rig control / keeping the board flat when gybing overpowered.

[FKPhil]

Slowly slowly trying to make more of my gybes.


Is there a trick to controlling the rig when gybing overpowered?
I can’t help leaning back to oppose the power during the turn so the board nose comes up + all goes spetic.

[TallJames]

Fundamentally don't lean back, lean forwards. On the principle its usually the stage before the stage things go wrong on that's causing the problem get your prep right, Before gybeing widen your grip, unhook when broad reaching and get low before you start to carve so your set up properly. Then keep your front arm straight and allow the rig to pull you forward as you carve leaning into the turn. That should engaged be rail and keep the nose down.

[tim319]

If you're going fast enough the rig shouldn't be pulling you and should go light. As TallJames says lean forwards. You can oversheet the sail too to kill some of the power.

What you don't want to happen is going downwind slowly where the rig is pulling you forward, as you will get pulled up and can no longer carve. If this does happen it's better to just let go with the old backhand and concentrate on carving. You will come out switch stance, maybe off the plane, but you can just catch the sail and sail off as long as you keep your weight forward and carve hard.

Learning to gybe its easy to go in slowly thinking it will make it easier. It will not as this just increases the pull in the sail and pull you off balance.

[boards_Tomas]

Mast foot pressure is essential both before and after the flip. Do not head too much down wind before sheeting in (push mast hand forward and to the inside to engage the rail). Also keep pressure on the rail through the turn (use your hip) but flip in a split second and power up before heading into the wind.

[ultimoamore]

If you're going fast enough the rig shouldn't be pulling you and should go light

Ehm, that's exactly the problem for me... since I'm already going "fast" and not 100% in control when overpowered, the idea of going even faster (downwind) doesn't sound so appealing...

[TallJames]

What size kit are you on, what kind of windstrength and what point of sail is it going wrong? In gybeing the more decisive you are with your kit the better it usually turns out. As long as you keep the board turning speed is your friend even though it doesn't feel like it a times. Especially when stacked where if you've got speed the apparent wind reduces the power in the rig at helpfull times. I think Boardseekers still got video tutorials of gybeing, they may be worth a watch.

[FKPhil]

What size kit are you on, what kind of wind strength and what point of sail is it going wrong.

All types of kit when I’m well/overpowered, but worse on the smaller kit, and happens when I’m pretty much heading downwind and the board has started to slow.

Then keep your front arm straight and allow the rig to pull you forward as you carve.

I can see the sense in that but am pretty sure that in reality I do the opposite ‘cos I feel out of control.

In gybing the more decisive you are with your kit the better it usually turns out.

If you're going fast enough the rig shouldn't be pulling you and should go light….

Thanks Guys… lots to think about there. Looks like I need to go a bit more balls out.

... If this does happen it's better to just let go with the old backhand and concentrate on carving.

Sounds like a good recovery plan; especially as I’ve proven many times that hanging on and fighting the rig doesn’t end well.