Technique Time

The start is one of the most important aspects of slalom as if you’re too early or too late when the green flag is raised your race can already be over before it has begun. To try and help you improve your performance on the race course we caught up with Kurosh Kiani (Starboard / Point-7 / Maui Ultra Fins), who is consistently one of the best starters, to gain his insights into the starting procedure. 

PWA: Firstly, how important would you say the start is to anyone just starting racing?

KK: “To me, the start is a big part of my game plan. Often, the start can decide the majority of the race. Although some guys have the abilities to fight their way back from a bad start, you mostly get left behind if you´re buried on the start line. So I put lots of energy on the start, and try to really focus on being on the front line when the green flag goes up!”

PWA: You consistently nail your starts when competing - what would be your top tips for improving starting - both for if the person is training on their own or a small group?

KK: “To me, the biggest factor is repetition and gaining a feel of your distance to objects versus your speed. As the line is imaginary, we can have a very hard time judging it, except from when we move closer to edges of the start line, which are the boat and pin end buoy. These two spots are unfortunately also hotspots for trouble. So this is the place where you will have to make the judgement call. Do you go for the hotspots with the greater risks, but perhaps higher rewards, or play it safer, but risk not knowing exactly where the line is? 

As I said in the beginning, this can be practiced, and for me, my success on the starts has been working on very specific weaknesses, which I knew I had in my starting game, and that was knowing my speed and distance to any point of the start line! This is something you can practice by yourself with any sort of buoy in the water!”

PWA: Some people may have a fear of going over the line early and being disqualified - anything you would say to help them get over that fear and become more aggressive starting?

KK: “The start itself is an aggressive moment. This is where you flex your muscles and try to create your space. You may as well get used to that. The fear of going over early is always there, and eventually it will happen. For me, it also happens a few times a year, and sometimes more than others. 

You need to leave this fear behind and trust ONLY in your own game plan no matter what anyone else does. This is where your preparation work comes into play. If you’ve got confidence, your rate of over early starts also drops, and the less you get affected by the actions of others.”

PWA: Thanks Kurosh.