Issue 310 - OCT 2011
CHIP CHOP GYBING
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OCTOBER 2011
Chip Chop - Gybing
Words: Guy Cribb Photos: Guy Cribb INtuition and Mark Lloyd
Chop is the random atom- anything can happen when you least expect it to send you buzzing off course to oblivion. Windsurfing in choppy water is more difficult than sailing in flat water (no shit!)- in the gybe it’s far more difficult, hence the reason why all my ‘learn to gybe’ courses are in flat water locations. Once you have mastered the basics then applying them to chop is much easier than trying to learn them in chop from scratch.
S
o here’s a feature linked to an online video that demonstrates and provides technique on how to improve your gybing in choppy water. It is for people who already know how to basically gybe and are familiar with INtuition’s Core Skills. The images shot on these pages are also online in film- please watch it at guycribb.com- it’s in the video section and is called Gybing in Chop. (This feature is especially for those of you who already basically have all the INtuition Core Skills in place for your flat water gybes. If in doubt INvip me- (www.guycribb.com /INvip for info) INtuition often highlights three areas for guests- Technique, Tuning and Tactics- whether you’re learning to use footstraps, loop, waterstart or gybevirtually all of windsurfing can be split into INtuition’s 3T’s- Technique, Tactics and Tuning.
“Gently does it...”
“Oh oh!!!”
“Whoooaaah!!!”
“Phew...”
“Yikes!!!”
“Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!”
Online accompanying video by Alfie Hart/ INtuition. That was close....
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Gybing in choppy water TuningMast track- further forwards = more control, further back = livelier. Mast track positions give your board a variety of control options and is used mostly due to different sea states. I was using the mast track about 4-5cm further forwards sailing in the choppy Solent than I was in Prasonisi’s totally flat water the week before. 5cm is a massive difference considering I am usually adjusting it in 5mm increments! To improve your board control when gybing in chop, please position your mast track somewhere in the front half. Ideally from the mid point to 75% of the way forwards depending how rough it is. Most importantly- try different positions! TacticsIn rough water the arc of the gybe changes shape from a relatively curved semi circle / spiral to a more angular shape with a kink at the footchange. In rough water the waves usually travel in same direction of the wind, so when you are pointing straight downwind half way through your gybe you are sailing straight into the back of waves and down their faces. If you’re carrying a lot of speed here you will need to let your board ride over a few of these lumps heading in a fairly straight line, before spotting the wave face you wish to exit on. At this point a sharp turn is needed to point the board to the exit surfing/ traversing down a wave face.
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This sharp turn occurs with an aggressive Moon Walk during the footchange just as you head downhill on your exit wave. This wave has the potential to keep the board planing for a fast exit. The sharp footchange after a relatively straight downwind line makes the aerial view of the gybe more angular than a flat water turn. This is pretty advanced stuff- so to simplify the main thing is to try to exit going downhill on a wave face (no matter how small or large) to maintain board speed. This exit point should be spotted just before the foot change and rig flip. TechniqueThe key areas to improve in rougher water is the gybe approach and entry. This is make or break. Everything after the entry is basically the same sequence as it is in every gybe- rough or smooth water, light or strong winds, big kit or small kit- it’s all basically the same- please see the INtuition Gybing DVD and Core Skills for the best understanding and development of this- guycribb.com ApproachOn the approach before unhooking or moving your back foot- you’ve got to get supreme control. This will come by pushing your ass out as far as you can as this loads up the harness lines to the max! In doing so bring your head towards the boom bending your arms- with your elbows pointing downwards. Try it now wherever you are sat- ass out, head and shoulders in. This is basically INtuition’s ‘Ass’ stance- the maximum control stance taking everything in your harness.
Before unhooking make sure the arms are bent and you are doing the INtuition Growler (see July Windsurf mag or guycribb.com/ technique/ magazine articles) Pull down into the boom and pull in with the back arm before unhooking- this is vital! Unhook as subtly as possible- hardly flinching, just pulling down and in with the arms- ensuring the back arm does not let the sail open at all. (Naturally your back arm needs to of reached back to achieve this- remember I cant explain everything here- this is for people who already know the basics.) Keep pulling down into the boom and tip the rig slighty forwards towards the nose- this action shifts your body weight more onto your front foot thereby taking the weight off your back foot. This is your chance to move your back foot.Â
instant results-leans you and your rig forwards helping engage the rail for a controlled turn. -acts as suspension over the chop. -gets you lower improving mast foot pressure. Link this with a fast extension of your front arm/ mast into the turn and you instantly have a more dynamic turn! SummaryINtuition Growler / bend the elbows before subtly unhooking. Keep pulling down with bent arms to move back foot. Radically bend your front knee as you go into the turn. Exit down a wave face. See next month’s feature on how to stay fast and comfortable in a straight line in choppier water.
Do not attempt to move your back foot until your weight has shifted to your front foot- which can only happen if you are-sheeted right in -pulling down on the boom -tipping rig slightly forwards. This is basically the same procedure for flat water, but in the rough stuff it is extra crucial to be sheeting in and pulling down into the boom to move your back foot. Entering the turnWith your back foot over the board, the crucial technique tip in chop is bending your front knee (more than the back one.) This has a number of
Guy Cribb INtuition Riding the world by storm Guy is the worlds leading windsurfing coach- formerly 14 x British Champion, 5 x Vice World Champion and British National Coach. Guy runs windsurfing coaching courses all over the world combining the best coaching and priceless experiences! www.guycribb.com Copyright Guy Cribb 2011.
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