Hi,

I was watching the non planing section of the dvd and am slightly confused as to where I should have my feet during the backwind gybe.

The dvd differs between the upwind 360 and the backwind gybe. In the 360 and whilst in the backwinded position I notice that the sailor moves there front front back behind the mast base before extending the sail forward and still across the wind, where as in the backwind gybe the guy seems to keep his front foot in front of the mast until he is nearly down wind. I am not sure if it just the wind arrow being incorrect.

Any help welcomed as to how I can crack this move as I always seem to struggle with the clew through the wind pulling me off the board. I think I need to get the board further round from dead downwind, but I struggle to do this. Thanks

Hi Justin,

Ok, for sailing backwinded, you have your front foot just in front of the mast foot and hold the sail to the back to be able to keep the board on track.

When you want to do a Backwind Jibe, you need to steer the board downwind. When the board turns downwind, the pressure in the sail in creases and once you let the clew go through the wind, the pressure will increase instantly and probably pull you off the board. Also, if you don't step back, you'll have your body too far forward anyway, too much weight on the nose (it might even sink),...

So sail backwinded and when you're ready to backwind jibe, start by stepping a bit further back with the back foot, followed by stepping back, behind the mast foot, with the front foot. This alone might already let the board turn downwind (the tail sinks slightly, which makes the turning of the board even easier).
As soon as you stepped back, extend your mast arm upwind and keep the sail close to your body with the sail arm - this gives you room to open the clew farther and release pressure once the clew is through the wind.

In the upwind 360 it's quite the same,... the timing might differ a bit depending on the wind strength also - if the wind is very very light, you can step back later, while if the wind is a bit stronger, you better step back earlier and farther, to be able to lean your body against the upcoming pressure (once the clew is through the wind).

Important is, that you step back a bit from the normal backwinded position - and that you keep the sail relatively close to your body!


Just seeing the clips on the DVD - non planing Backwind Jibe, around second 38 - Laure has a pretty big board for her body weight, so she can step back easier and earlier... also see how close she has the sail to her body once she starts to steer downwind!

The first non planing Backwind Jibe is by Jakub, who has a pretty small board for his body weight, so he can't just step around how he wants on his board...

Try it and in case you have further questions let me know!

Have fun and good winds!
Rossi

Hi Rossi,

Many thanks for the detailed explanation. I have been goind wrong by not stepping back and not getting my sail arm really bent.

Looking forward to getting out on the water and trying your points!

PS - When is the Trickacademy going live ?

Thanks


Justin

Cool - hope you'll be able to do it soon

Trickademy: I am working on it... Sorry that it takes so long,... working on events setup right now, i hope to start with events in August...

Will send out a newsletter, as soon as there's news!!

All the best
Rossi

Hi Rossi,

Once last question. I got out over the weekend and find I am able to do the upwind 360 in the straps more easily than a non planing one. Have the feet in the straps helps me counter balance the sudden surge when the clew goes through the wind.

Do you have a tip on how to get the nose of the board through the eye of the wind before backwinding the sail. On some of the attempts I would carve into wind, get my weight and rig forward, but I would just be pointing into wind and no matter how hard I trid I could not get the board to bear away onto the new tack and into the backwinded position. Once the board was on the new tack I found I could complete the move.

Any pointers.

Thanks

Justin

Hey Justin,

Oh yeah - being in the straps lets you be far back on the board and you have something to hold against even if the power in the sail suddenly gets pretty strong...

With a little bit of practise, you'll get a good feeling of how to counterbalance the sail pressure and will be able to easily do the non planing version...

To your question - Well once you are planing, you have a certain apparent wind. So you can plane and steer hard into the wind with your board. Support carve by sail steering (lean the sail back as you put pressure on your heels).
You will carve into the wind and the faster you are, the further you can carve - you can even carve through the wind with the board and still use the pressure in the sail to pull you up and quickly guide it forward and into the wind, leaning onto it... you know the rest of the move already

great that you are making progress!!

All the best
Rossi