Coaching with Luke Lawrence

by Doug

Luke Lawrence is an awesome sailor and coach. During our "rest" day, 6 of us had a downwind clinic where we were towed about 3 miles upwind and then sailed back downwind several times. It was blowing 12-15 with 1 foot waves. There was so much to learn that I had trouble remembering it all. Here are the highlights:

Upwind:

• Above 15, strap everything as tight as possible including the vang
• When tired hiking, move strap up the foot to work the abs more to give your legs a rest

Reach:

• Not too much vang or foot
• Depower with the Cunningham

Downwind:

• For stability, jam your windward foot under the front of the strap
• Adjust the vang so that the leach flicks (mine has been too tight), time this to accelerate
• 90 degree turns unless straight for jumping a wave
• Transitioning when bearing off, let the boat bear off on its own with your weight and slide forward, knees up
• Transitioning when heading up, sheet in early and hard, turn sharply, slide back, knees straight