under or overhand boom grip for front hand??

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under or overhand boom grip for front hand??

> 10 years ago

General Gps & Speed Waves Foiling Gear Reviews Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS

latedropeddy

VIC

417 posts

latedropeddy

VIC, 417 posts

13 Aug 2008 11:50pm

whats the story? Im just wondering what is better?

In the naish vid robbie seemed to always use an underhand grip even when boosting into orbit.
I come from a bmx/mtb background - underhand grip just feels so wrong at this stage. Is there any link to elbow/forearm injury depending on the way you grip the boom?

any help appreciated!

Greenroom

7608 posts

Greenroom

WA, 7608 posts

13 Aug 2008 9:55pm

When its really really honking, I use the underhand grip.
I find I can pull the boom closer without it getting ripped outta my hands.
But the downside is I dont have as much control. It feels un-natural.

jp747

1553 posts

jp747

1553 posts

13 Aug 2008 9:56pm

there seemed to be a thread regarding this a few months back but it depends on you which one is most comfy..have you noticed when being taught the basics it's all overhand or i could be mistaken

Wet Willy

TAS

2317 posts

Wet Willy

TAS, 2317 posts

14 Aug 2008 12:09am

I use an underhand grip on the front hand for the sake of variety; giving certan muscles a change so I can avoid undue fatigue. Although my right forearm muscles are now of olympc standard...

Also, undergrip feels awesome going upwind.

But, if it's getting hairy I think overhand is safer; less chance of doing a nasty wristie-twistie if things get cockeyed...um...you know what I mean...

jp747

1553 posts

jp747

1553 posts

13 Aug 2008 10:14pm

Wetwilly said 'But, if it's getting hairy I think overhand is safer; less chance of doing a nasty wristie-twistie if things get cockeyed...um...you know what I mean...'

hahahaha

i was about to write something up regarding the chances of not knocking the nose of your board if you had more control on an overhand grip on a cockeyed situation

i've been used to an overhand grip i never bothered to change even if it was a tad more comfy, tried doing so on the underhand but unconsciously my hands just revert back

elmo

8890 posts

elmo

WA, 8890 posts

13 Aug 2008 10:29pm

I thunk a lot of coaches recommend the overhand as it teaches better control rather than using extra strength which the underhand can provide.

I personally only use overhand when doing a 1 hour or distance as it gives the front arm a bit of a rest.

I do find overhand hurts my wrist (limp F'ken thing it is) and two last fingers, but that is most likely from gripping the boom further forward and running my harness lines front hand heavy.

decrepit

12873 posts

decrepit

WA, 12873 posts

13 Aug 2008 10:52pm

On wave gear I only ever used underhand, but now with speed gear, I'm using overhand at times.

Think it's beacuse with wave sails they have to be racked back further to close the gap, as the boom is then on a greater angle the underhand grip feels better, with my speed gear the rig is more upright, so overhand becomes a usable alternative, so I swap over from time to time to give my arms a rest.

Jord

107 posts

Jord

WA, 107 posts

14 Aug 2008 12:38am

i used to use over, but now it feels un-natural so its under for me, but when approaching jibes and tacks i always switch back to over hand

Goo Screw

VIC

269 posts

Goo Screw

VIC, 269 posts

14 Aug 2008 8:38am

Jord said...

i used to use over, but now it feels un-natural so its under for me, but when approaching jibes and tacks i always switch back to over hand

I am the same and I think underhand is just a bad habit that was started many years ago when we all wanted to sail like Robby Naish.

If underhand is good then why do we never use it on the back hand

OceanBlue64

VIC

980 posts

OceanBlue64

VIC, 980 posts

14 Aug 2008 8:52am

My understanding is that when you use an underhand grip it applies more mastfoot pressure directly as you are naturally pulling more downwards on the boom rather than out.

I try to use both mainly to cut down on arm fatigue.

Richiefish

QLD

5612 posts

Richiefish

QLD, 5612 posts

14 Aug 2008 9:01am

Wet Willy said...

I use an underhand grip on the front hand for the sake of variety; giving certan muscles a change so I can avoid undue fatigue. Although my right forearm muscles are now of olympc standard...

Also, undergrip feels awesome going upwind.

But, if it's getting hairy I think overhand is safer; less chance of doing a nasty wristie-twistie if things get cockeyed...um...you know what I mean...

If your palms are getting hairy, changing your grip wont help. It might be time for a girlfriend.(or a trip to Thailand)

russh

3027 posts

russh

SA, 3027 posts

14 Aug 2008 9:04am

Cannot for the life of me leave my hands over - cannot jump overhanded and feel like I have no control - As soon as I catch a wave it's straight to overhand!

I pay the penalty with cramped forearms in a short time in really windy/heavy large swell/chop/wave conditions.

Does overhand reduce forearm muscle tension and use?

choco

4181 posts

choco

SA, 4181 posts

14 Aug 2008 9:25am

Underhand grip is more natural the boom sits in your palm without having to bend your wrist like with the overhand grip I switch to overhand before jibing though.

vando

QLD

3419 posts

vando

QLD, 3419 posts

14 Aug 2008 11:01am

Yer agree choco under is a more natural position.
ever tryed doing chin ups with your hands over not easy

.

ta Vando

pierrec45

NSW

2005 posts

pierrec45

NSW, 2005 posts

14 Aug 2008 11:14am

> Does overhand reduce forearm muscle tension and use?

Not sure, but switching to one another does - different muscles. I use underhand for reaching and planing and coasting. Underhand to prepare a freestyle move, then switch overhand when comes time to do it. This way not as tired. Jumping definitely overhand for the take-off.

ka43

NSW

3101 posts

ka43

NSW, 3101 posts

14 Aug 2008 11:23am

Overhand for upwind, cruising and waves but underhand for full on speed runs. Agree that it keeps MFP going and feels more natural. Then switch to overhand for gybing.

NotWal

QLD

7436 posts

NotWal

QLD, 7436 posts

14 Aug 2008 1:04pm

Cribby recommends overhand for natural "down force". I find underhand more natural but I use both - that's for doing chin ups too Vando.
Oddly enough I find underhand better for gybing. I can get a better flick for a late flip.

wormy

QLD

679 posts

wormy

QLD, 679 posts

14 Aug 2008 1:26pm

Look ma no hands

Looks like the picture of me 20 feet in the air with two thumbs up didn't load properly

NotWal

QLD

7436 posts

NotWal

QLD, 7436 posts

14 Aug 2008 1:53pm

nice try

Paul Kelf

678 posts

Paul Kelf

WA, 678 posts

14 Aug 2008 1:15pm

choco said...

Underhand grip is more natural the boom sits in your palm without having to bend your wrist like with the overhand grip I switch to overhand before jibing though.

Exactly, because of the curve of the boom at the front, overhand for Gybing so you can apply weight through the mast foot.

russh

3027 posts

russh

SA, 3027 posts

14 Aug 2008 3:11pm

vando said...

Yer agree choco under is a more natural position.
ever tryed doing chin ups with your hands over not easy

.

ta Vando

What is this thing you call chin up - I have tried it while emptying the last bit of thick yeast residue from a coopers stubbie - but cannot do it under hand!

choco

4181 posts

choco

SA, 4181 posts

14 Aug 2008 4:01pm

If you ever had a go at tug of war,you will notice that the leading hand will always be an under grip,it's the strongest and most natural position for the arms.

mineral1

4564 posts

mineral1

WA, 4564 posts

14 Aug 2008 4:42pm

Lates panasonic add with windsurf and note the underhand front grip
www.panasonic.com/au/404/?libraryID=111&objectID=4388

firiebob

3182 posts

firiebob

WA, 3182 posts

14 Aug 2008 5:19pm

Nice bit of footage Min

I didn't even look at what their hands were doing

Haircut

QLD

6491 posts

Haircut

QLD, 6491 posts

14 Aug 2008 7:33pm

underhand for when i want to go really fast

overhand for when i want it to last longer

opposite-hand for when i want to imagine it's someone else doing it for me

da vecta

QLD

2515 posts

da vecta

QLD, 2515 posts

14 Aug 2008 8:27pm

that's funny

latedropeddy

VIC

417 posts

latedropeddy

VIC, 417 posts

14 Aug 2008 9:24pm

ritchiefish, haircut

was waiting for those comments!

thanks dudes for the feedback, nice footage mineral1. Wish I could do airs like that.

kato

VIC

3527 posts

kato

VIC, 3527 posts

14 Aug 2008 10:09pm

I think that maybe I,m a bit confused as....i use the front underhand for sailing as it allows me to see over my front arm, but when i jybe i change it to an overhand.Might not look pretty but it works

evlPanda

NSW

9207 posts

evlPanda

NSW, 9207 posts

14 Aug 2008 10:36pm

Imagine you tip the rig all the way forward, like 90 degrees. Would be easier to change your back hand to underhanded?

Now rake it all the way back, now your front hand naturally goes to underhand. Keep raking it back till it's under the board if you don't believe me.

So: underhanded is more natural when raked back me thinks.

I'm usually underhanded, but it's got nothing to do with windsurfing.

greenleader

QLD

5283 posts

greenleader

QLD, 5283 posts

14 Aug 2008 10:51pm

underhand for humans, overhand for the ape family.

next you guys will be debating harness hook up or down.

vando

QLD

3419 posts

vando

QLD, 3419 posts

14 Aug 2008 10:54pm

greenleader said...

underhand for humans, overhand for the ape family.

next you guys will be debating harness hook up or down.

This is what happens greenie when there's no wind for months haha
it's called boredom

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