Sunset Sailboards San Francisco

A new beginning or the beginning of the end? Yesterday was my first foray into formula windsurfing.  I'm not a racer, and most people would characterize me as a classic under-rigger.  I like to sail small sails, milk them for power, maximize glide, and practice freestyle.  I generally like flatter, finesse-oriented sails, and while racing does require a lot of finesse and technique, the "power sailing" element of racing is dimension that I'm not really that used to.

With the 2011 US Windsurfing National Championship in Berkeley this year, my windsurfing home, I thought it might be fun to participate.  There will be three disciplines:  formula, slalom, and freestyle.  My initial intention was to do all three.

I'm pretty comfortable with freestyle, and I've been putting in a little bit of time on the slalom stuff.  I got a couple of Fanatic Falcons and a Maui Sails TR-7 XT 7.0, but until yesterday I had never been on a modern formula board nor sailed a big double luff race sail.  My TR-7 XT 10.0 had been sitting in my board room since February, and I finally rigged it for its maiden voyage yesterday.

Suffice it to say that I pretty much got my ass kicked.  I can chalk it up to the wind or the fin or whatnot, but I did not feel that comfortable, and I only made one jibe.  I had taped up a hole on the bottom of my board, so I could sail yesterday, but the tape started peeling, so I had to come in after 20 minutes which truth be told was a relief.

I put the formula stuff away and took out my 7.0 and was lit and had a great time.  Never before had the 7.0 felt so small and maneuverable.  I even switched down to Sofien's 5.2 Loco and Twin Tip 90 later, which really felt weird after being on 10.0.

I'm still not a racer, but I am looking forward to my next 10.0 sesh