Sinking waterstarts are an essential skill for riding smaller-volume boards. They allow you to get up and foiling without needing enough board volume to float you into a conventional waterstart. In this guide, Xavi Corr breaks down the positioning, balance and timing needed to get a sinking start dialled, plus some tips on choosing the right board and wing setup.
Find the Right Setup
When learning a sinking waterstart, your equipment can make a big difference. Xavi recommends starting on a board around 15 litres below your body weight:
👉 80 kg rider → around a 65 L board (+- 15L below your body weight in kg)
👉 Oversize your wing → use a little more power to help pull you out of the water faster.
Pro Tip: If you normally ride a 4 m² wing in 20 knots, try a 4.5 m² wing while learning. The extra power makes the initial lift much easier.
Set Up Your Position
Start with the correct foot and hand position before trying to lift the board:
- Take the weight off the board by placing both hands on the leading edge of the wing.
- Place your front foot into the front foot strap.
- Keep your back foot just in front of the rear foot strap - don’t put it into the strap yet.
- Reach down and grab the front of the boom.
- Crouch down low towards the board to improve your balance and help the board float higher.
How to Execute the Sinking Start
The key is to be quick with the wing while keeping your body low and balanced.
👉 Lift Fast - quickly grab the wing with your back hand and lift it above your head.
👉 Feel the Lift - as the wing powers up, you will feel the nose of the board start to rise.
👉 Keep Pushing - continue pushing down as the board lifts, allowing it to gradually incline out of the water.
👉 Get on Foil - once the board clears the water, get into your riding position and let it start to plane.
Pro Tip: Don’t try to stand up too early. Stay low and let the wing’s power help lift the board out of the water before transitioning into your normal riding stance.
“The lower you crouch, the higher your board will be out of the water.”
Quick Sinking Waterstart Checklist
✅ Front foot in the front strap
✅ Back foot just in front of the rear strap
✅ Grab the front of the boom
✅ Stay low and balanced
✅ Lift the wing quickly above your head
✅ Keep pushing down as the nose rises
✅ Let the board gradually climb out of the water
✅ Use a slightly bigger wing while learning
A good sinking waterstart comes down to timing, balance and commitment. Get your positioning right, stay low and use enough wing power to help lift you out of the water. With practice, you’ll be able to start confidently on smaller boards and get straight onto foil.
