HIKING – AN ESSENTIAL PART OF DINGHY SAILING
We take a closer look at hiking, our Race Team riders recommend their favourites and we answer three of your FAQ's.
So what exactly is hiking?
Hiking in sailing refers to a crucial technique where sailors lean out over the edge of a boat to counterbalance the forces exerted by the wind on the sails. This technique is especially important in dinghy sailing, particularly in medium to high winds. By using hiking toestraps or harnesses, sailors extend their bodies backward, adjusting their weight distribution to prevent the boat from tipping over due to wind pressure.
Overall, hiking is a fundamental skill in sailing, allowing sailors to harness the power of the wind effectively and navigate their boats with precision and control, particularly in challenging wind and wave conditions. The effects of hiking can can be roughly broken down into:
Stability: By hiking out, sailors can effectively counteract the heeling forces caused by wind pressure on the sails. This helps keep the boat upright and prevents capsizing.
Control: Hiking allows sailors to maintain control over the boat's direction and speed, especially in challenging wind conditions. It enables them to adjust the boat's angle and trim to optimise performance.
Aerodynamic Efficiency: By leaning out over the water, sailors reduce the boat's wind resistance, allowing it to move more efficiently through the water. This can lead to faster speeds and better racing performance.
Why Should I Buy Hikers?
Hikers are no regular wetsuit; they're the not-so-secret weapon behind sailors' endurance and comfort out on the water. Conquering the course by leaning your body weight out over the boat's edge, bracing against the force of the gusts, and riding those waves to sail like a pro - that's what hiking is all about. But if you aren't in the right kit, you're going to experience fatigue and discomfort a lot sooner than your rivals.
Our specialised hikers, favoured and event-tested by our Musto P&B Race Team, offer unrivalled comfort and protection against the toughest conditions. When choosing your new hikers, look out for reinforced padding on key areas like the knees, seat, and thighs, and adjustable straps and waistbands for the ultimate fit.
Check out our selection of the best from Musto, Sandiline and Gill – continue reading for the teams recommendations.
Reinforced hiking wetsuits can enhance the hiking performance of sailors during a race by providing additional support, durability, and comfort. Here’s three ways these specialised wetsuits can achieve this:
Increased Stability and Support: Reinforced hiking wetsuits are designed with strategically placed padding, battens or panels in key areas such as the knees, thighs, and seat. These reinforcements offer enhanced stability and support, allowing sailors to maintain a strong hiking position for extended periods. By distributing pressure more evenly across the body, the wetsuit helps reduce fatigue and muscle strain, enabling sailors to hike harder and longer without compromising their performance.
Improved Durability and Abrasion Resistance: During a race, sailors frequently come into contact with rough surfaces, ropes, and equipment onboard. Reinforced hiking wetsuits are constructed from durable materials, such as neoprene with reinforced seams and abrasion-resistant panels. This robust construction protects the wetsuit from wear and tear, ensuring it can withstand the rigours of competitive sailing without sacrificing performance. Sailors can hike with confidence, knowing that their wetsuit can endure the demands of the race without compromising its integrity.
Enhanced Flexibility and Range of Motion: While providing reinforcement and durability, hiking wetsuits also prioritise flexibility and freedom of movement. Advanced wetsuit designs incorporate stretchy materials and ergonomic construction techniques that allow sailors to move naturally and comfortably while hiking. By minimising restrictions and maximising mobility, reinforced hiking wetsuits enable sailors to maintain optimal body positioning and control throughout the race. This flexibility translates into improved agility, responsiveness, and overall hiking performance, giving sailors a competitive edge on the water.
How Do I Enhance My Hiking Technique?
The correct hiking technique can significantly aid sailors in maintaining balance, stability, and efficiency during sailing. Key aspects to work on during practise include:
Proper Posture: Maintaining an extended posture when leaning away from the boat helps distribute weight evenly and reduces strain on muscles and joints.
Foot Positioning: Placing feet securely under the hiking straps provides a stable base, allowing sailors to exert force effectively.
Core Engagement: Engaging the core muscles helps stabilise the body and transfer power from the legs to the upper body, enhancing control and responsiveness.
Dynamic Movement: Reacting to changes in wind and waves with subtle adjustments in body position helps sailors stay balanced and maintain optimal hiking form.
Building endurance: Hiking requires significant strength and endurance, particularly in the lower body muscles such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and abdominal muscles. Building endurance through regular practice and conditioning enables sailors to sustain hiking positions for extended periods, maximising performance over the course of a race.
Which Hikers Do I Choose?
We only stock hikers race-tested by our team riders which offer all the features you’d expect:
Strategic padding/battens: Essential for providing stability, reducing fatigue and muscle strain.
Durability: Robust lab-tested materials and reinforced seams to withstand rough conditions and abrasion.
Flexibility: Stretchy materials to improve agility while allowing natural movement.
Of course, it comes down to personal choice, what suits one sailor might not be comfortable for another, but choose a high quality pair of hikers from a reputable sailing brand, such as Musto, Gill and Sandiline and you won't go far wrong.
RACE TEAM HIKER TOP PICKS
So what are the Team's top picks? Well, we're split between the Musto Alumin 3.0 Hikers, and the Sandiline Hikers, with both performing exceptionally well in race conditions. They both feature strategic reinforcements and each have been highly rated for comfort by our riders. So, it's over to you – which will you pick in our battle of the hikers?
