How to Sailboarding / Surfing the wind with confidence

A sport that combines aspects of sailing and surfing on a one-person craft called a sailboard. Follow these useful tips to ensure safe sailing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. It is best to learn on a long board. A long board will be over 11 feet (335 cm) long and will have a retractable centerboard.
   The wrong sail size, whether too big or too small, will make sailing difficult.
2. Position the board at right angles to the wind; the sail should lie in the water downward, at right angles to the board.
   Stand on the board's windward side with the wind at your back; place one foot in front of the mast, the other behind it, straddling the centerline.
   Squatting slightly,grab hold of the uphaul line with both hands; pull the rig partway up by straightening your body.
3. Continue pulling hand over hand on the uphaul until the far end of the boom clears the water and the sail is at right angles to the board(basic position).
   Hold the uphaul with the hand closest to the stern(the"hand sail"); cross the other hand("mast hand")over the sail hand to grasp the boom around 8 inches from the mast. Release the uphaul; with the freed sail hand, grasp the boom about 20 inches from the mast hand.
4. To steer in a straight course at right angles to the wind, slowly pull in the sail just until it fills and fluttering has stopped; keep the boom parallel to the board.
   Lean back to offset the pull of the sail in a strong wind.
   Tilt the boom forward and pull in the sail to turn the bow away from the wind. Tilt the boom back to turn the bow toward the wind.
5. To Tack,(or change direction by steering the bow across the wind), tilt the boom back until the wind comes from straight ahead and the sail starts fluttering.
   Take the uphaul in the sail hand and step in front of and around the mast.
   Reposition yourself;lean the sail against the wind to continue the boards rotation. When the sail and the board are in the basic position again, reposition them on the boom as described.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear your personal flotation devices or life jacket for water sports such as water skiing, sailboarding, jet skis, boating, tubing, etc.
• Know your local laws and regulations.
• Ride with a buddy. You never know when an emergency might occur.
• Give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone.
• Know how to swim. Never swim alone.
• Alcohol and water don’t mix! Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance and coordination.
• Know local weather conditions. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm.
• When operating water craft use extreme caution around swimmers, wind surfers and other boaters or jet ski users.