In the windsurfing sails, the fiberglass or carbon fiber stripes (or rods, tubes) which support the shape of the sail. Battens are tensioned in the batten pockets in the sail almost perpendicular to the mast. In modern sails, usually there are 5-7 battens. Usually they are tapered towards the mast to give more camber near the leading edge (luff) of the sail.