WinWind
Chapter 4 · Getting up
How to Uphaul a Windsurf Sail: Getting Up and the Secure Position
Safety, uphauling, secure position
Getting up — step by step
Safety first
The board floats — it is your best life raft. If you fall, never leave the board.
Tired? Sit on it and rest.
Quick quiz
- Swim to shore
- Hold on and stay with the board ✓ Answer
Uphauling
Board across the wind, sail in the water downwind. Feet either side of the mast, knees bent, back straight.
Pull the uphaul hand over hand using legs and body weight, not your back.
(Explained only — not simulated.)
Quick quiz
- Bend at the waist and yank with your arms
- Knees bent, back straight, lean back with body weight ✓ Answer
Secure position
Once the sail is up, hold the mast and let the sail flap freely downwind, board across the wind.
This is the secure position — your safe "pause" anytime.
Quick quiz
- Nose pointing into the wind
- Board across the wind ✓ Answer
- Tail pointing into the wind
Getting going
Front hand to the boom, pull the rig across your body and tilt it slightly forward, back hand on the boom.
Slowly sheet in with the back hand and off you go.