I have become obsessed with perfecting the perfect slalom gybe, after almost 20 years of windsurfing (all self taught) I am surprised how hard it is to "unlearn" old habits. It has taken me ages to get my first full planing step gybe. I can say that once you start to get the hang of it, you tend to "relearn" the new technique and it becomes easier and easier.

http://www.boardseekermag.com/technique/advanced/slalom_gybe/slalom-gybe.html

Yep, thats a nice gybe. I like his writing style too ie .....do these five things simulateously in this order..... WTF.

I know, does not make it easy to follow. The best tips I ever got were from some of the better guys on the water. Really simple stuff, like over sheeting as you go into the gybe, this allows you to hit the approach flat out and you just have more speed coming into the exit. The stepping forward part I found really difficult, but it really helps to keep the board planing all the way through.

Apart from that, it all happens so bloody fast there's a limit to how many things I can think about at any one time.

All I can say is that its definately worth the effort to learn new techniques and its great when they finally start to come together.

Bart,
Good to hear you've rekindled that passion for windsurfing. Are you heading up to Burrum at end of March for speed weekend? Jo & boys are coming along so I've had to make it an impromtu long weekend (Friday to Monday). Damn I hate taking days off from work to sail and spend time with the family.

Say hi to K for me.

Hoops, never lost it! Burrum sounds great, will have to chat with senior management first. Problem is I would get exposed for just how slow I actually am.