Abstract: A wind propelled sailing device, such as a wind surfer, having a hull and a mast pivotally attached thereto with a substantially lateral boom extending from the mast and a sail for receiving wind is controlled in an improved manner through an apparatus that aids a sailor in counterbalancing the force generated by the wind. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid control member preferably including a pair of spaced-apart rigid rods pivotally connected at one end to the boom in an angular direction and rigidly connected to each other at a second end with a handle member. A connecting mechanism connects the rigid rods to the boom in an angular direction while preventing movement of the control member along the boom's axis. The apparatus allows the sailor to increase his counterbalancing force by allowing the sailor to lean further into the wind while minimizing reduction in effective sail area.