The illusion of calm when doing a tack, even over a sinking platform, comes from adhering to windsurfing’s basics – leading with the head, keeping the rig away and … going for it! Harty actually not caring if he does fall into Tobago’s tepid bath.
“My name is Brian. I’ve been windsurfing for 30 years and … (pause to sob) … I can’t tack.” (Ripple of applause from the assembled self-help group, pats on the back and murmurs of ‘well done, very brave …’)
“Thank you thank … you. Well I can tack … sort of … on a barge … in light winds.” Continues Brian through the tears. “But it’s rubbish. And as soon as I try it on a smaller board in any sort of chop … well I might as well just jump in and save myself the bother…” “Bravo Brian.” Says the chief counsellor. “Now you’ve finally admitted you have a problem, you’ve made the first and most important step.”
FAILURE TO TACK – UNDERLYING ISSUES
Firstly, if you are a non-small board tacker, don’t feel alone. There are hordes of Brians out there. It’s neither a blight on your character nor a reflection of some innate technical ineptitude. The tack is a bit special and poses unusual psychological and technical challenges.
Expectation and Pride
You expect to be able to do it. Crashing out carve gybes in search of glory is totally acceptable. But serial plopping while attempting tacks? It’s humiliating. I’m not suggesting that certain ‘Windies’ are proud egomaniacs, but there is a threat to status that persuades many to throw in the towel early.
Bad start
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New School
Slingshotâs 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 â 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.
âNO 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!