Topic:  Uphauling the Rig (Sail)

Student Objective:  To successfully use the uphaul rope to pull the sail into an upright position while staying balanced.

Teacher Objective:  To student pinpoint at least three students during the lesson
 

Lesson Description:  This lesson continues on from Lesson 1 (Kneeling Position) it requires the students stand up on the board by placing their feet where their knees were.  To help the students keep their balance have them grab onto the uphaul and keep tension on it while getting to their feet.  Remember that their feet must be one on either side of the mast and as much in the center of the board as possible.  The next step is to check to make sure that everyone has the mast perpendicular to the board uphaul line tight, arms and back straight and finally slightly bent knees.  Now you are ready to raise the rig or the sail.  Lean back slightly and pull hand over hand to raise the rig.  By leaning back you can let your body weight do the work rather than exhausting your strength.  You will want to continue pulling hand over hand up the uphaul line until you are able to grab hold of the mast.  When you can reach the mast transfer both hands onto it just below the boom.  Just let the uphaul line drop away from your hands when you have a good hold on the mast.  Be careful not to pull the sail to close to your body or else it will push you backwards right off of the board.  Just let the sail hang slightly towards the water but not in the water.

Note:  If students are struggling with this activity in waist deep water have them partner up, and use one board between the two of them.  Have one student at front of the board stabilizing it while the other student attempts to uphaul the rig.

Tasks:
1.  Try to uphaul the rig on the beach without the fin on the board
2.  Try to uphaul the rig in waist deep water with the center board down
3.  Try to uphaul the rig in waist deep water with the center board up
4.  Try to uphaul the rig in the water where your feet can't reach the bottom with the center board down
5.  Try to uphaul the rig in the water where your feet can't reach the bottom with the center board up

Cues:
Remember to tighten the uphaul line for stability
Bent knees for stability
Straight arms and a straight back
Lean back to save your strength
Hand over hand when uphauling

Challenges:
Perform task one two times successfully with good balance
Perform task two three times successfully with proper form
Perform task three two times successfully and then balance for 30 seconds while holding onto the mast
Perform task four two times successfully and then balance for 15 seconds while holding onto the mast
Perform task five two times successfully and then balance for 10 seconds while holding onto the mast