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The Light Air Wavesailing "Head Carry"
I have seen forum posts and inquiries regarding the task of getting a light air kit to/into the ocean. Often main concerns include light air wave board weight, shorepound, and simply not knowing what to do. Folks mention a need to drag their kits into the water sliding along the sand/rocks for both entry into and exit from the beach break. A key technique to avoid both the drag and the shorebreak is the "Head Carry."
The Head Carry technique is used regularly with traditional wavesailing. Both for entry into the water as well as exit from. Additionally the head carry is often used for the "walk of shame" for those blown downwind with a need to hike the gear back to the launch site. All in all, the Head Carry is a valuable technique to master for carrying both your light air and regular windsurfing gear.
For Light Air enthusiasts the Head Carry is key for accessing the water. Of course, the AHD SeaLion at 7'6" in length and considerable light weight for its volume at 135ltrs is quite easy to Head Carry.
Though for those with larger Light Air kits (I also head carry the NahSkwell 10'6" Stoller!), the Head Carry is the way to go unless the board is simply "too heavy."
Setting up the Head Carry involves a few steps dependent upon wind direction. The board and sail should be laid out on the beach in a setup similar to a water start position with the sail on the downwind side of the board. Kneeling down, the arm crossover technique works to fly the sail with one arm while lifting the board up and into the wind. The combination of the sail air lift, board air lift, and some strength from the sailor will get the board up and the sail situated on the sailor's head. Note, do not place the your head on the middle of a sail panel, but rather place it at a seam, and as close to the mast as possible. Balance the sail as necessary with head position and control with the arm holding the sail. Basically, the wind should aid lifting the weight of the board along with some arm strength. Of course, its best to practice this technique with your regular smaller windsurfing gear. Simply rig up your small kit and practice to become comfortable with lifting into a head carry along with walking and managing the kit on your head. Once comfortable with the small kit head carry, then this same technique can be taken to the larger light air kit.
Exiting the ocean with the Head Carry is also key. Basically when exiting the ocean while in waist deep or less water continue a forward momentum when stepping off the board to drive the gear up into a head carry. Basically its the same as on land, however, the water depth lessens the kneel and the forward momentum of coming into the beach helps drive the gear up and onto your head. Again, this is best to master with regular gear and you can do this either in the ocean or even flat water/shallows such as the sound.
Bottom line is that the Head Carry works quite well for getting light air kits into and out of the ocean. The technique should be mastered or proficient with smaller gear; however, the exact same technique is used for the larger light air kits.
Note, if you do have a big light air kit and the head carry simply will not work, then next best is the "Railed Driver." More on this technique in a future post. Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
Light Air Wavesailing, Is it the New Thing?!
No Footstraps Required!
The introduction of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding a few years ago enabled a new brand of enjoyment in the ocean as well as flat water. Similar to kiteboarding's introduction a number of years earlier, both sports blossomed as new and, in many respects, "easier" introductions into active water sports. Over the past year or so, Light Air Wavesailing has hit the market and offers a new and easy method to catch waves with a windsurfing rig in hand.
I have been a strong supporter of Light Air Wavesailing since my initial experiences with the AHD SeaLion during late summer 2010 and all of 2011. Blending an aggressive light air board design with a medium sized windsurfing sail has offered many more days of enjoyable time in the ocean, as compared to years past when I only had "regular" wave gear available. As a father of two, a full time job, and busy life schedule, my windsurfing time has taken a hit even while living in one of windsurfing's world meccas. However, with the SeaLion and Light Air Wavesailing, many more opportunities are available to catch FUN surf and enjoy water time even with the scheduled needs of everyday life.
Seems more and more people are discovering the FUN and ease of Light Air Wavesailing and it is great to see this new windsurfing discipline take shape. The US East Coast is perfect for Light Air Wavesailing from FL to Cape Cod and with the busy lives and limited water time we have, when you do make it out to the beach, why not have an option for when winds are side offshore at 10 knts and waves are breaking outside crumbly and fun!
As with standard SUP and kitesurfing, perhaps Light Air Wavesailing may find greater niche as it blends "ease" of a stable windsurfing platform with the ability to get into the ocean on calm easy days with surf ranging knee high to as big as you want to try!
I would really enjoy seeing more people out on Light Air Wavesailing days. Beauty too is that if you are here on the OBX, from Corolla to Hatteras, anywhere it can be good if there is a nice outside sand bar and a side to side-off breeze. Anywhere there is a good sandbar can be a "popular" spot! If you are in Nags Head, come out and join me when I hit a sesh, as I often do during the summer months! Stay tuned to the OBX Beach Life forum for reports where to go as we usually post when we are about to hit the water!
No Footstraps Required!
Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
OceanAir Ken is ON IT Light Air SUP!
Keith cleaned up another shot by photographer Rick E of Ken Ahrendt on a nice wave the other day at Ramp 30! Light air SUP wavesailing in Hatteras!
Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
Get Yourself One of These, SeaLion 2012!
The 2012 Hatteras windsurfing season is about to kick off! Actually, given the mild winter, for some it really never ended between 2011 and 2012. Though, as northern locations in New England and Canada remain frozen, the trek will begin soon to find warm weather and water here on the OBX.
A hot ticket phenomenon last year was wavesailing SUPs to take advantage of light air surf conditions. A leader in that arena is the AHD Sealion for its aggressive shape and agility on a wave when winds are below 10 knots. I had a TON of fun last summer riding the Lion in everything from knee high outside nuggets, to logo high bombs kicked up by tropical action. In the scope of all of 2011, I actually spent more time on the SeaLion than any other board in my inventory, including my trusty Quatro 92 Wave Twin (Tempo)!
For 2012, AHD has expanded the SeaLion line to include the new SeaLion Pro. This board offers the same outline and length dimensions as the Classic; however, volume has been shaved off in board thickness. Thus, the Pro offers 115 ltrs of light air wave magic and intended for riding in bigger surf conditions. I am especially looking forward to trying this ride out, as last year during tropical season in bigger surf, more control would have been nice in the top turns. The reduced volume should help improve control of the board throughout the ride on a larger wave.
All in all, stay tuned and of course, if you are interested in this board, the Classic, or even the XL, send me an email (See SeaLion Rep box in upper left corner of this blog)! Demo and rental opportunities available! Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
Hurricane Irene, Catching Some Surf on the SeaLion!
 Called it for Thursday afternoon at Coquina Beach, just north of Oregon Inlet, and yep, the swell from Hurricane Irene rolled in and provided some FUN wave rides! The wind was a little light, but the direction was right and with the AHD SeaLion I was able to easily get out and catch it! Conditions were building through the sesh with solid waist to chest/head high set peaks that were super clean and breaking right in extremely long lines. The critical sections were top to bottom and hollow, and would have been better suited for the Tempo 92 (regular wave kit); however, the SeaLion held up nicely and I even caught my first wave aerial on the Lion, though took a soup rinse on landing (unfortunately not captured in the images). I was solo for the sesh..., too bad others did not make up to join me, though it was a SeaLion or other aggressive wave oriented SUP feast!
All in all, one of my top pure wave riding sessions for the year, though not the perfection of Hurricane Bill in 2009.
Here are some images Yana shot of the sesh from Coquina yesterday!
photographer: Yana Bagdasaryan (click any image to open gallery)
Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
More Summer Time SeaLion FUN!
 Last night Keith came up to Nags Head and we had TWO SeaLions out at Conch St! An ENE swell was in place providing fun waist + size surf on the outer bars. Light SSE winds in the 5 to 10knt range provided just enough juice to remain at the takeoff for some fun wave rides! We hit the water around 6:00pm and I remained out until after 7:00pm. What a way to end the day after the daily "work grind!"
Basically, riding the SeaLion is like surfing with the bonus of not having to paddle out and being able to pick up every good swell. Water conditions last night were slightly textured with side to side-off light wind. Before acquiring the SeaLion, I would have paddled out on my 8'3" surfboard in similar conditions, and sat in the surf zone working to position myself for an ideal takeoff on a good set wave, often times not catching it. However, now with the SeaLion, I can simply wavesail catching nearly every good wave, when previously I would have not had the chance! Performance on the SeaLion also allows for full mobility on the wave with speed, sweet bottom turns, and lip action/re-entry which is a TON of FUN!! The only aspect of surfing likely not part of the SeaLion ride is tucking into a hollow barrel.
All in all, for East Coast summer time light air performance wavesailing, again this board is simply a "must have!"
No photos from last night, but hopefully if I can find a photographer for a shoot at Conch, we can get some good stuff posted!
Oh yea, forgot to mention that with 70 degree ocean water temp, it was trunks only out there!! Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
Introducing the AHD SeaLion
 The AHD SeaLion 7'6" has arrived! This is the first time this light air wavesailing SUP has experienced the Hatteras Atlantic! The SeaLion along with a 10'6" Nah Skwell Nose Rider Stroller SUP cousin arrived today just in time for Hatteras Wave Jam next week! The SeaLion is specifically designed for very light air wavesailing. The fish hull design is conducive for maneuverability on a wave additionally complemented by the twin fins.
Today was my first time on the SeaLion, and I had a blast out in the small surf this evening in Nags Head. Winds were SSE in the 5 to 12 mph range and with the 4.5m 2011 MauiSails Legend the setup worked great for catching the side onshore surf. The board was quite stable at 135 ltrs and I had no trouble maneuvering it within the surf zone. The wide and fully padded deck made it nice to move around the board to adjust weight while working a wave. The board turned with ease and I was able to get a few nice lip hits when they presented themselves in the waist high surf. Traversing white water was no problem as the board floated nicely with a solid weight shift to the back of the board. I do need a few more sessions to dial in the SeaLion, but the FUN factor will be high as this board allows the ability to wavesail surf when the wind is near non-existent. I am definitely looking forward to the first side-off sesh with longer period swell and light wind! In this environment the SeaLion should really roar!
The SeaLion as well as the Nah Skwell 10'6" will be available for demo at Hatteras Wave Jam, especially if the wind is light and the surf is good!
Here are some photos of the board from today!
Labels: light air wavesailing, sup
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