The Carve Gybe:  Part 2 - Mid Gybe Last month, we covered the carve gybe entrance.  This month we are going to get deeper into that much desired and often elusive carve gybe by looking at the mid-part of the gybe.  The mid-part of the gybe is where the rig opens up and the all-important foot change occurs. Its time to take those speedy entrances and put them to good use in the middle of the turn! FOUNDATION		[480K Video Stream - Audio OFF]   You will require the latest Flash Player for the clip above:

We need to draw upon our light wind gybing skills and rig handling, both of which have been covered previously. During every clinic I coach on, the highest rate of improvement can be seen from the people who spend time practicing in light winds.  Light winds helps them to conquer the footwork and subtle weight changes whilst all the action is more, sedate and therefore, more stable. Do it, Do it – it works!!!

KEY PARTS

• Carving and opening the sail – Keeping the carve going and opening the sail as you look out of the turn.
• Foot change – getting the weight over the back foot in order to switch the front foot out of its original strap.
• Stepping up – getting the new front foot forward.

PRACTICE

• Switching the feet and sail on dry land in very light winds.
• Light wind gybes on a floaty board.
• Clew first sailing, clew first beach starts.

FUNDAMENTALS

Look where you want to go – you guessed it, whilst carving and going downwind it is absolutely crucial to look out of the turn. As you step forwards look forwards towards your exit.

Board flat – A flat board from end to end will keep speed through the foot change and towards the exit. The flat board is a by-product of looking where you want to go and keeping the rig away.

Rig away – The front arm remains extended and directs the power down through the mast foot. The board will then maintain speed and keep flat; result being your gybes will be looking good.

Clew first sailing – Being able to pause and keep control whilst clew first will give you time and enable you to keep up that all important speed. There is a lot going on in the gybe and the principle of ’feet and then rig’ keeps movements simple and lets you concentrate on one action at a time.

THE ACTION

		CARVING AND OPENING THE SAIL
		This is where we left off. Dropping down into the carve, sinking down through the rear hip and pushing hard through increasing back foot pressure. The sail is leaned into the turn through an extended front arm. The board is flat and I am looking through the sail.
		Start looking out of the turn as the back arm opens the sail. The hips continue moving across. The back foot pressure continues its constant but increasing theme.
		The board is now going dead downwind so you will be giving maximum back foot pressure, assisted by looking out of the turn and dropping the rear hip down. The sail is now fully open through the back arm extending. As the hips move to the inside of the turn the sail moves to the outside, relatively.
		THE FOOT CHANGE
		As the new tack approaches just past dead downwind the front foot can now be changed. The back foot has all the weight on it so the front foot is weightless and switches across, with the heel moving towards the toes of the original back foot. This foot / heel will then continue the carve. Keep looking out of the turn!
		STEPPING UP
View video of this move: Low bandwidth [MPEG, 0.4MB] High bandwidth [MPEG, 1.2MB]		Moving towards exit mode you will now be looking forwards in your direction of travel. The front foot is now placed forward whilst the weight is over the NEW back foot. This continues the carve from downwind to new broad reach. Keep that rear hip low and back leg bent. Keep looking out of the turn Make sure your legs remain bent, particularly when you step forward as the tendancy is to straighten at this point

FOOT WORK

Your goal is to get the front foot all the way across to the new carving rail in order to keep up the carve this is only possible if all the weight is on the back foot. As the rig moves out and the hips move in a counterbalance is formed which further facilitates the foot change. The new front foot is then placed forward between the straps and most track, most importantly it faces forward up the board. Where it goes depends on the wind:

• Well powered - place just in front of the foward strap.
• Powered or losing speed – place the foot further forward to flatten the board for earlier planing.

SUMMARY

• Keep the board carving flat and the front arm extended
• Look out of the turn and open the sail
• Give it max back foot pressure whilst the hips sink low and into the turn
• Front foot switches across to go heel to toe
• Keep looking out of the turn!!
• Place the front foot forwards
• Keep the back leg bent and carving through the heelside
• Look forwards

’True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful.’  Paul Seeney

Help is at hand for this and many more moves from simple to sublime. Get yourself on to an overseas clinic with Jem and let him unlock your potential. www.jemhall.com 

Jamie Lever GBR-5 "Try to choose a flat patch of water to initiate your gybe. Even when the sea is rough, you can always find a flat patch between the waves to gybe in."
Lucy Horwood GBR-95 "Try to be as light footed as possible when taking your back foot out of the strap.  If you stamp around like an elephant, you have no chance of planing out of your gybes."
Ben Proffitt K-800 "Dont think too much about the rig, just try to carve the board as efficiently as possible, just like a surfer would."

For any windsurfing technique queries, feel free to contact Jem on:
jem@jemhall.com or visit www.jemhall.com

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