Learning footstraps

[<RIchard Teo>]

Hi Sukhdev,

I have problems on learning footstraps, When I put my front foot in straps it turns upwind right away no matter how hard I lean my body out. My friend said I should put back foot in straps right away, don't wait.
Pls advise any significant point I should follow in order to achieve my goal.

I am 60+ kgs
board 140 liters
wind 10+ knots

Thanks in advance.
Richard

[sukhdev]

Hi Richard,

what you are facing is what almost every windsurfer goes through in the early stages. The reason the board is carving upwind when you get into the front straps is too much weight is being applied to the rail, effectively making the board turn onto that rail (upwind).

First get planing comfortably with your feet balanced somewhere near the central line of the board. You should be able to maintain a plane. Hang your weight from the sail, and then gently get your front foot in. Key thing is your weight should be on the boom and not the board. Settle in and continue planing, don't worry about the rear foot yet. Once you are settled you can then get your rear foot in. This is all a smooth gentle maneuver, no rush or push.