And I’m glad to see somebody’s finally really broken down the biggest mistake that we’ve all made trying to get into the foot straps it took me years in years to understand this and countless conversations with other windsurfers and supposedly instructors this is the first time I’ve seen the video because somebody has actually really made it simple to understand how to get into the foot straps and avoid the biggest mistake of steering into the wind and putting too much back foot pressure thanks man so much keep up the good work you’re an inspiration
This was fantastic! I’d been struggling with this and knew part of the problem was peeking at feet, which gets combined with arm bending. But the foot pressure aspect is the key.
"Fault finding" is what's missing from most tutorials. Can't blame creators - if there's one only way to do something right, why would they cover every/most ways we do it wrong? I think sometimes you need to see your mistake before you can correct it. I have seen at least 2 things I do wrong in this video. I can't wait to get on a board and try to fix them. Great content as always!
Thanks a lot. I tried the footstraps for the first time today and I did all the mistakes you are pointing out! I am definitely better equiped for my next session.
What your describing for the front foot(board turning upwind) is my problem with the back foot. Often when I want to step into my back footstrap, the board turns upwind…….. Looking forward to your next tutorials……
I pull down on the boom with my front hand to get into the front strap (to make up for the lost pressure when I unweight my front foot). And I will sheet in with the back hand when moving my back foot into the back strap.
I’ll make another video to help with the back one…however there is no rush… the front one is the important one… get comfortable fully blasting in it first… then the back after will be easy!
Every now and then the timing on your new releases just lines up perfectly with where I'm at, can't wait to apply this next time there's wind! Getting into the front strap easily, at least in flat water, but the back has been out of reach so far
Excellent advice!! I always watch everything you do, even though I dont have any issues in this particular department, there is always something in your explanations which is useful and interesting...... Oh how I wish it was summer here!! Its cold, and there has been no wind for over two weeks now!!
your videos have helped me a lot cookie, thanks a lot ! I started using both footstraps but somehow the back one is not 100% consistent.m hoping for a troubleshooting video !
I’ll make another video to help with the back one…however there is no rush… the front one is the important one… get comfortable fully blasting in it first… then the back after will be easy!
I would consider myself an intermediate windsurfer. The stiletto move came to me naturally when I tried to get into the front footstrap (although I hate wearing them, lol). What I keep struggling with, is getting into the back footstrap. I would also love to see a full video on the importance of maintaining vision. You mention this sometimes and before I started watching your videos, it never occured to me that I keep “gear gazing” very often. I need to work on that in the future! Oh yeah, and great video as always!
@@Cookiesports Hi Cookie many thanks for that useful video! I'm also struggling with "beast" backfoot - the way you describe it at 4:01 often ends in a catapult. What am I doing wrong?
@@Cookiesports Hi Cookie, many thanks for your answer and your time! I will try this next time on the water. I use the "Cookies-cheat-in-technique" from one of your previous videos so far (works great in gusty wind!), but in lighter wind it needs a proper technique.
Hi Simon, it was a pleasure to meet you in Vass recently !. As always, the video was very informative however, are you planning a supplemental video on getting into the back strap ?. I have previously been advised to head upwind in anticipation of placing foot in back strap to de-power the rig - as an alternative, would you recommend bending the front arm ?. Colin
Hi Colin! Great to meet you too! I will follow this up with a back foot strap analysis too, yes. Up-wind for the back strap too- yes… but you need to be sure you have speed and power. There is no rush for the back strap… you should be able to cruise for a while in the front alone without needing to use the back on.
Hi Cookie, I'm a very experienced windsurfer and even done a bit of amateur slalom racing. I tend to sail very well powered up, but even today I find that while getting the front foot into the strap is easy, getting the back foot in feels extremely precarious and I feel like I'm about to catapult. Any tips?
Good videos!! Thanks - i have a question... I have a 119 JP magic ride (love it!) I have no issue getting into the front strap and getting my back foot right onto the front of the rear strap, but feel stuck at that point on full plane. It feels difficult to reposition my back foot (going in either direction) inot the back strap. When i do manage it, it feels desperate rather than smooth and controlled. What am i doing wrong? And what's the fix?
Make sure you’re heading upwind and powered up nicely first. As you do the you should be able to lean the rig back, bringing your body weight forward… which will release the back foot from being “stuck” on the board.
Another great video detailing how to better handle the board and sail. I've been following and practising what you were teaching in your previous video about using your feet pressure to steer the board and remembering the stiletto heel and trying to stay light on my feet and not like an elephant! (I'm a beginner). It really has helped me to start to connect with the board better. I'm having an on/off relationship with the harness at the moment as I'm still getting used to it. I guess I've grown comfortable using my arms. Btw, what is that at 7:10. Is it some sort of quick release attachment to your harness lines, are these recommended? I'm using a 185L board at the moment, so I guess as you drop in weight, you'll get a more sensitive and responsive board which will respond more quickly to small changes in body weight. Going out again tomorrow and looking forward to it!
Thanks for the comment. The harness lines you ask about can be found here- highly recommend….point-7.com/quick-release-harness-lines/?q=%2Fquick-release-harness-lines%2F&gclid=CjwKCAjwq5-WBhB7EiwAl-HEkjbFv_PDPEI7Xb86QYruplvCE5im2sv_68ibcqH5CpHE8LKXcBxmfxoCv0kQAvD_BwE&v=11aedd0e4327. (Hope that link works, if not search “point 7 QR harness lines). Glad my videos are helping you out! 👍👍
One basic manoeuvre I don’t think you’ve covered is a the good old flare gybe? Turning tightly. Probably should be learnt before other more advanced gybes? Also for foot strap adjustment, should the strap be snug around the whole of your foot or just the sides and loose at the top? I’ve heard the later to aid in foot removal and prevent injury, but I’d think this would maybe limit control of the board? Thanks cookie.
Flare gybe is a fun one to learn and teach for sure. Although it could be argued that the non-planing carve gybe would be just as beneficial… if not more useful that a fire guys if the goal is then to make a planing one! Turning tightly is not the goal for a planing gybe, or NPCG… but it is for a flare gybe. 🤔
Noooo! Avoid using the term “mast-foot pressure”!… it’s confusing for people to really understand what to do and how it works! Think of how the power is channeled to the board… let the sail come back, towards the wind, the pull in slightly with the back hand (pushing the front one)…. This will deliver the power effectively. 👍👍👍
@@Cookiesports Perhaps this reflects a difference in sailing style or the level of the target audience? With smaller boards, and getting more power out of a smaller more upright sail, I feel that mast foot pressure (i.e. your weight and the power of the sail acting though this 'third leg') is a very helpful concept.
@@robertallison1580 I think I'm miss-explaining myself here sorry... I'm not disputing the fact that the power of the sail will travel though the mast base...I'm trying to say that experienced modern coaches (and all modern coaching schemes such as the RYA windsurf instructor scheme) will avoid using the term you're referring to. "Mast foot Pressure" is confusing for learners and (unless used correctly which I'm moving onto) will not help them. There are many differnt occasions when "Mast Foot pressure" could be said...but are very differnt- hence confusing for students. Beach Starts, water starts, getting into the straps/planing & gybing are all examples of this....but all completed different! So our job as coaches is to find a way of the getting student to correctly do do what we're asking from them...without giving them a term that cud me more than one thing and confuse them! In this case we're asking them to channel the POWER of the sail to effective drive the board forward... we do this by letting the sail come back, towards the wind, then "sheet in" (using the front arm mainly, with the back arm to help).
@@Cookiesports Thanks for the explanation Cookie, yes that makes sense. It is very interesting (and indeed important!) to think about coaching, and how we can get people going with windsurfing as best as possible. Thanks for your great videos!
Nobody wants to make you do a straddle but at least try once to really spread your legs way further apart. This enables you to shift your body much more quickly forward or aft depending on the variance of the windforce. Parting from this situation start mastering the foot straps. You‘ll find your feet quite much closer to them straps.
Thanks for watching! Problem with what your suggesting is it enables inexperienced riders to shore their body forward and backwards quickly, which would result in upsetting the TRIM very quick, and making very quick changes of direction- for someone learning to get into the straps this is not a good of thing! Stability and consistency is the goal- keep feet at should width apart! 👍👍👍
@@Cookiesports Shoulder wide apart: you win a elegancy contest ….wider you can withstand strong gusts and avoid catapults. That you have to shift your center of mass according to the strength of breeze is the rule ….narrow or broad stance whatever have fun th-cam.com/video/WuM25U42tiQ/w-d-xo.html
@@kuntanay2627 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’m not sure what I just watched! What was that linked video about!? 🤩 I appreciate your passion to the sport, but the techniques you’re describing are wrong to go with the video you’re commenting on!
Thank you for your videos, cookie. Just one question. Is it right to pull on the boom to relieve pressure on the feet to place the front foot? I was taught this way
🤔🤔🤔 I would describe it like that… the den of part of this video I’m taking about using the harness lines as a pivot and pushing the boom away from you. This keeps the power on and stops it tying up wind.
Cookie, I sail short boards predominately and I get my back foot into the strap first almost all the time. It allows me to control the fin, drive the board off the wind and get my front foot in. Am I doing something wrong and why? Or is this just a personal preference? Bottomline; Why is front foot first an advantage? I could see front foot for slalom/free race (double rear straps), but is there something I'm missing for short boarding? Strap to strap jibes perhaps?
It’s not a personal preference thing… going front foot first is then right way to do it! You can get going with far less power in the sail and without having to go as far off the wind. It’ll also allow you to start to move onto smaller more manoeuvrable boards. More efficient, more control, more stable. Try it! ✅
Hi, i'd like to know what fin size are you using for this gear and wind ( 4-6 Bft). I have a GA 7.7- 6 and Tabou Rocket LTD 145 with 48 fin. I think i need a smaller fin for stronger wind. Any advice?
48’sounds about right for that board… but if you’re getting too much tail lift/wobble in higher winds then might be time for a smaller fin. Best bet is come to vass… I recon I can coach you on how to control your gear without needing to invest much! 🤙
Great video again Simon, thanks, and exactly where I'm at right now...any preference for sliding the front foot on the inside of the strap or the outside? I find inside keeps the weight a bit closer to the mast foot and avoids the risk of skimming the water which kills the while manoeuvre. But notice you always slide around the outside? Or am I splitting hairs? 🤣 cheers
If I’m understanding you right then you’ve miss understood something massive…when the foot straps are attached on the board there is only only place to put your foot in them….from two straps closer to the wind (the heel edge of the board). What you see in my foot placement. I’m not even sure how you could get you got in them the other way around!?
@@Cookiesports I think James refers to the way you take to approach the footstrap. Either from the side closer to the back or the one closer to the front of the board.
Best windsurfing channel hands down
👍👍👍👍
You dissected invisible issues and the ride-along-approach validates your case! This is the reason your tutorials are a cut above the others!
Thanks! 👍👍👍
6:47 probably the single most valuable, game changing piece of windsurfing advice I’ve ever had! Went out the next day and absolutely smashed it 🙌🏻
Glad it helped! 1-inch punch to the rescue! 🤜
Your videos are awesome. Making a big difference - quickly.
Thank you!!
I'mu
Thank you 🤙🤙
And I’m glad to see somebody’s finally really broken down the biggest mistake that we’ve all made trying to get into the foot straps it took me years in years to understand this and countless conversations with other windsurfers and supposedly instructors this is the first time I’ve seen the video because somebody has actually really made it simple to understand how to get into the foot straps and avoid the biggest mistake of steering into the wind and putting too much back foot pressure thanks man so much keep up the good work you’re an inspiration
Thanks! 🤩🤩🤩
9mins 26 sec getting all the information you need. I've improved more in the last 6 months coming back to the sport than previous years.. Cheers Gavin
Thanks Gavin! 👍👍👍
This was fantastic! I’d been struggling with this and knew part of the problem was peeking at feet, which gets combined with arm bending. But the foot pressure aspect is the key.
👍👍👍
"Fault finding" is what's missing from most tutorials. Can't blame creators - if there's one only way to do something right, why would they cover every/most ways we do it wrong? I think sometimes you need to see your mistake before you can correct it. I have seen at least 2 things I do wrong in this video. I can't wait to get on a board and try to fix them. Great content as always!
I agree… more “what not to do” videos coming this summer!
Thanks
amazing ,fantastic . Falling in love the way that you surf is so easy ,ıI cant stop myself to think about surfing .
🤩🤩🤩
Thanks a lot. I tried the footstraps for the first time today and I did all the mistakes you are pointing out! I am definitely better equiped for my next session.
👍👍
What your describing for the front foot(board turning upwind) is my problem with the back foot.
Often when I want to step into my back footstrap, the board turns upwind……..
Looking forward to your next tutorials……
Yep same for me, front foot fine but when I head slightly up to get the back foot in, the slightest movement skews me fully upwind 😵💫
I pull down on the boom with my front hand to get into the front strap (to make up for the lost pressure when I unweight my front foot). And I will sheet in with the back hand when moving my back foot into the back strap.
I’ll make another video to help with the back one…however there is no rush… the front one is the important one… get comfortable fully blasting in it first… then the back after will be easy!
Your videos are the best!!
Thanks
Exactly what you were showing me!! Thanks again for the great sessions! 🤙🤙🤙🤙🙏🙏
Pleasure meeting you! 🤙🤙🤙
Thanks again Simon!!
👍👍👍
Back in Vasiliki! Well done m8!
🙌🙌🙌
Every now and then the timing on your new releases just lines up perfectly with where I'm at, can't wait to apply this next time there's wind! Getting into the front strap easily, at least in flat water, but the back has been out of reach so far
🙌🙌🙌🙌
Excellent advice!! I always watch everything you do, even though I dont have any issues in this particular department, there is always something in your explanations which is useful and interesting...... Oh how I wish it was summer here!! Its cold, and there has been no wind for over two weeks now!!
Thanks Kev!
your videos have helped me a lot cookie, thanks a lot ! I started using both footstraps but somehow the back one is not 100% consistent.m hoping for a troubleshooting video !
I’ll make another video to help with the back one…however there is no rush… the front one is the important one… get comfortable fully blasting in it first… then the back after will be easy!
@@Cookiesports Back strap video would be great! I know others too that struggle with back and not the front. Love the videos!
hi Cookie, great video! a couple of suggestions for other videos:
- pumping
- uphauling on a small board
Nice ideas… thanks
Best tutorials-
Thanks!
Maybe you can make it to vass for a clinic?
I would consider myself an intermediate windsurfer. The stiletto move came to me naturally when I tried to get into the front footstrap (although I hate wearing them, lol). What I keep struggling with, is getting into the back footstrap.
I would also love to see a full video on the importance of maintaining vision. You mention this sometimes and before I started watching your videos, it never occured to me that I keep “gear gazing” very often. I need to work on that in the future!
Oh yeah, and great video as always!
Thanks for watching!
I’m going to make a backstrap video too, always as continuing to develop the idea of VISION.
@@Cookiesports Hi Cookie
many thanks for that useful video! I'm also struggling with "beast" backfoot - the way you describe it at 4:01 often ends in a catapult. What am I doing wrong?
@@wdsfr522 if you’re catapulting you’re too far off the wind… you need to be higher upwind! 👍
@@Cookiesports Hi Cookie, many thanks for your answer and your time! I will try this next time on the water. I use the "Cookies-cheat-in-technique" from one of your previous videos so far (works great in gusty wind!), but in lighter wind it needs a proper technique.
Great tutorial as usual, back foot strap next please :)
👍👍👍👍
Hi Simon, it was a pleasure to meet you in Vass recently !. As always, the video was very informative however, are you planning a supplemental video on getting into the back strap ?. I have previously been advised to head upwind in anticipation of placing foot in back strap to de-power the rig - as an alternative, would you recommend bending the front arm ?.
Colin
Hi Colin!
Great to meet you too! I will follow this up with a back foot strap analysis too, yes.
Up-wind for the back strap too- yes… but you need to be sure you have speed and power.
There is no rush for the back strap… you should be able to cruise for a while in the front alone without needing to use the back on.
Hi Cookie, I'm a very experienced windsurfer and even done a bit of amateur slalom racing. I tend to sail very well powered up, but even today I find that while getting the front foot into the strap is easy, getting the back foot in feels extremely precarious and I feel like I'm about to catapult. Any tips?
Head higher upwind before thinking about the back strap! 👍
Good videos!! Thanks - i have a question... I have a 119 JP magic ride (love it!) I have no issue getting into the front strap and getting my back foot right onto the front of the rear strap, but feel stuck at that point on full plane. It feels difficult to reposition my back foot (going in either direction) inot the back strap. When i do manage it, it feels desperate rather than smooth and controlled. What am i doing wrong? And what's the fix?
Make sure you’re heading upwind and powered up nicely first.
As you do the you should be able to lean the rig back, bringing your body weight forward… which will release the back foot from being “stuck” on the board.
@@Cookiesports Cool. So hips pushing towards the front of the board, bringing the harness point forward, type thing?
@@gregdyer1380 hips forward, weight into front foot… rig back.
@@Cookiesports - cheers! Will do!
You know it is sunday cause cookie has released a new video ha!
🙌🙌🙌🙌
Another great video detailing how to better handle the board and sail. I've been following and practising what you were teaching in your previous video about using your feet pressure to steer the board and remembering the stiletto heel and trying to stay light on my feet and not like an elephant! (I'm a beginner). It really has helped me to start to connect with the board better. I'm having an on/off relationship with the harness at the moment as I'm still getting used to it. I guess I've grown comfortable using my arms. Btw, what is that at 7:10. Is it some sort of quick release attachment to your harness lines, are these recommended?
I'm using a 185L board at the moment, so I guess as you drop in weight, you'll get a more sensitive and responsive board which will respond more quickly to small changes in body weight. Going out again tomorrow and looking forward to it!
Thanks for the comment. The harness lines you ask about can be found here- highly recommend….point-7.com/quick-release-harness-lines/?q=%2Fquick-release-harness-lines%2F&gclid=CjwKCAjwq5-WBhB7EiwAl-HEkjbFv_PDPEI7Xb86QYruplvCE5im2sv_68ibcqH5CpHE8LKXcBxmfxoCv0kQAvD_BwE&v=11aedd0e4327.
(Hope that link works, if not search “point 7 QR harness lines).
Glad my videos are helping you out! 👍👍
One basic manoeuvre I don’t think you’ve covered is a the good old flare gybe? Turning tightly. Probably should be learnt before other more advanced gybes? Also for foot strap adjustment, should the strap be snug around the whole of your foot or just the sides and loose at the top? I’ve heard the later to aid in foot removal and prevent injury, but I’d think this would maybe limit control of the board? Thanks cookie.
Flare gybe is a fun one to learn and teach for sure. Although it could be argued that the non-planing carve gybe would be just as beneficial… if not more useful that a fire guys if the goal is then to make a planing one!
Turning tightly is not the goal for a planing gybe, or NPCG… but it is for a flare gybe. 🤔
A touch of mast foot pressure may also help you unweight the front foot without sinking the back.
Noooo!
Avoid using the term “mast-foot pressure”!… it’s confusing for people to really understand what to do and how it works!
Think of how the power is channeled to the board… let the sail come back, towards the wind, the pull in slightly with the back hand (pushing the front one)…. This will deliver the power effectively. 👍👍👍
@@Cookiesports Perhaps this reflects a difference in sailing style or the level of the target audience? With smaller boards, and getting more power out of a smaller more upright sail, I feel that mast foot pressure (i.e. your weight and the power of the sail acting though this 'third leg') is a very helpful concept.
@@robertallison1580 I think I'm miss-explaining myself here sorry... I'm not disputing the fact that the power of the sail will travel though the mast base...I'm trying to say that experienced modern coaches (and all modern coaching schemes such as the RYA windsurf instructor scheme) will avoid using the term you're referring to.
"Mast foot Pressure" is confusing for learners and (unless used correctly which I'm moving onto) will not help them. There are many differnt occasions when "Mast Foot pressure" could be said...but are very differnt- hence confusing for students. Beach Starts, water starts, getting into the straps/planing & gybing are all examples of this....but all completed different!
So our job as coaches is to find a way of the getting student to correctly do do what we're asking from them...without giving them a term that cud me more than one thing and confuse them! In this case we're asking them to channel the POWER of the sail to effective drive the board forward... we do this by letting the sail come back, towards the wind, then "sheet in" (using the front arm mainly, with the back arm to help).
@@Cookiesports Thanks for the explanation Cookie, yes that makes sense. It is very interesting (and indeed important!) to think about coaching, and how we can get people going with windsurfing as best as possible. Thanks for your great videos!
Nobody wants to make you do a straddle but at least try once to really spread your legs way further apart. This enables you to shift your body much more quickly forward or aft depending on the variance of the windforce. Parting from this situation start mastering the foot straps. You‘ll find your feet quite much closer to them straps.
Thanks for watching! Problem with what your suggesting is it enables inexperienced riders to shore their body forward and backwards quickly, which would result in upsetting the TRIM very quick, and making very quick changes of direction- for someone learning to get into the straps this is not a good of thing!
Stability and consistency is the goal- keep feet at should width apart! 👍👍👍
@@Cookiesports Shoulder wide apart: you win a elegancy contest ….wider you can withstand strong gusts and avoid catapults. That you have to shift your center of mass according to the strength of breeze is the rule ….narrow or broad stance whatever have fun th-cam.com/video/WuM25U42tiQ/w-d-xo.html
@@kuntanay2627 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’m not sure what I just watched! What was that linked video about!? 🤩
I appreciate your passion to the sport, but the techniques you’re describing are wrong to go with the video you’re commenting on!
Thank you for your videos, cookie.
Just one question. Is it right to pull on the boom to relieve pressure on the feet to place the front foot? I was taught this way
🤔🤔🤔
I would describe it like that… the den of part of this video I’m taking about using the harness lines as a pivot and pushing the boom away from you. This keeps the power on and stops it tying up wind.
i cant even get close to them. Board is already pulling a wheelie as it is 🤣
“Drop & push” 👍👍👍
Cookie, I sail short boards predominately and I get my back foot into the strap first almost all the time. It allows me to control the fin, drive the board off the wind and get my front foot in. Am I doing something wrong and why? Or is this just a personal preference? Bottomline; Why is front foot first an advantage? I could see front foot for slalom/free race (double rear straps), but is there something I'm missing for short boarding? Strap to strap jibes perhaps?
It’s not a personal preference thing… going front foot first is then right way to do it!
You can get going with far less power in the sail and without having to go as far off the wind. It’ll also allow you to start to move onto smaller more manoeuvrable boards.
More efficient, more control, more stable.
Try it! ✅
Thanks for the explanation Cookie... it feels a bit weird to me but I will work on braking the bad habit!
For e 4 wind is 20-28 km/hr. See Beaufort scale
Excellent 👍
Hi, i'd like to know what fin size are you using for this gear and wind ( 4-6 Bft). I have a GA 7.7- 6 and Tabou Rocket LTD 145 with 48 fin. I think i need a smaller fin for stronger wind. Any advice?
48’sounds about right for that board… but if you’re getting too much tail lift/wobble in higher winds then might be time for a smaller fin.
Best bet is come to vass… I recon I can coach you on how to control your gear without needing to invest much! 🤙
@@Cookiesports Thanks.
Great video again Simon, thanks, and exactly where I'm at right now...any preference for sliding the front foot on the inside of the strap or the outside? I find inside keeps the weight a bit closer to the mast foot and avoids the risk of skimming the water which kills the while manoeuvre. But notice you always slide around the outside? Or am I splitting hairs? 🤣 cheers
If I’m understanding you right then you’ve miss understood something massive…when the foot straps are attached on the board there is only only place to put your foot in them….from two straps closer to the wind (the heel edge of the board).
What you see in my foot placement.
I’m not even sure how you could get you got in them the other way around!?
@@Cookiesports I think James refers to the way you take to approach the footstrap. Either from the side closer to the back or the one closer to the front of the board.
Ahhh ok… we’ll then yes, or really matters- always do the front one first! 👍
@@danmil0n yes exactly, thank you for clarifying!
@@Cookiesports thanks for your comments Cookie