Steering a sailboard requires a combination of movements. The position of the sail in relation to the wind is the main mechanism, but there are also other factors that need to be used.
Principles of Windsurfing Movement
The wind cause the sail to “luff” out generally in the shape of a wing.
In the same way in which a wing gives a plane lift, by the air taking longer to travel over one side of the wing than the other, the wind acts on the sail and gives it power.
It appears that the wind should push the sailboard sideways. And this in fact does occur. However, the action of the board in the water changes the sideways force into a force to the front. This is because the forward movement offers the path of least resistance.
A centre-board, or dagger-board, that hangs in the water perpendicular to the board in the centre, helps provide this resistance to sideways movement.
Straight Line Sailing on a Windsurfer
As with all sailing craft, the most efficient direction of movement is at right angles to the direction of the wind. This is called a “reach”.
To go in a straight line, the sailboarder needs to position the sail generally at right angles to the wind. The mast must therefore be almost vertical to the sailboard.
Sailing a Windsurfer into the Wind
To sail a windsurfer into the wind, the sail is moved towards the rear of the board. The mast must still remain in the plane of the board, that is, generally it should not be moved over the water.
If the sailboard has a centre-board, this should be put all the way down.
The sailboard will slow considerably as the sideways force on the board increases.
A sailboard can only be sailed at a slight angle into the wind. The actual angle depends on a number of factors such as:
- the type of sail,
- the type of board,
- whether the board has a centre-board,
- the strength of the wind,
- the ability of the sailor.
As with all sailing craft, a sailboard can travel in the direction the wind is blowing by tacking into the wind. This is the technique where the craft is sailed at a slight angle to the wind in one direction, is turned and then sailed into the wind at the slight angle in the other. With this zig-zag action the sailboard can move into the wind.
Sailing a Windsurfer with the Wind
To move a sailboard away from the wind, the sailor moves the mast forward. Again, generally keeping the mast in line with the board.
The bow of the sailboard should then move away from the direction of the wind. The board will pick up speed as it starts to move with the wind.
The centre-board should be up when sailing down wind.
This direction is called a broad reach, and while fun with the higher speed, will require a long tack into the wind to get back to the starting point.
Once conquering sailing a windsurfer or sailboard in a straight line, either into the wind or against the wind, there are numerous other techniques to master like standing starts, body drags, and deep water starts to name just a few.
Bruce Iliff - Hello from an Australian freelancer! I’ve been scratching articles together in Australia in a range of subjects for a number of ...
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