RYA Windsurfing

South East U17

Preparing for a Race

Above all - trust your own judgment!

Always aim to be at the venue in good time. This usually means having your rig(s) assembled before the briefing. Always attend the briefing and pay attention to

  • 1. The course and
  • 2. The start sequence and the flags being used
  • Anything you are unsure of then always ask. Perhaps copy down the course on paper or the back of your hand.

    The Course

  • Most commonly used is an M course. Alohas may sail 2 laps. Junior One Design (JOD) only 1 lap or a shortened course, 103s may do 1 or 2 laps. This is always specified at the briefing and can vary so take special note.

    NB Buoys 3 & 4 may be moved to produce a longer "run" between 2 & 3 and a reach to 4 (a 'P' course)

    The Start

  • Usually the first problem is finding it! Look for the Committee boat with the flags or follow the other windsurfers. Aim to be on the course at least 15 minutes before the start time and try to practise sailing the windward leg - that's from the start line to the windward buoy. While doing this try to work out the best direction to take you to the buoy the quickest (these are known as lay-lines). The more experienced will also be working out which end of the line is nearer the windward buoy (the bias) and therefore which tack (port or starboard) to start on. If in doubt, always start on starboard.

    At 6 Minutes

  • Aim to be near the committee boat watching for the flag to be raised and ready to start the timer on your watch. This is usually done whilst sitting on your board. This done, sail across the line checking for any changes in wind, tide or bias. The more experienced will take a transit at this time, lining up a clear stationary object on the shore with the start line buoy.

    At 1 Minute

  • By now you should be in place and ready to move towards the line at around 30 seconds. Aim to be very near or running down the line at 10 seconds, bearing off to gain speed thus creating a space to move into as the start flag is raised. As you hit 0 seconds, sheet in, harden up and sail closer to the wind.

    The First Beat

  • Try to be sensitive to windshifts. If you feel yourself having to bear off in order to maintain speed then you are being headed by a change in wind direction and may need to put in a tack. The key decision is whether it is worth tacking given the time lost in doing so. If the windshift is short-lived, your tacks slow and you are a long way from the mark, then the answer is probably no.
  • If, on the other hand, it becomes easier to reach the mark, then you have been lifted and should hold that tack as long as possible.

    Home Page Trevor Jones 01795 873003
    RYA South-East Region
    U17 Race Training Coordinator