Unlike windsurfing, the wing has no direct link with your board, so it is your body that becomes the sole transmitter of energy delivered by the wing to the board. So sheeting in and sheeting out is not only about pulling or releasing the back hand, but also about taking the wing up or down in screen or umbrella positions. At the bottom it pulls hard, and at the top it makes you lighter.
Sheet in
Sheeting in consists in filling up the wing and gaining speed. The more you sheet in, the faster your board will go. By pulling on your back hand, placed on the full power handle, you will store energy for your wing to deliver power. By putting your hands at the same height, your wing will be placed in a vertical position in front of you (maximum power). Note that at this precise moment the wing will pull your body forward. This is why you must progressively lean your body backwards to balance by creating an opposition.
At the same time, you will experience pressure on your feet due to the forces transmitted from the wing to the board. You will have to bend your legs slightly. Note that when you pull back on the back hand, your wing will tend to move backwards which will cause the wing to luff (go into the wind), so you will have to move your wing forward.
Sheet out
Sheeting out, as opposed to sheeting in, consists of releasing the rear hand (opening the wing) to reduce power and energy transmission to the board. This will have the effect of slowing you down. Naturally, not pulling on your back hand will allow your wing to breathe by repositioning itself as an umbrella over your head (less power). Your body will straighten up above your supports because there will be little or no force to counter. It’s all about balance.
Key points:
- Sheet in to accelerate, your back hand on the full power handle.
- Sheet out to slow down, you release your back hand.
- It’s all about balance.
