These techniques vary depending on your board size, sail size and conditions of your launch. Find the one that works best for you, or share your own way with us on our Facebook Page.
Method #1
With the wind from your left, reach around the bottom of the board and grab the opposite rail with your left hand. Reach for and grab the boom with your right hand. If you can't reach the opposite rail, grab the leading edge of the foil. You're ready to walk into the water!
Method #2
With the wind from your left rest the tail of your foil up board on your left thigh. Grab the mast of the foil with your left hand to keep the board wedged in place on your thigh as you reach and grab the boom with your right hand. Pick up the gear, turn slightly into the wind and lean back to get the nose of the board off the ground. This method is better suited for very wide boards.
Method #3
Often in shore break you need to lift your gear high away from the water to get in or out. Stack your board foil up over the foot of the sail. With your left hand either grab the bottom of the board or the footstrap and mast to secure the board in place and duck your head under the foot of the sail. Help lift the gear by pushing up on the foot of the sail with your right hand. Once balanced you can hold the foot of the sail with your right hand. This was Dale's least favorite.
Method #4
Stand upwind of your board with the foil down. Grab the mast with your left hand and get your head under the foot of the sail. With your right hand pick up the tail of the board by the closest back footstap. Quickly let go of the back footstrap as you slide your shoulder under the board and reach underneath the board to the opposite rail with your right hand. Alternatively crouch down and get your shoulder under the board before lifting it. Dale nicknamed this one the "calfmuncher".
Method 5a
Carry your gear separately! Grab the board holding the front footstrap and foil and leave it in the shallow water upside down.
Method 5b
Now carry your sail down to the shallow water. Push the gear out into deep enough water so you can flip the board and connect your gear. Connecting a big wide board with a foil attached to it can be challenging. If you have trouble use a mechanical mast base to make rig connect/disconnects easier
