Footloose: Gybing Footwork

This month we look at footwork in the gybe. It is not as complex as you think and specific actions will make you light on your feet and put precision into your gybes. Get this phase right and the nirvana of either your first gybe exit, or even a planing gybe exit, is so much closer! The best news is you can really practice the footwork at slower speeds in light winds and on bigger boards.

- Jem Hall

When I talk gybe, I am talking the ‘step’ style of carve gybe where we change our feet before the rig, as this is the most efficient and versatile gybe and can be done in all winds on all boards. I see all sorts of funky strap and hybrid gybes and these might work to give you a ‘dryish’ gybe but they will never be as efficient or effective as a proper step gybe. As I have said before, the gybe is a thing of beauty, and if it is worth doing it is worth doing well.

As a recap I will go over some general gybe tips and give you the inside line on what light wind moves to master. Lastly I will give you some top tips on the footwork, which runs from mid gybe into the exit phase. The rig rotation and carving out of the gybe will be covered later this year.

“SEEING THE CLEW WITH A WEIGHTED BACK FOOT MAKES FOR SLICK FOOTWORK.”

OVERALL GYBE TIPS

As it is spring time, let’s have a quick recap on the main gybe tips:

1. Back hand waaay down the boom.

2. Front hand back on the boom.

3. Always hang off the boom and keep pulling down on it when unhooked.

4. Back foot back and on the rail. The back foot can come out pre bear away (or during), but it must be back and next to the back strap.

5. Scissor/steer a flat board into the gybe. This means not carving till your board speed is up. The sail will lighten and the rails can thereby be carved smoothly.

6. Roll into the carve on an extended front arm. How we start, and carve, is how we end. Rig away at the start helps keep it that way mid gybe which helps lighten our feet!

7. Carve through gradually increasing back foot pressure, after setting the rail on your front foot.