things I learned today

going for it plenty, but I didn't have enough on the edge to make the board really turn like it should. Whoa! When you do it right!

jumping: I'm not a big jumper, still learning. I actually didn't really learn this today, it's a progression, but it's made all the difference. It makes sense, but didn't occur to me, and might not to others:

You need to be up over your board to jump. You can't be stretched out like you are doing a speed run. I didn't understand this at first. Try this: go to your kitchen, lean against the counter with your back/butt. Try to jump. Now, stand up. Try to jump. Which was easier? Sure, there is speed and a ramp when you are windsurfing, but for chop hops at least, this makes a huge difference for me.

Things I constantly re-learn (I'm a slow learner) :

1) Bend your knees more to absorb the chop

2) Keep your weight over your board during transitions

3) Anyone can do it, it just takes coaching and practice

4) Smile - it's all for fun!

<<effectively making my cambered 6.8 a high aspect wing with great lift potential that lofted me up really high. Once up there, it was amazing how silent everything got. It was very peaceful. I didn't land well, but I didn't crash either. Since then, I'm always looking for more air.. unless I'm on my Formula.>>

6.8??? Wow, that's a big sail for jumping. I only feel comfortable jumping 4.7 and down. Sometimes when airborne at the apex of a spectacular crash/wipeout, I too get that silent peaceful feeling, then I get my ass handed to me. Ouch!!!

Big sails generally => flat water => lots of speed => looooooooong jumps, requiring little more than raising the windward edge to let air under the board. This effect is quite pronounced on a longboard with its near-4-meter rail length.

What I learned (read: relearned) today is to religiously obey WSing Rule #4: EVERY time you derig after dark, get out your flashlight and check the ground no matter HOW certain you are that you picked up everything. Had to drive 70 miles each way today to retrieve my wetsuit.

OK ... since you asked: #1: Take ALL your stuff. #2: I forgot ... seriously. It'll come to me. #3. NLWTFW.

Mike m/

timing more than the size of wave (although there's nothing like an 8' face to start the altimeter winding up).

The swing motion is a pull with the upper body (sheet) and a push with the lower body combined with a bit of spring or compression/release. Its coordinating the pump and spring that really launches you. Next time out, visualize you are on a swing and you are doing that initial pump and sway to build momentum. Just doing the rocking motion with chop hops really helps with coordination. Seemed to work for me.

Hugh aka JSTNG (Just Say No To Gravity)

And don't forget to look up at the sky after takeoff. If you're hooked in, this does at least four things: 1. Converts more of your forward energy into altitude. 2. Because all you see is sky, the perceived altitude is MUCH greater. 3. It puts the board at or well above eye level, much higher than in a 'normal' jump. 4. The landing can be absolutely as light as a feather, due

Ouch!!!

Man.. I'd love to just feel comfortable jumping.. no matter what sail I'm on. I own a 3.9, and a 4.7 that I've only used twice in the 3 years I've had them. Come to think of it, I've used my 5.0 twice also. The smallest sail I've been on in the last 2 years is a 6.0. Lousy wind in the Chesapeake region.