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.

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.

Bend your knees more, get a bit lower and get that pressure onto the front foot and down through the mast foot.

GWilko 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.

push on the boom, works for me

baywavebill 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.