The burner, which is essentially a switch stance front to sail ponch has become a an essential move on the Freestyle World Tour and it has now become a move that almost every sailor produces at least once during each heat. The burner was originally invented by Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails) but it no longer belongs to just the 8-time freestyle world champion and the crazy world off freestyle has seen this move added to combination moves such as double burner and air funnel burners. If you are a budding freestyler who can sail switch stance and duck the sail then why not think about learning this move and become the envy of all of your windsurfing mates on the beach. Here’s some top tips to set you on your way…

Rick Jendrusch (Severne):

- It’s really important to duck the sail with a lot of speed, a bit on a downwind course. When you have ducked the sail it’s important to fill it up with power, you do this by pushing on the back hand.

- Take off across the wind (reach) to make the rotation faster. To make the move even easier a little bit of chop will help.

- Stretch yourself out to go higher. Firstly bring the sail all the way up to the front and then throw it towards your back (ankles). 

- It is important is to stretch out your backhand and pull in your front hand a bit to get the lift and don’t forget to watch over your shoulder to make the rotation better, watch where you are going - (this is really important like all windsurfing moves).

- On the landing it’s possible that there is a lot of power loading up in your sail so be ready for a lot of pressure in the sail - and to be ready to release it by sheeting out.

Max Rowe: (Simmer / Simmer Sails / Mystic):

- Try and stay as far across or even upwind as possible as this is what helps the wind to get underneath the sail and stops it getting stuck in the water which seems to be the no.1 problem people have whilst learning them. 

- Another top tip I have for keeping the sail high, clear of the water and also to make them much cleaner is to keep it moving, so instead of just throwing the sail and jumping over the top of it you need to keep the sail swinging with the momentum of the initial throw. 

Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne):

- Try to go switch as fast as possible before ducking the sail, this will allow you a bit more time after you duck the sail.

- A key factor in most power moves is to power up your sail just before you take off. You do by pushing on the backhand to build up pressure in the sail, at the same time you also have to carve a bit into the wind with your board so you get even more power in the sail.

- Don't just throw your sail into the water, but try to bring your backhand up in front of you and pull in the front hand at the same time, this will start the rotation.

- As you take off try to look at the top of the sail.