Downwinder tips for newbies.

Declaration. I haven't done a downwinder for a couple of years. We did several a few years ago on 11-12' boards in winds up to 50 knots then didn't follow up with longer boards and car shuffles etc. Feel free to ignore anything I say.

Rule 1. Plan a series of exit points all along your route. Paddle from exit point to exit point. Never let yourself go chasing runners out to sea and get away from your exit points. If the wind is pushing you away from shore you must do the harder work to get towards shore early. If you leave it late then it will be too late.

Rule 2. Pace yourself. Just cruise along. Take rest breaks. Only paddle hard in short bursts. In 40-50 knots the difference in speed between paddling and not paddling is barely 2 kph. Don't try to chase the good guys. They are ahead because they are catching runners and that is an acquired skill. You won't do it by paddling your guts out. By pacing yourself you extend your time on the water and you improve your skills acquisition. Do it easy. Slip through the water like a ninja.

Rule 3. Buddy up with someone who will not mind waiting for you if you are slow.

A few statistics. Your paddling speed is about 8 kph. Your speed just sitting on the board getting blown along is 6 kph. (Try holding your paddle up as a sail. It's fun). On a runner you quickly accelerate to 15 kph.

The other thing is to wear a decent wetsuit. If you get stuck out on your board (or without your board ) then your wetsuit will keep you alive until you can be rescued or make it to shore somewhere else.

It was great to see the three girls grining from ear to ear at the end and saying how much fun it was.. .. They'll be back for more..

DJ

PTWoody said...

laceys lane said...

i'm of the opinion, first timers shouldn't have done that run.

Yeah as mentioned, we were very aware of the safety issue from the start, with 3 paddlers essentially sacrificing the run to make sure the inexperienced downwinders made it home safely. But as you say, ideally we should have a cut off point when conditions become too challenging for the newbies. Apart from anything else, it's no fun to be falling in cold water constantly and paddling on one side. However, no one was ever in danger yesterday despite the hyperbole being thrown about - we do like to be drama queens. One guy got sea sick, which he is prone to, and another experienced downwinder felt some pre-existing chest pain. Nevertheless, we'll discuss our future safety precautions based on this experience. It's always good to be able to improve our methods to ensure that everybody continues to enjoy the sport.

Looking forward to coming out with you guys sometime, if/when I get some sea legs (and a 14 fter). Watching out the window and listening to the roof tiles rattle today I think I'll opt for a downwinder on the land sup

(last night's "bike downwinder" home was awesome )

DavidJohn said...

Looking forward to coming out with you guys sometime, if/when I get some sea legs (and a 14 fter). Watching out the window and listening to the roof tiles rattle today I think I'll opt for a downwinder on the land sup

(last night's "bike downwinder" home was awesome )

There's a demo 14' Glide from the SHQ kiosk (where we finish our DW run) that anyone can demo..

DJ

Thanks for the tip DJ, I think the fitness and agility need some work first - PT's borne witness to my 'skills' on the bumpy water (although I''ve been on a 14 glide and handled it better than I expected). More time in the light stuff required. Small steps, but learning all the time...

Gorgo said...

Other tips for newbies.

Noodling around the Black Rock-Ricketts area is an option.

Go out for training paddles in 10-15 knots of wind. Chug upwind until you're sick of it then downwind back. In the Black Rock-Ricketts area you can sneak upwind inshore of the reefs (watch your fins), do a half decent upwind leg, a longer downwind leg, then sneak back inshore to repeat.

I don't mind Mentone for that, if it's north to westish. You can tuck in under the cliffs for the paddle out and practice in the swell back into the beach. Great fun.

Yes some good points raised which will help fine tune the plan, beach brief,assessment of conditions, buddy system and pfd's all good ideas, mmm back up plan also. Me, I probably went out to hard got excited about all those runners, probably defied my age but did love the idea of being in the wild away from our controlled routine environment we live in ahh the spirit of adventure, but I was left with a slight feeling of vulnerability when I had to stop a few times to take stock of what may have been happening to me interestingly at hospital yep high risk male between age of 40-60 family history fortunate to lower risk ,not overweight, fit ,eat well low cholesterol,don't smoke but it still could happen ..... All is good

DavidJohn said...

It was great to see the three girls grining from ear to ear at the end and saying how much fun it was.. .. They'll be back for more..

DJ

Wow what an experience - thanks to the guy that stayed with me whilst I completed my first downwinder - and nearly missed the Sandy yacht club... I had no idea how hard it could be but loved it - lost count after 20 + times of falling in. A day later and the ache in my knees, quads, shoulders, back reminds me of the fun day I had - I also realised I need more practice but I'll be back. Thanks again.

Teeps said...

Anyone else ever got sick out paddling? (I don't mean 'fully sick', just the unpleasant kind...)

I know Adam got seasick 3/4 of the way across the channel doing the Dr Race last year and limped in not looking so great. Don't think it has ever happened to him other than that time.

Hey Dave,

It was pretty westerly if I recall. So it must have been not the usual downwinder route. Also, it may have moderated a bit from last night when it was just absolutely howling. Challenging conditions no doubt.

Wild weather lately. I was meant to be in Perth tonight - the volcano put paid to that idea.

Maybe we can refer to yesterday's downwinder as the winter solstice run - make it an annual initiation rite of passage for newbies! lol....and no, I'm not on the sauce.

Great job with the vid PT.. That must have been early in the run before the serious waves but it still was looking pretty stormy.. It was good of you to stay with Kathy even if it did mean a bit of knee paddling to stay with her.. The girls did great.. Mick's green DC looks awesome and it's a shame I didn't have my camera (batteries) because I got some of the longest runs that I've ever got and the big 17 was flying.

DJ

Nice one Jonathan.. I hope you told Jean to stop having so much fun and stay on course for Sandy.. (Yeah Sandy.. over there to the left) ..

And excuse me while I look between your legs to see where we're going.. It looked like you were lining up a beauty at the 1.30 mark.

DJ

goofy , nice vid thanks !