MOV ON UP - BETTER WATERSTARTS

This month we look at how to get your waterstarts ‘up and away’ in a more efficient manner. In this piece we will look at how and where to be in the ‘sweet spot’ prior to launch and thereby in the best position possible for success. Throughout my coaching I see many people this is so very relevant for, from improvers right up to wave sailors. I am assuming you can already clear the rig, in most directions, so we will not be covering this now, but fear not we will look at it in a future piece.

- Jem Hall

THE SWEET SPOT

A strong ‘sweet spot’ allows you to hold position without wasting too much energy and gives you the strongest position and best chance to spot your opportunity to then get up and away, i.e. a gust if the wind is lighter, or an adjustment if the wind is very strong. The sweet spot is a waiting position, prior to getting up and away and after the rig recovery. It is upwind of the tail of the board, where you can keep the rig flying and also be able to steer the board.

Sweet spot tips

• Give yourself some space from the tail of the board so you can steer and control sail power.

• Look upwind to see the wind and ensure your position is slightly upwind.

• Have a shoulder-width grip on the boom and proximal to your harness lines, this will keep the rig up, provide max lift, and stop oversheeting.

• Position your hips and shoulders parallel to the boom.

• The back heel should be between the straps, towards the windward rail, and further forwards in lighter winds, moving aft when windier.

• Heel down and toes up, this keeps the bend in your back leg and allows you to pull the heel in for your ‘up and away’.

• Keep your front leg straight down in the water as this will act as a daggerboard and stop downwind drift.

• Extend arms to keep rig flying if wind is lighter, and bend arms to bring rig down when dealing with stronger wind or gusts.

• Be comfortable here BOTH WAYS.

Sweet spot pitfalls

• Too close to the tail and your nose will keep swinging into the wind.

• Bending arms and pulling rig over your head too much will see the rig and you go underwater.

• Sheeting out too much on the backhand will see the mast drop down and into the water.