Level 4 - Advanced Shortboard Techniques

Overview	The holder of this certificate has become proficient on a sailboard that has no centreboard (wave or slalom). They will be capable of sailing to a level comparable to the Advanced Longboard certificate holder and should have an understanding of all rescue and sailing theory relevant to shorter boards. Other shortboard skills include rope and water starts, sailing in non-planing conditions and achieving an upwind goal.
Outcomes	You will be capable of sailing a short board in paining conditions on open waters, with at least a small wave.
Pre-requisites	Must have completed the Stronger Winds Certificate
Where can I take the course?	Please contact a Yachting Australia Training Centre or your nearest Sailing Club. Please ask them about our Yachting Australia Logbooks so that you can monitor your progress.
What to do afterwards?	Continue training in windsurfing to gain the Advanced Longboard Certificate or an Instructors Certificate

SYLLABUS:

1. Launching, starting and landing

Alternative launch methods in strong winds
Beach starting in waves and coming ashore through waves
Uphauling the shorter board
Water starts from varying situations - in waves, in gusts and clew first

2. Sailing Techniques and Stance

Comfortable stance whilst planing in footstraps
Sailing upwind on the short board
Jumping waves - nose and tail landings - chop hoppin
Sailing on a wave - following the break, avoiding the close-out
Developing speed and controlling excessive power

3. Manouevres

The carve gybe - different arcs, timing the release of the rig, staying on the plane
The duck gybe and slam gybe
Tacking the shorter board

4. Rigging

Rig selection and harness line adjustment for different conditions
The latest in sail designs and materials
Understanding the effect of mast stiffness
The rigging of rotational camber-induced and other high-tech sails
Specialist sails - tuning for speed, control or manoeuvrability

5. Rescue Techniques and Safety

Emergency repairs
Surviving in the surf - right of way in waves
Self rescue on a shorter board
Rescuing others using a short board

6. Sailing Theory

Types of jumps and landings - the loop and the barrel roll
Sail twist and spin out - theory and practice
Apparent wind whilst sailing in waves
Physical and mental preparation for high wind sailing
Rules and tactics for the Slalom and Wavesailing contests

7. Sailing Conditions

Waves - formations and patterns, rips, undertows and channels
Implications of weather patterns to the shortboard sailor
How different wind conditions affect the shortboard sailor at a surf beach

8. Equipment

The design of course racing, slalom, wave and speed boards
Custom design boards
Fins - Wave, Slalom and Race
The use of helmets in certain conditions

9. Other Aspects and Options

The wave and slalom competition circuits
One handed gybes, 360's and the latest wave manoeuvres