Clew 1st Helicopter Tack

Tacks Quick Launch:

You can style almost any move by performing it clew first. Although rarely seen, the Heli-Tack is no exception. This move is surprisingly difficult and best executed in light to moderate winds.

Rider: Royn Bartholdi

Steps

1) Unhook, get out of the foot straps, and rotate the sail so you are sailing clew first.

2) Lean the mast back toward the tail so the nose of the board heads into the eye of the wind. Weight your forward foot in front of the mast. Your hands are slightly positioned closer to the head of the boom.

3) Push the clew into the eye of the wind and down so the boom bars are horizontal to the water.

4) The sail will get backwinded and you are best to focus on the clew hand and to lean into the wind.

5) Let the nose of the board swing around to the new direction by keeping the clew out and away from your body.

6) Now let the sail rotate be allowing your clew hand to collapse. Keep the mast vertical.

7) As the sail rotates start to push out with the boom hand so the mast remains vertical and your weight over the board.

8) You are going to perform a feet switch so step back with your forward foot.

9) Step in front of the mast to recover from the sail rotation and keep your body over the center of the board.

10) Step back to the normal sailing trim, and sail away.