Kitesurfing

Before you start practicing windsurfing, it is vital to understand the various equipments used in it. A windsurfing novice can be easily misled into thinking that windsurfing involves only the surf board and the sail. However, there are various smaller parts like the boom, fin, uphaul, mast and mast base that play an equal role in windsurfing. Yet another important component of this kit is the mast extension.

Windsurfing Mast Extension

As the name suggests, mast extension refers to the extension that joins that mast to the luff of the sail. Usually the mast extension is adjustable so that it becomes easy to join different types of sails. The mast extension consists of pulleys that help to pull high degree of tension during downhauling. There are different types of mast extension systems from which you can choose the one that suits your mast and sail.

1. Grooved Extension: The grooved extension supports the mast with the help of a metal circlip. This circlip fits in the mast extension and supports the mast collar. The grooves or channels in which the circlip fits are at an interval of 1-2cms. The grooved mast extensions are known to offer great durability.

2. Spring-loaded Collar Extension: One of the most widely used mast extensions, the spring-loaded collar extension is the easiest to attach. The spring loaded extension can be easily adjusted according to the sail. Like the grooved extension, the spring-loaded extension too has holes drilled at fixed intervals. While strapping the mast extension collar, a pin is inserted through these holes so that the collar is attached at the desired level.

3. Pin System: In this type of mast extension, the tube comprises of holes drilled diametrically opposite each other. The mast collar is placed above a pin that is positioned through the hole at the required height.

Tips for Choosing Mast Extensions

Apart from the type of sails, it is important to keep a few factors in mind while choosing mast extensions. Some of the factors to be considered while choosing mast extensions are as follows:

1. Ensure that the mast extension is compatible with various brands of masts along with a carbon mast. Also, the extension must be designed to endure immense wear and tear including salt water exposure, huge amount of dust and sand particles.

2. The mast extension must be extremely efficient in downhauling. Opt for a mast extension with 15mm pulleys and a capable ratchet system.

3. It is recommended to opt for light-weight mast extensions that are easily adjustable as well as easy on your hands.

4. Always remember to check ring and collar adjustment system in a mast extension system.

5. It is preferable to have mast extensions that are easy to rig.

6. Several mast extensions available these days comprise of carbon fiber tube. This is a good development as this enhances the strength of the extension. It is also lighter in weight than the usual aluminium mast extension.

These are some of the basic aspects of mast extension. Often surfers do not give great importance to mast extensions and focus more on surf boards. However, a good mast extension plays a key role in windsurfing and hence must be carefully selected.

Marc Fredmen an expert windsurfer and author regularly shares his thoughts about windsurfing on basic windsurfing. Learn more about windsurfing mast base here.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/windsurfing-mast-extension-1114973.html

Windsurfing as a sport provides excellent combination of skill, technique and pure fun. It is this unparalleled combination that makes windsurfing such a popular activity. However, before beginning to surf it is essential to follow a few important instructions to maintain safety.

Vital Windsurfing Techniques

1. Once you have completed assembling the gear in a rig, ensure that the booms are firmly secured to the mast. They must be secured to the mast in such a way that they must not be higher than your collarbone.

2. While surfing, ensure that your back is always facing 12′o clock position and the sail is always on the 6′o clock side of the board. Remember that while turning, the sail remains constant in its 6′o clock position and only the board turns.

3. Raising the sail: To raise the sail, first get on board by placing one knee on either side of the mast base. Then gradually reach out to the uphaul and grab it. Then with the help of the uphaul, slowly stand up by placing one foot on either side of the mast base. Ensure that your back remains straight and knees are bent while standing up. Now start raising the sail from the water. As the water recedes from the sail, it becomes lighter and it is possible to position the mast in an upright position.

4. Before starting to surf, get the board in a neutral position. In this, you hold the mast with both your hands while the board is across the wind and the sail should be positioned such that the clue end points at 6′o clock.

5. To start surfing, keep the position of the mast and the front hand constant and only move the backhand. This would allow the wind to enter the sail and the board would start gliding over water.

6. To stop surfing, the best way is to release the boom from the backhand allow the sail to swing back to neutral. This would stop the board instantly.

7. Especially while practicing beach surfing, learn the turns – the upwind turn (called a tack) and the downwind turn (called the jibe). The speed and precision of turns depends upon the size and volume of the board, the sail size, the wind speed and your weight.

8. While surfing, remember not proceed to the destination directly. You must plan your route precisely to reach the destination.

9. Do not venture out surfing when there is too much or no wind. It is recommended, especially for beginners to surf when there are steady wind conditions.

10. Remember to check the position of the board, the position of the sail and your position before setting out to surf.

11. While surfing if your mast is tilting over the 6′o clock position so far from the board that you have to bend from the waist with your butt jutting out, then you must stop immediately. This is the wrong position to surf and can cause back pain. To regain the correct position, get the mast in straight position and start again.

These are a few instructions that can especially windsurfing beginners and move on to the next level.

The author Marc Fredmen is an experienced windsurfer and has been practicing windsurfing for several years. He provides online guidance on windsurfing at basic windsurfing. Check out more freestyle windsurfing instructions here.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/windsurfing-techniques-1099620.html

Windsurfing is an exciting adventure sport and has become a rage among adventure lovers. To master the sport, a surfer must systematically move from the basic level to the more advanced levels. Only when you are thorough with the first level can you graduate to the next level of windsurfing.

Windsurfing Learning Curve

Before beginning to surf, ensure that you have the right equipment and a qualified or experienced windsurfing professional to guide you. Before beginning to surf, make sure that you have top quality wetsuit, helmet and life jacket. These are the bare essentials in windsurfing and venturing without them can cause serious trouble for you.

Then you proceed to learn the basic lessons of windsurfing.

1. Basic Level: This is the beginners’ level and you are taught basic techniques of windsurfing. These include balance, uphauling & powering the sail & steering the board. You are also taught tacks and gybes. Tacks refer to turning the board upwind while gybes refer to turning the board downwind. In this stage, you also learn to control the sail upwind & downwind. In the basic level, you would surf during light winds.

2. Transitional Level: In this level, you will learn the following skills:

Windsurfing in Strong Winds: Surfing during strong winds requires skill, strong technique and great control over the surf board. For this, you must have a very good stance with your arms stretched out and feet positioned behind the mast. It also includes balancing your weight against that of the sail rig.

Fast Tacks & Flare Gybes: Once you learn tacking, the next step is to do those turns faster and more swiftly. For this you must be precise with your footwork and have great control of the sail. Flare gybes refer to spinning the board swiftly in moderate wind conditions.

Surfing with Harness: Windsurfing with the help of harnesses is essential for learning more advanced surfing techniques. Only when you reach the semi-professional level of windsurfing can you start practicing surfing with harnesses.

3. Advanced Level: This is the final level of windsurfing and is mainly meant for professionals. In this level you can learn advanced windsurfing techniques like footstrap sailing, the carved gybe, deep waterstart, chop hopping and wave sailing.

Deep Waterstart: With the deep waterstart, you do not have to lift the sail from the water. Instead it is the wind that lifts it. Learning deep waterstart allows you to surf without getting very exhausted.

Carve Gybe: The carve gybe is one of the most difficult maneuvers in windsurfing. It involves turning of the surfboard on its edge in a 180 degree arc with a change in direction. The key in carve gybe is maintaining high speed of the board till you make the turn. To become an expert in carve gybing; you must practice it consistently over a period of time and in difficult wind conditions.

Wave Sailing: Wave sailing refers to the high jumps on waves, which is possible only for windsurfing masters.

A windsurfing enthusiast must follow these levels systematically in order to master the sport and its inherent techniques completely.

Marc Fredman is an experienced windsurfer. He provides windsurfing tips on how to windsurf for beginners. You can also take online windsurfing lessons at windsurfing lessons and tips.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/windsurfing-tutorial-1094971.html