Sail to Learn - Windsurfing



Sail2Learn offers windsurfing (the most challenging and (IMO) exhilirating form of sailing) instruction.

Start from scratch and learn to do (BY DOING with a coach) all required to:

  • identify parts of sailing rig, board (Parts Illustration | Self test) and related gear
  • determine wind direction and approximate strength by senses and weather indicators
  • identify 'No Sail' zone in wind pizza (or clock). Identify potential beam reach bearings on course
  • rig sail (Sailworks Retro rigging video) and board for existing weather and skill conditions
  • demonstrate understanding of center of mass and base of support concepts to handling sailing rig on land and board
  • mount board in both shallow and deep waters
  • from atop board - position feet (and reposition if necessary) to form a "T" with mast
  • turning shoulders left and right around spinal column pull on uphaul line to lift rig from water
  • tilt mast of rig left/right to turn the board clockwise or counter-clockwise as desired
  • attain AND maintain balance in the neutral position - straight arms and straight body using the rig as a counterbalance to your body
  • transition (footwork and handwork) to the power position (- both feet to the rear of mast base - forward hand on mast) on windward side
  • press elbows downward to exert force on mast base
  • balance rig's center of mass (CM) over mastbase and sheet-in / out as needed to get underway
  • sheet-in and sheet-out to increase and / or decrease power in sail
  • anticipate forward movement and the law of inertia - and keep rig forward as you get underway
  • 'pop sail' to force rig into proper airfoil shape (concave on windward side)
  • perform 'S' sailing pathways alternating turning board upwind and downwind using sail tilts forward and aft
  • execute turns upwind (tack) to port and starboard to follow a desired course
  • execute downwind (jibe) port and starboard to follow a desired course
  • in knee to chest deep water manipulate rig and board to position them for uphaul and / or beachstart - includes;
  • Leaverage Triangle
    1. carrying rig (mast leading) towards wind
    2. flip sail when crossing windline (boom hand to mast, mast hand to opposite boom)
    3. grasp boom (angle 1) and mast (angle 2) to form a triangle with mast base (angle 3).
    4. push or pull mast base to move board around your position.
  • in knee-deep water perform stand-up beach start
  • return to launch area.

All of this performed on a large high buoyancy board that makes for raft-like stability and accelerated learning.

Steve BonhamWindsurfing coaching provided by Steve Bonham, a calm, patient, experienced (50+ years sailing) and friendly skipper with current ASA certifications. Windsurfing lessons are offered (dependent upon weather conditions) at a shallow and flat water location (usually in the Coon Key shallows) with favorable winds. Lesson includes land/beach and on-water training.



Uphauling like a pro!


Successful beach start! Go Kristina!!
St. Simons, GA

Ginny sheeting in on a beam reach - FIRST Day Sailing

Mariah's First Beach Start!
Tybee Island, GA

Land School:
Dawn stepping into the power zone
...
"Sit back, arms straight, relaxed shoulders... just balance the rig.... sweet spot over the base. You got this!"

Nothing hotter than a Shred Bettie!

Heading West - Following the sun!!

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Email: sbonham@georgiasouthern.edu