Windsurfing Magazine

kristin
2008-04-03 10:48:16 | 488 views | 0 Comments

Sooner or later, you'll have to sail upwind on your shortboard in a dying breeze - what has come to be known as schlogging - and when you do, it can become quite a balancing act.

If you're having difficulty schlogging upwind, it's likely that you sail with your heels way off the centerline of the board, which throws you off balance. Then, to keep from falling, you likely sheet in hard, causing excessive pressure, which causes the board to crab sideways more than forward. The result, of course, is an overall poor upwind performance.

But, there are a couple of tricks that can help you achieve schlogging nirvana.

First, place your heels on the centerline, with the toes of your front foot facing the front of the board. Your feet should point at 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock, depending on the tack. Doing this helps keep the board stable, which allows you to use less sail power to move ahead.

Next, always sheet in lightly, keeping the mast as upright as possible. You may have to bend your arms to keep the mast in the correct position. You'll notice the sail pulling more toward the front of the board rather than sideways. Keep feathering the sail this way.

Any time you feel an increase in pressure on the sail, resist the temptation to sheet in hard and hang out. Instead, sheet out and feel the sail pulling toward the front of the board. Gradually rake the sail back until you find the spot where the board tracks straight.