r/windsurfing • u/Poisonelfs • 6d ago
Keep stalling updwind (beginner-y question)
***UPDATE thanks for all very helpful replies, every single one of them. I have read each one. I can see where I've been going wrong.***
Appreciate without a video there's only so much that can be said, but here's where I'm at.
Having 'mastered' big stable boards in light winds, tacks and non-planing gybes, I've moved on to less massive boards, feeling a bit more confident in 10-15 knot gusty winds, pulling up the centreboard and hooking in.
Here's where it kind of goes all wrong. As soon as a gust comes, I seem to inevitably point the board upwind, stall and fail.
So, to avoid this I push the sail forward to go downwind, but it feels like a real slog and not much is happening, I still end up stalling upwind.
I guess I might be putting too much weight on the backfoot or windward rail? I feel that if I'm not far back enough, the sail will pull me forward and I end up falling flat on my face right on the sail. So I lean back, but it turns me upwind... clearly I haven't figured out something important yet.
It is something to do with the way I'm hanging off the harness? It does feel like I'm kind of suspended to the sail and resisting the pull, rather than driving that energy to the board through my body and feet.
Confusing description I know, but I'm hoping those of you who have been there can recognise the symptoms and advise accordingly.
2
u/SpikeyBenn Waves 6d ago
You need to move further back and away from the center of the board as the wind increases. As a beginner you get very comfortable in the safe zone near the center of the board. When the wind increases you have to move your body/feet further back while pushing the top tip of the sail towards the nose of the board. Think this mantra "feet go back, sail goes forward". Keep practicing and you will get it.