work on waterstarting or master the basics?

Question
I've had experience sailing and doing some tacking and jibing (awkwardly) on a lake for 3 years and then moved near the Gorge a year ago so was trying to pick up waterstarting since I didn't want to get stuck in the middle of the river trying to uphaul in that kind of environment.  Just finished a waterstarting lesson with a instructor that helped a ton with controlling the sail and a one-footed technique.  My question is what I should work on now?  I realized during my lesson that I need to review what to do once I'm on the board (sailing, tacking, and jibing) but I'm not sure whether I should review them now OR should I just work on getting my waterstart down and from there, work on sailing and jibing?  Also, is tacking even a skill that's needed later on after a person learns to harness and plane upwind and then jibes to turn?  Meaning, if I'm going to practice the basics of just sailing and jibing, is it worth it to take the time to work on tacking or is it something that's never used after a certain level?  I'm basically trying to figure out how to make the transition from a true beginner who's had some fun on top of the board to actually becoming intermediate and beyond.  Is there some stepwise fashion that's usually understated?  Most schools teach tacking and jibing before waterstarting and from there harnessing in to carving jibes.  But I've heard of others who learned to waterstart first and then picked up sailing and planing and have yet to learn how to turn.  So, whadya think?

Answer
Hey Xiomara,

It's great to hear that you are striving for the next level in windsurfing. Also, welcome to the Gorge area.

It sounds like you have the basics established and just need to work on some techniques. You can combine honing your waterstart skills with working on your jibing skills. As for tacking, that can come later as it is a more difficult manuver on a short board.

I would suggest that when you go sailing, go to the Marina. Third Hood River exit, left, left at 4way stop, go all the way out to where there is a restroom close to the water. Where the jetty/dike juts out into the water (downwind side of the Marina area), the sand bar ends. The water here is shallow and then drops off on the upriver/downwind side of the sandbar.

You can walk your rig out to about the end of the jetty and be in the wind line. Work your way into deeper water so that you are about waist deep.
Get your sail all situated for a waterstart and then slip your body down into the water. Place a foot on the board, set the sail, extend the front arm, let the sail pull you onto the board.

Cruise on out working your way upwind just a bit and keep an eye on the water. About 100 yds out or so you will see chop and small swells starting to form. This is the outer edge of the sandbar. You can also see a color change in the water and the bottom. Set up and attempt a jibe BEFORE you reach the chop. Flatter water is easier to jibe on. You will/should also be in shallow water (ie; waist to chest deep).  If you make the jibe, great. If you fall, no problem.

If you have positioned yourself correctly to be in shallow water, you can then reposition your sail and board as though you are going to do a beach start. Again, sink into the water and try a waterstart again. This will give you waterstart practice in a fairly safe area and also give you jibe practice.

Be sure to stay on the downwind edge of the sandbar or you will get into too shallow of water. This is how I got the hang of waterstarts and also got in jibe practice.

As for tacking a shortboard, it is a very quick manuver that takes quite a lot of practice and the timing is crucial. You should probably wait to try learning that until you can waterstart comfortably and are hitting 50% or more of your jibes. It's better to focus on a few things than a lot of things.

Your progression seems to be in the correct order. Tack and jibe longboard, harness and footstraps, waterstarting shorter boards, jibing shortboard, tacking shortboard, is the progression that I and many others have followed. This is a bit old school but it works.

Good luck on your waterstarts and jibes. I'm heading out to the Gorge this afternoon and plan to sail at the Marina. If you see an older Blazer, full size, Gray with black on the bottom, feel free to say HI. I'd be more than happy to give you some help.

Keep on sailing,
Windlover aka:Kevin