Wingfoil is a gliding sport that’s relatively quick to learn, much more accessible than windsurfing and more practical than kitesurfing, since you don’t need anyone to launch the kite and it takes up less space when setting up your equipment. Starting from scratch, you first learn to handle the wing, then to steer the
What is a jibe?
In wing sailing, as in windsurfing, two maneuvers are essential for changing tack. Although you lose a little distance, the jibe is the easiest transition, especially for beginners.
The jibe is fundamental. It consists of changing direction by turning downwind without stopping. More specifically, it is the action of turning around while flying over the water, losing as little speed as possible!
Unlike tacking, which is done into the wind, jibing is done with the wind at your back. It’s a fast gybe.
Why learn jibe?
This turning action is particularly fun to do, and allows you to explore a wide sailing area. On the other hand, knowing how to jibe in wingfoil allows you to change tack smoothly and efficiently in irregular winds. Or to make the transition more quickly to avoid an unexpected obstacle.
Successful jibing ultimately depends on perfect harmony between board, foil and sail.
What are the steps to a successful wing foil jibe?
There are two types. Let’s look at the timeline for each, which can be broken down into several key stages.
The classic jibe
This is the most common method. Here, the change of foot is made at the end of the curve.
1 – Preparation
- Make sure you have enough speed, crosswind, and are stable on your board. You need to maintain sufficient speed throughout the maneuver.
- The faster you go, the better your balance and the easier the transition.
2. Entering the curve and starting the turn
- Shift your weight slightly forward to guide the float. And gently press down on the board with the tips of both feet.
- Play with your wing by gradually bringing it forward, raising it so that its leading edge faces into the wind. It should be feathered, i.e. more or less horizontal to the surface of the water. In this way, it will move less and become neutral during the transition. It will also have less drag.
3. Change wing side
- Let your wing float slightly to ease the transition to leeward. At this point, you can even hold it with your front hand. Remember that the wing must follow the movement of your body.
- Then change hands on the glider to control its new direction. The back hand grabs the front handle of your wing. And the front hand comes to the rear handle simultaneously.
4. Foot change
- Before you start changing feet, keep your legs slightly bent and your center of gravity not too high to maintain a certain balance on your board. Don’t hesitate to twist your body. Your shoulders turn more than your legs to accompany your wing.
- Then make a discreet switch to take your new crosswind course in the other direction. To do this, take a few small sideways steps. You can move your back foot a few centimeters toward your front foot to improve your balance, then reverse them. Start with your back foot, while looking ahead and staying toward the center of your board.
For your first jibes, keep sailing as long as possible in toe side (inverted feet) after turning. You’ll be able to change feet only when you’ve regained a good pace in the other direction.
5. End of curve
- Slowly straighten up to get back into a good rhythm.
- Borde your wing again to accelerate.
Switch to jibe
This is the second jiber technique. Here, the foot change takes place before the curve, which can be more fluid for some and more reassuring for others.
Before controlling the wing, the rider starts by reversing their feet. This means they move into a toe-side position. To do this, if you are still learning, slow down a little by deflating your wing, and move your back foot closer to your front foot without taking big steps. Then, simultaneously, slide your back foot in front of your front foot, with your toes facing the wind. This is often the most difficult part of the transition and prone to falls. However, if you succeed in this step, the rest of the jibe will be much easier, with a tack change that will happen almost naturally.
During the transition, be sure to straighten your body and accompany your wing smoothly, both upwards and horizontally. This will help you avoid overspeeding and getting ripped off at the same time.
What are the mistakes to avoid when jibing?
This type of transition is a technique that requires practice. To progress quickly and efficiently, it’s essential to avoid these common blunders.
The most common jibe errors are :
- Loss of speed: one of the most common mistakes is to lose speed before starting the turn. It’s important to maintain good momentum to ease the transition.
- Incorrect body position: if incorrect, this can unbalance the board and make the transition more difficult. If the body is too straight or too curved, the board will be less stable.
- Timing of the foot change: The timing of the foot change is important. If you do it too early or too late, you risk losing your balance.
- Poor wing management: this can lead to loss of control and make jibing difficult. In general, when you start sailing, you tend to orient your wing incorrectly in relation to the wind direction. Reduce the power of your sail to make jibing more comfortable.
- Looking in the wrong place: if you focus too much on your feet or hands, it can upset your balance and the coordination of your equipment.
The jibe is a transition maneuver that requires patience and perseverance before it can be mastered. By identifying and correcting your mistakes, you will progress quickly and enjoy wing foiling even more. Choose a flat water spot with steady winds (around 18-20 knots) to practice. Another tip is to check out a wing tutorial on YouTube or sign up for a sailing school course: these resources can give you that extra edge you need to become a great wing freerider!
