Move On Up - Gybe Exits

This month we look at the gybe exit. It requires us to be very efficient and consistent in handling the rig in a clew first position, and also challenges our early planing skills. The best news is you can really nail many of the clew first skills at slower speeds in light winds on bigger boards. And we can improve our speed out of the gybe by working on our early planing skills. If we have a strong and ‘active’ getting planing position then the nirvana of a planing gybe exit is so much closer! We can be working on this even before we learn to gybe, so we have our gybe endings already nailed before we attempt to carve!

- Jem Hall

When I talk gybe, I am talking step (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.As a recap please read my previous gybe articles and I will also give you an updated (exit relevant) top 10 gybe tips to focus on. I will then give you tips on the clew first phase and how to rotate the rig, and also some top tips on planing early to fire out of your exit.

OVERALL GYBE TIPS

Let’s have a quick recap on the main gybe tips:

• Back hand ‘waaay’ down the boom. This is VITAL, and means we can handle the rig clew first. How we start is how we end.

• Always hang off the boom and keep pulling down on it when unhooked. You can’t do enough of this for a successful outcome!

• 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.

• Roll into the carve on an extended front arm. Keep the rig away in all parts of the gybe!

• ‘Extend and Bend’ is a great mantra in the gybe. Straighter arms and bent ankles and knees really help.

• Look out of the turn dead downwind, aiming to get the rig across and open. This helps moves our hips and puts us in a position to take some all important clew first power.

• Rig moves out as hips move in to the middle of the arc. This is an absolute must and sets up slick footwork. And again readies us to control the rig clew first.

• Take some power clew-first. This gives you ‘time to slide’ as you keep looking forward and out of the turn.

• Rotate the rig and take it through a big circle. Take it way back and then drive it forwards, all whilst looking forward, thinking never look at the sail or your hands.