Great video - the live narration really helps understand/explain everything. DWDs are difficult to master and a lot of it becomes intuitive with time, but time takes time, so this kind of video really helps speed up the process. I'd like to add a tip I got early on and that basically combines your rule no.1 with rule no.4. To get up high on mast and maintain glide I try and do my pumps on top of any bump/mound of water. Anywhere the water is higher than the water next to it is where there is energy. The top of bigger ocean bumps are obvious but even the smaller wind-cross chops contain energy. And you feel it immediately as your pump will feel firm and allow you to rise on mast and build speed again. Conversely, if you try and do your pump in the hole/bottom of a bump it will feel like you are pumping in quicksand. I do constant little taps to feel if there is energy under me and combined with your other tips this helped me greatly in understanding where the energy is and staying on foil for longer.

So much to unpack in this.  Super helpful, and the live narration is next level stuff.  I've been trying to think of cues to send me back to each rule so I can solve a problem out there in real time.  

I'm realizing my paddle pumping is almost always a result of running down hill and into a hole.  Chasing forward too much was forever my issue but I've realized those fast drops are always followed with a slow section of hard work and don't help your overall speed.  They are temporary and it would have been better VMG if I just stayed high and carried that speed more consistently.  Also way less work.

I'm finding that the most critical time to be weightless is when cutting out and over a bump to reposition high on it.  If I can just help carry that speed out at a sharp angle for a moment, then the sharper check turn onto that next bump can give you lift through your back foot, and it's a free extra couple seconds of rest even though you are slowing as you rise to the top of it.  If I'm not cutting out hard enough with speed, or getting weightless - those are the times I come down trying to cut out and connect.  

Also posture is not always intuitive to me when going slow.  I have a tendency to stay in more of a forward leaning "pump stance" ready to work when slowing down.  When you stand tall the foil and trust - it actually adds more pressure, helps mast height and then comes the glide.

Wow thanks Damien that's one of the best videos I've seen on DW . Thanks so much .

Couldn’t agree more🤙. Thanks for these great explanations! Very helpful, indeed ❤PS: love that blackbird in white👌

Nice! Now i know everything about down wind , tomorrow will try”😊

Great explanation of how  downwinding should be done.

This was so well done... the live commentary combined with drone footage is super helpful.  Thanks for making the extra effort!

Again amazing content, really helpful with the live descriptions! Thank you a lot!

Such an amazing piece, thanks!  About the mast height, it gives you a reserve of potential energy in case of need. Keeping it almost all above water is to preserve such a reserve. That is why all the guys here watching that short mast you feel enough for you, know how skillful you are 8-)

Great Video- Top Tips, thank you, Gwen and Damien

Love your videos amigos. Just about to start my DW journey this year. I’ve got my kit but am waiting for my ear to heal after having it drilled for surfers ear. Looking forward to the journey yeeeeew!

Love the tips while you are on the water doing it!  You rock!

Ca semble tellement facile!  le plus dure c'est de le mettre en pratique mais merci quand même pour ta vidéo très pédagogique et très agréable à regarder.

Love this guy

Excellent tips!

Thanks for all those tips.

Incredible stuff

Great info. Thanks!

Great recommendations!

great tips thank you