Every big windsurfing aerial starts with a big ramp and a very projected takeoff.  Making this happen in a dynamic wave field is all about selection and timing.  The prerequisites are controlled high speed sailing in point and shoot “I can sail wherever I want” mode, and of course a clear space to start busting loose some air. Mark your wave and get it lined up – see it, hit it.

Dale Cook and I have been blasting around the Gorge together for over 16 years.  I’ve had the privilege of a front row seat for his windsurfing mastery, and here’s how he describes his way of cracking a big hit of air. 

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It wasn’t long into my windsurfing experience that the sensation of weightless airborne gliding really captivated my interest.  The magazines of the day were, like today, filled images with tropical wave jumping, yet on my local beach the waves were all wind sourced and driven.  Back then you were lucky if you had a board under 30 pounds, but I was determine to get my board in the air.  I think that was a fertile scenario for developing one of the fundamental skills for catching windsurfing air – springing vertically of the water while at speed.  Today’s gear is so much lighter and the speeds are way higher, so add a bit of chop, some amplitude to your lift off and a really big air shot is possible.  This style of wave jumping is more like gelandesprung ski jumping – busting out a big hit, and flying it out for distance, sticking the landing, and doing it again!

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Proficient windsurfing comes from balancing the forces of the wind power in your hands against the fin power under your board.  You are the rigging in this connection of forces, so getting comfortable in the harness is a key step towards increasing your control and reacting more efficiently.

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Courtesy of Windsport Magazine ........

Last Friday (April 23, 2010) we decided to hit up Patrick Bergeron with 10 quick questions to see what is going on in his life and what is going on right now on Maui. Well...we got more than we could ever bargin for! Thanks Patrick!

 1. Where are you reading these questions from right now?

From the comfort of my bed as I am waking up to yet another beautiful sunny and windy day on Maui…

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In windsurfing, the faster you go, the more force you create, the more force you create, the more the rig components flex and move. This can be a deteriorating cycle of reactions and can greatly affect the performance and handling.  For the best rig response and handling it really pays to be attentive to connection and fit of your rig components when assembling them.  For peak performance, try to get as much play and connection flex out of your set-up. These are some of the key component fit points to pay attention to:  boom to mast connection; boom extension length; mast extension height and fit; batten tension; clew gap at the boom end; footstrap tension; universal connections; and fin fit.  Most of these flex points are not performance breakers in their individual effect, however, addressed collectively, the group of them represents the best way to sharpen rig performance, without upgrading any of the components.  Here’s a quick run through them and why getting the fit right is important to overall performance.

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Guest post by Ellen Wylde

I wasn’t sure I was going to do this race, having suffered an ignominious result, as in DNF, in the last long-distance event I did the Gorge Junior Blow-Out last July. I went along on the Blow-Out with the delusional idea that I would be the chaperone to my 12 year old daughter, Fiona, who was doing the race for the first time.  I ran out of wind and crawled out of the river while Fiona went on to finish admirably.

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Its easy to get powered up just by carrying a bigger sail, but control issues begin to develop when you have excess power.  There's a powerful rig handling technique I use when I'm lit up that's based around leading your sail control with your front hand. 

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Its springtime and the winds-are-a-blowin again and its time to get back on the water!  But before you rush to the beach to rig, have a quick check through your gear to service or replace worn parts.  There’s nothing worse than starting the season off with a long swim or paddle through chilly water (been there, done that!).  Here’s my checklist for prepping my gear for a new season.

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Whoo-hoo!  First post to our new blog.  I know this has been a while coming, but its up and running now, and we have a lot to share. Here you will find a portal into all things Sailworks, from the inside.  Not just the new gear, but insights on sail tuning, custom tweaks to get the most from your gear, tips on advanced sailing technique, hot set ups from our crew and cool moves on the water and in the air, and more.  Comments are open, so chime in if you feel so inclined.

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