allow you to slip through and begin
the next slide. What you're in the
water? Two things. First thing that's
why you're wearing a leash (coiled is
better). Getting separated from your
board is a no-no. Second, stop look-
ing down at the nose of your board
even though I just told you to.
tain balance. Now, regain your com-
posure, laugh, thank your friend for
waiting, head the nose downwind
and keep paddling.
winds. Start out looking for those
downwinders in the 15-20 mph
range. It is a wonderful part of the
sport of SUPing that takes windy,
rainy, lousy beach days and turns
them into exciting adventures.
Isle of Wight Bay offer SUPers sev-
eral runs of 10 miles with great ac-
cess for putting in and getting out.
www.walkonwatersupco.com.)
for tropical storms to bring opportu-
nities for awesome downwind SU-
Ping, surfing the board down the
swells created by the wind.
quent winds. So the next time winds
hit the 20 knot mark, consider a
downwind run in the bay. Drop a car
at the end of your downwind course,
wear a leash, carry hydration and
always, always, go with a friend.
same concept. You are going down-
hill through a mogul field made of
waves. Just as in skiing, you want to
keep the nose of your board point-
ing down the hill and avoid hitting
the back of the waves (moguls/-
bumps) in front of you. When the
nose of your board drops, you pad-
dle; you'll feel the glide as you drop
your foot back to a surf stance. Milk
that wave as long as you can, ang-
ling left or right to avoid hitting the
back of the wave in front of you.
There is a lot of water moving with
you and you are looking for the op-
ening where the nose of your board
slightly drops and you pump into
your next glide.