In the interest of others who may be confused with wind direction in relation to waves or angles you are expected to use in certain winds, here's something I made yesterday. Hopefully it makes sense and is correct...I'm sure if it's wrong I will be told. Feel free and I'll amend.

I've opted from using sailing terminology as much as possible as, like myself, many don't use most of it. But if you want to know Google "Points of Sail".

NOTE: I'm not a wavesailing expert but was knowledgeable in the field in a previous life.

EDIT: (1) In Key changedd what the red X means also added to Key "All angles in between". It doesn't mean 'go in that direction'. (2) New pic title.

It is was never intented to be a "How To Wavesail" or surf but recognize what wind direction will allow what kind of sail and board angles you can expect to use for the given wind. That's all it is intended to do.

Exactly, it is for "noobs". I thought my first line would have explained that. Experienced sailors take this knowledge for granted but beginners wouldn't have a clue. Hence many getting blown out to sea or the other side of a lake/river. Or explains why they get blown 1klm downwind from their launch spot.

Maybe I should have given it a different heading 'Wavesailing - Points of Sail for Newbies'. Which can still be done on the pic but not the forum title.

There is nothing on the net that illustrates this in a beach/wave perspective. Most "Points of Sail" just shows little boats forming a compass.

Mark I really appreciate your input and I like your suggestions.

It still is difficult to learn from just watching vids especially for those with even lesser knowledge who could not tell if that person is sailing in a cross-on, cross-off or side-shore wind. All the moves look easy but the newb doesn't realize that a particular move is best performed in certain wind angles.

One of the reasons I made this was to answer some questions being asked by friends who want to tackle the surf (they are advanced surfers) and the surf is their convenient learning environment. And as we all know it is not the ideal learning location! But they are determind, which I admire so I want to help in some way, if they get the hang of windsurfing they would be awesome wavesailors.

I have a proposal for you, if you can caption the pic's wind directions with what basic moves can be performed I can add it and credit you. I can adjust pics to suit. Sheesh even I can use the tips. Perhaps we can even ask Laurie to "sticky" it on the wavesailing forum for newbies.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure this kind of graphic doesn't exist on the net (I've looked for a while). I look at it as giving something back to the sport...a little contribution and saves individuals describing winds and moves in words to newbies. Which is farkin confusing for both parties!

nosinkanow said...

It is was never intented to be a "How To Wavesail" or surf but recognize what wind direction will allow what kind of sail and board angles you can expect to use for the given wind. That's all it is intended to do.

That's why I referred you to the Peter Hart "Serious About Waves #2" DVD.

There's a section on backside wave riding, down the line wave riding as well as down the line wave riding in onshore conditions. These three sections cover a variety of wind directions.

The point I made about learning to surf was based on the incorrect assumption that your post included a "learning to wave sail" aspect - my mistake.

That beach looks pretty crowded, with lots of dropping in.
I wouldn't want to sail there as a wavesailing noob.

Stuthepirate said...

That beach looks pretty crowded, with lots of dropping in.
I wouldn't want to sail there as a wavesailing noob.

Water looks clean though.

But would be a pain in the arse trying to sail there. Look at all the kite lines draped across the place.

After many years of sailing at Longy and Collaroy I think its great Raf.
As its been said, tough audience and you now know whats its like to be a politician.
The places we use to sail had pretty much every direction come at them but only worked sweet in certain ones. So you learned to sail them and what worked in each wind direction.
good onya for trying to help, its a forum so have a big can of cement and live another day