universal hand signals
Alex Pang
okay, i think everyone know the hand signal for distress/call for help --
wave both arms over your head.
but how about the following situations?
it would be nice to have something universally understood
(at least amongst windsurfers).
1. shark sighting (yes, on more than 1 occassion).
i've tried putting 1 hand, palm vertically above my head
to indicate a fin.
this did not seem to work very well.
in one instance, the other person thought there was something
wrong with the top of his sail and looked up at it.
in the other instance, the other person thought i was coming
in to get my helmet cam and he ended up staying out longer for
the shoot.
2. sharing a wave
a. you want to criss-cross each other, or go around each other.
circle 1 hand over your head (?)
b. follow the leader.
use your fingers to indicate 2, or the peace sign (?)
[waving the other person on may give the impression
that you won't be following behind him/her..]
would love to hear your thoughts/suggestions.
alex
Craig Goudie
If you circle your hand (or finger) over your head where I sail, it
means
"look around" or more immediately "a barge is coming"
-Craig
Josh S
what the hell you're talking about. I think surfers tend to use two
hands, but when you're windsurfing, that might not be an option. Here
in FL, that wouldn't have me getting out of the water - in your neck
of the woods, i think i'd be hauling ass to the beach ;-)
How often do you share waves? jingebritsen and I will do it every so
often - i think there's not much of signal, more that we're
comfortable (for the most part) sailing near each other, so when we're
in position to do so, it's fun. it's the best way to see your buddy
score a killer ride! that said, i'm a little wary of sailing close to
other sailors in general unless i know them well. Pepi Gerald, a good
buddy and a great sailor, still scares the s*!t outta me sometimes...
That said, sailing small, florida waves, there's a very low risk of a
bad wipe-out taking out both sailors, and most outside bar wave rides
are pretty equipment friendly even if you take a tumble. 95% of
equipment damage in the waves happens in the shore pound.
If i were sailing on your coast, Alan, I probably wouldn't even try to
share a wave with someone unless i knew them very well. If we'd been
sailing the same break all day together, and somebody skilled dropped
in on my wave, i'd try and make eye contact and smile to encourage
them to criss-cross the wave. If it was a more critical spot like
Davenport, i might just kick out ASAP and let 'em have it - there's
plenty to go around.
Are any of you left-coasters doing some longboard wave sailing? I'm
bringing one with me when i drive out this year. Those 12-16 knot side-
off days at oceanside are going to be EXCELLENT - I'll be heading to
the coast whenever there's the slightest of swells, wind forecast be
damned. 8 knots and you're rocking. Would love to see a few more gorge
faces at the coast this year... the only people who can call gorge
sailors wusses are Oregon coast sailors :)
JSNTG
> in FL, that wouldn't have me getting out of the water - in your neck
> of the woods, i think i'd be hauling ass to the beach ;-)
The opposite for me. I'd take my chances with a skool of hungry whites vs. a
lone bull any day of the week...
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/gattack/mapusa.htm
Florida has California beat by a factor of 5 and leads the world by a
non-trivial amount. Bulls being responsible for a good precentage of the
carnage. At least whitey discrimiates. Bulls munch anything and everything
and keep munching. Thus the body count in America's buddy.
> If it was a more critical spot like
> Davenport, i might just kick out ASAP and let 'em have it - there's
> plenty to go around.
Not just Dav but most other NorCal spots as well. I've never seen more
riders than waves here. Must be the shrinkage factor but it suprises me how
many sailors are NOT in the ocean on this piece of coast.
> Are any of you left-coasters doing some longboard wave sailing?
Not longboard but I'll match you with the MADD 135 - a much more
maneuverable light wind wave tractor.
I want the hand signals for:
- 'Excuse me Tex, but rumor has it starboard tack has ROW'
and
- 'Don't try any gomer kite tricks until I'm clear'
Hugh
Josh S
great white vs. teeny lil' six footer! Still, you're probably right. I
guess I should take that into consideration today as there's a good
chance we'll be sailing what surfers refer to as 'Shark Shallows' -
Ponce Inlet.
> Not longboard but I'll match you with the MADD 135 - a much more
> maneuverable light wind wave tractor.
Let's compare. I've done a fair bit of wave sailing on the Madd 135,
and I'd take the longboard - I liked having the centered back strap
and the narrower tail on the wave face (as opposed to going back foot
out on the madd 135), and I prefer the longboard's upwind schlogging
ability. But both are great reasons to go wave-bobbing, which more
windsurfers oughta do.
> I want the hand signals for:
>- 'Excuse me Tex, but rumor has it starboard tack has ROW'
> and
>- 'Don't try any gomer kite tricks until I'm clear'
I think the hand message for both is to extend the windward (forward)
arm, and display the back of your hand while keeping your third
finger pointed vertically and the other fingers enclosed in fist like
position.
J/K.
JSNTG
"Josh S" wrote
> > Not longboard but I'll match you with the MADD 135 - a much more
> > maneuverable light wind wave tractor.
>
> Let's compare. I've done a fair bit of wave sailing on the Madd 135,
> and I'd take the longboard - I liked having the centered back strap
> and the narrower tail on the wave face (as opposed to going back foot
> out on the madd 135), and I prefer the longboard's upwind schlogging
> ability. But both are great reasons to go wave-bobbing, which more
> windsurfers oughta do.
When I first started sailing, a 12' One Design was all I had. I jumped and
surfed it because I didn't know any better. Tucker used to make fun of me
but I was having a good time. Years later I dug it out and modded it into a
fishing trawler with outriggers. I was trolling around AP on a lightwind day
for mackerel and there was some knee-high ground swell running. Well
needless to say, I got bored pretty quick fishing. Went in, dumped the
poles, went back out and rediscovered how much fun longboard surfing in the
small stuff was.
I like the greater acceleration with the longboard. And it's easier to punch
through the breaking stuff. Plus upwind, it's hard to beat - especially with
a daggerboard.
Hugh
Josh S
Patrice in Brittany:
http://www.u-ride.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2714&mode=&order=0&thold=0
Here in FL, we were out the other day in overhead surf in about 10 -14
knots. Schlog out, plane in. 2 down, one up. 2 down, one up. Rinse.
Repeat.
jmcv...@yahoo.com
> Are any of you left-coasters doing some longboard wave sailing?
I know of three of us on the south coast OR.
I' Would love to see a few more gorge faces at the coast this year...
That's a tough one since when it's good at the coast it's usually good
in the gorge (this is at least true south of Port Orford).
the only people who can call gorge
> sailors wusses are Oregon coast sailors :)
Well I wouldn't call them wusses. Maybe I would say they are easily
amused (unless they are into Freestyle of coarse).
Sorry! Couldn't resist.
Jeff
pwe...@gmail.com
No, seriously, please call off the helicopter."
VikingSail
> I'd also like to know if anyone has thoughts on a signal for "I'm OK.
> No, seriously, please call off the helicopter."
This is the signal used by scuba divers and rescue swimmers for "ok"
Google "scuba hand signals" for photos.
Craig Goudie
we are wusses, no question, and I personally am easily amused by
the logo high swell we got last Thursday at the Hackery. 4.2 and
sweet sweet sweet! ;*)
-Craig