The Light Air Wavesailing "Head Carry"

I have seen forum posts and inquiries regarding the task of getting a light air kit to/into the ocean.  Often main concerns include light air wave board weight, shorepound, and simply not knowing what to do.  Folks mention a need to drag their kits into the water sliding along the sand/rocks for both entry into and exit from the beach break.  A key technique to avoid both the drag and the shorebreak is the "Head Carry."

The Head Carry technique is used regularly with traditional wavesailing.  Both for entry into the water as well as exit from.  Additionally the head carry is often used for the "walk of shame" for those blown downwind with a need to hike the gear back to the launch site.  All in all, the Head Carry is a valuable technique to master for carrying both your light air and regular windsurfing gear.

For Light Air enthusiasts the Head Carry is key for accessing the water.  Of course, the AHD SeaLion at 7'6" in length and considerable light weight for its volume at 135ltrs is quite easy to Head Carry.

Though for those with larger Light Air kits (I also head carry the NahSkwell 10'6" Stoller!), the Head Carry is the way to go unless the board is simply "too heavy."

Setting up the Head Carry involves a few steps dependent upon wind direction.  The board and sail should be laid out on the beach in a setup similar to a water start position with the sail on the downwind side of the board.  Kneeling down, the arm crossover technique works to fly the sail with one arm while lifting the board up and into the wind.  The combination of the sail air lift, board air lift, and some strength from the sailor will get the board up and the sail situated on the sailor's head.  Note, do not place the your head on the middle of a sail panel, but rather place it at a seam, and as close to the mast as possible.  Balance the sail as necessary with head position and control with the arm holding the sail.  Basically, the wind should aid lifting the weight of the board along with some arm strength.  Of course, its best to practice this technique with your regular smaller windsurfing gear.  Simply rig up your small kit and practice to become comfortable with lifting into a head carry along with walking and managing the kit on your head.  Once comfortable with the small kit head carry, then this same technique can be taken to the larger light air kit.

Exiting the ocean with the Head Carry is also key.  Basically when exiting the ocean while in waist deep or less water continue a forward momentum when stepping off the board to drive the gear up into a head carry.  Basically its the same as on land, however, the water depth lessens the kneel and the forward momentum of coming into the beach helps drive the gear up and onto your head.  Again, this is best to master with regular gear and you can do this either in the ocean or even flat water/shallows such as the sound.

Bottom line is that the Head Carry works quite well for getting light air kits into and out of the ocean.  The technique should be mastered or proficient with smaller gear; however, the exact same technique is used for the larger light air kits.

Note, if you do have a big light air kit and the head carry simply will not work, then next best is the "Railed Driver."  More on this technique in a future post.

Light Air Wavesailing, Is it the New Thing?!

No Footstraps Required! 

The introduction of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding a few years ago enabled a new brand of enjoyment in the ocean as well as flat water. Similar to kiteboarding's introduction a number of years earlier, both sports blossomed as new and, in many respects, "easier" introductions into active water sports. Over the past year or so, Light Air Wavesailing has hit the market and offers a new and easy method to catch waves with a windsurfing rig in hand.

I have been a strong supporter of Light Air Wavesailing since my initial experiences with the AHD SeaLion during late summer 2010 and all of 2011.  Blending an aggressive light air board design with a medium sized windsurfing sail has offered many more days of enjoyable time in the ocean, as compared to years past when I only had "regular" wave gear available.  As a father of two, a full time job, and busy life schedule, my windsurfing time has taken a hit even while living in one of windsurfing's world meccas.  However, with the SeaLion and Light Air Wavesailing, many more opportunities are available to catch FUN surf and enjoy water time even with the scheduled needs of everyday life.

Seems more and more people are discovering the FUN and ease of Light Air Wavesailing and it is great to see this new windsurfing discipline take shape.  The US East Coast is perfect for Light Air Wavesailing from FL to Cape Cod and with the busy lives and limited water time we have, when you do make it out to the beach, why not have an option for when winds are side offshore at 10 knts and waves are breaking outside crumbly and fun!

As with standard SUP and kitesurfing, perhaps Light Air Wavesailing may find greater niche as it blends "ease" of a stable windsurfing platform with the ability to get into the ocean on calm easy days with surf ranging knee high to as big as you want to try!   

I would really enjoy seeing more people out on Light Air Wavesailing days.  Beauty too is that if you are here on the OBX, from Corolla to Hatteras, anywhere it can be good if there is a nice outside sand bar and a side to side-off breeze.  Anywhere there is a good sandbar can be a "popular" spot!  If you are in Nags Head, come out and join me when I hit a sesh, as I often do during the summer months!  Stay tuned to the OBX Beach Life forum for reports where to go as we usually post when we are about to hit the water!

No Footstraps Required!

Friday Lighthouse Action Today!

Keith sent in a new slide show from action today down at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!  Also a few shots from the Hole.  Enjoy!

Hopefully more to come tomorrow and though the weekend as a possible coastal low forms and ideally remains well east of us?!

Hatteras Light Air SUP Wavesailing Magic!

Just back from a business trip up in DC.  Missed a lot of recent action down in Hatteras primarily focused on light air SUP wavesailing.  Looked like an awesome time for those down there who caught it!
Quote from Ralph at NCBoardrider:

What a fantastic spot. After a great evening yesterday with Keith and Ken I just had to have another go on the other tack this morning. Same 4.7/122L SUP combo. Still big but easy and FUN on the outside will much longer set period. Huge lounge. Didn't get denied a single time. The sea turtles are busy! I've seen at least one every sesh.

5 straight days of wave sailing!!!!!!!!!!  Hatteras magic.

Sunday 85L/5.2 old light house
Monday 112L/4.7 Izzies
Monday evening SUP/5.8 ramp 49
Tuesday SUP/5.8 old light house
Wednesday SUP/4.7ramp 30
Thursday SUP/4.7 ramp 30

Keith M sent over a few slide shows from the sessions!  
Ramp 30, Wed May 9

Billy Mitchell Airfield Beach Access, Sun May 7
(Note, Ken is out trunks only!) Awesome that windsurfing now has this opportunity to catch waves when winds are light!

Additionally, here is a nice video produced by Micheal Wazenski from a windy wave sesh a few days ago at the Lighthouse!

Light Air SUP Wavesailing at Billy Mitchell in Frisco

Keith M reported FUN conditions on the South Side yesterday down at Billy Mitchell Airfield beach access in Frisco.  "Several good sandbars, dolphins, turtles, and clean warm water" were the key ingredients that made the day!  Plus of course, sunny skies!

 Awesome time to be in Hatteras!