Just a couple of days Hans Kreisel and Jurjen van der Noord set the fastest speeds ever recorded on open water. Now, Boards have caught up with Hans to find out more about the spot ‘The Brace’, how to sail there and improve your speeds on open water.

The Brace

Forecast:

We always look for a strong SW forecast.

When does the spot work best?

We need all the conditions to match: a low tide at least -50, also the actual tide shouldn’t rise too much, which happens a lot during a low tide with loads wind, so it is best when the wind starts a bit more south. Somehow this always comes with a full moon!

Equipment:

Clearly the 45 JP speed because it is the smallest production speed board! It is fast to accelerate and the board for the ultimate records that it is still possible to start easily and sail upwind on. I use this with a 5,4 NP speedsail and a Z-fin around 20/21cm.

WHat to watch out for:

You really need someone to guide you out there as the water is very muddied and you can not see the bottom, so it is pretty dangerous. Normally, we make a few mudpiles to see when the tide is coming up. You have to guess how close you can sail to the shore. We know the spot pretty well now but I have to say I have had some close calls touching the ground with the fin in the past.

6 Tips For Top Open Water Speeds

Because we are in open water we have to sail upwind ourselves, which costs a lot of energy and sometimeshave limited time to do it in! So be prepared for a long and tiring day.

Make a list of speed spots you like and at what angle they are best – so you are always spot on and know where to go when.

Try a lower boom position – it keeps your board from lifting too much – control is speed.

Move your lines to the front to get a lot of backhand power downwind in the run.

Sail with guys of the same and higher level a lot to push your boundaries and motivate you.

Use the fastest gear on the market JP/NP/Z-FINS 😉

Hans will soon be starting a website – Windsurfcandy.com for the fastest fins in the world.