For those of us who've been in the game a bit (or longer) what are the three things we'd wish we'd known starting out? Wingers and kiters are welcome to chime in, too.
I'll start:
1) Fast/race gear is over-rated. Unless you are actually racing or top level, chances are it will hold you back instead.
2) Buy the best windsport wet suit you can afford. A good 4/3 with glued and taped seams is miles better, imho, than something less.
3) Get yourself to someplace like OBX or other flat water spot where you can spend consecutive days in a docile environment. You'll learn a season's worth in a week.
—
I would add: Get good lessons about 6mo-1 year in. Something that teaches clew first, backwinding, sail handling, etc.
I got into some bad habits as a self taught and although I could plane, I was very limited by my lack of sail handling skills.
FoilDodo
Look where you are going not at your feet especially when tacking
FoilDodo
Especially in everything.
It's not like any of us have forgotten where our feet are. Unless you are an octopus. They have separate "brains" for each leg. I wonder if each one has it's own voice. That would make for a hilarious internal dialogue. Actually, the more I read, the harder it is for an octopus to windsurf: " Octopuses appear to have poor proprioceptive sense and must observe the arms visually to keep track of their position."
So, yeah really, unless you are an octopus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus#Nervous_system_and_senses
Sail with people who are better than you are. Pay attention to what they do. Ask them questions on how to improve