The Tack

As you are now sailing across the wind with a good stance it is time to tune up those tacks. The tack is where the nose of the board goes through the eye of the wind. Tacking is so important as it gives you a way to turn round whilst staying upwind and is a transition used up to the highest level.

By getting into good habits and becoming the tack master you will find, that as you progress down to smaller boards, the move will be that much drier.

From a good stance looking forwards and slightly upwind, begin to steer towards the wind.

As the board heads into the wind, slide the front hand up the boom in preparation for dropping it onto the mast below the boom. Lower your bodyweight and look upwind.

The front hand drops onto the mast as the rig rakes back towards the tail. Place your front foot forward, in front and wrapped around the mast foot.

The rig is now moving back to create space and the body is moving forward. Steer the board through the wind by looking into the wind and scissoring the board, pushing with the back foot and pulling with the front foot.

The nose of the board is now head to wind and both feet are forward, close to the mast foot with both hands on the mast below the boom. The board will continue to turn towards the new direction by swinging the rig around the back of the board and towards the nose.

Keep swinging the rig towards the nose, keeping the knees bent and arms straight, until you are in the secure position (July issue). You will now be looking forward to aid bearing the board away.

You are now in the secure position with the board across the wind and ready to sail across the wind once more.

So look forward, bring the rig to the balance point, anticipate the power and get down and move towards the sailing position (July issue).

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