One thing you will learn quickly is that the fastest person on
flat conditions is not always the fastest person downwind. It is
definitely an acquired skill that requires constant practice. Even
those who have grown up paddling in the ocean can get rusty
without regular practice.
Some basic tips for running downwind are as follows:
- You can make up most of your ground on runs, or linking onto
new runs, once your boat speed is up. When you catch a run is when
you should really accelerate - when your boat speed increases with
the swell you can really catch new runners.
- Many people think they need to work hardest when they are
between runs, and rest once they've caught them. This is wrong. If
you are between runs, try to keep your boat moving by keeping your
rating up and paddling lightly (DO NOT STOP). Once you feel your
tail lift, or the nose drop, this is when you start to pull the
hard strokes. Once you've caught the run, you can then see what to
do next.
- Once you have caught runs, look for the holes or gaps in front
that will allow you to continue on the run or link up to another
run. Don't expect to go straight and find these all the time. You
have to be prepared to move sideways, often zig-zagging as you link
up runners. Essentially, downwind paddling is like surfing on
unbroken waves, and the best downwinders are not always the best
paddlers on flat water. They are the best surfers (on runs).
- If there are no gaps or holes to run into, just try and stay on
the same run for as long as possible. As soon as the nose of your
ski tips up, you have finished the run - don't try to pull really
heavy strokes here, as you will be essentially paddling "uphill".
As mentioned above, just keep ticking the rate over more lightly
and be ready for the next run to lift the tail of your ski (your
nose will drop down). Then you accelerate.
- If you are paddling along a coastline or on a particular
course, pick landmarks both before you start and during the paddle,
and navigate your course from these. Very often, paddlers fail to
do this, get sucked in by the runs and end up having to paddle
across or against the swell at the end. NOT FAST.
- If the swell and/or wind is not running towards your
destination or landmark, you should still catch the swell in the
direction it is running and then steer in the direction of your
target once your boat speed is up. If you only steer in the
direction of the target and hope to pick runs up this way, you
won't get as many. So get the run first and then veer off.
- Also, if the wind is running in a different direction to the
groundswell, then pick up the wind swell (i.e. facing downwind) and
once your boat speed is up, maintain the run on the groundswell.
That is provided you are moving in the direction of your
destination.
This should at least get you started. Remember, practice makes
perfect!
