Riding technique: The beach start in windsurfing - starting without raising the sail

Launching without raising the sail - This saves energy, looks casual and is not that difficult to learn. The deeper it is, the more difficult - knee-deep water is perfect at the beginning. The beach start works best on a half-wind or light space wind course. As with normal surfing, you can adjust your course by luffing and dropping.

In the gallery above we show you the beach start step by step. You'll also find a video tutorial below.

Beachstart in windsurfing - step by step

• 1. To start, set your board half-windward (crosswind) and grip the mast with your front hand directly above the boom.
• 2. Now you want the sail over your head without the boom end getting stuck in the water. Therefore, pull the mast forwards over your head with your front hand, the boom end comes up and the board stays on course.
  surf tip: If the board turns into the wind unintentionally at this stage, this is because you are only pushing the sail upwards and the end of the boom is getting caught in the water! Instead, try to pull the sail forwards and upwind so that the sail is completely free.
• 3. Finally, grab the boom with both hands.
• 4. If you tilt the boom end towards the water (luffing), the board will turn into the wind (upwind).
• 5. Conversely, bringing the boom end up (dropping) will cause the board to turn downwind.
  surf tip: Support the fall by stretching the front arm and take a few steps towards the base plate.
• 6. As soon as the course is correct, you can put your back foot on the board. Even in this position, you can correct your course with slight steering movements. Now you are ready for the ascent.
• 7. Because you want to get your body right over the board, you should pull the tail close to you by bending your back leg.
• 8. Wait for a small gust and keep your arms slightly bent. You are not rising, but being pulled upwards by the sail. As soon as you feel you have enough pull in the sail, straighten the sail by stretching the front arm - your sail will develop additional pull by stretching the arm. To prevent your board from turning back into the wind straight away, you need to load it evenly - so place your front foot on the board directly behind the base plate and pick up speed first.

Beach start in the other direction

Want to start in the other direction? No problem! To do this, bring your sail over your head as described in steps 1 to 3 and now run a semi-circle round the bow to windward. The sail will automatically flip over at the end and you can start in the new direction.

Beachstart - the typical mistake

"My board turns into the wind when I go up!"

If you load the board too far back when climbing up, it will inevitably turn into the wind. Instead, try to place your front foot directly behind the base plate as you ascend, this will keep the board flat in the water and you will stay on course.

The beach start in the video tutorial

Finally, here's a video of the beach start. Subscribe with pleasure HERE our YouTube channel, we regularly provide you with videos on manoeuvres & material.

Also interesting:

• How to get started in the water
• The perfect jibe for windsurfing - this is how it's done!
• Gliding & straps for windsurfing - tips on material and technique