The "How to series" - The Boomerang

The following article was published in the spring 08 edition of Wind&Kite. It is one of the series of "how to" articles I have been writing for the mag.

The Boomerang

Introduction
In 2002 a visiting Austrian windsurfer named Michael Rossmeier (who later became a PWA sailor and authored the Tricktionary) competed in the Wellington freestyle champs. Michael won the contest throwing down spocks, flaka’s, and lollypops at a time when most of us hadn’t even heard of, let alone seen, these moves.

At the time, I asked Michael how he got so good sailing on local lakes in Austria. He replied that he would go out everyday regardless of whether there was enough wind or not. Since then I have come to realise that one of the most attractive things about freestyle windsurfing is that you can have a lot of fun and make a lot of progress in sub planning conditions. Light wind tacking, boomerangs, heli-tacks, monkey gybes, auto-rotators, geckos, and a vast number of other moves can all be performed without ever getting on the plane. These moves also provide the fundamentals for the more complex planning and aerial moves.

The boomerang is one of my favourites. As its name suggests, it involves throwing the sail down and waiting for it to boomerang, or bounce back, into your hands. The movement seems to defy gravity and is guaranteed to impress. An added bonus with this move is that most sailors should, with a minimum amount of trial and error, be able to do it.

Skill level
This move is for anyone that has learnt the basics of windsurfing.

Risks
This move has very low risk. However, make sure you have a clear area so you don’t drop the sail on anyone or in someone’s path. May cause embarrassment if sail fails to boomerang.

Equipment
A board that will float and wave or freestyle sails. Big boards will provide extra stability and float in light winds. However, any equipment will do, although it may be difficult on fully cambered sails or if you are up to your knees on a small board.

Conditions
This is a great move for mucking around on light wind days. However, the boomerang can be successfully pulled off in almost any conditions.
More information on light wind freestyle
To get inspired on light wind freestyle check out Caesar Finies from Bonaire on YouTube

Step One
As you are approaching your transition bear off, then turn back into the wind. In sub planning conditions you will need to bear into the wind more than for planning conditions.

As you are turning into the wind throw the sail down. Rather than just throwing the sail straight down try and throw the sail slightly forward so that it slices through the air as it falls toward the nose of the board. Drop your front hand first but then throw the sail with your backhand.

Step Two
As you let go of your rig you will need to be prepared for the sudden loss of the rig compensating your weight. In first attempts it is common that as you drop the rig you lose your counter weight and fall off the other side. In good boomerangs the sail will hover at the waterline for what seems like a long time. Watchers (and sometimes yourself) may think that you have just dropped the sail in the water.

You can add emphasis at this point by striking a super casual move. Think laidback long boarder, John Travolta in staying alive. Maybe even grab your crotch, Michael Jackson style.

Step Three
As the sail drops and slices into the wind, the back winding effect should take over causing the sail to hover over the water then slowly float back into your hands. All you need to do is maintain you balance on the board until the sail comes back. This can be harder than it seems.

Next Steps
Once you have the boomerang mastered you might like to try the boomerang tack. The boomerang tack involves throwing the sail more forward so that it slices further into the wind. At the same time continue to bear the board into the wind. The combined action of the sail slicing into the wind and the board bearing up into the wind should allow you to recover the sail on the opposite tack.

The boomerang also provides some of the fundamental principles for the shove-it. Instead of throwing the sail down you need to throw yourself with it, while in the air. Simple!