Palm up or down
If you've done bicep curls at a gym lately
, you'll notice that the bar is usually not flat, but has a series of angles to allow the wrist to sit in a more ergonomic position.
The front hand in windsurfing is the one that doesn't sit so well.
Hydrodynamix solved this yonks ago with the z boom.
I still use one and reckon they are so much more comfortable. I have a regular Pryde rdm boom, but definitely prefer the z.
Front hand feels comfy all the time, (planing or slogging). Can still switch to palm down (in front of the z) for mast foot pressure if needed, but it's easy to jibe from palm up position toward the top of the z.
Catching the new side after the flip - you dont even think about it, 'cos the angle presents itself and you catch it palm up.
Check out the z boom on Paul Kelf's Hydrodynamix web site. It's meant to reduce elbow soreness, carpal tunnel etc 'cos of the straight wrist position.
(Scott Mckercher won the Aust junior wave title with one back in the day)
I got a new one in Feb and they're much stiffer and come with better fittings now than in the old days.
If youre uncomfortable with the straight boom, or suffer wrist problems, you should try one out. (IMHO)
.
