This rings so true. I've always been predisposed to get on as small a board as possible for the conditions, quite often with too big a sail. But seeing the kit you're using and my brother, who is a far better sailor than I, is also an advocate of this - use a bigger board with a smaller sail for the best set-up. If necessary and it get blowy, its quicker to change down board or fin than rig another sail. You are a wise man.
Awesome video! Learning so much from you! Thank you for starting by affirming not to let anyone kick sand in your face by showing up with your 100+ board! 🤙
@@Cookiesports Support ?? We are happy that there is someone who unselfish share his knowledge with us. So many little things you say, we should know, but were forgotten. I can't tell you how " getting the foot out of the strap before jibe " helped me !!! Finally I'm feeling confident. Please continue !!
Hi Cookie! Great video again, with a lot of good advice. I'm exactly in the situation you described at the beginning. With 80kg weight my smallest board is 106l/64cm freewave. I sail inland lakes with at most half meter wave/chop and gusty unreliable wind. We sometimes have crazy high winds like 35+ or even 40+ knots. As wind is rare here I want to take every chance to go sailing. So far I was overpowered on 4.5 in those winds, now I ordered a 3.7 power wave sail for that. But people keep telling me that my 106l board is also too big for those conditions, not just the sail. They say I should get an at most 85l board for those days. On the one hand I do not want a smaller board because of many reasons: I do not feel ready for such small board as I still work on my tacks and jibes on the 106l (having good progress lately). I do not want to change my 106l to a smaller one because that's floaty enough in case the wind drops suddenly which happens often in our lakes. The 106l is also used often ideally with my 6.4 and 5.3. Buying a third board (I have also a 135l one) brings in logistics and storage issues. On the other hand people say that it is just so more much fun in those 4.5/3.7 winds to ride a small wave/freewave board. I do not know what to do :) Interesting is that in contrast to others freestyler guys always tell me that going 3.7 on a 106l is completely fine as they usually has one 100l something freestyle board for all conditions :)
Hi Gergely, Thanks for the message, and glad you've been enjoying the series! I think unless you have a huge budget and loads of storage space, choosing what kit to buy will always have to be a compromise. For the few days you might use it having an 85lt board and small sails would be great, but are you going to get you moneys worth from them? And like you say, just because it's "the right kit for those conditions" does that mean it's the right kit for you? Small boards are fun, manoeuvrable and playful, but much more sensitive to your foot pressure and what you do on top of them- so ultimately much harder to sail and make any sort of development/progressional changes to technique. A larger board will be more stable and forgiving, even in the stronger wind, but could have a tendency to get blown about a bit more in very windy/wavy conditions as you go faster. I think I'd start with some lists and work out what conditions you'll be in most, and what kit you will be using most... then work out what you need in your quiver from there. Your 106 will happily take larger sails, but how large does the boards manufactures recommendation go to? I'd guess around 6.5-7.0ish? Remember also, a FSW style boards don't really like large freeride sails, a 6.5/7m NCX from severne, or Evo/Fire from RRD wouldn't go well with a 106 FSW, but will take the same size freewave sail happily -like gator/blade with Severne or Move from RRD. The 106 can be sailed in windy conditions too- like you saw in the video here I took a 135 at the start, full power in pretty big chop. Sorry thats not a black and white answer for you, but none of windsurfing will be that simple I'm afraid!
@@Cookiesports Thanks for the real quick and elaborate answer! I did not expect a concrete answer, was just curios about your opinion. "The 106 can be sailed in windy conditions too- like you saw in the video here I took a 135 at the start, full power in pretty big chop." That's what I liked in your video, which is in contrast what I hear often. Living inland with occasional and varying wind, we have to prepare for all conditions from 14 to 40 knots to be able to surf a lot. And I want to go a lot as I love it and want to be better at it :). So the arms race here is about to cover as many wind condition as possible with as less gear as possible :) I also need to travel a lot to the spots, so it is not an option to go there and sit at the beach because the wind is not exactly what was forecasted and I do not have gear of the actual wind.... I also have a 135l freeride board to be used with my 7.9 and 6.4. for lighter days. The most used combo is 7.9/135. The 106 is my second board to be used with 6.4, 5.3, 4.5 and 3.7. It is recommended until 7.0. My 6.4 Gun Sails Stream freeride sail seems to work on the 106 for me. That 2 board and 5 sails along with 4 masts and 3 booms are the amount I can store and transport conveniently. So the final solution might be to change the boards when I'm ready to a 120 something freeride/freerace and a 95 freewave as a compromise (or I buy a bigger car and a bigger house and go for the 135/106/85 combo, but the wife might have something to say about that too :):)
@@Cookiesports I can actually sail back-and forth in 35 knots gusts with my 106 + 4.5 without catapults, do waterstarts and occasionally I even manage to do a tack or jibe :) But it is very far from being enjoyable, I rather call it survival surfing. I hope my new 3.7 and a smaller fin will make it better.
@@gergelymikos6455 your final solution seems like a good option- a 120 wish board for lighter days and a mid-90's board for the higher wind days... and a yearly windsurfing holiday we're you'll have coaching from me and a huge sail and board rack to choose from! 👍👍👍👍👍
Bought a sinker myself and it was effortless!! This is the power of small guys ahahah, weighing 63 kgs at the moment ahaha! Thanks a lot for the video!
I can just add to the conversation that Ive been sailing for years and years on too small boards, just making life mire complicated than it should be. Over the last 6 years I went from 78 l and 83l Waveboards to a 99l Severne Pyro in the waves and now have much more fun! Even a 115l Severne Nano is still a lot of fun in the waves an no more worries about not gliding in low winds and swimming
Definitely agree... I've done a video backing up exactly what you're saying... slightly larger boards are generally easier to sail- and just as responsive and fun! Join my patron page if you can... I do a number of "walk-Along" sessions where I talk through it a little more! Thanks
Thanks for the video. I get a lot of smaller board peer pressure on the beach and I can't see the point, especially on an inland lake. If the wind dies on you and it does that quite often, it's a real pain. But with your tips I'll get the smaller board out once it's cranking.
Thanks for watching! No rush to go smaller, but it can be great fun on a smaller manouverable and playful boards. Anyone giving you grief send them to this video and tell them "Cookie agrees with me!" 😉
Great video as always! Any chance you’d be willing to do some light-wind tutorials on something between 130l and 140l. Things like uphaul, lower wind water starts, and pumping with a large sail would help me a lot.
Hi Neil, Thanks for watching, really glad you've found the videos useful so far. I'll add your requests to the ever growing "to film" list! However I'm in the snow now for the winter so will have to wait until spring! Stay tuned to this channel for some snow coaching and adventures though! In the mean time though these videos will help you out a lot I'm sure! How to get going in light winds...th-cam.com/video/nBdWc6EUX-k/w-d-xo.html How to channel POWER!... th-cam.com/video/rJ4QD4Tmw9E/w-d-xo.html How to water start!.... th-cam.com/video/46b4NksuwqI/w-d-xo.html
Love watching your videos... Interesting what you were saying re modern 130 plus litre boards still good for very strong winds... Back in the 1990's the higher volume boards were considered to be too bouncy for high wind conditions...but of course they tended to be much longer, and higher in volume.... Would you consider doing a video about fine tuning the rigging of your sail...amount of downhaul/outhall and boom height for the conditions? Thank you, best wishes Matthew P.s. looking forward to the water start video...especially rig recovery and rig flying tips!
Hi Mathew! Thanks for the support, really appriceate it! Rig tuning is on the list for sure. I want to make it "Ride Along" style as the others- so plan is to tune a sail in a certain way, the sail and film the sail showing how it actually moves when tunes like that. Re-tune, re-film and spot the difference. Watch this space!
amazing video Cookie! thanks for the useful tips! I'm actually having a time with the small board pointing upwind all the time before I get power on the sail. I heard it could be not enough outhaul and or too small fin. I'm using a thruster set up hehe. Also I keep spinning out hahaha, too much pressure on those small fins I guess.
Thanks for watching Marcos. The board pointing into the wind a lot is a common problem- which is why TRIM is so important. Trim is affected by foot pressure, and the smaller the board the more sensitive it is. Stand with weight on your back foot the board will sink and turn upwind. To keep it off the wind drive and even kick the noes of the board with your front foot. Too little OH or small fins could be an issue, but more likely is the technique we're using!... ...Although small fin (combined with technique) could well be the cause of spin out. Maybe put a longer single fin on to get used the board, then switch and play with the thruster set up. Let me know how you get on!
another great great video! I have a question on riding a small board with thurster fins (bump'n'jump). I read you need to adapt a more "upright stance" in order to avoid spinouts, so that you have less backfoot pressure. does that still mean I fully commit to the harness, hanging low? but I would not be upright.. I do improvise, but still not sure how it is to be done the right way :) naturally I would want to just hang on the harness and get outside, but just be more gentle on the back foot. if I'm standing over the board in chop I just bounce.. any structured advice would be highly appreciated! :)
Thank you!!! I’m not convinced on a upright stance for thruster.... I set the straps more inboard and balance pressure between my feet- not hard on my outboard back foot like you can on a single fin.
Thanks! Loads more uploaded on this channel already. In the snow now for the winter so a slight change of direction for this channel....until May when I’ll be back on the water! Stay tuned though- loads of fun snow adventures coming!
Cookie your videos have helped me so much and I'm writing this to thank you. Hope we get to meet in Lemnos next year. All the best!! 👏💪🤙🤙🌊 Edit: Lemnos :)
Hi George! Really glad to here what I'm doing in beneficial! Thanks for watching and sharing amogunst your windsurfing friends and community! I'm in Limnos this summer (less is further over to the east from here), however keep an eye on this channel through the winter as I've not yet confirmed where I'll be for Summer 2021. Somewhere hot and windy for sure, where I'll be running regular clinics! Hope to see you then!
Thanks for watching! Many people get onto smaller and smaller boards before there is a need for it. I would suggest staying on a bigger board for longer!
HI Ian, Thanks for the message. Hope you're enjoying the series! In tougher conditions stick to the basics that you'll have been using already. These notes and links will remind you of the key points... The formula to gybing... th-cam.com/video/oCng8Mj6CTM/w-d-xo.html To stay on the board... - Vision (through the gybe and to the exit, same during, the rig flip) - Counterbalance, oppose the forces of the rip- the rig goes hard to the outside and your hips go in. To help with the rig flip use the the disco gybe... th-cam.com/video/cywwVfpYGaU/w-d-xo.html If it's really choppy and you want slam in the gybe quicker, use the rig must go harder to windward to make the board steer quickly, then continue "round the clock"... Hope these help! And thanks for sharing the channel around your windsurfing friends!
Ride-Along Sessions with Cookie! Thanks Cookie. Will go back to the basics as you say as I still have a lot of work to do there. Great videos that I feel will help me a lot. H H H H all the way and no one can hear me staying it out load on the water in 20knts :)
Hi Cookie, Please can you go through the process of moving from a big board to a small board and getting into both footstraps and the common faults, consequences and remedies. I get into both footstraps easily on my Gecko 156, plane beautifully etc. but on a 118 litre board I just veer up into the wind when I try to get into footstraps. ie what am I doing wrong and how do I correct it? Tempted to just stick with the big guy… Thanks Elliot
Hi Elliot, Thanks for the message. I’m creating a “to-film” list for when I get back on the water in spring. Something like this will make an appearance early on. The season I’m sure. If you can make it out to Vassiliki this summer I offer clinics that’ll really help you out. In the meantime try this video…Classic problems and how to fix them! Ideal for for intermediate/advanced windsurfers! th-cam.com/video/lcG0FFBGXV0/w-d-xo.html
Usually the sail range of a 120+ board is starting at around 6.0. Do these board still work on smaller sails? Sometimes I used a 4.5 on the big board with 30+ knots on it but felt a bit off.
They can work fine as long as the sea state isn’t too crazy! The start of this film was on a 4.5m and a 135lt board, full power in some pretty choppy water- not huge breaking waves but knee-waist high chop. With the outboard and back foot straps the bird was great to sail!
I have a 94lt Starboard Kode and it has inboard and outboard foot strap positions. I only have one strap in the back, but I've always sailed with the front straps in the outboard positions. I've considered moving them inboard before, but I'm not really sure what it would get me or what I would lose. Would it give me better control of the board when jumping? Would I lose any power moving them inboard? (Gotta still be able to keep up with my dad on his mistral explosion) Maybe I should just give it a try and see?
I think the first answer is to play with your gear and see what feels good to you. I've seen some very "unusual" set ups... but the riders love them- even having tired more "normal" set ups! Moving the front straps inboard should make the board more manoeuvrable and playful- especial in carving moves and jumps...but likely you'll find it a little slower and harder to control at speed- often I'll even slide my front foot outer and looser in the strap while blasting, then stamp it right in for a manoeuvre/something playful! Like you say...try it and see what you like... or better yet...go to a large rental centre where you can do a few runs on a mixture of boards, with straps in a mix of positions that you can switch between and see what you like! (Maybe come join us in the Cosmos, Vassiliki, we've got loads you can try out!).
Is the waterstart technique different on a small board (e.g 84l), compared with a bigger board (i've got a 102l)? I've tried a small board once and had a lot of trouble with the waterstart, hence the question.
Hi! Thanks for watching! Not really a difference between boards on the water start- just that foot pressure will affect the board more & more the smaller the board gets. Waterstart video will be on this channel very soon, make sure you’ve subscribed so you don’t miss out! 👍👍🤘
smaller board is much shorter so it bears down wind much more quickly than a bigger board so you need to be more sensitive to the direction of the wind when you're flying the sail. It just takes a bit of practice but you'll tune in to it after a couple of hours
@@Juan_lauda For sure everything becomes more sensitive on smaller boards. Did you guys manage to see the waterstart video I did? th-cam.com/video/46b4NksuwqI/w-d-xo.html
Hi, I've recently got back into windsurfing and I want a bigger board. I'm 83kg and have got an 87l board. I fancy a 95-100l to make things a bit more fun... Im looking at the fanatic stubby.... Everyone here sails waves boards but the waves are small and mushy so I'd rather have a bump n jump all rounder board...
i get planing very speed i hooked in and i entered footstarps very fast but there is a problem my board every wawes wants to chop but idont wanna take of my board very fast and coming voice pat pat pat pat i dont wanna this what can i do ? maybe small fin maybe small board dipnot : my power coint at the farthest and i am 80kg my board jp xcite ride 120 lt with 40cm freeride fin - my sail 6,8m2 loft sail blade with 4 cam race sail wind speed about 15-25 knot or 18-30 knots my english sometimes not enougf i hope i could explain thank you for everyting
I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking here… however one note- cam’ed sails I do not recommend unless you’re very experienced and looking for speed. They make a sail cumbersome and heavy- even the good ones. They make it more stable, especially when over powered. There are many many great no-camm’ed sails that’ll help- look into the ACX Point-7 for example! 👍
@@Cookiesports ok man thank you so much but there is a problem my area because my area winds not regular forexample wind coming 10 knots and imediately change this time coming 20knots or my area wants to camber sails normaly i dont like camber because very heavy camber sails for example sometimes i am going to alaçatı and alaçatı perfect place regular wind not need camber but istanbul winds want to camber sails :) in istanbul no camber no speed unfurtunatelly istanbul winds are unbalanced thank your for your answer
Hi and thanks for the video! i want to ask for an advice: i'm 70kg and have a 103L fsw, which now i find too big and want to change it. How big shoud the FSW board should be to switch it? i would use it as a big board for marginal conditions (15kn-18kn) Thanks!
Hi! Thanks for the comment! I'm not sure I can answer your question though, a lot of it is down to personal preference. For a lot of people a 103 is already a small board and you want to downsize for a smaller to be you big one! For me a 100lt freeride board makes a nice toy for marginal conditions with a 7-8m sail, then I'll keep an 80-90lt few for higher winds (I weigh about 75-80kg).
Maybe my story helps: I am 65kg and I have a 105l board for winds bellow 19knots and a 86l for winds 19+ (sails from 5.4 to 4.0). You don’t really need 95l in between as sails of bigger size perfectly work on 105l. Just maybe try to equip your board with several fins (in thruster setup change size of the centerfin)
Hi! Could be! The point of this video is that it doesn’t matter if it sinks or not- the control skills are the same, and there’s no reason to go smaller and smaller just because other people are unsung tiny little boards! My favourite board from this summer is a 102 fsw!
When it is windy, your sound is a little bit bad. On these days maybe you could put a voice-over after filming. Or maybe a software to make the original recorded voice better. I am not a specialist on this. However great videos, thank you!
Hi! Thanks for the comment and hope you still enjoyed the videos despite the sound fuss. I've played with voice overs and software a lot prior to make this series. Simple fact is that recording sound in 30knots wind with any-sort of waterproof mic will not sound ideal- hence why very few other online water-sport videos do it. I've plugged it into all the software I can, muffed with various hacks to deaden the wind plus a bunch of other tricks that help- the original sound is unrecognisable! As soon as i get splash on our around the mic it gets worse- as you've spotted though this video! Voice overs work well as you'll see many (or most) other windsurf videos do. Trouble I found is it looses the "live here and now" factor which is what I'm going for in these videos! I'm not a specialist on this either to be honest, I'm a windsurfer who wants to help people! I think without professional gear I'll struggle to get much better - but will keep playing with the settings!
I'm not sure about this video at all. No one sails a true 'sinker' any more. Firstly, a sinker is something that literally sinks when you stand on it in no wind. Nowadays a 'small' board is ten litres more than your body weight in kilos - so a small board for a 75kilo sailor is an 85litre board or less. (But that's not a sinker). With multi fin kit, you can go bigger with the board than you might with a single fin set up - but it's important to define here what sort of sail sizes you are likely to use. For example, any sail size over 5.2m probably should be used with a single fin. Whereas sail sizes of 5m our less go best with multi fin set ups. Beyond these facts, the board size you choose depends on ability, sailor weight and sail size used. For sure, an intermediate sailor will be on a bigger board than an expert. But if it's 4m (sail size) wind, as here then an 85 litre board is big ( and by no means is it a sinker). Extra float is also OK when the water is flat and in currents or with white water. But in 4m weather then control becomes an issue, so a smaller board is good. Just not a sinker. Never a sinker. This guy makes a lot of good instructional videos so I'm sorry to be critical here.
Hi Basher, Thanks for the comment. I appreciate you taking the time to check out a video, even if you know from the title you don't agree with it! 😉 I fully agree with your comments about what a sinker actually is, in fact I even explain this at the start of the video. However, "a sinker" it is still a word thrown around beaches and windsurf spots so a pretty easy way of getting people attention and then explaining in more detail through the video what we're actually using and how we slowly drop board size. Also fully agree that board size depends on your skill, weight, wind and water conditions, hence the very start of this video I'm saying how good it is to be on a huge board in strong winds! The start of they filmed on the 135 was great fun with a 4m sail and knee-waist high chop! So I think we're agreeing on all points here. 👍 Would be great to have a sail and a beer and discuss kit one day! Thanks for the positivity at the end of your comment, thanks for the support! Water starts and jumping videos are coming this week!
Actually, a 85l board with a 75kg surfer will sink without wind. Because with board itself + wetsuit with some water in it + rig, we will end up over 85kg. That's also what I experience. When I'm out on my small 105l board, I definetely get in some trouble if the wind suddenly drops.
@@PlatzhalterCrew Fair point but, actually, it depends how much the wind drops. We get lift from the board as it moves forwards. For sure if the wind goes from 22knots to 5 knots then you stop moving forwards and you then rely on the buoyancy and stability of the board. An 85 litre board will still float a 75kilo sailor but on a wobbly platform, and I wouldn't expect to uphaul the sail. It helps in that situation to have a lightweight rig too, and a less thick wetsuit. And to avoid one of those harnesses that get really heavy when wet. But if instead the wind just drops from 22knots to 18knots, so you stop planing but can still slog along like a boat, then 85 litres is plenty for the 75kilo sailor. A 105 litre board is great in light wind for the 75kgs sailor - for bigger rigs and for and when the wind drops - but I wouldn't want to use one in 4m weather, except maybe on the flattest of water.
@@billyinwaves Exactly what you are describing for the 75kg sailor on the 85l board happens for me on my 105l board. That's what I was talking about. I weigh slightly over 90kg and use the 105l as my small board.
Great video as always! Any chance you’d be willing to do some light-wind tutorials on something between 130l and 140l. Things like uphaul, lower wind water starts, and pumping with a large sail would help me a lot.
Great video as always! Any chance you’d be willing to do some light-wind tutorials on something between 130l and 140l. Things like uphaul, lower wind water starts, and pumping with a large sail would help me a lot.
Great suggestion! Right now I'm on the snow for the winter (hope you've seen the videos), but soon as I'm back on the water in Vassiliki this summer I'll get on it!
This rings so true.
I've always been predisposed to get on as small a board as possible for the conditions, quite often with too big a sail. But seeing the kit you're using and my brother, who is a far better sailor than I, is also an advocate of this - use a bigger board with a smaller sail for the best set-up. If necessary and it get blowy, its quicker to change down board or fin than rig another sail.
You are a wise man.
Thanks for watching Richard! Fully agree with everything your saying here! Anyone disagrees with you on the beach send them my way! 😉
Great tips! unstoppable talking! The footstraps point of view and a sinker board. ..definitely a 80s style video! Which I love!
🤩
Thank you so much for your videos, they are simply the best!
great way to learn by looking at it real time
Thanks!
Awesome video! Learning so much from you! Thank you for starting by affirming not to let anyone kick sand in your face by showing up with your 100+ board! 🤙
Thanks Cobbie! More coming soon!
Thanks Dude for the practical tips on small boards....
Hope they help!
What a master class. Cheers from Chile 🇨🇱
Thank you!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
A very informative, useful video. Thanks.
Thanks! I’ve got loads more recent ones if you like this one!!
Just another great and helpful video !!
Thanks Marko, really appreciate your support!
👍
@@Cookiesports Support ?? We are happy that there is someone who unselfish share his knowledge with us. So many little things you say, we should know, but were forgotten. I can't tell you how " getting the foot out of the strap before jibe " helped me !!! Finally I'm feeling confident. Please continue !!
@@markocernic8659 Good man Marko!
Such wise words, keep up the great work and videos 😊
Thanks Jason!
Fun to see you on my daily Gorge board! 82L RRD wave cult wood V7, works like a charm!
It’s a good board the FSW’s. Personally though I’m more a fan of the Kode… I just didn’t have one to hand while I was filming this!
Hi Cookie! Great video again, with a lot of good advice. I'm exactly in the situation you described at the beginning. With 80kg weight my smallest board is 106l/64cm freewave. I sail inland lakes with at most half meter wave/chop and gusty unreliable wind. We sometimes have crazy high winds like 35+ or even 40+ knots. As wind is rare here I want to take every chance to go sailing. So far I was overpowered on 4.5 in those winds, now I ordered a 3.7 power wave sail for that. But people keep telling me that my 106l board is also too big for those conditions, not just the sail. They say I should get an at most 85l board for those days.
On the one hand I do not want a smaller board because of many reasons: I do not feel ready for such small board as I still work on my tacks and jibes on the 106l (having good progress lately). I do not want to change my 106l to a smaller one because that's floaty enough in case the wind drops suddenly which happens often in our lakes. The 106l is also used often ideally with my 6.4 and 5.3. Buying a third board (I have also a 135l one) brings in logistics and storage issues.
On the other hand people say that it is just so more much fun in those 4.5/3.7 winds to ride a small wave/freewave board. I do not know what to do :)
Interesting is that in contrast to others freestyler guys always tell me that going 3.7 on a 106l is completely fine as they usually has one 100l something freestyle board for all conditions :)
Hi Gergely,
Thanks for the message, and glad you've been enjoying the series!
I think unless you have a huge budget and loads of storage space, choosing what kit to buy will always have to be a compromise. For the few days you might use it having an 85lt board and small sails would be great, but are you going to get you moneys worth from them?
And like you say, just because it's "the right kit for those conditions" does that mean it's the right kit for you? Small boards are fun, manoeuvrable and playful, but much more sensitive to your foot pressure and what you do on top of them- so ultimately much harder to sail and make any sort of development/progressional changes to technique.
A larger board will be more stable and forgiving, even in the stronger wind, but could have a tendency to get blown about a bit more in very windy/wavy conditions as you go faster.
I think I'd start with some lists and work out what conditions you'll be in most, and what kit you will be using most... then work out what you need in your quiver from there.
Your 106 will happily take larger sails, but how large does the boards manufactures recommendation go to? I'd guess around 6.5-7.0ish?
Remember also, a FSW style boards don't really like large freeride sails, a 6.5/7m NCX from severne, or Evo/Fire from RRD wouldn't go well with a 106 FSW, but will take the same size freewave sail happily -like gator/blade with Severne or Move from RRD.
The 106 can be sailed in windy conditions too- like you saw in the video here I took a 135 at the start, full power in pretty big chop.
Sorry thats not a black and white answer for you, but none of windsurfing will be that simple I'm afraid!
Good on you getting out in 35+ knots by the way- thats the fisrst step to all of this- just get out there and getting wet! 👏💪🤙🤙🌊
@@Cookiesports Thanks for the real quick and elaborate answer! I did not expect a concrete answer, was just curios about your opinion.
"The 106 can be sailed in windy conditions too- like you saw in the video here I took a 135 at the start, full power in pretty big chop." That's what I liked in your video, which is in contrast what I hear often.
Living inland with occasional and varying wind, we have to prepare for all conditions from 14 to 40 knots to be able to surf a lot. And I want to go a lot as I love it and want to be better at it :). So the arms race here is about to cover as many wind condition as possible with as less gear as possible :) I also need to travel a lot to the spots, so it is not an option to go there and sit at the beach because the wind is not exactly what was forecasted and I do not have gear of the actual wind....
I also have a 135l freeride board to be used with my 7.9 and 6.4. for lighter days. The most used combo is 7.9/135. The 106 is my second board to be used with 6.4, 5.3, 4.5 and 3.7. It is recommended until 7.0. My 6.4 Gun Sails Stream freeride sail seems to work on the 106 for me.
That 2 board and 5 sails along with 4 masts and 3 booms are the amount I can store and transport conveniently. So the final solution might be to change the boards when I'm ready to a 120 something freeride/freerace and a 95 freewave as a compromise (or I buy a bigger car and a bigger house and go for the 135/106/85 combo, but the wife might have something to say about that too :):)
@@Cookiesports I can actually sail back-and forth in 35 knots gusts with my 106 + 4.5 without catapults, do waterstarts and occasionally I even manage to do a tack or jibe :) But it is very far from being enjoyable, I rather call it survival surfing. I hope my new 3.7 and a smaller fin will make it better.
@@gergelymikos6455 your final solution seems like a good option- a 120 wish board for lighter days and a mid-90's board for the higher wind days... and a yearly windsurfing holiday we're you'll have coaching from me and a huge sail and board rack to choose from!
👍👍👍👍👍
Bought a sinker myself and it was effortless!! This is the power of small guys ahahah, weighing 63 kgs at the moment ahaha! Thanks a lot for the video!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
whats the board size - 40l ?
The small board I’m riding here is an 82lt RRD wave cult with thruster fin set up.
I can just add to the conversation that Ive been sailing for years and years on too small boards, just making life mire complicated than it should be. Over the last 6 years I went from 78 l and 83l Waveboards to a 99l Severne Pyro in the waves and now have much more fun! Even a 115l Severne Nano is still a lot of fun in the waves an no more worries about not gliding in low winds and swimming
Definitely agree... I've done a video backing up exactly what you're saying... slightly larger boards are generally easier to sail- and just as responsive and fun!
Join my patron page if you can... I do a number of "walk-Along" sessions where I talk through it a little more! Thanks
Thanks for the video. I get a lot of smaller board peer pressure on the beach and I can't see the point, especially on an inland lake. If the wind dies on you and it does that quite often, it's a real pain. But with your tips I'll get the smaller board out once it's cranking.
Thanks for watching! No rush to go smaller, but it can be great fun on a smaller manouverable and playful boards. Anyone giving you grief send them to this video and tell them "Cookie agrees with me!" 😉
you are the number 1 Cookie
Thanks!
You were right! It was worth waiting for your new material :) great tips and aswers for my qustions about boards. Thanks Man!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! More coming all the time!
Love this videos 🤟🏻🙏🏻😎👊🏻
Thank you!
Great stuff!!!
Thanks! 👍👍
Great video as always! Any chance you’d be willing to do some light-wind tutorials on something between 130l and 140l. Things like uphaul, lower wind water starts, and pumping with a large sail would help me a lot.
Hi Neil,
Thanks for watching, really glad you've found the videos useful so far.
I'll add your requests to the ever growing "to film" list! However I'm in the snow now for the winter so will have to wait until spring! Stay tuned to this channel for some snow coaching and adventures though!
In the mean time though these videos will help you out a lot I'm sure!
How to get going in light winds...th-cam.com/video/nBdWc6EUX-k/w-d-xo.html
How to channel POWER!... th-cam.com/video/rJ4QD4Tmw9E/w-d-xo.html
How to water start!.... th-cam.com/video/46b4NksuwqI/w-d-xo.html
Love watching your videos...
Interesting what you were saying re modern 130 plus litre boards still good for very strong winds...
Back in the 1990's the higher volume boards were considered to be too bouncy for high wind conditions...but of course they tended to be much longer, and higher in volume.... Would you consider doing a video about fine tuning the rigging of your sail...amount of downhaul/outhall and boom height for the conditions?
Thank you, best wishes Matthew
P.s. looking forward to the water start video...especially rig recovery and rig flying tips!
Hi Mathew!
Thanks for the support, really appriceate it!
Rig tuning is on the list for sure. I want to make it "Ride Along" style as the others- so plan is to tune a sail in a certain way, the sail and film the sail showing how it actually moves when tunes like that. Re-tune, re-film and spot the difference.
Watch this space!
amazing video Cookie! thanks for the useful tips! I'm actually having a time with the small board pointing upwind all the time before I get power on the sail. I heard it could be not enough outhaul and or too small fin. I'm using a thruster set up hehe. Also I keep spinning out hahaha, too much pressure on those small fins I guess.
Thanks for watching Marcos. The board pointing into the wind a lot is a common problem- which is why TRIM is so important. Trim is affected by foot pressure, and the smaller the board the more sensitive it is. Stand with weight on your back foot the board will sink and turn upwind. To keep it off the wind drive and even kick the noes of the board with your front foot. Too little OH or small fins could be an issue, but more likely is the technique we're using!...
...Although small fin (combined with technique) could well be the cause of spin out. Maybe put a longer single fin on to get used the board, then switch and play with the thruster set up. Let me know how you get on!
Ride-Along Windsurf Coaching with Cookie! Thanks a lot Cookie!
another great great video! I have a question on riding a small board with thurster fins (bump'n'jump). I read you need to adapt a more "upright stance" in order to avoid spinouts, so that you have less backfoot pressure. does that still mean I fully commit to the harness, hanging low? but I would not be upright.. I do improvise, but still not sure how it is to be done the right way :) naturally I would want to just hang on the harness and get outside, but just be more gentle on the back foot. if I'm standing over the board in chop I just bounce.. any structured advice would be highly appreciated! :)
Thank you!!! I’m not convinced on a upright stance for thruster.... I set the straps more inboard and balance pressure between my feet- not hard on my outboard back foot like you can on a single fin.
love your videos. Keep em coming
Thanks! Loads more uploaded on this channel already. In the snow now for the winter so a slight change of direction for this channel....until May when I’ll be back on the water!
Stay tuned though- loads of fun snow adventures coming!
Cookie your videos have helped me so much and I'm writing this to thank you. Hope we get to meet in Lemnos next year. All the best!! 👏💪🤙🤙🌊
Edit: Lemnos :)
Hi George!
Really glad to here what I'm doing in beneficial! Thanks for watching and sharing amogunst your windsurfing friends and community!
I'm in Limnos this summer (less is further over to the east from here), however keep an eye on this channel through the winter as I've not yet confirmed where I'll be for Summer 2021.
Somewhere hot and windy for sure, where I'll be running regular clinics! Hope to see you then!
Hi, thanks a lot for your video! I find it way harder to waterstart with smaller boards, do you have any clues where to optimize? BR Alexander
Thanks for watching! Many people get onto smaller and smaller boards before there is a need for it. I would suggest staying on a bigger board for longer!
What is your advice for gybes in strong winds and choppy seas. I find I struggle in these conditions
HI Ian,
Thanks for the message. Hope you're enjoying the series!
In tougher conditions stick to the basics that you'll have been using already. These notes and links will remind you of the key points...
The formula to gybing...
th-cam.com/video/oCng8Mj6CTM/w-d-xo.html
To stay on the board...
- Vision (through the gybe and to the exit, same during, the rig flip)
- Counterbalance, oppose the forces of the rip- the rig goes hard to the outside and your hips go in.
To help with the rig flip use the the disco gybe...
th-cam.com/video/cywwVfpYGaU/w-d-xo.html
If it's really choppy and you want slam in the gybe quicker, use the rig must go harder to windward to make the board steer quickly, then continue "round the clock"...
Hope these help! And thanks for sharing the channel around your windsurfing friends!
This on covers it too actually...
th-cam.com/video/5Rb2ZWxW9RA/w-d-xo.html
Ride-Along Sessions with Cookie! Thanks Cookie. Will go back to the basics as you say as I still have a lot of work to do there. Great videos that I feel will help me a lot. H H H H all the way and no one can hear me staying it out load on the water in 20knts :)
@@parkes195 Let me know how you get on! 🤙
Hi Cookie, Please can you go through the process of moving from a big board to a small board and getting into both footstraps and the common faults, consequences and remedies. I get into both footstraps easily on my Gecko 156, plane beautifully etc. but on a 118 litre board I just veer up into the wind when I try to get into footstraps. ie what am I doing wrong and how do I correct it? Tempted to just stick with the big guy… Thanks Elliot
Hi Elliot,
Thanks for the message. I’m creating a “to-film” list for when I get back on the water in spring. Something like this will make an appearance early on. The season I’m sure.
If you can make it out to Vassiliki this summer I offer clinics that’ll really help you out.
In the meantime try this video…Classic problems and how to fix them! Ideal for for intermediate/advanced windsurfers!
th-cam.com/video/lcG0FFBGXV0/w-d-xo.html
Usually the sail range of a 120+ board is starting at around 6.0. Do these board still work on smaller sails? Sometimes I used a 4.5 on the big board with 30+ knots on it but felt a bit off.
They can work fine as long as the sea state isn’t too crazy!
The start of this film was on a 4.5m and a 135lt board, full power in some pretty choppy water- not huge breaking waves but knee-waist high chop. With the outboard and back foot straps the bird was great to sail!
What do you use to keep your hat on? Superglue??
🤣
Let’s go cookie
Thanks Ed!
I have a 94lt Starboard Kode and it has inboard and outboard foot strap positions. I only have one strap in the back, but I've always sailed with the front straps in the outboard positions. I've considered moving them inboard before, but I'm not really sure what it would get me or what I would lose. Would it give me better control of the board when jumping? Would I lose any power moving them inboard? (Gotta still be able to keep up with my dad on his mistral explosion) Maybe I should just give it a try and see?
I think the first answer is to play with your gear and see what feels good to you. I've seen some very "unusual" set ups... but the riders love them- even having tired more "normal" set ups!
Moving the front straps inboard should make the board more manoeuvrable and playful- especial in carving moves and jumps...but likely you'll find it a little slower and harder to control at speed- often I'll even slide my front foot outer and looser in the strap while blasting, then stamp it right in for a manoeuvre/something playful!
Like you say...try it and see what you like... or better yet...go to a large rental centre where you can do a few runs on a mixture of boards, with straps in a mix of positions that you can switch between and see what you like! (Maybe come join us in the Cosmos, Vassiliki, we've got loads you can try out!).
Is the waterstart technique different on a small board (e.g 84l), compared with a bigger board (i've got a 102l)? I've tried a small board once and had a lot of trouble with the waterstart, hence the question.
Hi! Thanks for watching! Not really a difference between boards on the water start- just that foot pressure will affect the board more & more the smaller the board gets. Waterstart video will be on this channel very soon, make sure you’ve subscribed so you don’t miss out! 👍👍🤘
Just always steer the gravitycenter of your body to the position where you’re going to be cruising on your board accordingly to the actual windforce
smaller board is much shorter so it bears down wind much more quickly than a bigger board so you need to be more sensitive to the direction of the wind when you're flying the sail. It just takes a bit of practice but you'll tune in to it after a couple of hours
@@Juan_lauda For sure everything becomes more sensitive on smaller boards. Did you guys manage to see the waterstart video I did? th-cam.com/video/46b4NksuwqI/w-d-xo.html
Hi, I've recently got back into windsurfing and I want a bigger board. I'm 83kg and have got an 87l board. I fancy a 95-100l to make things a bit more fun... Im looking at the fanatic stubby.... Everyone here sails waves boards but the waves are small and mushy so I'd rather have a bump n jump all rounder board...
Sounds good. A Starboard Kode would be a good option too! I'm a big fan of them!
@@Cookiesports Yeah the Kode looks good! Like I said I'm 83kgs, do you think a 95l would best? The 105 would be too big surely??
i get planing very speed i hooked in and i entered footstarps very fast but there is a problem my board every wawes wants to chop but idont wanna take of my board very fast and coming voice pat pat pat pat i dont wanna this what can i do ? maybe small fin maybe small board
dipnot : my power coint at the farthest and i am 80kg my board jp xcite ride 120 lt with 40cm freeride fin - my sail 6,8m2 loft sail blade with 4 cam race sail wind speed about 15-25 knot or 18-30 knots
my english sometimes not enougf i hope i could explain thank you for everyting
I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking here… however one note- cam’ed sails I do not recommend unless you’re very experienced and looking for speed.
They make a sail cumbersome and heavy- even the good ones.
They make it more stable, especially when over powered. There are many many great no-camm’ed sails that’ll help- look into the ACX Point-7 for example! 👍
@@Cookiesports ok man thank you so much but there is a problem my area because my area winds not regular forexample wind coming 10 knots and imediately change this time coming 20knots or my area wants to camber sails normaly i dont like camber because very heavy camber sails for example sometimes i am going to alaçatı and alaçatı perfect place regular wind not need camber but istanbul winds want to camber sails :) in istanbul no camber no speed unfurtunatelly istanbul winds are unbalanced thank your for your answer
Hi and thanks for the video! i want to ask for an advice: i'm 70kg and have a 103L fsw, which now i find too big and want to change it. How big shoud the FSW board should be to switch it? i would use it as a big board for marginal conditions (15kn-18kn)
Thanks!
Hi!
Thanks for the comment! I'm not sure I can answer your question though, a lot of it is down to personal preference. For a lot of people a 103 is already a small board and you want to downsize for a smaller to be you big one! For me a 100lt freeride board makes a nice toy for marginal conditions with a 7-8m sail, then I'll keep an 80-90lt few for higher winds (I weigh about 75-80kg).
Maybe my story helps: I am 65kg and I have a 105l board for winds bellow 19knots and a 86l for winds 19+ (sails from 5.4 to 4.0). You don’t really need 95l in between as sails of bigger size perfectly work on 105l. Just maybe try to equip your board with several fins (in thruster setup change size of the centerfin)
@@ivand.8618 Thanks for the reply! I think this could work for me as well, just another thing: the 86L is a FSW or a wave board? thanks
@@Cookiesports Thanks for the reply!
@@wajfarut Hey Andrea! it is a wave Tabou pocket 2016 and 105l is the Fanatic Freewave 2018
4:11 Can someone explain to me how he could be able to uphaull without sinking when the board is just 82L ?
You can up-haul small boards, just takes some practice! It’ll be under the water, but you can still get up and sailing again! 🤩
Is 100l a sinker ?
Hi!
Could be! The point of this video is that it doesn’t matter if it sinks or not- the control skills are the same, and there’s no reason to go smaller and smaller just because other people are unsung tiny little boards!
My favourite board from this summer is a 102 fsw!
When it is windy, your sound is a little bit bad. On these days maybe you could put a voice-over after filming. Or maybe a software to make the original recorded voice better. I am not a specialist on this. However great videos, thank you!
Hi!
Thanks for the comment and hope you still enjoyed the videos despite the sound fuss. I've played with voice overs and software a lot prior to make this series. Simple fact is that recording sound in 30knots wind with any-sort of waterproof mic will not sound ideal- hence why very few other online water-sport videos do it. I've plugged it into all the software I can, muffed with various hacks to deaden the wind plus a bunch of other tricks that help- the original sound is unrecognisable! As soon as i get splash on our around the mic it gets worse- as you've spotted though this video!
Voice overs work well as you'll see many (or most) other windsurf videos do. Trouble I found is it looses the "live here and now" factor which is what I'm going for in these videos!
I'm not a specialist on this either to be honest, I'm a windsurfer who wants to help people! I think without professional gear I'll struggle to get much better - but will keep playing with the settings!
@@Cookiesports I see this is a classic problem. However thank you very much for your content and keep up doing great and helpful videos!!!
Thank you! 👍👍👍
30+knots with a hat and glasses my ass
I'll make sure I get the speed data with the next one! Check out the channel, I'm wearing them in every video! (Tied on pretty tight!)
I'm not sure about this video at all. No one sails a true 'sinker' any more. Firstly, a sinker is something that literally sinks when you stand on it in no wind. Nowadays a 'small' board is ten litres more than your body weight in kilos - so a small board for a 75kilo sailor is an 85litre board or less. (But that's not a sinker).
With multi fin kit, you can go bigger with the board than you might with a single fin set up - but it's important to define here what sort of sail sizes you are likely to use. For example, any sail size over 5.2m probably should be used with a single fin. Whereas sail sizes of 5m our less go best with multi fin set ups.
Beyond these facts, the board size you choose depends on ability, sailor weight and sail size used. For sure, an intermediate sailor will be on a bigger board than an expert. But if it's 4m (sail size) wind, as here then an 85 litre board is big ( and by no means is it a sinker).
Extra float is also OK when the water is flat and in currents or with white water. But in 4m weather then control becomes an issue, so a smaller board is good. Just not a sinker. Never a sinker.
This guy makes a lot of good instructional videos so I'm sorry to be critical here.
Hi Basher,
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate you taking the time to check out a video, even if you know from the title you don't agree with it! 😉
I fully agree with your comments about what a sinker actually is, in fact I even explain this at the start of the video. However, "a sinker" it is still a word thrown around beaches and windsurf spots so a pretty easy way of getting people attention and then explaining in more detail through the video what we're actually using and how we slowly drop board size.
Also fully agree that board size depends on your skill, weight, wind and water conditions, hence the very start of this video I'm saying how good it is to be on a huge board in strong winds! The start of they filmed on the 135 was great fun with a 4m sail and knee-waist high chop!
So I think we're agreeing on all points here. 👍
Would be great to have a sail and a beer and discuss kit one day! Thanks for the positivity at the end of your comment, thanks for the support!
Water starts and jumping videos are coming this week!
Actually, a 85l board with a 75kg surfer will sink without wind. Because with board itself + wetsuit with some water in it + rig, we will end up over 85kg. That's also what I experience. When I'm out on my small 105l board, I definetely get in some trouble if the wind suddenly drops.
@@PlatzhalterCrew Fair point but, actually, it depends how much the wind drops. We get lift from the board as it moves forwards. For sure if the wind goes from 22knots to 5 knots then you stop moving forwards and you then rely on the buoyancy and stability of the board. An 85 litre board will still float a 75kilo sailor but on a wobbly platform, and I wouldn't expect to uphaul the sail. It helps in that situation to have a lightweight rig too, and a less thick wetsuit. And to avoid one of those harnesses that get really heavy when wet. But if instead the wind just drops from 22knots to 18knots, so you stop planing but can still slog along like a boat, then 85 litres is plenty for the 75kilo sailor. A 105 litre board is great in light wind for the 75kgs sailor - for bigger rigs and for and when the wind drops - but I wouldn't want to use one in 4m weather, except maybe on the flattest of water.
@@billyinwaves Exactly what you are describing for the 75kg sailor on the 85l board happens for me on my 105l board. That's what I was talking about. I weigh slightly over 90kg and use the 105l as my small board.
Great video as always! Any chance you’d be willing to do some light-wind tutorials on something between 130l and 140l. Things like uphaul, lower wind water starts, and pumping with a large sail would help me a lot.
I would really like that too. I will have lake conditions and have to deal with always too light and too gusty at the same time, really challenging.
Great suggestion!
Great video as always! Any chance you’d be willing to do some light-wind tutorials on something between 130l and 140l. Things like uphaul, lower wind water starts, and pumping with a large sail would help me a lot.
Great suggestion! Right now I'm on the snow for the winter (hope you've seen the videos), but soon as I'm back on the water in Vassiliki this summer I'll get on it!