VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Now my experience is very limited with this sail and in less than ideal conditions, but perhaps some of you SF users can address my concerns.

1. Because it has less shape with no power, it acts less like a airplane wing when floating in the water getting ready to water start. I found it hard to control down low to the water especially in marginal winds, is this just something you get used to?

2. The Bright colors hurt my eyes and my sunglasses kept falling into the water.

Thanks for input as always.

the 3/4 batten on the freak can let a bucket load of water pool on the sail when its in the water and you are trying to lift it fast, thinking about sharks and stuff.. you just want to hold the mast and let the wind do the work. its really no different from other sails once you are dialled in, anyways, didnt you just learn to waterstart like 5 months ago? patience young grasshopper. once you have sailed for a while you will likely dig the sail being non airplane wing like when it is luffed.. this feature lets you cruise down swell with a more neutral sail. SFreaks rule btw, no dissing the freak.

You'll find with more time on the Freaks that waterstarting is easier than regular sails because the freaks are so flat and light. In light wind, the trick is to swim upwind a few kicks as you clear the sail, then you swoop the sail up and into the waterstart position in one swift move. Sometimes I'll grab the tail of the board and shove it under the sail as I do the technique above in light wind. The Freaks have their little quirks, but once dialled, they are very nice.

To stop the shades from falling into the drink, just tuck your Oakley Blades (TM) into your yellow head band at the temples. It works for BWD.

Answeing you #2 I opted for black SF which completely elimenated the need for sunglasses Also it provides very nice cool shade during this light wind watersarts you were talking about

but without the red/gold/green you are not a windsurfing rasta. [smilie=rauch06.gif]