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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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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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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