Clew First Beach Start

What Is It? Beach start with the rig at 90 degrees to the board – clew pointing towards the wind.

Why Do it? Develops vision and muscle memory for gybe exits, helicopter tack endings and wave riding.

Level? Once you can beach starting normally, try some ‘clew first’ until you can plane off the beach!

Quick Tips

Start facing towards the shore then turn downwind, like going through a gybe.

Look where you want to go and lean the rig the opposite way until the board is pointing back out to sea (rig approximately 90 degrees to the board)!

Beach start on a broad reach, pulling in and down on the boom, especially on the clew hand which should be close to your head.

Keep the rig forward at 90 degrees to the board, pulling down hard on a bent clew arm.

Before rotating the rig, the old front hand shifts towards the mast. The clew hand releases and reaches under to grab well down the boom. Look forward and scoop the rig away from a lowering body.

Q. Why’s the boom ripped out of my hands?

A. Not broad enough, pulling down enough or the clew arm is too extended.