Windsurf Blog - GoPro Quick Guide

Well, it’s GoPro to the rescue! They are cheap, durable and produce amazing HD images. And you can film yourself! The key is to change it around into a couple of different positions so you can have different angles to cut to and from. With some video of you and a buddy you can get a bunch of great footage that will bring the viewer into the action like never before. It’s also a great tool for learning as you can analyse your technique and identify areas for improvement.

Of course, it’s even better if you can get someone to film from the beach as well so you have a wide-view and the up close views from the GoPro. Then you’re really in business - see "Jun's Jumpfest" below as an example.
Check out these three easy steps for mounting the camera below, then read on for some tips on filming and editing your new video.
Happy sailing!
WSS Team

Mounting the camera on your boom

1. Get a roll-bar mount and use two-three extensions, so you can get the camera at least 10 cm away from the boom. Next, get some anti-fog inserts, which are a must for this application. You also need a stubby phillips head screwdriver handy to make sure the mount is correctly positioned and is adjusted firmly in place, it’s ideal to carry it with you in a pocket so you can adjust the mount during the session. The new Fly Mount also works really well, offering a more secure clamp, mast mounting possibilities and a 360 degree swivel so you can get just the right angle.

2. Mount the camera in 2-3 different places on your boom:

a) First, mount it on the rear of the boom looking down at the board on a 30-45° downwards angle so that you can see the whole board, from nose to tail, but still see the horizon ahead. Mount it on the leeward side of the sail, with the back edge of the sail in the middle of the frame/ camera view. That way, the camera will be able to see on both sides of the sail at the same time- effectively getting the sail out of the way and allowing you to see the board & rider clearly. Each set up should be optimised for either port or starboard tack.

Then, angle the rollbar mount such that the camera is leaning onto the windward side so that when the sail is canted over, the horizon will be straight. You'll know you've got it right if you look back at the clew as you’re sailing along and the camera is visible and horizontal to the horizon. This is your main filming position, get 3×20 minute sessions with this view, repositioning the camera each time in case it has been bumped into the wrong position.

b) Second, mount the camera on the front of the boom hanging down underneath or sitting above the boom and looking back at the rider. You only need five minutes of footage of this angle, as long as you're having an absolute blast while you're doing it, you don't have to geek the camera you can just smile and go hard and it will look great. Heck, if you want to geek the camera, go for it!

c) Any other position you can think of, for example the front of the boom looking up the mast, or looking down at the nose of the board. The more angles you give the viewer the richer the visual feast.

3. Make sure that the seal is absolutely watertight, you can test in your sink at home- just look for any bubbles. Make sure the water housing has a safety leash connected to the boom so if the roll-bar mount fails you won't lose your camera. Alternatively you can get a GoPro float to stick on the back door of the housing. You may also want to cut off excess bolt length on the roll-bar mount to avoid damage to board or sail.

Filming & Editing

You can set and forget the GoPro for the whole session if you want to. Just make sure you check it’s recording, and ideally check it periodically to make sure it hasn’t moved from the original position. This works well if you have someone filming from the beach. If not, then moving the GoPro around into different positions will make the video far more dynamic.

When you're filming with a handycam from the beach, try to minimise panning around and zooming in and out. Just set your preferred frame size around your subject and hold the camera as still as possible, then start recording. If you need to reposition the zoom it’s best to stop recording, reposition, then start recording again, then stop recording when the scene is over. It’s often a good idea to lean against something out of the wind if possible to stabilise the camera. Likewise, avoid zooming in too far as the image can become really shaky, which is unpleasant to watch.

Let your content shine! Try to resist the temptation to fill it up with tacky graphics and transitions. The more you try to impress with fancy video effects, the more you are getting in the way of the subject, which is what people really want to see.

Tell a story! Everyone loves to watch their favourite sports for their own sake, just focusing on the waves and the maneuvers, but many viewers will be more engaged if there is a simple story with a definite beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t need to be overly complex or time consuming.

This applies to the arrangements of shots in time so that the viewer goes on a journey with the rider – heading out, to gybing and heading back in, then back out again. You need to make sure the scenes are not just arranged in a random order but follow a path through time, with visual and logical consistency. Sometimes the attempts and crashes are as good as the perfectly executed maneuver! It’s all part of the fun. See if you can catch the viewer with the unexpected to avoid creating a predictable video. If you can cut it to the beat of a high-energy song it will work even better.

The most important thing is to get out there and have a great time, hoot and holler, go for it! There’s no point doing it unless you're having an absolute blast.

Check out Jun Nagamori in “Jun’s Jumpfest”, a gutsy and talented Long Reef local who doubles as a knee surgeon when he’s not on the water windsurfing or kiting.