i realize gybing on the wave is meant to make flipping the sail easier as it becomes light but I am having some problems with this. I make the majority of my gybes, even in quite choppy condition, but once on the wave face and the sail goes light I feel like I have no opposing force to help keep my balance, and consequently often fall off. Any tip? What should I do differently to just choppy water? Thanks.
Ah, I know very little about sailing, but I do know about turning on waves. I think when once you're charging down a wave face / swell under mostly wave power, it's time to forget wind power and think carving slice in a more traditional surfing fashion.
I much prefer gybing on waves as it reminds me of surfing- or more specifically, backhand cut backs. Once at the bottom of the wave the wind power comes back into play.
Hope this helps a little.
When I first started gybing on waves, I had similar trouble, the board just seemed to disappear under me, as the wave took over from the wind. I think it's just a matter of getting used to the acceleration down the wave instead of the slow down that happens on flat water, as phil says you have to change to being a surfer for a while. Like a lot of things in this sport it's just practice.
One important tip is to start the gybe early as you do not want the wave to overtake and pass under you during the gybe. You do not want to be getting onto the flatter water at the top of a swell for example.
In small waves, you want to be coming out of the gybe able to 'ride' the wave to keep the board moving forward - then you foot-steer it, which keeps you balanced.
Select to expand quotebaywavebill said..
i realize gybing on the wave is meant to make flipping the sail easier as it becomes light but I am having some problems with this. I make the majority of my gybes, even in quite choppy condition, but once on the wave face and the sail goes light I feel like I have no opposing force to help keep my balance, and consequently often fall off. Any tip? What should I do differently to just choppy water? Thanks.
Sounds like you are starting your gybe a bit too late. I initiate my gybe right when I start up the face, rotate the sail at the top, sheeting back in as I'm heading back down the face, and hopefully under full power as I enter the bottom turn.
Once you get better at it, you will be smacking the lip in the middle of the sail rotation, with the mast pointing back towards the beach.
You can even do it on a large chunk of chop, or on a standing swell, see some gorge vids.
Bend your knees more, get a bit lower and get that pressure onto the front foot and down through the mast foot.
Thanks guys for all your tips. I don't think its a late entry into the wave that's my issue as they are often shoulder high and I have no probs with surfing down the face. I think I have that unbalanced sensation when I do my foot change, ( which i do as I begin to flip the sail). i think this momentarily slows down the foot pressure to keep the board carving. Do you all swap change your feet after you flip the sail or during the flip when on the wave?
Select to expand quoteGWilko said..
Bend your knees more, get a bit lower and get that pressure onto the front foot and down through the mast foot.
Definitely remembering to create more mast foot pressure through the boom helps me. I think I have been relying on rear foot pressure on the rail though.
Select to expand quoteMastbender said..baywavebill said..
i realize gybing on the wave is meant to make flipping the sail easier as it becomes light but I am having some problems with this. I make the majority of my gybes, even in quite choppy condition, but once on the wave face and the sail goes light I feel like I have no opposing force to help keep my balance, and consequently often fall off. Any tip? What should I do differently to just choppy water? Thanks.
Sounds like you are starting your gybe a bit too late. I initiate my gybe right when I start up the face, rotate the sail at the top, sheeting back in as I'm heading back down the face, and hopefully under full power as I enter the bottom turn.
Once you get better at it, you will be smacking the lip in the middle of the sail rotation, with the mast pointing back towards the beach.
You can even do it on a large chunk of chop, or on a standing swell, see some gorge vids.
I will try flipping sooner on the wave. I know my mate has said I flip a little late.
Get your back hand as far down the boom as possible, get down low, start your flip as soon as you are pointing down the wave, and get onto the new rail as soon as possible to keep the board turning. Stay low this will help you plane out of the turn.
Select to expand quotebaywavebill said..
Thanks guys for all your tips. I don't think its a late entry into the wave that's my issue as they are often shoulder high and I have no probs with surfing down the face. I think I have that unbalanced sensation when I do my foot change, ( which i do as I begin to flip the sail). i think this momentarily slows down the foot pressure to keep the board carving. Do you all swap change your feet after you flip the sail or during the flip when on the wave?
I believe it is better NOT to change your feet for as long as you can, after you flip the sail. Many good gybers come out of a planning gybe still "wrong" footed, ie. haven't changed to new foot position.
The reason is that you don't disturb the board's dynamics too much. The sudden change of foot position can either make you stop to carve, or put too much pressure on the back the board, which then stall the gybe. You can actually steer the board wrong-footed by tilting your "old" foot very gently to either side.
For me, I can surf down the wave wrong-footed and only change to new foot positions when I feel balanced and in control. Another important thing to remember is to make sure that your weight is more forward of the board. Failure to do so will make the board slide under you and shoot off without you 
I believe the commonest mistake is to put too much pressure on the back of the board as instinctively, most people would try to avoid being hit by the sail, and the back of the board is the "perceived" safe place to be.
