Are You Going Yet?

Whether you’re a racer, wave sailor, trickster or a strong wind ‘newbie’, the ability to get planing and strapped in early and without fuss remains the most potent of all the skills. Harty sheds much light.

- Peter Hart

Separated by just a couple of years, 15 year old Finn Carmichael and Harty loving that fully released and planing feeling – but not relying on massive kit to get them there. PHOTO Jono Carmichael

Which is the most important windsurfing skill? Well, they’re all important - but surely early planing lies at the top. For a start, it’s the most reliable barometer of overall competence, being the result of smart kit choice, good tuning, precise board and sail trim, cute power control, wind and water awareness and on occasion, balls-to-the-wall commitment.

By the same token, failure to plane efficiently lies at the heart of most issues all the way up the scale.

Many struggle with those first (and second, third, fourth etc.) carve gybes because the board and rig they need to get planing are too meaty, beaty, big and bouncy (1971 album by ‘The Who’) as they accelerate into the turn. Looking beyond even the most basic new and old school tricks, especially those involving a duck or a back-winded sail transition, are nigh impossible unless you can plane in moderate winds with a rig under 6.0 (and preferably smaller). Frustrated jumpers often aren’t getting planing until they’re away from the shore beyond the juicy ramps.

At intermediate level, popping onto the plane represents a life-changing milestone to the point where having tasted the sensation, you want more and more and get frustrated and confused as to why it happens on some days and not others.