Strategic Moulay Moves

One of my favourite questions on a coaching clinic is, “What is more important sailing strategy or good technique?” The answer is often technique, yet unless we have a sound strategy we cannot utilise our technique. So with the help of two of my students - Gøril Hjelseth and Martin Delaney, I will highlight the strategy of how to sail a side-shore wave sailing spot, using the example of Moulay in Morocco, and give general pointers to help you get the best out of your local wave spot.

- Jem Hall

THE ESSENTIALS

These are the main areas we should work on:

Fitness and strength. Without fail, the fitter and stronger people on my clinics, and also the most determined, get the best out of themselves and the location. They can handle harder conditions and they also recover better too. Moulay can be brutal, the warriors survive more battles.

Tough Hands. This is one of the many challenges we have in our sport. My recommendations are get in the water, this being WindSup in light winds, foiling or freemove sessions on bigger sails. Gym time, kettle bells and the Concept II rower also helps. My last tip is not to ‘over sail’.

Trinity. My fastest improving wavesailors have the best basic skills and have the trinity of skills needed to develop and control power; i.e. - early planing (learn to get planing from the straps), board speed and upwind sailing. You can build these skills up on a freemove board.

Wind range. Moulay, and many wave breaks, will call to account your ability to cope with both light wind sessions and fully overpowered sailing. Therefore, if the wind drops, stay out and learn to wobble out on your gear, or try and keep planing. And if the wind really cranks, get comfortable with being uncomfortable and

Tail up jumps. Yes you have heard this before and yes you definitely need this skill so get out there and jump a lot, few are jumping as much as they could. A good tail up jump with a slick getaway will see you having more fun and also actually getting out the back.

AREAS TO ADDRESS

To formulate our strategy, these are the areas we should focus on:

Tides