there.
Unpopular opinion but winging has really helped my switch foot abilities (naturally goofy) because in the transitions you can't use the wing for balance and I ride ocean swell both ways.
Of course I haven't been wave sailing lately to test it, but for regular windsurfing it's noticeable.
Select to expand quoteGrantmac said..
Unpopular opinion but winging has really helped my switch foot abilities (naturally goofy) because in the transitions you can't use the wing for balance and I ride ocean swell both ways.
Of course I haven't been wave sailing lately to test it, but for regular windsurfing it's noticeable.
I don't know why it should be an unpopular opinion. I remember when kiting came in and I was adamant that I was going to stay windsurfing. But deep down I wish I had tried kiting. Now winging is in, well I've got the kit and I do give it a go every now and then. I've even been talking to my mate about doing a winging downwinder.
I saw on the windsurfing podcast somebody said that "we have to protect windsurfing". Windsurfing is a fully grown adult and can fend for itself. I think it is about getting your stoke on and if winging your thing then that's your thing.
What got all my feathers ruffled about kiting was I was windsurfing at a spot where there was a sea of new and experienced kiters. But every single one seemed to have no idea about the rules. It got a little dangerous from time to time. But I think winging is a lot more compact i.e. you don't have great big lines drag netting the sky trying to catch other kites and windurfers. I see it being more dangerous to the rider and less dangerous to the people around you (I am sure there are dozens of stories to prove me wrong).
Maybe winging would also be good at helping to ride switch stance as well?
I better sign off before I get kicked out of the windsurfing forum for mutiny.
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said..
Learned slides on both sides, great for top turns!
That would be the most sensible way of starting. I can see you on a little bit of a hill so you don't have to worry about generating speed. Very interesting. I have a longboard which I have been putting off making a place for the mast to attach out of fear. Every time someone mentions land windsurfing people have a horror story or two about how a mate broke some part of his body. But I can see you are using the land board in no wind so the risk of injury is reduced. Well, that is where I will start. ride the skateboard switch, find a broken SUP paddle, and jam a ball on the end to practice SUP. I also have an old Ezzy sailing which I can bring out for land windsurfing.
I'll just try to do everything switch at the start of a session and see if I can get my brain to cooperate.
Thanks very much.
Santa brought me a Carver skateboard and it a blast. I used to ride skateboards where to get speed I would either use my back leg to push or lift the front of the board off the ground and move it from side to side. But this carver board is meant to be a surfboard-style simulator and you just flow from side to side to get speed. I had played around with a RipStik a few years ago so it's kind of a similar body movement.
Keeping the board in the front entrance so each morning and evening when I walk the dog, I also ride the board. Do about half the time normal and the other goofy.
Haven't got any gravel rash yet but it is still early days. I think I am noticing a difference out on the water as well. My windsurfing is getting slowly better. Thanks again, everyone.
You may wear protective gear but the sail acts like a cane so nearly impossible to fall when using the sail.
Without the sail it's a different story. Pebbles are frightening, I don't understand how it's even possible to ride on a regular road. Maybe with lots of speed? Problems arise when loading up the front foot to release the release and start the slide.
With a mountain board it'll ride over almost anything but needs dirt for slides.
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said..
You may wear protective gear but the sail acts like a cane so nearly impossible to fall when using the sail.
Without the sail it's a different story. Pebbles are frightening, I don't understand how it's even possible to ride on a regular road. Maybe with lots of speed? Problems arise when loading up the front foot to release the release and start the slide.
With a mountain board it'll ride over almost anything but needs dirt for slides.
There are a few houses around that have gravel driveways. If I am really slow then there is a risk of coming off the front, but the wheels seem big enough to pass over most of the little stones.
Kind of fun just being a kid again and skating around the block.
I'll get the sail out soon for the longboard and I am on the lookout for a busted-up SUP paddle to then use as a land SUP. I really like our video, it has given me some great ideas and techniques to copy.
6 odd-month update with the surfskate.
At the start, It was incredibly uncomfortable. A little bit like trying to write with your other hand, I knew what to do but my body just would not let me.
I planned to skate and walk the dog at the same time which was about 20 minutes in the morning and in the evening except the rainy days.
Most days I did it. If I was not having the best time or the section of the road was difficult then I would switch back to goofy. This really helped me not to get stressed and to examine what I might be doing wrong in natural stance. After about 3 months I started feeling more comfortable and now sometimes I get a little confused about which is meant to be the weaker side. But saying that I can't tic tac on my weaker side yet.
We had some great wind a few weeks ago and I was far more confident and even caught a few nice waves.
I would highly recommend it.
I can windsurf, wing and kite including jumps both natural and goofy, but can't surf goofy???
Select to expand quoteairsail said..
I can windsurf, wing and kite including jumps both natural and goofy, but can't surf goofy???
This might be heresy on this part of the web but I if I could turn back the hands of time, I would love to learn to kite surf.
So I'll trade your many skills for my meagre goofy surfing.
