Sail: 5.7 Gaastra Manic then once wind built 4.7 Gaastra Manic
Board once again felt good, the 5.7 manic, although quite a large sail, felt light in my hands, nice sail. The 4.7 was used again! Felt good! Definitely picking one up when I get home.
The Day
I sailed pretty average today again, my aim was to nail a Vulcan! Im definitely getting closer and closer every time, I will eventually pull one off! Its in the bag! I had a lot of times where I was sliding backwards today, I really need to work on my switch stance! That’s where its all going wrong!
I need to sort out my pop, for most of the day, I was jumping too high and going all wrong. I need to be more over the board to pull it off.
By the end of the day, I was too tired… see how we go again! I am really desperate to pull one off now!
Water: Fresh… bit cooler today. Really confused seas, different chop coming from different directions
Kit: Tabou Freestyle 100ltr (early) Tabou Freestyle 90ltr (rest of day) Tried the new modified chode fin today, it did ok, needs a bit more taken off it. Gastra Manic 4.7. Fantastic sail! Really light in your hands, handles gusts well.
The Day
Today started off terrible, wasn’t really in the zone to go windsurfing, but I am committed to nailing this Vulcan. My firsts attempts were on the Tabou 100ltr board, and weren’t very successful. After a bit of a break,I came in had a bit of a break, and changed board to a 90ltr. I was getting closer and closer every time. Today, I had the most successful attempts ever, I have realized that I need to really slingshot my way over and around the board by using my back hand, and keeping my back leg bent, and staying over the board.
So, after having a few good chats with the top guys like Oli, Colin and Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers, I did another session.
I was getting the all dialed in, I tried my second last one, I popped, really concentrated on releasing my back hand, the board spun and I was sliding backwards, I knew I had to get my hands organized for the rig flip. I had the rig, I was in an awkward position, but I had everything sorted, I sheeted on, but was too early, and I just got pulled in. I reckon I pretty much landed it! YOU BEAUTY!
Anyway, cant wait for tomorrow to get them properly nailed! Its only a matter of time.
Kit: Starboard F 98 liter early 88 late 5.7 Gaastra Manic early, 5.3 Ice
The Starboard planes early, does everything it needs to, but that’s it. It isn’t a lively board, but rides through chop comfortably. Not a board to rave home about, but gets the job done. I found the 88 liter board a lot more fun. Felt shorter, easier to pop and turn. Gybes nicely, but doesn’t like the rails being pushed hard. One of the things that really bothered me, was the foot strap position. They felt really far apart, and the front foot straps were in a awkward position to really lock the board down to get over chop.
Started off early with the 5.7 Manic! Really nice sail, not too powerful, when overpowered still handles quite well. Even though rigged poorly (not enough downhaul) still sails well, and twists off nicely. It got a bit too windy so I went down to a 5.3North Ice. I wasn’t expecting this sail to blow me away, because they are all rigged on SDM’s and apparently they are meant to be rigged on RDM’s. The Ice is their down the line wave sail, and even though I was overpowered through the gusts, still felt fine, not really giving me a hard time. Felt very similar to the Neil Pryde Combats.
I’m still looking forward to using a 4.7 Manic on a RDM! This day will come.
Today the guys lent me a small, chunky and chode of a fin, to try some freestyle. When I first tried it, it was on the 88 F , when I jumped on it, it straight away felt as if I were going sideways, the smaller fins defiantly don’t track as well as the bigger fins. I did my first gybe and it held through it. When I came in to try some freestyle, that’s when you can really understand how helpful these fins really are. When you pop them, and make the board turn under your feet, the fin doesn’t catch, I think they are a bit more forgiving.
The Day
Again, today my main aim was to get some Vulcans happening, and today I was getting closer, I even started sliding backwards/sideways for a bit. It was an awesome feeling.
When I sailed over to the Roller Disco aka Shit Farm, Steve-o was getting some footage taken of him, so I though I would pop over to see what was going on. I tried a couple of Vulcans, where one of them was taken on video camera, so it will be interesting to see how they look.
I was told by Colin, that I need to behave like a spring. So when I come inboard to start the trick, I need to take a wide grip on the boom, and then sheet on and release my back hand as I pop the board, and my front hand should be pulling up.
I then saw Steve-o in the bar and asked him what I need to work on. He said that I wasn’t turning my board nearly far enough. And I was landing only going about 90 degrees into the turn. To fix this, I need to pop hard and spring up, and twist my body as hard as I can backward to get the board going the other way.
So that’s pretty much all I have to say for today. I can’t wait to get out tomorrow! I think I will have them soon enough!!! I’m not giving up until I have this trick sorted!
I'm Baack! Ladies, Gentlemen, Merlins and Milkmaids!
I have left Australia once again to travel the world!
This blog will be updated regulary, so please keep checking it! I love all your comments so keep em rollin'
Well guys, we shall chat soon!
Take care and brush your hair!
