Κυριακή 2 Μαρτίου 2014

Gybe Tips

I thought it may be interesting to share some re-visited gybe tips with you:

  • Speed is the main thing in gybing so you must retain as much speed going in to the gybe as possible.  As you un-hook, be conscious of not sheeting out.  If you sheet out even slightly, you lose speed immediately.
  • Keep you arms straight throughout the entire move.  You must maintain distance from the rig and keeping your arms straight, ensures that you do so.  This maintains power in the sail and also provides a counter-weight to your body as you switch.  Straigh arms retain power and stability.
  • At all times, look in the direction you wish to go (downwind you will be looking through the sail window and as you turn into the new tack you will be looking out along the path you wish to follow).  There is no need to look at your hands or your equipment!
  • Finally, keep your knees bent for stability.  Here is Patrik Diethelm gybing one of his FreestyleWave boards.  Note how his head is below the level of the boom.  Be conscious of having your head below the boom throughout the transition.  Most of us think that we are bending our knees but very rarely is this as much as we think.