Windsurfing basics: Upwind, downwind, half-wind - these are the windsurfing courses
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Your fixed point in windsurfing is the wind, so there is no left and right on the water, only courses and directions in relation to the wind direction. In wind-powered sports such as sailing or windsurfing, four courses form the basis for being able to reach all points on the water under your own power.
Half wind course
The start is always at right angles to the wind on a half-wind course, as the board moves by assuming the basic position ("T-position"), see article on sheet launch) is always at right angles to the wind. This means that you sail pretty much at right angles to the wind and theoretically always come back to the same point after a tack or jibe. An exact half-wind course is rarely possible in practice, as you always have to correct the course a little and factors such as waves and currents can also influence the course you take.
Space wind course
On a space wind or space sheet course, the wind comes from diagonally behind. Swinging from half wind to space wind is called "dropping". This is the fastest course possible in windsurfing. You often sail (briefly) on the space sheet course, for example to planing or to gain momentum for manoeuvres. However, you lose "height", so you also sail a little to leeward. If you want to get back to the starting point later, you have to regain this height (see Amwind course).
Downwind course
The slowest course in windsurfing is the downwind course. The wind comes directly from behind. However, as neither the rig nor the board are designed for this, you usually only sail downwind for a short time, for example on the last few metres before returning to the beach
Upwind course (crossing, upwind running)
Sooner or later, luffing always leads to a closehauled course. This course - at an angle to the wind - is the basis for reaching destinations further upwind. As a course directly upwind is impossible for physical reasons, a zigzag course with several successive upwind courses is the only way to reach upwind destinations under your own power. This upwind zigzag is known as crossing. By tacking upwind, you can regain the height that you previously lost on the space sheet course.
