Chaotically crumbling onshore waves, patchy wind and lots of current is not exactly the material that our wave riding dreams are made of. However, it represents the conditions that most European sailors deal with most of the time, especially in small stretches of water where groundswells can´t exist. Onshore or side-onshore wind is, after all, the best guarantee for at least some waves. Yet, onshore wind often goes hand in hand with a set of difficulties that the sailor will have to face. First of all, the wave patterns are very unorganized and chaotic. Waves break all over the spot, there are hardly any clearly distinguishable sets coming in and there is no defined impact zone. Because the wind literally pushes the waves towards the shore, the wave’s top breaks earlier than usual, which results in a rather mushy and gutless wave face. In onshore conditions the wind is normally patchier and lighter close to the shore than further out at sea. This is due to obstacles on land like buildings, trees or cliffs, which hinder the wind from passing through without resistance (in German we call this phenomenon Luvstau). Furthermore, all the water that is being pushed towards the shore has to go somewhere. The back stream often creates strong currents, which makes it even harder to get going. Nonetheless, not everything about onshore is bad. In fact, some manoeuvres become easier and lots of onshore practice can refine your sailing technique a lot. To successfully master all the challenges there are certain equipment choices, trims and techniques that will make your life a lot easier and will enable you to maximize your sailing potential and joy on the water.
RIGS
This story is from the Issue 390 - October 2019 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 390 - October 2019 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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!
