WING: HOW TO SWITCH TO JIBE ! // ENG

Описание: GONG is putting together a Wing Tutorial : Switch to Jibe for Intermediate Level !

Wing Foil Jibing is very similar to Windsurfing or Kite Jibing with the difference that the Wing can be neutralized to take advantage of a bump in the swell for a smooth turn.

There are two main ways to jibe in Wing depending on whether you switch before or after passing the wind axis.

The simplest is to jibe in your natural stance, goofy or regular. Depending on the tack you are on, you will either jibe to switch (this is the simplest because we attack from the front), or switch to jibe on the other side. While knowing that becoming symmetrical will be a long and complicated exercise.
But soon you will know how to do all four jibes perfectly by working on symmetry.

The first thing to do is to look around to avoid an accident either by looking in the window, or by moving the Wing backwards to see the trajectory in front of the leading edge, or by putting the Wing up like an umbrella.

You should also check the wind strength and wind axis before entering the maneuver.
It is fundamental to use these elements to maximize success: waiting for the slack if you are overpowered, or the opposite, can change everything compared to a blind engagement. A little wave or chop that pushes you into the turn will be a big help.

To switch on a Foil, you have to do a little pumping (an impulse) that will make the Foil go up while you have both feet in front. This will prevent you from touching the water again.

The most natural way is probably to switch at the end of the maneuver and to attack facing the turn.

The passage of the Wing is very natural; your hands go along the handles smoothly. The only thing to avoid is to pass it under the Board by deflecting it. So, don't make the curve too long, tighten it at the end of the move. The downwind passage should be as short as possible, except the beginners' fault is to block downwind because of lack of speed and engagement. Your turn should look more like a rounded L than a C. And attack with the Wing, then umbrella it before the downwind.

The keys to jibe in Wing Foil are :
Check before the maneuver that your trajectory does not cause a collision.
Have speed to get support, which will make your jibe easier.
Before starting your turn, you have to straighten up to go from a counter upwind heel/tilt to a downwind heel/tilt.
To switch your feet with as much balance as possible, lay the board flat as much as possible and use the kite as an umbrella.
Begin your turn by leaning lightly on the Wing with your back hand.
Half way through the turn, let go of the back hand while turning the Wing to the other side of the Board, and position the Wing on the opposite side always with the front hand.
When passing downwind, switch hands on the high handle and grab the low handle with the other hand.

Tip: Give a light push with the low hand before releasing it to dynamise your Wing's tilt and send it towards the new tack. This is very true with big Wings in light wind.