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How to round a marker in a race

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10 years 6 months ago #18164 by Love2ski
I have just moved to a full length 6.4m ski. I love racing but I am finding the longer length makes me very slow around markers. If i turn sharply the boat stops. If I go wide it still slows appreciably. Based on my experience it costs me about 5 boat lengths each rounding.

Any advice on how best to round a mark in a race?

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  • GSPT
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10 years 6 months ago #18167 by GSPT
Will depend on many variables: number of skis around you, type of ski, type of rudder, conditions. Generally, I found in surf club races over 40 years that unless you're in the top three, going slightly wider was better, as you maintain momentum and don't get tangled with other paddlers. Get in a training group and practice it, as we do at the surf club.

Greg Smith
Level 2 PT and surf coach
Paddling Technician
S.Africa marathon 79, 81, 83

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10 years 6 months ago #18181 by Ric
Replied by Ric on topic How to round a marker in a race
I got to agree here - after you've had your boat dinged a few times by trying to cut the can, you might find it way better to go wide...

Of course there are times you have to cut, like when racing your personal nemesis in a fun race that you both end up taking way too seriously. (me? projecting? never...)

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