The helicopter tack is a classic. It’s not only very useful in variety of situations, but also introduces you to the vital skill of backwind sailing.
“Thank heavens for the heli tack eh?” quipped the instructor on the shores of Vassiliki. The fabled afternoon thermal had been frustratingly absent, so by day 3 even the most jovial and imaginative instructors were struggling to add variety and spice to the endless light wind sessions. But when all else fails, there’s always the helicopter tack. It’s tricky enough to consume a few hours, and it’s entertaining. No one masters the heli tack without being drilled in a violently comical manner. However, to regard it as just a time filler is criminal. I stand before you as leader of the ‘Helicopter Tack Defence League’. It’s a classic transition that has stood the test of time. It’s got a hint of ‘freestyley’ flamboyance, and yet is highly functional. It demands the learning of key skills such as sailing backwinded and clew first that will serve you forever.
It’s also challenging without being especially dangerous. It’s readily achievable by an intermediate in 6 knots of wind; but to roll one out on a 100 litre board in 20 knots is a sure indicator of technical expertise. Where windsurfing wins over many other sliding sports, is that certain moves allow you to achieve expert status without risking your neck.
What?
Esta historia es de la edición Issue 386 - June 2019 de Windsurf.
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Esta historia es de la edición Issue 386 - June 2019 de Windsurf.
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New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
